StarTech CABSHELF116 1U Server Rack Cabinet Shelf

Overview

The StarTech CABSHELF116 is a 1U fixed shelf built to carry non-rackmount gear — NVR appliances, PoE injectors, UPS modules, small switches, or any device that doesn't come with its own rack ears — inside a standard 19-inch rack or cabinet. It occupies a single rack unit (1.7 in / 4.3 cm tall) and gives you 17.4 in (44.3 cm) of internal width and 15.7 in (40.0 cm) of usable depth to set equipment on. Steel construction keeps the shelf itself light at 7.2 lb (3.3 kg) while still rating for 44.1 lb (20 kg) of static load — enough for most compact security appliances, patch panels, or accessory hardware without eating into your rack's structural budget elsewhere.

For integrators building out camera rooms, network closets, or edge cabinets alongside network video recorders, the CABSHELF116 solves the common problem of a device that has no mounting ears and would otherwise sit loose on top of a rack or need a shelf improvised from non-rated hardware.

Key Features

• 44.1 lb (20 kg) weight capacity: covers the vast majority of 1U/2U NVRs, PoE midspans, and small UPS units — check your heaviest device's spec sheet against this number before mounting, since exceeding it stresses the rack rail mounting points, not just the shelf.
• 1U profile (1.7 in / 4.3 cm): consumes only a single rack unit, which matters when you're planning cabinet layout around a fixed number of U slots shared with switches, patch panels, and recorders.
• 17.4 in (44.3 cm) internal width: enough clearance to set standard desktop-style network and security appliances without the chassis overhanging the shelf edges.
• 15.7 in (40.0 cm) product depth: matches typical compact NVR and injector footprints — verify against deeper appliances (larger NVRs, UPS units) before committing rack space, since anything longer will overhang the front or back.
• Steel construction: holds the rated 44.1 lb load without shelf flex over years of service, unlike lighter-gauge stamped alternatives that can sag under sustained weight.
• EIA/ECA-310-E compliance: the industry-standard rack specification, so the shelf's hole spacing and mounting geometry match any compliant 19-inch rack or cabinet — no proprietary rail system to work around.
• 7.2 lb (3.3 kg) shelf weight: light enough that one installer can position and secure it single-handed during a rack build-out, rather than needing a second set of hands.
• Black finish: matches the finish convention of most rack cabinets and equipment, so it doesn't stand out visually in a populated enclosure.
• Lifetime warranty: removes long-term replacement cost from the equation for hardware that typically outlives multiple generations of the equipment it carries.

Integration & Compatibility

Because the CABSHELF116 meets EIA/ECA-310-E, it installs in any standard 19-inch server rack cabinet — open-frame racks, enclosed cabinets, or wall-mount racks built to the same spec. It's a natural pairing with NVRs or switches that lack rack ears, and it complements a broader rack build alongside PoE switches mounted in adjacent U slots. If you're planning a full cabinet layout, StarTech's StarTech rack and cabinet catalog covers matching PDUs, cable management, and blanking panels to round out the build. For guidance on sizing a rack around your camera and recording hardware, see our surveillance system planning guide.

What's in the Box

1x CABSHELF116 1U rack shelf.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much weight can the CABSHELF116 hold?

A: It's rated for 44.1 lb (20 kg) of static load.

Q: Will the CABSHELF116 fit a standard 19-inch rack?

A: Yes — it's built to EIA/ECA-310-E, the standard rack specification, so it fits any compliant 19-inch rack or cabinet.

Q: How many rack units does the CABSHELF116 take up?

A: It's a 1U shelf, measuring 1.7 in (4.3 cm) in height.

Q: What's the usable depth of the CABSHELF116?

A: The shelf measures 15.7 in (40.0 cm) in product length, with 17.4 in (44.3 cm) of internal width.

Q: What's the warranty on the CABSHELF116?

A: It carries a lifetime warranty.

Q: What material is the CABSHELF116 made of?

A: Steel, finished in black.

Jerry Tildsen

I spec the CABSHELF116 constantly on camera-room rack builds where the NVR or PoE injector we're mounting has no rack ears of its own. At 1U tall and rated to 44.1 lb, it's the shelf I reach for when a client's recorder or accessory gear needs a stable, code-compliant home in the cabinet instead of sitting loose on top.

Technical Highlights:

• 44.1 lb (20 kg) capacity: covers most 1U/2U NVRs and small UPS units — I still check the equipment's own weight spec first, since this is a static rating, not a dynamic one.
• 17.4 in internal width / 15.7 in depth: wide and deep enough for standard desktop-format security appliances, but I measure the actual chassis before ordering — anything deeper than 15.7 in will overhang.
• EIA/ECA-310-E compliance: guarantees the hole spacing matches any standard 19-inch rack, so there's no compatibility guesswork on a mixed-vendor cabinet build.

Deployment Considerations:

• Steel construction at 7.2 lb keeps the shelf itself light, but I still use two installers on a fully loaded cabinet — securing a 44 lb device one-handed at height isn't worth the risk.
• It's a fixed 1U shelf, not vented or ventilated cutout design per the spec sheet — factor passive airflow into your cabinet's overall cooling plan if you're stacking heat-generating gear on it.

This is my go-to shelf for edge-closet builds where a single NVR or PoE midspan needs a permanent, rack-standard mounting point rather than sitting on an unsecured surface — a common gap in small-to-midsize surveillance installs.