Which IP Rating Can 19-Inch Racking Systems Reach in the UK?
If you have purchased 19-inch racking systems in the UK, you may have asked an awkward question. Can a rack carry an IP rating, and what does that rating do to your cooling? Product pages will typically answer one half of the question and ignore the other. We will give you both halves here, in plain terms.
Sealing and cooling usually pull in opposite directions. An opening that allows cool air to reach your equipment also gives dust a way in. A fully sealed cabinet prevents dust from getting in, but can trap heat.
Our racking incorporates built-in ventilation options that manage airflow effectively.
Where our 19-inch racking sits on the scale
Our 19-inch racking at A&T Enclosures is manufactured to IEC 60297-3-100 and tested to IEC 60529. The international protection we offer ranges from IP31 to IP54.
This range should cover the places most racking ends up: telecoms rooms, data centre halls and technical areas where dust and light splashes are the main concerns. Our racking serves the data, IT, telecoms and data centre industries, as well as power transmission and distribution.
When IP-rated enclosures make more sense
Some sites require higher levels of protection than a rack alone can provide. Outdoor installations, washdown areas and flood-prone locations all fall into that group. We manufacture IP-rated enclosures to suit your protection requirements.
The right rating depends on your industry and site. Our IP-rated enclosures have been developed to suit a range of industries including transportation, telecommunications, renewable energy, manufacturing, construction and utilities. We can supply them in stainless steel, mild steel or aluminium.
As a starting point, indoor equipment in a controlled room often sits well inside the IP31 to IP54 range. Outdoor or wet locations point towards IP-rated enclosures. Your engineers and ours can confirm the answer once we know the site.
Options that shape your rack
We tailor each rack to your application rather than ask you to adapt to a catalogue size. Our design options include:
- Front and rear access
- Swing-frames
- Glazed doors
- Multi-baying configurations
- Fascia plates punched to match your mapping
- Locking mechanisms and key types to suit your site
You can choose mild steel, stainless steel or 316L grade stainless steel. We also offer a full range of paint colours, finished to meet environmental demands.
How we build and check your racking
We do our own engineering, punching, cut-outs, powder coating and finishing so that you retain control of the result. Our engineers make sure your cut-outs are correctly sized and positioned using their CAD/CAM software, which speeds up the whole process. Our 50,000 sq ft site allows us ample room for projects of any size, and we've been manufacturing enclosures for over 30 years.
We work to ISO 9001:2015. You can also ask us for a 2D or 3D model of your enclosure, so you can see the design before we build it.
Common questions
What IP rating can your 19-inch racking reach?
Our 19-inch racking carries international protection from IP31 to IP54.
What IP rating do I need outdoors?
We recommend IP65 for outdoor use. Areas with more water or harsher conditions may call for IP67. Your industry and site requirements decide the final answer, so talk to our team for a personalised suggestion.
Does a rack need ventilation?
Yes. Our racking includes built-in ventilation options that help manage airflow and keep sensitive equipment cool.
Can you customise a rack to my project?
Yes. We offer fully customisable 19-inch racking systems in the UK, including load capacity, size and cable management options.
A&T Enclosures designs and manufactures 19-inch racking systems and IP-rated enclosures under one roof. Send us your project requirements and request a quote today. Our engineers will recommend the protection level, the airflow and the finish that fit your site, then show you the design before we build it.
Request your quote from A&T Enclosures today!