Rack Mount Enclosures

Rack Mount Enclosures

To support the weight of multiple modules, rack mount enclosures are constructed most frequently of steel but can also be made of aluminum, carbon fiber or Kevlar. Rack mounts can support over 2,000 pounds of weight. Some enclosures are 45 U high, while others are only one or two U in height. Some rack mounts are cabinet enclosures and use doors to protect the rack's contents from dust and accidents and locks to prevent theft or vandalism. Small enclosures can sit on a tabletop or under a desk while larger models can be mounted to the floor for superior stability. Rack mount enclosures are used throughout the telecommunication, computing, audio and entertainment industries. They are often used to house computer servers, industrial control equipment, amplifiers, effects units, audio mixers, DVD players, interface units and more.

Rack mount enclosures are available in two and four post arrangements. Each post has protruding edges to allow equipment to be mounted and is at least 2 millimeters thick to provide strength. Two post racks consist of two parallel metal strips connected at the top and secured in a base. Equipment is mounted through its front panel holes or near its center of gravity. Shelves are available to hold modules that cannot be mounted in a two post rack. More widely used are four post rack mounts which allow equipment to be mounted at its front and rear, providing more support and balancing out the weight distribution. The modules can be mounted on the racks by bolts that are freely inserted through the rack's holes and fastened in place by cage nuts. An alternate and preferred method is boltless mounting where equipment is inserted through a squared hole and hooked onto a lip. This makes it easier to install and remove the modules. For heavy equipment that is accessed routinely for servicing, rails are attached to allow the module to slide in and out. Folding cable trays behind the servers are frequently used, especially for computer enclosures in order to organize the cables and minimize confusion. Other accessories include drawers, handles, soundproof doors and blank panels to fill in the spaces between equipment modules. Military, seismic and shockproof frames are also available and required for certain locations.