When storing vital servers and network equipment, rack enclosures (NEMA rated or vented) are a must for large companies and IT departments. A vented rack enclosure provides functionality, proper arrangement, passive cooling, and, above all, security. In the beginning of the purchasing process, a customer or end-user should ask various questions to find the perfect vented enclosure solution.

Questions to Find the Best Vented Rack Enclosures

1. How much equipment will be stored?
Prior to installing electronics, it is crucial to assess the quantity of equipment that will be placed within the enclosure. This evaluation is essential in determining the overall size of the ventilated enclosure or the total rack mount space (each U representing a height of 1.75 inches) required. In order to accommodate a significant amount of network or electronic equipment, it is possible to combine and secure multiple enclosures together.

2. What type of cable management is necessary?
If a large amount of cables (wires or cords) are needed within the vented enclosure, effective cable management is required for organizing the cables and maintaining proper connectivity. With differing accessories, cables may be positioned vertically or horizontally. To facilitate the entry of cables, split panels, metal or plastic conduit, sleeves, or small openings should be provided. Additionally, these items help prevent cables from getting pinched or cut when closing the enclosure door.

3. Does the equipment need a lock?
A vented enclosure, along with internal electronics, may require security measures, namely being locked and kept private. When opting for an enclosure which needs to be safeguarded, it is advisable to select one equipped with key locking latches on all doors and side panels. This allows for convenient accessibility, while ensuring the protection of the enclosed equipment.

4. What type of add-ons are needed?
When buying a vented server or network enclosure, it’s important to think about useful accessories. These include air circulating fans (often available in single, double, or quadruple options), rack mountable surge protectors, power cords, drawers, shelves (both stationary and sliding), filler panels, levelers, bolt down legs, and industrial grade castors. These accessories help create an organized and easily manageable environment within the vented enclosure.

Carefully consider each question, or your vented enclosure choice may not be the ideal solution. Before purchasing an enclosure, always create a list of everything that is needed. The correct enclosure is will keep electronics safe and secure for many years in the future. This will save money and prevent unnecessary downtime.

HAVE QUESTIONS?  LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN BEST ASSIST YOU! CONTACT AN ‘ITSENCLOSURES EXPERT’ AT 1-800-423-9911 -or- SEND US AN EMAIL:  INFO@ITSENCLOSURES.COM

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Mt. Pleasant, PA (December 2, 2022) – With almost four decades of expertise in the industrial enclosure market, ITSENCLOSURES is pleased to showcase one of their popular rack enclosures: the NEMA 12 IceStation IR72-12. This heavy-duty rack enclosure is designed to enclose various electronics and rack mount equipment. The IR72 enclosure measures 72” high x 24” wide x 38” deep and is constructed out of heavy-duty 12-gauge steel with 16-gauge steel side panels. In order to bolt together multiple units, the enclosure’s side panels (sealed with gasket) can be removed.

For rack mounting applications, the IR72 comes with 19-inch wide adjustable, mounting rails; customize with square punched or tapped rails. The IR72 has 38U of interior rack mount space and the rails attach to the rack enclosure’s built in uni-strut. The rack mounts rails are installed in the front and rear of the cabinet and feature an adjustable depth to allow proper equipment positioning. Dust-tight split panels are located on the top and bottom of the enclosure to run cables, cords, and wires of varying sizes.

The IR72’s front and rear doors can be locked – for security – with key locking 3-point latches. The full view window (on the front door) is ideal for equipment monitoring and offered in tempered safety glass or Lexan polycarbonate. The front and rear doors feature reversible hinges to increase placement flexibility.

JT Spangler, Owner of ITSENCLOSURES, discusses ITSENCLOSURES’ industrial enclosures, “Our goal has always been to supply our customers with tough, protective enclosures for any harsh environment. Our NEMA 12 enclosures will protect your essential electronics from dust, dirt, grease, lint, fibers, and splashing fluids. Each and every day, we continue to design, tweak, and fabricate innovative enclosure solutions as electronics, computers, printers and monitors evolve. ‘Forever and a day’ is the standard that we have set for ourselves since the very early days of ITSENCLOSURES. This will never change.”

Easily transport the rack mount enclosure around the factory floor with the included industrial grade casters. The front casters are lockable and the rear casters swivel. Lifting eyes, mounted on the top of the rack enclosure, can also be used to move the enclosure. For those companies that require the enclosure to be stationary, anti-tip legs or bolt down legs are available.

Thermal management options include a 200 CFM filtered fan system (2 complete systems can be installed easily), which will keep air flowing throughout the enclosure. The fan and exhaust will create a positive pressure, which eliminates damaging dust and dirt from entering the enclosure. Other thermal management options include different sizes of air conditioners, a vortex cooling unit, or a NEMA 12 heat exchanger.

