A guide to selecting server cabinets with some of the most important FAQs
There are three dimensions to consider when selecting server cabinets: cabinet depth, height, and width. The first is to determine the depth of cabinet required. The reason for this is that each cabinet has a maximum internal / user depth. Within this depth the vertical pillars can be moved to accommodate shorter depths.
As a rule of thumb, the maximum internal depth of a server cabinet is approximately 130mm less than the overall outer depth of the cabinet. The best way to determine the depth required is to look at the equipment to be housed and measure or take a depth from a datasheet or manual. Start with the deepest device to be rack mounted. Remember to add additional depth of at least 50mm for cable bend radius for your equipment power cords and network cables. Fibre cables may require a larger additional depth.
Server cabinets have an internal height measured in U where 1U=44.45mm. This standardisation allows rack mounted device height requirements to be totalled. The vertical pillars in a server cabinet are normally marked from 1 and the bottom of a rack to the top U height which can be from 4U up to 47U or higher. To accommodate equipment not designed to be rack mounted, additional shelves (fixed, adjustable, and telescopic) can be added to a server cabinet. These attach as does any rack mounted devices with M5 cage nuts and bolts.
The internal width of 19inch rack mount cabinets is 483mm (482.6mm). The outer dimensions of a cabinet are either 600mm (standard) or 800mm; which allows a wider width for cabling and side access to the equipment inside the cabinet. A 600mm server cabinet will fit through a standard doorway but an 800mm may not.
Flat pack option available making it easy to manoeuvre through doorways, in and out of lifts and up stairwell.
Whichever size is chosen (600 or 800mm) it is important to consider the final location of the server cabinet(s) and to leave sufficient room to the front and back of the cabinets for access. Side access may also be important and side panels are removable; they lock into position.
All our cabinets are made from SPCC quality cold rolled steel, with a static loading of 600Kg.
The high grade, heavy duty steel gives a sturdy and safe cabinet fit for most applications. The cabinets have been designed with the installer in mind with numbered adjustable front and rear rack profiles.
Midas Cabinets complies with IEC 297-2, EN12150-2, RoHS and have an IP20 rating.
Doors include toughened glass, steel mesh and arched mesh. The latter two provide greater air flow.
Each door features a quick release spring pin on both the front and rear.
Also remember to consider other systems for your server cabinet. These include rackmount uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and power distribution units (PDU’s).
