Rack panels are accessories that form part of standardised 19" rack.19" racks are used to house hardware such as modems, routers, UPS's and other electronic equipment. They are typically used when an unused section needs to be blanked off or for protecting the equipment from dirt and dust. They also lend a finished look to the rack unit, while allowing sufficient airflow.

Rack panels can be used in several rack configurations, but they are most popular in 19-inch racking. RS offer an extensive range of these accessories from leading brands including Rittal, Schroff, Schneider Electric and of course our own trusted brand RS PRO.

How do the panels work?

Once the rack has been built and the equipment properly housed, the rack panels can be added. They are mounted by using their flanged protruding edges, or ’ears’, to fasten them to the rack frame with screws and fixings. They then provide a barrier between the equipment and the outside. Effectively, they fill the space between different modules on the rack.

Types of rack panel

The major difference between different rack panels is the material used. They can be made from plastic, metals such as steel and aluminium or glass. Metal rack panels are very durable, while glass rack panels allow you to see through to the equipment inside without needing to take the panel off. Plastic rack panels are a good all-purpose option. Some of the most popular are: Blank rack panels for blanking off unused space, punched or perforated rack panels for mounting connectors, like XLRs or indicators, sockets and switches, Strip panels with slots for cable entry.

Panel sizes

The panels are measured in the standard unit of measure which is RU (rack unit) or U (unit). A U is equal to 1.75 inches or 44.45mm. These sizes will be typically displayed as 1U, 2U, 3U, 4U and so on.