ITSENCLOSURES designs and builds the most durable rack enclosures on the market and ships all of their innovative products completely assembled and ready to use upon delivery.

For more information on ITSENCLOSURES and their large array of industrial products, visit www.ITSENCLOSURES.com, send an email to info@itsenclosures.com, or call 1-800-423-9911 to talk to an ITSENCLOSURES sales representative.

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Many companies utilize a server room to house important network equipment. Finding the perfect rack mount enclosure does require some thorough research. Identifying and understanding the following 3 considerations will help to make a well-informed decision on the best rack enclosure for the job.

3 Helpful Tips to Find the Perfect Rack Enclosure:

Space
Is the room – that the enclosure(s) will reside – physically large enough to install the intended rack enclosure? Make sure the room has sufficient clearance to set up the rack. As a rule of thumb, you will need at least 2-3 feet in the front and 2-3 feet in the back of the rack, so equipment can be easily accessed, and the doors have space to swing open. Most racks are around 36-38” deep, so account for approximately 8 feet of depth in the desired installation location. A rack enclosure should never be pushed against a wall. Also, be sure to account for space above the enclosure. Ample space from the top of the enclosure to the ceiling is necessary for proper air flow and routing cables overhead.

Environment
Do you have a clean room or dirty/dusty environment? Many server rooms are coined as “clean” rooms and are secluded from the factory floor. Clean rooms are generally air conditioned and maintained at a cool temperature. According to the website, WhatIs.com, “A clean room is an enclosed space in which airborne particulates, contaminants, and pollutants are kept within strict limits… In addition, the temperature and humidity may be controlled.” These types of applications are best suited for a vented rack enclosure. However, not all rooms are created equal! Some installations will require a NEMA 12 enclosure to keep dust, dirt, lint, grease, and splashing liquids away from electronics. In certain instances, specifiers may require a NEMA 4 or NEMA 4X rack to protect against a heavy washdown or harsh chemical cleaning.

Cooling
When contained in an enclosure, electronics will produce heat. It is critical to specify the correct cooling system prior to making any purchasing decisions. Filtered fans, a vortex cooling unit, heat exchangers, and air conditioners are all possible cooling solutions available for installation on server rack enclosures. Always make sure that the required cooling unit will fit on or in the enclosure. And, if installing a cooling system that has a filter, it is important to change or clean the filter regularly. According to the Energy Star website, “At a minimum, change the filter every [few] months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder … wasting energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system — leading to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure.” Also, if you are tight on space, inquire if the room permits ducted cool air to be directed to the enclosure and, if so, clearly locate air intakes and exhausts near the equipment.

To ensure project success, perform the proper homework. Before purchasing an enclosure, be sure that essential elements, like thermal management, are evaluated. You do not want to purchase expensive electronics and have them fail, because the enclosure did not properly protect. Also – make sure that the necessary equipment will fit inside of the enclosure and that the correct NEMA rating is met!

HAVE QUESTIONS? LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN BEST ASSIST YOU! CONTACT AN ‘ITSENCLOSURES EXPERT’ AT 1-800-423-9911 -or- SEND US AN EMAIL:  INFO@ITSENCLOSURES.COM

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A reliable, heavy-duty rack enclosure will keep electronics safe from harmful elements, while maintaining security. When searching online for the best rack enclosure solution, it is critical to list all of the electronics to be housed inside of the rack enclosure. The end user must determine how many ‘U’ (rack mount space; 1 rack unit is 1.75 inches high) the enclosure needs to be and how the electronics will be installed. Servers and network equipment hold data that is mission critical and a component malfunction could be detrimental to an IT system and expensive to repair/replace.

Thermal management should also be considered.

Selecting a climate-controlled rack enclosure is contingent on a few variables. Installation location temperatures should be analyzed. Most equipment requires an operating temperature within 70-75° Fahrenheit. Humidity, ambient temperature, heat from in-use electronics, and a dirty environment will only complicate the situation. Always work with a reputable rack enclosure company and fill out a ‘thermal management worksheet’ to gain further insight into choosing the right cooling system for the job.

Cooling questions to ponder for a successful rack enclosure installation:

1. Does the cooling system include a temperature & humidity sensor?

Efficient, well-run rack enclosure systems must maintain a consistent temperature and acceptable level of humidity. Many air conditioners have a temperature and humidity sensor built into the unit. However, when using cooling such as a fan, a separate humidity and temperature control may be advantageous. These sensors can be IP addressable and can provide alerts that the system is nearing an unacceptable temperature/humidity level and should be checked quickly.

