When are the wet bulb and dry bulb temperatures identical?

When are the wet bulb and dry bulb temperatures identical?
A . When the dry bulb’s temperature is at the lowest allowable temperature for IT equipment as per ASHRAE
B . When the dry bulb’s temperature is at the highest allowable temperature for IT equipment as per ASHRAE
C . When the relative humidity is at the best practice value for relative humidity, being 50% RH
D . When the relative humidity is 100%

View Answer

Answer: D

Explanation:

The wet bulb and dry bulb temperatures become identical when the relative humidity reaches 100%.

At this point, the air is fully saturated with moisture, meaning it can no longer absorb additional water vapor. As a result, the rate of evaporation decreases, and there is no difference between the dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures.

Detailed Explanation

The dry bulb temperature measures the air temperature, while the wet bulb temperature takes into account the cooling effect of evaporation. When relative humidity is at 100%, the air has reached its saturation point, and no further evaporation occurs. This causes both the wet bulb and dry bulb

thermometers to display the same temperature reading. This condition is critical in understanding environmental conditions, particularly in HVAC and data center environments, where humidity control is essential to avoid equipment overheating or corrosion.

EPI Data Center Specialist References:

The EPI Data Center Specialist training includes understanding humidity levels and their impact on data center environments. Knowing when wet bulb and dry bulb temperatures align helps data center operators manage moisture levels effectively, which is essential for preventing issues related to high humidity, such as condensation on IT equipment.