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R4000-OT / R5000-OT Pro Series Frequently Asked Questions
About the Pro Series Open Tower Racks
What are Penn Elcom Pro Series Open Tower Racks?
Pro Series Open Tower Racks are premium 19-inch open-frame racks built for installation in server rooms, comms rooms, broadcast facilities, and AV spaces. They use the same robust steel frame and adjustable threaded rails as the R4000/R5000 Pro Series enclosures, but without front and rear doors and side panels. The open structure gives unrestricted airflow and full access to mounted equipment from every side. The range is available with M6 threaded rails (R4000-OT) or 10/32 threaded rails (R5000-OT).
How do open tower racks differ from the enclosed Pro Series server racks?
The frame, rails, and core engineering are shared, but the open tower has no front door, side panels, or rear door. That makes it the better choice where airflow, frequent access, and weight matter more than dust protection or physical security. The enclosed Pro Series racks are the right option where equipment needs to be shut away behind lockable doors and panels, for example in shared or public-facing rooms.
Does the Pro Series name apply to other rack formats?
Yes. The Pro Series designation covers Penn Elcom's premium racking range, which includes the R4000/R5000 enclosed server rack enclosures, the R4000-OT/R5000-OT open tower racks, and the R6000 wall mount racks. All share the same build quality and specification standards. The open tower format suits installations where maximum airflow and easy access are the priority.
Sizes, Dimensions & Rails
What sizes are the Pro Series Open Tower Racks available in?
The range covers 18U, 22U, 27U, 32U, 35U, 37U, 42U, 45U, and 47U. Every height is 600mm wide and available in 540mm, 740mm and 940mm frame depths, so you can match the rack to shorter network equipment or to full-depth servers with room for rear cabling.
What is the difference between the R4000-OT and R5000-OT?
The two series are identical apart from their rail threading. The R4000-OT is fitted with M6 threaded rails, the standard across most European installations. The R5000-OT uses 10/32 threaded rails, which are common on North American equipment. Choosing the series that matches your hardware avoids the need for adaptor fixings.
What is a rack unit (U) and how do I work out the size I need?
A rack unit, written as U, is the standard height measurement for rack-mounted equipment, with one U equal to 44.45mm. Add together the U height of everything you plan to mount, then allow extra space for cable management and future additions. Our free-to-use Rack Unit Calculator on the website works this out quickly if you want to check your figures.
Are the mounting rails adjustable?
Yes. The threaded rails adjust to suit equipment of different depths, with mounting positions starting from 150mm. The maximum mounting depth depends on the frame depth you choose. This lets you position equipment correctly and route cabling cleanly behind it.
Which frame depth should I choose?
The 540mm deep frame suits network switches, patch panels, and shorter equipment. The 740mm and 940mm deep frames give more room for full-depth servers and additional clearance for power and data cabling. As a guide, measure the deepest item you plan to mount, then allow extra space at the rear for connections and cable routing.
Airflow, Access & Security
Do open tower racks need cooling fans?
Because the frame is fully open, air moves freely around mounted equipment without the need for active cooling in most installations. This is one of the main reasons to choose an open tower over an enclosed rack. Where additional airflow is needed, Penn Elcom supplies a range of compatible rack fans and power distribution units.
How is equipment accessed in an open tower rack?
The open frame gives clear access to the front, rear, and sides of mounted equipment at all times. This makes the Pro Series open tower well suited to environments where kit is patched, swapped, or maintained regularly, since there are no doors or panels to remove first.
Are open tower racks lockable or secure?
The Pro Series Open Tower Racks have no doors or panels, so they do not offer the physical security of an enclosed rack. Open towers are best suited to controlled-access rooms where the rack itself does not need to be locked. If equipment must be secured behind lockable doors, the enclosed Pro Series server racks are the appropriate choice.
Should I choose an open tower rack or an enclosed enclosure?
Choose an open tower where airflow, easy access, lighter weight, and lower cost are the priorities, and where the room itself provides security and dust control. Choose an enclosed Pro Series Rack where you need lockable doors and side panels, dust protection, security, or a more contained installation in a shared space.
Assembly, Mounting & Features
Are Pro Series Open Tower Racks supplied assembled?
Yes. These open tower racks arrive pre-assembled, so no frame assembly is required on site beyond positioning the rack, fitting any optional castors or feet, installing your equipment and making connections.
Do they come with castors or feet?
Yes. Each Pro Series Open Tower Rack is supplied with four W0950Z castor and foot units, with multiple mounting positions so you can set the rack up as static on feet or mobile on castors to suit your installation.
Do these open tower racks include cable management?
Yes. Integral cable management bars are built into the Pro Series frame, giving you fixed points to route and tidy cabling without the need for separate accessories.
Do open tower racks have earth bonding points?
Yes. Earth points are provided on the Pro Series Open Tower frame to support proper earth bonding across the installation.
Can multiple open tower racks be joined together?
Yes. The Pro Series Open Tower frames are gangable using the R4066-GANG cable chase accessory, so adjacent racks can be linked to create a larger multi-bay installation.
How much do the Pro Series open tower racks weigh?
The open frame is considerably lighter than an enclosed enclosure of the same height, which makes the racks easier to move and reposition. Weights for each size are listed on the individual product pages.
Customisation & Finish
Can the open tower racks be customised?
Yes. Penn Elcom can supply custom sizes, finishes, and customisable tops and bottoms on request. Contact us to discuss your requirements.
What colour are the Pro Series Open Tower Racks, and are other colours available?
These open tower racks are black as standard. Custom colours are available on request through the Penn Elcom team.
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