1.5U Half-Width Rack Enclosure for Compact Network Appliances

Short answer: a 1.5U half-width rack enclosure lets you rack two compact network appliances side by side in one 19-inch space. The reference product is the 19 Inch Rack Unit 1.5U — a 482.6 × 66.75 mm (19" × 1.5U) aluminum housing in 250 mm or 300 mm depth, brushed black, built from CNC aluminum plates with corner fixings, and customizable to half-width (8.5"/215.9 mm) so two units share one rack row. Below: exact dimensions, EIA-310 mounting, thermal/EMI design, fit checks, and purchasing.

Technical Specifications & Mechanical Dimensions

The 1.5U enclosure is a screw-assembled aluminum case: front plate, back plate, two side panels, top and bottom plates, and four corner fixings. Because it is machined and assembled (not extruded), width and depth are customizable — half-width simply changes the side panels.

Internal width and weight are approximate planning values (depend on plate thickness and cutouts); exact figures ship with the CAD/STEP model on request.

Rack-standard compatibility: 1U = 44.45 mm, so 1.5U = 66.67 mm (case: 66.75 mm finished). Front ears use the EIA-310 pattern: 465.1 mm (18.31") rail span, 15.875 mm (0.625") hole pitch, 10-32 (US) or M6 (metric). The half-width variant mounts on one side of the rails — two units fit side by side in one 19" row. Length, width, cutouts, and finish are customizable via the custom enclosure size and custom front panel services; a STEP/3D model and 2D drawing ship within 2 working days of request.

Mounting Hardware, Templates, and Installation Steps

The case ships with its four corner fixings and assembly screws (front/back plates, side panels, top/bottom plates). Rack ears, cage nuts, and 10-32 or M6 screws can ship with the order — specify at quote so hardware matches your rail type (threaded rails: 10-32/M6; square-hole rails: cage nuts).

Step-by-step installation:
1. Attach the front ears (align to the 15.875 mm pitch).
2. Slide cage nuts into the rails at the 1.5U position; confirm a 465.1 mm span.
3. Rest on rails; insert lower screws loosely, then upper.
4. Tighten diagonally to 2–3 N·m (10-32 or M6); do not over-torque anodized threads.
5. Dress cables with a 30–50 mm rear service loop before locking down.

Common pitfalls: front-panel connectors that protrude past the ears and hit the rail (check connector depth before ordering); ear holes that don't align because the rack uses a metric (EIA-310-european) pattern — confirm 10-32 vs M6; and stripped painted threads from over-torque. A printable drilling template and hole-pattern drawing ship with the CAD pack. For wall-mount or side-rail mounting, custom brackets are available on request.

Thermal Design, Ventilation & EMI/RFI Shielding

With aluminum walls at roughly 167–200 W/m·K, the 1.5U case acts as a passive heat spreader. Rule of thumb: below ~25 W dissipation, natural convection with bottom-front intake and top-rear vents is usually enough; above that, add a fan tray (40 mm or 60 mm fans, 5–12 V, ≈5–15 CFM each) on the rear panel with a washable filter for dusty sites. For a 25 W load in this footprint, plan for a chassis-to-ambient rise of roughly 15–25 K with vents — verify with our thermal-simulation support. Keep airflow front-to-back; never block the rear service-loop zone.

For EMI/RFI, the aluminum plates form a shield when seams are bonded — specify conductive gaskets at the plate seams and a grounding terminal on the rear plate (masked before anodizing, or star-washer point, target <1 Ω to rack ground). A ready-made EMI kit (gaskets + ground stud) and sealed options are available. For deeper detail, see thermal design challenges in rackmount chassis, 5 tips to reduce server chassis heat, and EMI shielding in rackmount enclosures.

