How wide is a 19" rack .??

Kevin Raymer · From: Chalybeate, Kentucky, USA

Ok.

Go on and laugh but then riddle me this.

How wide can the chassis of a rack unit be and still fit into a 19" rack case.

All the racks I've ever had I built myself so I don't know what a "factory" rack measures.

I'm building a rack preamp unit and it's pushing the limits.

Would anybody or somebody be willing to measure one of you racks and share ??

Thanks.
_________________
Kevin Raymer
Zum / Knaggs / Breedlove
Fractal Audio

Scott Duckworth · From: Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies

They are in fact 19", according to the standard.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19-inch_rack

Additionally, one "rack unit" is 1.75" tall.

Here is a screen grab from a manual of a rack mount device showing the measurements. NOTE: This device is 2 rack units tall.

_________________
Amateur Radio Operator NA4IT (Extra)
http://www.qsl.net/na4it

I may, in fact, be nuts. However, I am screwed onto the right bolt... Jesus!

Jon Light (deceased) · From: Saugerties, NY

On an SKB case here I've got 18 3/8" from center of hole to center of hole and 17 7/8" clearance between the rails.

Craig Baker · From: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.

Kevin,
The following link provides far more information than you ever wanted to know, but it does show the standard dimensions used in the industry.

http://www.server-racks.com/eia-310.html

Best regards,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
_________________
"Make America Great Again". . . The Only Country With Dream After Its Name.

Brad Sarno · From: St. Louis, MO USA

I always considered 17" the standard chassis width, then 1" per rack ear = 19"

But it looks like there's room to go a little bit beyond 17"

B

Kevin Raymer · From: Chalybeate, Kentucky, USA

Thanks guys.

My circuit board is 18". Sad

Looks like I need some Dr Who Tardis magic to make this fit in a 17" case..

I may consult Pythagorus and see how tall I'd have to make the case to put the board in on an angle.

Thanks for the input.
_________________
Kevin Raymer
Zum / Knaggs / Breedlove
Fractal Audio

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

3 spaces?
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Keith Davidson · From: Nova Scotia, Canada

Kevin, the rack housing is usually 19 1/16 at least, some are close to 19 1/8 but it would depend on the manufacturer I suppose.

The rack units themselves seem to be consistent at 19".

When I built my so called home studio I built my rack housings at just shy of 19 1/8 and the units fit in with ease. If you're over the 19" on the rack itself it could be a tight fit but you should have at least 1/16 or a little better to play with.

Here's a link that may help.
http://homerecording.com/make_rack.html

Keith

Scott Duckworth · From: Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies

Kevin, how about this..

To insert it in the rack, you could have nutserts in the circuit board case that would accept bolts through the blank panel and stand offs, or maybe just cock it all at an angle, then straighten it up once it clears the rack rails.
_________________
Amateur Radio Operator NA4IT (Extra)
http://www.qsl.net/na4it

I may, in fact, be nuts. However, I am screwed onto the right bolt... Jesus!

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

Keith, the OP's question has a different answer, as he wants to know the clearance between the rails.
The answer to his question was 17.1 inches.
Kevin then asked how tall a case would have to be to allow an 18" board to fit in a case that would fit in the 17.1" gap in the rails.
Simple Pythagoras:
18*18=324
17*17=289
Difference is 35, the square root of which is a titch under 6. Making allowance for case walls, probably the next rack unit size over 6.5
I'd suggest using boards under 16.5 next time?
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Jon Light (deceased) · From: Saugerties, NY

Kevin Raymer · From: Chalybeate, Kentucky, USA

Thanks for all the good info and ideas guys.

Lane,
I did the math too.. I agree just under 6 inches with no allowances so I'll prolly allow 7 inches ( if I go that route.. )..

This is actually a retrofit preamp project, so the board I have is the board that came with it.

If I had build this up from scratch I'd a used a 16" form factor board.

Smile

Scott,
That's an interesting idea.
I'd just be afraid it'd be tough to get it in and out of racks.

I don't know how I'm gonna skin this cat, but I'm gonna have to pick a spot and pull pretty soon..

Smile

Thanks,

Kevin
_________________
Kevin Raymer
Zum / Knaggs / Breedlove
Fractal Audio

Eugene Cole · From: near Washington Grove, MD, USA

Keith Davidson · From: Nova Scotia, Canada

Forum Index > Electronics		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: