Category Archive: Electronic Equipment Rack Features

Get Those Wires Organized: Rack-Mounted Cable Management Accessories

Among some of the most frequently forgotten, yet necessary components of any rack solution are cable managers. Cables are often difficult to incorporate into 3D CAD drawings and since they’re “out of sight, out of mind”, the accessories needed to organize them are also forgotten. But nearly every piece of equipment in your rack requires data cables to provide network connectivity, or at the very least, power cables to make them operable.

Top Cable Management Accessories for your Electronic Rack

With an open-frame rack, we typically recommend vertical cable managers that span the full height of the rack, but they aren’t as commonly used in cabinets or racks with side panels. Instead, consider using vertical cable rings to keep cables organized and prevent them from blocking access to your electronic equipment. To minimize electromagnetic interference (EMI), our design engineers recommend running the rings down the rear rails with all cable powers being routed through the rings on one side and data cables running down the opposite length. 

If your rack will house any high-port equipment, the ideal solution is to position horizontal cable managers both above and below the equipment to improve access to both rows of cables and reduce the potential for accidental disconnects. 

And even if you don’t use any specific cable management accessories, basic hook and loop cable ties are fundamental to organization. We don’t recommend using zip ties since they will eventually need to be cut and could compromise the cables themselves risking damage and causing waste.

Rail Depth

One of the most critical considerations to keep in mind when choosing the appropriate cable management solution for your cabinet is the impact they can have on rail depth. A&J offers three standard rack depths: 19″, 24″ and 30″, but we can also create any custom depth required. Without enough clearance space, the mass of wiring can obstruct airflow and/or the rear panel.

Tips to Make Cable Management Easier

1. Measure connection distance between components so you’re not wasting money or space on excess cables. Most electronics vendors offer a variety of power cord options or you can purchase your own low-profile power cords to free up additional space.
2. Proper, well-planned cable markings will simplify any troubleshooting and changes without unnecessary work within the rack. And if you color code your cables this will help differentiate different types of cables. We also recommend labeling both ends so you know exactly where they go and what they’re being used for.
3. Cable management arms neaten up a rack, but you might also need to consider reducing the server count in a rack to free up space or design a deeper model for adequate clearance.
4. Carefully plan and execute the cable trunk to avoid obstructions to ventilation and cooling airflow. The last thing you want is running it along a series of servers directly behind their exhaust fans.
5. ALWAYS confirm how the rack’s overall dimensions fit within your existing floor plan to avoid disruptions to aisle containment or waste IT staff time during setup in a tightly configured layout.

How to Choose the Right Metal Finishing Options for your Custom Electronic Enclosure

Just like electronic equipment rack designs and accessories, the end use for your product determines the best type of metal finishing option to use for your custom electronic enclosure or rack. Finishes provide a durable coating that protects a product from its environment and function best. Does your enclosure need to be able to withstand high temperatures? Avoid corrosion? Promote electrical conductivity?

Frankly, cost and production time are less important factors. You want the best results possible! Read on to determine which metal finishing option is best for your electronic enclosure.

Metal Finishing Option: Bare Metal Finishes

There are three options: “no finish”, “grained finish” and “tumbled”.

Metal Finishing Option: Powder Coating

Powder coating is a dry finishing process in which free-flowing, thermoplastic or thermoset powder material, rather than a liquid suspension, is applied to a surface, melted, and then allowed to dry and harden into a protective coating. It provides a better, more durable finish than paint. It’s also highly effective in removing surface defects.

Metal Finishing Option: Chemical Conversion Coating

Also known as Chem Film or chromate coating, this process applies chromate to a metal surface that is corrosion resistant, durable and exhibits stable electrical conductivity.

If you’re using your rack in a rugged environment, use a vendor that is MIL-DTL-5541F qualified. The standards include utilizing a process that doesn’t use toxic hexavalent chrome and has been replaced with the safer zirconium, titanium or trivalent chromium. It’s also been sufficiently tested against corrosion and proves to have reliable electrical conductivity.

