Excool delivers advanced data center cooling solutions powered by ABB technology

Excool delivers advanced data center cooling solutions powered by ABB technology

As AI models consume more power than ever, data center cooling has become the bottleneck. Excool is solving this with intelligent cooling solutions that deliver reliable, efficient, and scalable performance. From colocation and hyperscale to edge and AI data centers worldwide, ABB technology powers their solutions.

Cooling solution provider with a long history

Excool has been shaping data center cooling since 2010, starting with a breakthrough solution developed in response to evolving ASHRAE server temperature standards. Today, its cooling portfolio is built to meet constantly increasing demands of high-performance computing and AI.

The company's roots go back even further. In the early 1980s, Excool's chairman spotted a market opportunity in swimming pool heat recovery equipment — a unique starting point for a future leader in data center cooling. The company later expanded into heating and cooling solutions for major retailers in the UK, and the shift to air-to-air composite heat exchangers laid the foundation for current advanced offering. More than 40 years of HVAC expertise have made Excool what it is today.

  • Excool's UK headquarters.
  • 40 years of HVAC expertise and pioneering have made Excool what it is today.
  • In July 2022, Excool had the distinct honour of hosting the Princess Royal at Excool facility in Bromsgrove, UK and receiving the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade.

Futureproofing data center cooling

Excool provides cooling solutions for both air- and liquid-cooled data centers worldwide. As developers increasingly install infrastructure before finalizing tenant requirements, flexibility has become critical. Excool’s latest solution addresses this challenge: the Switch, a packaged hybrid cooling unit with full external heat rejection up to 2400kW. It supports a wide range of rack densities — from day one through full capacity — giving operators room to grow without redesigning their setup.

The liquid-cooled element of the Switch is the coolant distribution unit (CDU). CDUs act as the interface between the primary coolant source and IT equipment, regulating temperature, flow rate, and pressure to optimize server performance. They also add a layer of safety — reducing leak risks, preventing overheating, and extending system lifespan.

ABB low-voltage components in Excool Switch cabinets ensure safe circuit isolation, enable reliable power switching, and provide protection against overloads and short circuits.
ABB low-voltage components in Excool Switch cabinets ensure safe circuit isolation, enable reliable power switching, and provide protection against overloads and short circuits.
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Every component matters

Reliability in a CDU starts with the right components. Inside Excool control and distribution panels, ABB's low-voltage solutions are selected to handle the demanding conditions of modern data centers.

  • OT series switch-disconnectors provide safe circuit isolation during maintenance, with high breaking capacity in a compact footprint — ideal where space is tight.
  • MS series motor protection circuit breakers protect pumps from overloads and short circuits, preventing overheating and keeping systems running.
  • Automatic transfer switches enable seamless switchover between primary and backup power, so cooling never stops — even during disturbances.
  • Miniature circuit breakers quickly isolate faults, reducing the risk of equipment damage.
  • ACS180 drives provide reliable pump control in a compact design, with typical energy savings of 30%. Each drive is factory-tested to ensure dependable performance. A built-in mini PLC supports redundancy if main communication fails. Integrated protection and monitoring functions help to detect leaks, pump bearing wear, resonance, or clogged filters.

“ABB's products enhance the energy-efficiency and reliability of Excool’s units, assisting us in creating the most sustainable and robust data center cooling solutions for our clients,” — says Tom Biddle, Chief Operating Officer, Excool.

Excool CDU pumps are controlled by ABB drives to maximize energy savings for end users.
Excool CDU pumps are controlled by ABB drives to maximize energy savings for end users.
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Test, test, test

Both Excool and ABB take testing seriously — because in data centers, there is no room for surprises. Excool's 2MW test facility pushes solutions to their limits. With temperatures reaching up to 55°C dry bulb and 35°C wet bulb, and fully customizable scenarios, it simulates real-world conditions for performance validation, efficiency analysis, and stress testing — all before deployment.

Excool conducts rigorous testing to ensure its solutions perform optimally in any environment.
Excool conducts rigorous testing to ensure its solutions perform optimally in any environment.
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On the ABB side, the CSI (Customer & Supplier Investigation) laboratory in Helsinki, Finland maintains equally rigorous testing standards. Often called a "product hospital," the lab specializes in reliability testing, failure analysis, and production issue investigation — with a particular focus on critical components like power semiconductors and capacitors.

ABB engineers perform meticulous analysis of components before they end up as part of drives and other LV solutions.
ABB engineers perform meticulous analysis of components before they end up as part of drives and other LV solutions.
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Robust supply chain and global support

In mission-critical industries, supply chain reliability is just as important as product quality — especially during material shortages. Excool and ABB maintain global manufacturing footprints and strategically placed inventories to ensure reliable delivery and shorter lead times.

ABB's localized production and sourcing strategies reduce dependence on volatile international markets, while close supplier collaboration keeps access to semiconductors and power electronics stable. Beyond fast delivery, ABB's global technical support network ensures Excool customers receive immediate assistance and expertise wherever they operate — minimizing downtime and keeping systems running.

"Working with Excool has been a great experience. Their focus on premium components and strict data center requirements aligns perfectly with our strengths. Our distributor network and technical support enable fast, coordinated delivery and local expertise — critical factors in meeting project timelines," — highlights Carl Turbitt, HVAC Drives UK Sales Manager, ABB.

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Discover how to make mission-critical cooling equipment even more efficient, reliable, and scalable to meet your customers’ growing business demands. Download our LV AC solutions guide: Build efficient and resilient machines to cool data centers. 

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