Middle Atlantic 18in. Bottom Runner Set For CFR Steel - 5-RS18

Middle Atlantic 5-RS18 18-Inch Bottom Runner Set for CFR Steel Racks

The Middle Atlantic 5-RS18 is an 18-inch bottom runner set engineered specifically for CFR series steel rack enclosures — the low-profile structural component that guides and supports equipment as it slides into position. At just 0.25 inches tall and 1.5 inches wide, these runners add negligible bulk while providing the alignment rail your rack installation depends on. If you're building out or expanding a Middle Atlantic rack system, the 5-RS18 (often searched as 5 RS18) is the correct replacement or supplemental runner set for 18-inch-depth CFR steel configurations.

Key Features

• 18-Inch Depth (45.7 cm): Matched exactly to 18-inch CFR steel rack enclosures — runners that don't match enclosure depth leave equipment unsupported at the rear or create misalignment that binds drawer slides and equipment rails. The 5-RS18 eliminates that risk for this specific enclosure depth.
• Low-Profile 0.25-Inch Height: At only 0.25 inches (0.6 cm) tall, these runners sit flush at the enclosure base without consuming usable rack unit space or obstructing cabling paths along the cabinet floor.
• 1.5-Inch Width: The 1.5-inch (3.8 cm) runner width provides a stable, consistent guide path for equipment. Consistent runner geometry matters in high-vibration environments — telecom closets, mobile command vehicles, and equipment rooms with HVAC-driven vibration — where loose-fit runners allow equipment to shift and wear.
• Lightweight at 1 lb Shipping Weight: The complete set ships at 1 lb (0.5 kg), making it straightforward to include in mixed hardware orders without materially affecting freight calculations.
• CFR Steel Enclosure Compatibility: Designed and specified for Middle Atlantic CFR steel rack enclosures — not a universal runner. Verify your enclosure series before ordering; using runners from a mismatched enclosure family can result in improper fit and voided rack system integrity.

Integration & Compatibility

The 5-RS18 is a purpose-built component for Middle Atlantic CFR steel rack enclosures at the 18-inch depth specification. It is not a universal rack accessory — compatibility is enclosure-series-specific. If your installation uses a different Middle Atlantic enclosure series or a different depth (such as 21-inch or 24-inch CFR configurations), verify the correct runner part number against the enclosure's build documentation before ordering. This runner set pairs with the broader rack enclosures and cabinets category of components designed for structured AV, security, and IT infrastructure deployments. For integrators building complete rack systems, pairing the correct runner set with appropriate rack accessories — including shelving, cable management, and power distribution — is essential for a clean, serviceable installation. Consult the rack installation planning guide for enclosure depth, runner selection, and load capacity considerations before committing to a configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What rack enclosure series is the 5-RS18 compatible with?

A: The 5-RS18 is designed for Middle Atlantic CFR series steel rack enclosures. It is not a universal runner — verify your enclosure series and depth before ordering.

Q: What is the depth of the 5-RS18 runner set?

A: The 5-RS18 runner set is 18 inches (45.7 cm) deep, matched to 18-inch CFR steel rack configurations.

Q: How tall is the 5-RS18 runner profile?

A: Each runner sits at just 0.25 inches (0.6 cm) tall — low enough that it does not consume rack unit space or obstruct cable routing along the enclosure floor.

Q: What is the width of the 5-RS18 runners?

A: The runners are 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) wide, providing a consistent guide path for equipment sliding into the CFR enclosure.

Q: Can the 5-RS18 be used with non-Middle Atlantic rack enclosures?

A: No — the 5-RS18 is specified for Middle Atlantic CFR steel enclosures. Using it with a different enclosure brand or series is not supported and may result in improper fit.

Eden Phillips

The Middle Atlantic 5-RS18 is one of those parts that gets overlooked until an enclosure is missing it — and then the whole rack build stalls. At 18 inches deep and only 0.25 inches tall, the runner profile is deliberately unobtrusive, but its role in keeping CFR steel enclosure equipment aligned and slideable is non-negotiable on any installation where equipment needs to be serviced in the field.

Technical Highlights:

• 18-Inch Depth Match: At exactly 45.7 cm, the 5-RS18 is dimensioned to the CFR steel enclosure's interior depth — not a close approximation. A runner that falls short leaves rear equipment contact unsupported; one that overruns creates a hard stop that prevents full insertion.
• 0.25-Inch Low Profile: The 0.6 cm runner height keeps the enclosure floor clear. In densely loaded CFR enclosures where every millimeter of cable routing space matters, a taller runner profile would force cabling over the top of the runner rather than alongside it.
• 1.5-Inch Runner Width: The 3.8 cm width is consistent with the CFR enclosure guide channel geometry. Narrower aftermarket substitutes introduce lateral play that accelerates wear on both the runner and the equipment's slide mechanism over repeated serviceability cycles.

Deployment Considerations:

• The 5-RS18 is enclosure-series-specific — confirm your CFR steel enclosure model and depth before ordering. Middle Atlantic produces runners for multiple depth configurations; ordering the wrong depth runner requires a return and delays the rack build.
• At 1 lb shipping weight for the set, factor these into bulk rack hardware orders rather than ordering standalone — freight efficiency matters on multi-rack deployments where runner sets may be needed across dozens of enclosures.

Best fit for integrators completing or restoring CFR steel rack enclosures in security operations centers, network equipment rooms, or AV infrastructure deployments where Middle Atlantic enclosures are the established standard and enclosure depth is confirmed at 18 inches.