Metal Finishing Option: Anodizing

Anodizing is an electrochemical process that involves dipping aluminum into a bath of acid and passing an electric current through the medium. It converts the surface into a decorative, durable, corrosion-resistant oxide finish.

Anodized aluminum protects satellites from the harsh environment of space, and revolutionized the construction of computer hardware, scientific instruments and consumer products like kitchen appliances.

Contact us today to learn more about the different types and colors of enclosures finishes that are available.

Protecting Electronic Devices from Vibration & Shock

Vibration is bad for electronics. It can damage the boards and components potentially causing permanent failure. But a well-engineered enclosure protects delicate equipment from vibration damage by isolating it from external sources. Utilizing a stabilizer kit for your rack can add an additional layer of security.

These vital electronics are subjected to stressors in a wide spectrum of applications ranging from in-office or industrial power stations to ruggedized, aerospace systems or other military deployment. Even if intended for more mild environments, nearly all electronics are subject to some level of vibration during their lifecycle. Typical shock values for industrial use might be in the 5G to 10G range whereas systems on naval ships need to withstand shocks in excess of 20G.

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Types of shock and vibration

If your equipment is mounted on a ground-based or airborne vehicle, shipboard mounted or needs to withstand natural weather patterns and seismic events, ruggedized construction should be one of the, if not THE, primary design criteria.

There are two types of vibration: random or sinusoidal. Random is a varying waveform similar to riding in a vehicle rolling across rough terrain. Sinusoidal vibration occurs at distinct frequencies and is continuous, like that of a rotating engine on a helicopter.

Stress testing can uncover defects in a design before they become expensive problems. And often times, the only way to verify that a rack and its isolation mounts will provide sufficient protection is through instrumented testing. Our A&J electronic equipment racks have been designed and tested to meet MIL standards:

• MIL-STD 810F — environmental shock and vibration
• MIL-STD-167 — shipboard vibration
• MIL-STD-901D — high impact and shock testing for Navy shipboard machinery and equipment

Rugged Design that Meets MIL-STD

Key rack components to protect against shock & vibration

Isolators

The main goal in handling shock and vibration is to isolate the equipment from excitement by reducing the amplitude and frequency of waves. Enter: isolators. They’re critical! And act as a highly stable buffer between the source of the vibration and the object or surface. A good system has two main components, a spring to support the load and a damping element to dissipate the energy.

Two common types of vibration isolators are used in rack configurations: 

• Wire Rope Coils – the ideal solution for providing low frequency, highly damped vibration isolation and excellent shock attenuation. They often require little maintenance, are made from durable metals and keep functioning under varying temperatures in corrosive environments. 
• Seismic Mounts – whether you’re in a seismic region of the country or on a Naval ship, these mounts are designed to provide the strength and isolation necessary to control the motion of equipment

Varying the size, shape, construction material and number of coils all affect the spring rate and damping, as well as mounting placement. 

Common applications for vibration and shock isolators include avionics and equipment, computer equipment and disc drivers, control panels, electrical transformers, fans and blowers, industrial machinery, marine and shipboard equipment, medical equipment, power plants and cooling towers, pumps and centrifuges, and compressors. 

Rack Frame

Obviously, the rack’s exterior frame should be rigid construction to withstand any buckling. At A&J, we developed a unique bolted-together design that lends structural integrity, eliminating the need for welding. The modular design allows a wide range of sizes and configurations to be incorporated. For seismic zones or rugged applications, a back stiffener or X-brace can be added near the top, middle and bottom to protect from movement. Another option to consider is double-walled construction where the frame has two layers of sheet metal for extra strength. 

 Contact us for more detail on a particular enclosure design feature or schedule a chat with one of our engineers. 

Read More: Thinking About a Custom Rack Design? Here’s What to Consider