A server administrator is leading a decommissioning project for 20 servers being removed from a data center. The servers have been powered down and disconnected. The administrator must now address the associated power cables that run from the rack's Power Distribution Units (PDUs) to the decommissioned hardware. Which of the following is the BEST practice for power cable remediation in this scenario?
Tag the power cables at both ends as 'abandoned' and disconnect them only from the server.
Leave the power cables connected to the PDU, coil them neatly, and secure them inside the rack for future use.
Completely remove the power cables from the PDU to the server and recycle them.
Cut the server-end connectors off the power cables and leave the remaining cable in the rack.
The correct action is to completely remove the power cables from the PDU to the server and then properly recycle them. According to the National Electrical Code (NEC), accessible portions of abandoned cables must be removed unless they are tagged for future use. Leaving abandoned cables, including power cables, in place can create safety hazards, impede airflow needed for cooling active equipment, and complicate future cable management. This removal process is often referred to as cable remediation or cable mining.
Leaving cables coiled in the rack, even if neat, contributes to a 'spaghetti' environment, blocks critical airflow, and can be mistaken for live cables. Cutting the ends off the cables is dangerous as the other end may still be connected to a live PDU, creating a serious electrical hazard. Tagging cables as 'abandoned' while leaving them connected to the PDU does not resolve the physical obstruction or potential safety issues and goes against best practices, which favor complete removal.
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