Beyond the Box: How Penn Elcom's Dynamic Access Racks Are Redefining 19-Inch Racking

If you've ever wrestled with a wall-mounted rack in a tight install, you'll know the frustration. Crouching behind equipment, disconnecting cables just to reach a single component, losing time and risking damage. Penn Elcom has spent the last 50 years designing hardware that solves real-world problems, and our latest generation of dynamic access racks represents some of the most innovative thinking in the 19-inch racking market.

This article explores four rack solutions from Penn Elcom that go far beyond static enclosures, each one engineered to transform how technicians access, install, and maintain equipment.

Modern AV and IT installations are becoming denser, more complex, and increasingly difficult to reach. Equipment is tucked into utility rooms, plant spaces, back-of-house areas, and wall cavities, environments where traditional fixed racks present real operational challenges. The time spent navigating poor access isn't just frustrating; it's expensive. Longer installation times, increased risk of cable damage, and the need to take systems offline during maintenance all translate directly into cost.

The four rack systems below each take a fundamentally different approach to solving the access problem. From 360° rotation to fully removable outer shells, these are ideal candidates for anyone looking to future-proof their installations.

Explore the Slide & Rotate Rack Range →

For installations where equipment is tightly packed and rear access is restricted, the Penn Elcom Slide & Rotate Rack (R8010 series) is in a category of its own.

The concept is elegantly simple: the rack slides out to 550mm from its base position and then rotates freely in any direction, giving full 360° access to every surface of the rack without disconnecting a single cable. This alone can transform a multi-hour maintenance job into a matter of minutes.

Engineering That Earns Trust

This isn't just a clever idea - it's a precisely engineered system. The rack is constructed from high-grade steel and structurally reinforced to minimise flex under a full load. A rotation locking mechanism lets you extend the rack and then fix it at 0° or in ±60° increments, ensuring it stays exactly where you need it while you're working. Two built-in catch locks prevent the rack from accidentally extending or spinning, critical when the unit is loaded with valuable equipment.

Cable management is handled with equal care. The rear cable tray is hinged so it folds automatically as the rack slides in and out. Cables are fed along the tray and up through a central opening, allowing them to travel with the rack during rotation without tension or tangling.

Flexible Configuration

The R8010 series is available from 6U through 24U, with both M6 and 10/32 threaded rail options to suit different equipment specifications. Load capacity reaches 60kg, making it suitable for heavier deployments. Installation is straightforward - the base plate simply screws to any flat, solid surface and assembly typically takes around 30 minutes.

Ideal Applications

The Slide & Rotate Rack excels in server rooms, broadcast and production environments, home automation plant rooms, and any installation where equipment density and access constraints are a concern.

Explore the Drop-Down Wall Rack Range →

Penn Elcom's R2560 series is a comprehensive, professional-grade drop-down wall rack range that offers a range of sizes and depths. Designed for AV integrators, IT professionals, and network engineers who need fast, reliable access to wall-mounted equipment, the R2560 is built around a pivoting panel mount design with 90° swing-out rails, allowing full rear access for installation, servicing, and cable termination without ever removing the unit from the wall.

The R2560 Access System

The defining feature of the R2560 series is its 90° drop-down mechanism. The front tilts fully open to expose the rack interior, giving immediate access to all installed equipment from the front and the rear. On deeper models in the range, a top-opening lid provides an additional access point, enabling quick checks and adjustments without fully opening the front. This dual-access approach means you can work efficiently regardless of whether you’re doing a quick inspection or a full service.

Cable management is built in throughout the range. Integrated lacer panels with multiple tie-down points keep cabling tidy and secure, making the R2560 particularly well-suited to structured cabling and networking environments where a clean, organised installation is essential.

A Range Built for Real-World Variety

Starting at 150mm deep (approximately 6 inches), the 2U, 4U, and 6U variants are ideal for environments where space is at a premium - think school AV installations, retail displays, or hospitality back-of-house areas. At just 150mm from the wall, these units are among the most discreet drop-down racks available.