2. Does the cooling system provide room to grow?

For the most streamlined process, select a cooling device that provides enough cooling power compared to the heat output on the inside of the rack enclosure. In addition, consider the system in 2, 5 or even 10 years. There is a good chance that the requirements will change. Since high quality enclosure systems are an investment, it may be beneficial to size up the air conditioner, filtered fan system, vortex cooling unit, or heat exchanger to accommodate future needs and equipment.

3. Is the cooling system scalable?

Understand the temperature fluctuations that a busy manufacturing plant in Alabama or Arizona, for example, will experience throughout the year. Exposure to elevated levels of humidity and extreme hot temperatures in the summer will require a different cooling solution than frosty winter months. Do not make the mistake of only being concerned with cooling in the summertime. Much like hot weather, electronics do not bode well in extreme cold temperatures.

Ambient temperatures – as well as temperature extremes – are important to debate when configuring a rack enclosure. The ambient temperature may help or hinder the thermal management required to provide an efficient system. Always err on the side of caution and prepare for the worst-case scenario. When it comes to deploying rack enclosures in harsh environments, it never hurts to be over prepared!

HAVE QUESTIONS? LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN BEST ASSIST YOU! CONTACT AN ‘ITSENCLOSURES EXPERT’ AT 1-800-423-9911 -or- SEND US AN EMAIL:  INFO@ITSENCLOSURES.COM

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Securing and organizing server and network equipment is a must for IT departments and industrial companies of all sizes. Finding the perfect enclosure can be a daunting task. Being dust-free is just one applicable factor. Dirty or wet environments can quickly destroy electronic equipment. Before purchasing rack enclosures for a factory or plant use, a company should ponder a few practical questions.

Rack Enclosure Questions to Ask:

How much equipment will be installed?

Rack enclosures are available in various dimensions. The amount of equipment needed will help determine if one or multiple enclosures are needed; a company could also consider bolting multiple enclosures together for added convenience. It is also essential to examine the rack mounting requirements for the servers/electronics that will be used. The amount of available “U” should be researched. According to Penn Elcom Online, “A rack unit (abbreviated as U) is a unit of measurement applied to equipment racks and the servers, disk drives and other devices that they contain. One U is 1.75 inches; the standard rack, at 19 inches, is 42U.”

How does the equipment need to be organized?

If the equipment can sit on a shelf and work properly (like a tower computer or monitor), then it will not need to be bolted to the rack on the inside of the rack enclosure. However, some equipment cannot be installed without attaching to the rack (i.e. servers, switches, and network equipment). It is essential to determine how the equipment will be used and also the readily accessibility of the equipment.

Should the enclosure be free-standing or wall mounted?

Free-standing rack enclosures, with castors, can be moved around the floor if needed. Some enclosures offer the option of having both castors and legs which can be interchanged for differing applications. Many companies prefer the flexibility of being able to move the rack enclosure to different parts of the building. In this instance, lockable castors are the best solution. Yet another option are wall mounted rack enclosures, which are ideal for saving space and keeping the enclosures off the ground and far away from dust and dirt.

What type of cable management is required?

Horizontal and vertical cable management is available to organize the cabling inside of the enclosure. The amount of equipment will determine how much cabling is needed for everything to run smoothly. Rack mountable power strips can be installed to keep the amount of cables – exiting the enclosure – at a minimum. Gasketed split panels may be available on the top, bottom or back; allowing cables to easily enter and exit the enclosure.

What kind of accessories are needed?

Various accessories can be added to make the enclosure the most effective resource for the end user. Accessories such as solid doors or doors with glass inserts, cooling fans, air conditioners, vortex cooling units, heat exchangers, heaters, keyboard drawers, power strips, tapped or square punched rails, shelving, and filler panels can be added to the rack enclosure to create the most beneficial solution.

If installing shelves, should they be fixed or sliding?

Sliding shelves are ideal for accessing equipment for routine maintenance or to change printer media/labels/ink. If the electronics will not be accessed regularly, a simple fixed shelf may be adequate.

What color is needed?

This step is simple. The rack enclosure might come in standard colors like black, blue, gray, or putty. However, if a company desires their enclosure(s) to match a branded color, ask the enclosure provider if it can be powder-coated to match a brand’s specific RAL color.

In addition, many companies require the rack enclosures to be lockable, so that only a select few employees or managers have access to the equipment. Security should always be top of mind, especially if the servers or network equipment contain critical information.

In the end, configuration flexibility is a key point to consider when searching for a new rack enclosure. The rack enclosure will probably outlast most of the equipment that is installed inside of it. As technology changes, the right rack enclosure will still stand strong for years to come!

HAVE QUESTIONS?  LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN BEST ASSIST YOU! CONTACT AN ‘ITSENCLOSURES EXPERT’ AT 1-800-423-9911 -or- SEND US AN EMAIL:  INFO@ITSENCLOSURES.COM

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