Uniflair XCA series: developments in data centre cooling technology

Schneider Electric has announced a new data centre cooling product line, the Uniflair XCA series, designed for high-density, AI-oriented liquid-cooled environments where thermal loads are increasing.

The Uniflair XCAC and XCAF series are designed to manage a range of thermal conditions using a combination of technologies aimed at energy efficiency and operational stability. The systems use oil-free centrifugal compressors with magnetic bearing technology and variable-speed drives as part of the cooling architecture.

The chillers in the series have a capacity range from 1,200 kW to 2,500 kW and use low-GWP refrigerants intended to reduce environmental impact.

The capability to operate with higher water temperatures is positioned as relevant for AI-intensive infrastructures, which often require high levels of cooling performance. The design approach of Schneider Electric extends beyond cooling alone, with systems developed for higher energy density environments.

Key advancements in this area include:

• Oil-free compressor efficiency: The compressors remove the need for traditional lubrication systems, which reduces maintenance requirements and is associated with efficiency improvements of up to 25%, alongside low acoustic levels.
• Heat exchange design: The integration of spray evaporator technology with V-shaped microchannel coils is intended to improve thermal performance while reducing refrigerant charge and environmental impact.
• Free cooling capability: In a wide range of ambient conditions (from -20°C to +52°C), the XCAF models are designed to reduce reliance on mechanical cooling and increase energy savings.

The systems are also described as highly configurable, allowing operators to adjust them to specific operational requirements, with the aim of improving efficiency and reducing management overhead. They are designed to recover from power interruptions with a restart time of approximately three minutes, which is relevant for critical infrastructure use cases.

The Uniflair XCA series is aligned with EU F-Gas regulations, incorporating lower global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants as part of broader decarbonisation compliance considerations.

From a controls and software perspective, the XCA includes updated firmware intended to support efficiency optimisation, including features such as variable speed pump control algorithms and real-time flow measurement for operational monitoring and adjustment.

Overall, the Uniflair XCA is presented as an advancement in cooling technology intended for modern data centre environments, with a focus on efficiency, configurability, and regulatory alignment.