Middle Atlantic 12SP Cabinet Frame RK 23D - CFR-12-23

Middle Atlantic CFR-12-23 12U Cabinet Frame Rack — 23-Inch Depth

Overview

The Middle Atlantic CFR-12-23 is a 12U open-frame rack designed to mount inside an existing enclosure or cabinet rather than stand on its own. At 23 inches of usable depth, it handles full-depth network switches, NVR appliances, patch panels, and AV gear without the frame fighting the cabinet's structural walls. If you're retrofitting an existing enclosure or need a secondary frame to organize a mixed AV/security rack space, the CFR-12-23 (often searched as CFR 12 23) fills that role with commercial-grade steel construction and a UL-listed 250-pound load rating.

Key Features

• 12U Rack Space (21 inches usable height): Twelve rack units gives you room for an NVR, a PoE switch, a patch panel, and a power distribution unit without running out of rail — the right footprint for a mid-size NVR-based surveillance system or a compact AV head-end inside a larger cabinet.
• 23-Inch Usable Depth: Full-depth gear — think managed PoE switches and rack-mount UPS units — typically needs 18–22 inches. The 23-inch usable depth on the CFR-12-23 gives you clearance without cable-routing gymnastics at the rear of the chassis.
• UL-Listed 250 lb Load Capacity: A UL rating means the number has been third-party verified, not just claimed. At 250 lbs, you can fully populate all 12U with dense equipment and still be inside the tested limit — relevant when a physical security auditor reviews your rack for code compliance.
• Flat Black Powder-Coat Steel Construction: Powder-coated steel resists corrosion and handles the thermal cycling you see in server closets and equipment rooms. The flat black finish doesn't show dust accumulation the way raw metal does and blends into most cabinet interiors.
• 10-32 Rack Rail Threading: The 10-32 tapped rail standard is universal across network equipment, NVRs, and AV gear. No cage-nut strips required — thread directly into the rails, which saves installation time and avoids the loose-nut problem common on cheaper square-hole frames.
• TAA-Compliant, UL Listed: TAA compliance means the frame qualifies for federal and state government procurement under the Trade Agreements Act. If your project involves a government facility, school district, or any contract subject to Buy American provisions, TAA is a gate you need to clear before spec'ing any rack component — and the CFR-12-23 clears it.
• 19.25-Inch Width: Standard 19-inch EIA rack width with the rail-to-rail spacing at 17.72 inches — fits all standard 1U, 2U, and 4U rack-mount equipment without adapter plates.
• Compact Overall Footprint (21.94 in H × 19.25 in W × 23 in D): The overall height of under 22 inches means this frame fits inside mid-size and full-size enclosures with room to spare for cable management panels above and below the frame.

Integration and Compatibility

The CFR-12-23 is an in-cabinet frame rack — it is designed to be installed inside an existing cabinet or enclosure, not used as a standalone open-frame rack. The 10-32 threaded rails accept standard rack-mount hardware from any major vendor. At 19.3 lbs unloaded, the frame itself adds minimal weight to your enclosure's base load calculation. The 23-inch depth aligns with typical Middle Atlantic and third-party cabinet interior depths in the 24–30-inch range, leaving rear clearance for vertical cable management and power distribution. For projects specifying Middle Atlantic rack systems, the CFR series integrates directly with Middle Atlantic's enclosure ecosystem. If you need a standalone open-frame solution rather than an in-cabinet frame, look at Middle Atlantic's ERK or WRK series instead — the CFR is specifically engineered for inside-cabinet use and is not intended for freestanding deployment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the CFR-12-23 a freestanding rack or does it mount inside an existing cabinet?

A: The CFR-12-23 is an in-cabinet frame rack. It is designed to mount inside an existing enclosure, not stand on its own. If you need a freestanding open-frame rack, look at a different product series.

Q: What is the verified load capacity of the CFR-12-23?

A: The UL-listed load capacity is 250 lbs (113.4 kg). This is a UL-tested rating, not a manufacturer-only claim.

Q: Is the CFR-12-23 TAA compliant for government projects?

A: Yes. The CFR-12-23 is TAA compliant, making it eligible for federal and state government procurement under the Trade Agreements Act. Country of origin for federal ops purposes is Mexico.

Q: What rail thread standard does the CFR-12-23 use?

A: The CFR-12-23 uses 10-32 threaded rails — the most common standard in AV and network rack equipment. No cage nuts are required.

Q: What are the exact usable dimensions of the CFR-12-23?

A: Usable height is 21 inches (53.3 cm) across 12 rack units. Usable depth is 23 inches (58.4 cm). Overall width is 19.25 inches (48.9 cm).

Q: What finish does the CFR-12-23 have?

A: Flat black powder coat over steel construction.

Eden Phillips

The CFR-12-23 is a frame I reach for specifically when a client already has a cabinet on-site but needs an organized, standards-compliant rail structure inside it. The 250 lb UL-listed load rating is the number that matters most here — it is not a sticker claim, it is a tested value, and that distinction matters when you are stacking NVR appliances and PoE switches in a government or education facility that will get inspected.

Technical Highlights:

• UL-Listed 250 lb Capacity: Third-party tested load rating — not self-certified. At 12U fully loaded with 1U switches and a 4U NVR, you are well inside the limit with headroom.
• 10-32 Threaded Rails: Direct thread mount eliminates cage nut rattle and speeds installation. Every major rack-mount vendor ships hardware for 10-32 out of the box.
• 23-Inch Usable Depth: Accommodates full-depth managed switches and rack-mount appliances that typically land in the 18–21 inch range — no depth adapter required for standard enterprise gear.

Deployment Considerations:

• This is strictly an in-cabinet frame — confirm your host enclosure's interior depth is at least 24 inches before ordering, since the frame itself is 23 inches deep and you need rear clearance for cabling and power distribution.
• At 19.3 lbs, the frame adds meaningful weight to your enclosure's base load — factor this into wall-mount or overhead enclosure installations where total weight is a constraint.

Best fit: government, education, or municipal physical security installations where TAA compliance is a procurement requirement and the integrator is installing inside an existing Middle Atlantic or equivalent enclosure rather than deploying a bare open-frame rack.