Why must the amount of cable and devices under a raised floor be managed carefully?

Managing the amount of cable and devices under a raised floor is crucial primarily to avoid obstruction of cooling air flow. In environments such as data centers, raised flooring is often used as a plenum for distributing cooled air. If cables and devices are not organized properly, they can block the airflow, leading to hot spots where equipment may overheat. Effective airflow management is essential for maintaining optimal operating temperatures, ensuring hardware reliability, and maximizing energy efficiency.

While considerations such as preventing damage to cables, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and maintaining aesthetic appearance may be important, they are secondary when it comes to the critical functionality of thermal management in data centers and similar environments. Properly managing airflow is fundamental to the operation and longevity of the equipment housed in such spaces.