Rack Cabinets and Draws
Rack cabinets and drawers are essential components used to organise and securely house electronic equipment and accessories.
Rack Cabinets
Rack cabinets form the basis of a rack set up and selecting the correct rack cabinet for an installation deserves some consideration.
Most of the rack cabinets in this section can be free standing or wall mounted, lifting the equipment off the floor, to improve access for later adjustment or routine operation. That being said, make sure the rack you select will accept the equipment you are planning to fit in it as some amplifiers and servers can be very deep.
Fitting Guidelines
Rack cabinets are supplied without wall fixing screws or bolts but have clever back brackets to use when attaching to a wall. You must choose the correct bolts or screws depending on the wall material - keep in mind the rack could be very heavy when fully loaded, so the wall the rack is fitted to needs to be able to withstand the load. Plasterboard dry walling may not be suitable unless a strong supporting pad is used.
All the panels are detachable from the rack cabinet, so access is easy. When considering the final assembly of the system in hand, it may make sense to undertake some of the internal cable connections with the rack cabinet in its final position, but each installation will vary. Most of the cases have rack fixing strip back and front, so you can add panels to the back of the cabinet to hold connectors and other equipment. This can make for a neater installation and make the installation more serviceable.
The fixing strip corresponds to the industry standard panel spacing, so each unit is 44mm or 1 ¾ inches, most panel combinations can be accommodated, but you may need to add a few blanking panels to fill in the gaps. It is always wise to have a little extra space in the case for ventilation panels and any further additions to the kit.
Rack Drawers
Handy and lockable rack drawers are often worth fitting to any fixed or rack cabinet installation. Items such as spare leads, radio microphones and batteries can be stored in the draw and locked away for safe keeping. Rack draws are exceptionally strong, and the powder coat finish will withstand the rigors of any installation. Various depths are available, and they all fit the standard rack layout occupying 2,3 or 4 rack spaces.
Rack Trays and Shelves
Sliding rack trays or shelves offer extra support to large and heavy rack cabinet equipment. Rather than the front rack flanges taking all the strain these handy trays can spread the load between the front and back rack fixing rails. This is essential if the equipment in questions is very heavy and desirable even for lighter loads. Once installed the equipment can easily be pulled out of the rack on the sliding rails, making for easy maintenance and connection access. Alternative types of rack tray are fixed in position and are designed to accommodate equipment that has no rack fixing ears. The equipment can be clamped into the tray with adjustable bars and straps, ensuring it remains in position during use. The uses are endless for this item and it does mean that free standing equipment can be safely accommodated in a rack cabinet.