Attaching the mounting hardware to the rack

Learn how to attach the mounting hardware to the rack and then install the rails into the rack. The information is intended to promote safety and reliable operation, and includes illustrations of the related hardware components and shows how these components relate to each other.

About this task

Attention: To avoid rail failure and potential danger to yourself and to the unit, ensure that you have the correct rails and fittings for your rack. If your rack has square support flange holes or screw-thread support flange holes, ensure that the rails and fittings match the support flange holes that are used on your rack. Do not install mismatched hardware by using washers or spacers. If you do not have the correct rails and fittings for your rack, contact your IBM® reseller.
Important: The rail installation can be completed by one person. However, the installation is easier if one person is positioned at the front of the rack and one person is positioned at the rear of the rack.

To install the mounting hardware into the rack, complete the following steps:

Procedure

  1. Ensure that you have the electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist strap on and that the ESD clip is plugged into a ground jack or connected to an unpainted metal surface. If not, do so now.
  2. Select a rail and remove any parts that were taped to it for shipping.
  3. Install the spring to the rail by hooking one end to the spring bracket (A) and the other end around the circular standoff (B) as shown in Figure 1.
    Note: If your rack has the square mounting holes, remove the rail pins from the rail. Install the larger rail pins that are provided with the rack installation kit.
    Figure 1. Installing the spring to the rail
    Installing the spring to the rail
  4. Open the hinge bracket on each end of the rail.
    Figure 2. Opening the rail hinge bracket
    Opening the rail hinge bracket
  5. Identify the side of the rack where the rail must be mounted by holding the rail inside of the open space of the rack as follows:
    • The rail points from front to rear.
    • The support ledge (A) is at the bottom and points toward the center of the open space inside the rack.
    • The enclosure stop (B) is located toward the rear of the rack.
  6. Locate the two marks that were made previously on the Electronic Industries Alliances (EIA) strips.
  7. Align the rail bracket inside the rack cabinet beside the marks, and seat the rail bracket pins in the mounting holes. The bottom of the rail support ledge appears slightly higher than the U mark on the rack flange.
    Figure 3. Mounting the rail on the rack
    Mounting the rail on the rack
  8. At the front of the rail, close the front hinge bracket to secure the rail to the rack cabinet flange.
    Figure 4. Securing the rail to the rack
    Securing the rail to the rack
  9. While you hold the rail bracket in place, carefully expand the rail until the other end reaches the opposite rack flange.
  10. Seat the pins of the opposite rail bracket in the marked mounting holes.
  11. At the rear of the rail, close the rear hinge bracket to secure the rail to the rack cabinet flange.
  12. Install one M5 screw (C) in the open hole in the bracket between the two alignment pins at the rear of the rack.
  13. Repeat steps 6 - 12 for the other rail.