Device Compatibility, Fit Guides, and Real-World Measurements

The enclosure fits compact routers, firewalls, and small servers whose body height is ≤ 58 mm (inside the 66.75 mm case), width ≤ ≈203 mm (half-width) or ≈470 mm (full), and depth ≤ 250/300 mm minus a ~30 mm cable-bend allowance. Typical examples: small enterprise firewalls and VPN appliances, 4–8 port industrial routers, mini-PCs with rack ears, and NVR gateways. Ear position and connector layout differ per device — measure before ordering:

1. Measure device W/H/D with calipers (include protruding connectors).
2. Note ear height and ear-hole spacing (must match the 15.875 mm pitch).
3. Confirm cable exit direction — front-exit ports must clear the rack rails (~10 mm minimum).
4. Add 30–50 mm rear clearance for cable bend and airflow.

Fit checklist: height ≤ 58 mm • width ≤ internal usable width • depth + cable allowance ≤ case depth • ear pitch 15.875 mm • front connectors clear rails • rear airflow unobstructed. Send your device model and we confirm fit against the CAD model — free of charge. For the wider 19" family, see the 19-inch 1U rack case and the half-width rack enclosures for space-saving design guide.

Accessories, Pricing, Lead Times, and Purchasing Considerations

Pricing & lead times: the standard 19-inch 1.5U unit lists at $62; half-width and custom configurations are quoted per drawing. MOQ = 1 pc; in-stock ships in 24 h, custom samples in 8–10 days, batch in 15–30 days. US delivery via DHL/UPS/FedEx 7–15 days; EXW/FOB/DDP/DAP; PayPal or T/T (30% deposit, 70% before shipment). Custom finishes (anodize color, logo print, cutouts) are specified at quote. Engineering support online 24 h; replies within 1 working hour (Mon–Sat, Beijing time).

FAQs

What are the exact external and internal dimensions of a 1.5U half-width rack enclosure, and do you provide CAD files?

External: 482.6 × 66.75 mm (19" × 1.5U) full width, or 215.9 × 66.75 mm (8.5" × 1.5U) half-width, in 250 mm or 300 mm depth. Usable internal width is ≈470 mm (full) or ≈203 mm (half), plate-thickness dependent. Yes — STEP/3D and 2D drawings are provided within 2 working days of request.

Will a 1.5U half-width enclosure mount in a standard 19-inch EIA-310 rack, and what screw sizes are required?

Yes. It mounts on the standard 465.1 mm (18.31") rail span with ears on the 15.875 mm EIA pitch. Threaded rails take 10-32 (US) or M6 (metric) directly; square-hole rails need cage nuts. Tighten to 2–3 N·m.

Which compact routers, firewalls, and small servers are compatible with a 1.5U half-width enclosure?

Any device with a body height ≤58 mm, width ≤≈203 mm (half) or ≈470 mm (full), and depth ≤ case depth minus ~30 mm cable allowance. Measure ear height and hole pitch (15.875 mm) first; send us the model and we confirm fit against the CAD model free of charge.

What mounting hardware and installation templates come with the enclosure, and how do I install it step-by-step?

The case includes its corner fixings and assembly screws; rack ears, cage nuts, and 10-32/M6 screws can ship with the order. A printable drilling template and hole-pattern drawing are in the CAD pack. Install: fit ears → cage nuts at 1.5U → seat on rails → tighten diagonally to 2–3 N·m → dress cables.

How should I manage airflow for a 1.5U half-width enclosure — do you recommend a fan tray or passive ventilation?

Below ~25 W, passive with front-bottom intake and rear-top vents is usually enough. Above ~25 W, add the 40/60 mm fan tray (5–12 V, ≈5–15 CFM each) plus a washable filter in dusty sites. Keep airflow front-to-back.

Does the enclosure offer EMI/RFI shielding and grounding provisions for enterprise appliances?

Yes. The aluminum plates shield when seams are bonded — specify conductive gaskets at the seams and a grounding terminal (masked before anodizing, or star-washer point, target <1 Ω to rack ground). An EMI kit (gaskets + ground stud) is available on order.

What are typical lead times, pricing tiers, and minimum order quantities for standard vs. custom finishes shipped within the U.S.?

Standard 19-inch 1.5U lists at $62; half-width and custom configurations are quoted per drawing. MOQ = 1 pc; in-stock ships in 24 h, custom samples in 8–10 days, batch in 15–30 days. US delivery via DHL/UPS/FedEx 7–15 days, DDP/DAP available.