Wall mounted rack question

[cyberspace]

Excuse me if this isnt the right forum but it seems appropriate enough.

I am about to replace the switches where I work.

It's a reasonably small business (29 employees) so we have a small (approx 14U) wall mounted cabinet.

Now, I notice that this is hinged at the very back, obviously for rear access.

What I want to know is - are these hinges designed to be used for general rear access or are they really only meant for initial installation - i'm just concerned that if i open it it could buckle.

I am probably just being very careful here but since I dont know it's obviously best to ask - plus rear access would be a huge benefit as I can see myself stuggling to fix a switch to the rack from the front!

A key for this lock has actually been broken so that the main part of the key is still inside...I can open it with a screwdriver...but it just makes me wonder if the installers did this on purpose or not!!

Advice appreciated.

'When all else fails.......read the manual'

 

[Grenage]

I doubt they did it on purpose, the hinges on the rear of a mounted cabinet are (in every case i have come across) quite adequate in supporting the weight of racked devices.


Carlsberg don't run I.T departments, but if they did they'd probably be more fun.

 

[mikeydidit]

I agree with Grenage. I have mounted several of these type cabinets and Have never had a problem. Be sure that a Large washer is installed behind the bolts and you use the right type of fastener varing on the wall type. You will also find that the back will lift off the cabinet to make it easier to install. (Less weight to hold up while installing.)



Mikey

 

[cyberspace]

Thanks for the replies

I am not trying to install a cabinet from scratch though, I just want to open it up.


'When all else fails.......read the manual'

 

[cyberspace]

Well i was able to open it no problem

however the cabling seems very tight and its all cable tied to the frame - i dont want to pull on it in case it damages any of the connections to the rear of the patch panels or damages the fiber optic link to the phone system.

I will have to struggle!

'When all else fails.......read the manual'

 

[oldtimerbob]

The installers should have left enough slack on the cabling to allow for opening.
Disconnect the cables from the back of the rack,leaving them loose by cutting the tie wraps ( assuming this is what they used) at the points they attach the cabling to the rack itself and test to see how far the rack will open.

Good Luck

 

[ISDNman]

My concern would be how solidly it was mounted to the wall. Once you swing it open the "weight" of the equipment will grow since it has more leaverage (think seesaw).

The hinges should be fine.

You might want to wear steel toed shoes jus tin case

Good luck!