FAQs - Server Cabinets

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. From our server cabinet ranges this will determine the cabinets available. The reason for this is that each cabinet has a maximum internal depth. Within this depth the vertical pillars can be moved to accommodate shorter depths. Standard depths include: 600mm, 800mm, 900mm, 1000mm and 1200mm for server cabinets and 400mm, 450mm, 500mm and 550mm for data cabinets.
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, typically an IT server. 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. For this reason, we offer flat packed server cabinets for assembly on site once placed into the location they are to be used within.
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.

We offer two colours as standard for indoor cabinets. A black to RAL9005 and a grey to BSI4800. It is not easy to accommodate additional colours for short production runs as the paint spraying systems need to be cleaned each time a new colour is added. Black is the default colour and the one offered on the shortest lead time.

For external cabinets we offer a wider range of colours because these are special coatings for outdoor usage and the cabinets are built-in shorter production runs. The finishing process takes longer compared to an indoor server room or data centre server cabinet.

Your may see cabinet door options for your server rack and lock options. Doors include toughened bronze glass, perforated and mesh. The latter two provide greater air flow. Each door is locked, and, on some racks, we offer combination locks. RFID controlled door handles are also available for access control management systems to prevent unauthorised access.

We offer a nationwide delivery service which is to the kerbside. If movement inside a building is required, this is viewed and priced as a project. We also offer onsite flatpack builds and cabling services.

Each of our cabinets is made to order and a lead time is shown on each cabinet product page. To this time, we need to add delivery routing time. If a cabinet is wanted for a specific date or a timed delivery is required, please contact us for a quotation.

Also remember to consider other systems for your server cabinet. These include rackmount uninterruptible power supplies, power distribution units, automatic transfer switches, fire suppression units and environmental monitoring systems (for temperature, humidity, water leakage and other factors.