Installing the support rails for the enclosures

Install the support rails for the enclosures in the rack.

About this task

Review the documentation that comes with the rack cabinet for safety and cabling information. Before you install the control enclosure in a rack cabinet, review the following guidelines
  • Two or more people are required to install devices 2U or larger in a rack cabinet.
  • Make sure that the room air temperature is below 35°C (95°F).
  • Do not block any air vents; usually 15 cm (6 inch) of space provides proper airflow.
  • Do not leave open spaces above or below an installed control enclosure in the rack cabinet. To help prevent damage to control enclosure components, always install a blank filler panel to cover the open space and to help ensure proper air circulation. Install the control enclosure only in a rack cabinet with perforated doors.
  • Plan the device installation starting from the bottom of the rack cabinet.
  • Install the heaviest device in the bottom of the rack cabinet.
  • Do not extend more than one device out of the rack cabinet at the same time.
  • Remove the rack doors and side panels to provide easier access during installation.
  • Connect the control enclosure to a properly grounded outlet.
  • Do not overload the power outlet when you install multiple devices in the rack cabinet.
  • Install the control enclosure in a rack that meets the following requirements:
    • Minimum depth of 70 mm (2.76 inch) between the front mounting flange and inside of the front door.
    • Minimum depth of 157 mm (6.18 inch) between the rear mounting flange and inside of the rear door.
      Figure 1. Securing an enclosure to a rack cabinet
      This figure shows how to secure an enclosure to a rack cabinet.
  • Minimum depth of 718 mm (28.27 inch) and maximum depth of 762 mm (30 inch) between the front and rear mounting flanges to support the use of the cable management arm.
To install the support rails, follow these steps:
  1. Locate the rack mounting rails and screws.

    The rail assembly is made up of two sets of rails. One set of rails is already installed, or preinstalled, on the sides of the enclosures. The other set of rails must be installed in the rack cabinet. The rails on the sides of the enclosures slide into the rails that are installed in the rack cabinet.

  2. Working at the front of the rack cabinet, identify the two standard rack units of space in the rack into which you want to install the support rails.
    Figure 2 shows two rack units with the front mounting holes identified.
    Figure 2. Hole locations in the front of the rack
    This figure shows the hole locations in the front of the rack when installing the rails.
    •  1  Bottom rail location pin hole
    •  2  Enclosure mounting screw hole. Do not insert the screw until the enclosure is installed.
    •  3  Rack mounting screw hole
    •  4  Top rail location pin hole
  3. Align the bottom of the rail with the bottom of the two rack units. Insert the rail location pins  1  and  4  through the holes in the rack cabinet.
  4. Insert a clamping screw into the rack mounting hole  3  between the rail location pins.
  5. Tighten the screw to secure the rail to the rack.
  6. Working from the rear of the rack cabinet, extend the rail that you secured to the front to align the bottom of the rail with the bottom of the two rack units.
    Note: Ensure that the rail is level between the front and the back.
    Figure 3 shows two rack units with the back mounting holes identified.
    Figure 3. Hole locations in the back of the rack
    This figure shows the hole locations in the back of the rack when installing the rails.
    •  1  Bottom rail location pin hole
    •  2  Rack mounting screw hole
    •  3  Top rail location pin hole
  7. Insert the rail location pins through the holes  1  and  3  in the rack cabinet.
  8. Insert a clamping screw into the rack mounting hole  2  between the rail location pins.
  9. Tighten the screw to secure the rail to the rack from the back side.
  10. Repeat the steps to secure the opposite rail to the rack cabinet.
  11. Repeat the procedure for each additional enclosure.
Parent topic: Installing the hardware