Middle Atlantic 16in. CFR Bottom Runner Set Steel - 5-RS16

Middle Atlantic 5-RS16 16-Inch CFR Bottom Runner Set

The Middle Atlantic 5-RS16 is a steel bottom runner set designed for use with Middle Atlantic's CFR (Cooling Fan Rack) and slide-out shelf systems, providing the lower rail guide that keeps drawers and shelves tracking straight under load. At 16 inches (40.6 cm) of usable depth, the 5-RS16 pairs with the corresponding top runner to form a complete glide channel — the component your slide-out keyboard trays, equipment drawers, and pull-out shelves depend on for alignment and smooth travel. If you're building out or repairing a Middle Atlantic rack drawer assembly, this is the replacement or expansion part to source.

Overview

Runner sets in rack systems do unglamorous but structurally critical work: they define the travel path of any slide-mounted component and bear the dynamic load every time a drawer is extended under weight. The 5-RS16 is purpose-built for Middle Atlantic's CFR platform, machined from steel for the rigidity that prevents drawer sag or lateral drift over years of repeated use. The 16-inch depth matches standard Middle Atlantic mid-depth rack and enclosure configurations — long enough for most 1U or 2U drawers without overhanging the rear rail.

Key Features

• 16-Inch (40.6 cm) Runner Depth: matches Middle Atlantic's mid-depth CFR enclosures and slide-out shelf systems — no shimming, no field-cutting required when pairing with the correct Middle Atlantic drawer or shelf unit.
• Steel Construction: steel provides the rigidity needed to support equipment drawers under repeated extension cycles without developing the lateral play that plastic-bodied runners exhibit over time. Critical in AV racks and security equipment enclosures where a sagging keyboard tray or monitor arm creates service friction.
• 0.25-Inch Profile Height (0.6 cm): the runner sits nearly flush at the bottom of the drawer channel, preserving internal rack clearance. In densely loaded enclosures where every millimeter of vertical space matters, a low-profile runner keeps your usable rack space intact.
• 1.5-Inch Width (3.8 cm): matches the standard Middle Atlantic CFR runner channel width — this dimension is the compatibility check. Verify your existing drawer or shelf unit's runner seat width before ordering; 1.5 inches is the standard for this product family.
• Sold as a Set: the 5-RS16 is packaged as a complete bottom runner set (both left and right runners), so a single order covers one full drawer assembly. No need to order pairs separately or track left/right part numbers.
• 1 lb Shipping Weight: light enough that per-unit shipping cost is negligible even when ordering multiples for a rack refresh or new install with several drawer positions.

Integration & Compatibility

The 5-RS16 is designed for Middle Atlantic rack and enclosure systems using the CFR runner platform. It belongs to the broader family of rack accessories including top runners, drawer units, and slide-out shelf components. When specifying or replacing runners, confirm the drawer depth against the 16-inch runner length — mismatched depths will leave the drawer unsupported at extension or prevent full closure. This runner set is the bottom component; the matching top runner is ordered separately.

For integrators building out security operations centers, control rooms, or AV equipment racks, pairing this runner set with the correct Middle Atlantic rack enclosure and drawer unit produces a fully guided slide assembly. Consult a rack planning guide when calculating drawer positions relative to fixed equipment in the same bay — runner sets require unobstructed vertical clearance for the drawer body in addition to the 0.25-inch runner height itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What depth enclosure does the 5-RS16 runner set fit?

A: The 5-RS16 runners are 16 inches (40.6 cm) deep, designed for Middle Atlantic CFR enclosures and slide-out shelf systems at that depth. Measure your enclosure's internal depth and drawer runner seat before ordering to confirm compatibility.

Q: Does the 5-RS16 include both left and right runners?

A: Yes. The 5-RS16 is sold as a set, covering both bottom runners for one complete drawer or shelf assembly.

Q: Is the top runner included with the 5-RS16?

A: No. The 5-RS16 is the bottom runner set only. The matching top runner must be ordered separately for a complete glide assembly.

Q: What material are the 5-RS16 runners made from?

A: Steel. This gives the runners the rigidity needed to support drawer loads over repeated extension cycles without lateral play developing over time.

Q: Can the 5-RS16 be used as a search term variation?

A: Yes — the 5-RS16 (often searched as 5 RS16) is the same part. Both formats refer to this Middle Atlantic bottom runner set.

Q: What is the runner profile height?

A: 0.25 inches (0.6 cm). The low-profile design minimizes impact on internal rack clearance in tightly loaded enclosures.

Jerry Tildsen

The 5-RS16 is one of those parts that only gets noticed when it's missing or wrong — you order a replacement drawer for a Middle Atlantic CFR rack, the drawer arrives, and without the correct 16-inch bottom runner set the whole assembly has nowhere to seat. At 1.5 inches wide and a 0.25-inch profile, the 5-RS16 fits the CFR channel geometry exactly; substituting a runner from a different product line or a generic glide rail usually means shimming, binding, or worse, a drawer that rides crooked under load.

Technical Highlights:

• 16-Inch Depth (40.6 cm): aligns with Middle Atlantic's mid-depth CFR enclosure footprint — the runner terminates at the rear rail without overhanging, keeping the drawer guided end-to-end.
• 0.25-Inch Profile (0.6 cm): slim enough that installing these runners in a populated rack doesn't displace usable U-space — the channel sits below the drawer floor rather than consuming rack height.
• 1.5-Inch Width: this is the critical fit dimension. If your enclosure's runner seat is a different width, the 5-RS16 will either rattle in the channel or not seat at all — measure before ordering.

Deployment Considerations:

• The 5-RS16 is bottom runners only — budget for the matching top runner part in the same order if you're building a new slide assembly from scratch, not just replacing worn bottom rails.
• At 16 inches, these runners suit mid-depth enclosures; if your rack is a full 24-inch or deeper configuration, you'll need the corresponding longer runner variant in the Middle Atlantic CFR line.

The 5-RS16 is the right call for security operations centers and AV control rooms running Middle Atlantic CFR enclosures where an existing drawer assembly needs refurbishment or a new keyboard/monitor slide position is being added to an in-service rack.