Stepping up to 300mm deep (12 inches), the 6U and 8U options accommodate equipment with greater depth requirements - network switches, managed AV processors, and similar devices that won't fit in shallower enclosures. This middle tier hits the sweet spot for most commercial AV and comms applications.

For heavier and deeper deployments, the 400mm (16-inch) 6U and 450mm (18-inch) 8U models extend the capability of the range further still, supporting larger networking and broadcast equipment while maintaining the core drop-down access mechanism.

All variants are manufactured from heavy-duty steel with a black powder coat finish, ensuring long-term durability.

Ideal Applications

The R2560 series is exceptionally well-suited to network comms rooms, classroom and lecture theatre AV systems, hospitality and retail installations, broadcast infrastructure, security and CCTV head-end locations, and any project where depth constraints vary between sites — the range's breadth means a single product family can serve an entire roll-out programme.

Explore the Removable Shell Wall Rack Range →

The Penn Elcom R6225/R6325 series takes a unique approach to the challenge of rack installation and servicing. Rather than improving how you access a fixed enclosure, it removes the enclosure entirely during the build phase, then puts it back when the work is done.

The Removable Shell Concept

The outer shell of this wall mount rack slides cleanly away from the internal frame without disturbing any of the devices or cables already mounted inside. This transforms the rack from a confined, awkward workspace into an open frame that's easy to populate, cable, and adjust. Once the build is complete, the shell slides back on, cables are routed through the rear, and the lockable front door is secured.

Specification at a Glance

The R6225 and R6325 series are available in 4U, 6U, 8U, 10U, and 12U configurations, with M6 (R6225) and 10/32 (R6325) threaded rack rails. All units are a shallow 250mm deep making them ideal for wall cavities and back-of-screen installations. Features include cable knockouts in the top and base, a lockable and removable front door, an integrated cable management system, and a built-in rear mounting.

Ideal Applications

This series is particularly well-suited to corporate AV installations, display wall systems, retail environments, and any project where the rack will need to be revisited for additions or upgrades post-installation.

Explore the Double Hinged Wall Rack Range →

For installations that demand a premium wall-mount enclosure with exceptional rear access, the Penn Elcom Double Hinged Wall Mount Rack (R6400 RHF series) represents the flagship solution. This range combines a high-specification 19 inch rack cabinet with a factory-fitted double-hinged swing-out frame, giving you unrivalled access to the rear of the rack without removing the unit from the wall.

How the Double Hinge Works

The back of the rack is mounted on heavy-duty hinges that allow it to swing out from the wall. This means the bracket stays fixed to the wall, while the rack (and all mounted equipment) swings clear, exposing the full rear of the installation for cabling, patching, and servicing. The frame is reversible, so it can be configured to hinge from either the left or right side to suit the specific site layout.

The hinges themselves are rated to bear loads of up to 50kg (110.2lb on the 12U and 18U variants), ensuring that even a fully populated rack can swing freely and safely. The frame is separately lockable, adding an important layer of security.

A Premium Enclosure as Standard

The cabinet on the RHF series is Penn Elcom's flagship R6400 series wall mount rack - a high-end enclosure with a polycarbonate lockable front door, removable side panels, integrated cable management rails and knockouts, and three top fan vents to assist airflow cooling. Available in 6U, 9U, 12U, and 18U configurations with both M6 and 10/32 threaded rail options.

Ideal Applications

The Double Hinged Wall Rack is the go-to choice for data comms installations, structured cabling environments, broadcast facilities, and any deployment where both security and frequent rear access are non-negotiable requirements.

Each of these four rack systems addresses the access challenge from a different angle. Here's a quick guide to help you identify the right product for your project:

Penn Elcom has been designing and manufacturing 19-inch racking solutions for over 50 years, building a reputation for engineering precision and practical innovation. These four dynamic access racks have been developed not just to hold equipment, but to make the entire lifecycle of an installation faster, safer, and more efficient.

Whether you're specifying for a demanding broadcast environment, a commercial AV integration, or a bespoke home technology system, there's a Penn Elcom dynamic access solution engineered for the job.

Browse the full Penn Elcom 19-inch racking range →