Middle Atlantic 20SP(35)RACK 22DEEP Maple - MBRK20-22

Middle Atlantic MBRK20-22 20RU Knockdown Maple Laminate Equipment Rack

Overview

The Middle Atlantic MBRK20-22 is a 20-rack-unit, 22-inch-deep knockdown wood rack finished in maple laminate — the go-to choice when a standard black steel rack would look out of place in a boardroom, executive suite, or AV furniture installation. At 250 lbs of verified weight capacity and 10-32 threaded steel rack rails, it carries real enterprise gear without compromising the finish-quality that interior-conscious environments demand. If you're spec'ing AV or surveillance equipment into a space where the rack itself is visible to clients or end users, the MBRK20-22 (often searched as MBRK20 22) belongs on the short list.

This is not a decorative shelf — it's a full-spec equipment rack with the structural ratings to back it up. The 20 RU of usable racking space gives you 35 inches of usable height, enough for a mid-size NVR, patch panel, UPS, and supporting gear without stacking everything on top of each other. Pair it with a network video recorder and structured cabling to build a tidy, client-presentable security head-end.

Key Features

• 20 RU / 35 in Usable Height: Thirty-five inches of usable rack space gives you room for a full surveillance head-end — NVR, switch, UPS, and patch panel — without running out of real estate or forcing you into a larger, more expensive enclosure.
• 22 in Total Depth / 21.5 in Usable Depth: At 21.5 inches usable, this rack accommodates most 1U and 2U rack-mount appliances comfortably. Verify your deepest piece of gear fits before mounting — some high-density NVRs run 18–20 inches, which lands right at the usable limit.
• 250 lb Weight Capacity: With 250 lbs of verified load capacity, you can fill every RU with dense gear and not worry about structural failure. That's meaningful headroom when NVRs, battery backup units, and switching equipment are all sharing the same enclosure.
• Maple Laminate Finish: The maple wood finish integrates into executive, boardroom, and residential AV environments where a black steel rack is simply the wrong answer aesthetically. The finish is a laminate over wood — durable for standard indoor conditions, not rated for high-humidity or outdoor use.
• 10-32 Rack Rail Type: Industry-standard 10-32 threaded rails mean off-the-shelf rack hardware (cage nuts are not required — screws thread directly) and compatibility with virtually every rack-mount device on the market. No hunting for proprietary fasteners.
• Knockdown Construction: Ships disassembled in a flat-pack format, which cuts freight damage risk and makes getting the rack into a finished space far easier than maneuvering a fully assembled 36-inch enclosure through narrow doorways or up stairs. Field assembly is required — factor that into your installation timeline.
• Width: 20.7 in (52.6 cm): At just under 21 inches wide, it fits in standard rack alcoves and AV furniture cutouts designed for 19-inch rack gear. The extra 1.7 inches over the 19-inch rail standard accounts for the wood side panels.
• Overall Height: 36.63 in (93 cm): Under 37 inches tall — this rack fits under most standard countertops and inside typical AV furniture cabinets without modification. That's the spec to check against your furniture drawings before ordering.

Integration and Compatibility

The MBRK20-22 uses standard 10-32 threaded rails, so any rack-mount device with standard EIA-310 mounting ears installs without adapters. The 21.5 inches of usable depth covers the majority of network video recorders, managed PoE network switches, and 1U appliances used in commercial security deployments. For deeper gear, measure first — 21.5 inches is the hard ceiling.

The knockdown format means the rack ships as panels and hardware rather than a welded assembly. If you're deploying into a finished renovation or an AV furniture piece with a fixed opening, confirm the assembled exterior dimensions (20.7 in W × 36.63 in H × 22 in D) against your furniture spec before the rack arrives on site. Review Middle Atlantic's full equipment rack catalog for open-frame and vented alternatives if airflow or cable management are constraints on this project.

For AV and security integrators looking at rack planning guidance, the rack and enclosure buying guide covers capacity planning, depth selection, and airflow considerations that apply directly to installations like this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the usable rack space in the MBRK20-22?

A: The MBRK20-22 provides 20 rack units (RU) of usable racking space, which equals 35 inches (88.9 cm) of usable height. This is the space available for mounting rack-mount equipment between the top and bottom rails.

Q: What rail thread type does the MBRK20-22 use?

A: The MBRK20-22 uses standard 10-32 threaded rack rails. Screws thread directly into the rails — cage nuts are not required. This is the most common rack rail standard and is compatible with virtually all rack-mount equipment.

Q: How deep is the MBRK20-22, and will my gear fit?

A: Total depth is 22 inches (55.9 cm); usable depth between the rails is 21.5 inches (54.6 cm). Most 1U and 2U rack-mount appliances, NVRs, and switches fit comfortably. Check your deepest piece of gear against the 21.5-inch usable figure before ordering.

Q: Does the MBRK20-22 ship assembled or in pieces?

A: The MBRK20-22 is a knockdown rack — it ships disassembled in flat-pack format and requires field assembly. This reduces freight damage risk and makes it easier to move through finished spaces, but you should factor assembly time into your installation schedule.

Q: What is the weight capacity of the MBRK20-22?

A: The MBRK20-22 is rated for 250 lbs (113.4 kg) of equipment load. This is sufficient for a fully populated head-end including NVR, UPS, switch, and patch panel in most commercial surveillance deployments.

Q: Is the MBRK20-22 suitable for outdoor or high-humidity environments?

A: No. The MBRK20-22 is a wood-constructed rack with maple laminate finish intended for standard indoor environments. It is not rated for outdoor use, high humidity, or environments with significant temperature swings. For those conditions, specify a steel rack with appropriate environmental ratings instead.

Marty Allison

The Middle Atlantic MBRK20-22 comes up regularly on installs where the rack is in the room rather than behind a closed door — executive conference spaces, high-end residential, boutique hotel lobbies. The 250 lb weight capacity is the spec I always check first: it tells you whether the aesthetic choice is also an engineering-sound one, and in this case it is. Twenty RU at 250 lbs means you're not compromising structural integrity for looks.

Technical Highlights:

• 21.5 in Usable Depth: Covers most rack-mount NVRs and switches without overhang — but it's the limiting dimension to verify against your BOM before anything ships to site.
• 10-32 Threaded Rails: Direct-screw mounting without cage nuts simplifies installation and eliminates the fumbling that slows down cage-nut racks in tight spaces — relevant when you're working inside AV furniture with limited hand clearance.
• Knockdown Format: Flat-pack shipping means the MBRK20-22 gets through a standard 32-inch door and into a finished renovation without disassembling door frames. That's not a minor point on retrofit jobs in occupied buildings.

Deployment Considerations:

• Confirm your AV furniture or millwork opening matches the assembled exterior: 20.7 in wide × 36.63 in tall × 22 in deep. These dimensions don't leave much margin in purpose-built cabinetry, so measure the cutout before the rack arrives.
• Wood construction means this rack belongs in climate-controlled interiors only. If the equipment closet runs hot or has condensation issues, route that job to a vented steel enclosure — the maple laminate is not rated for those conditions.

For a boardroom AV rack or a client-visible security head-end in an executive suite where finish quality is part of the spec, the MBRK20-22 is the right call — provided the room stays climate-controlled and your gear fits within 21.5 inches of usable depth.