Middle Atlantic 2in. in. WX3in. in. DX38RUSINGLE DUCT - PCD-2-3-38SC

Middle Atlantic PCD-2-3-38SC Vertical Cable Management Duct for Open Frame Racks

The Middle Atlantic PCD-2-3-38SC is a 38RU single-channel vertical cable duct designed for 2-post and 4-post open frame racks. At 2" wide by 3" deep by 68" tall (50.8mm x 77.72mm x 1727.2mm), it provides a dedicated routing path that keeps patch cables, power runs, and low-voltage wiring off equipment faces and out of airflow paths — a necessary discipline on any open frame rack that gets revisited by multiple technicians over its life. The PCD-2-3-38SC ships with a cover, so cable bundles stay contained and the rack presents cleanly during audits or customer walkthroughs.

Key Features

• 38RU Height (68"): Matches full-height open frame racks end-to-end, giving you a continuous vertical channel from top to bottom rather than patching together shorter segments that create sag or routing gaps mid-rack.
• 2" Wide x 3" Deep Channel: The 3" depth is the operative number here — it accommodates realistic cable bundles without forcing tight bends on Cat6A or multi-conductor security cable. The 2" width keeps the duct's footprint from consuming mounting real estate on narrower rack side rails.
• Single-Channel Form Factor: One continuous cavity routes all cable types together or in a single organized bundle, which simplifies labeling and tracing versus multi-channel designs that require decisions about which cables go where on every install.
• Plastic Construction, Black Finish: Plastic keeps weight down compared to metal alternatives — relevant on 2-post racks where unbalanced load is a concern. The matte black finish blends with standard 19" rack equipment and doesn't show fingerprints during installation.
• Includes Cover: The cover snaps the channel closed after cables are dressed, preventing accidental snagging during equipment swaps and giving the rack a finished appearance. On open frame racks where accessibility is the point, a removable cover beats a sealed raceway for day-two work.
• 2-Post and 4-Post Open Frame Compatibility: Mounts to both 2-post telco-style relay racks and 4-post open frame configurations, so the same duct works across mixed rack populations in a head-end room or IDF closet without requiring different SKUs per rack type.
• Lifetime Warranty: Middle Atlantic backs the PCD-2-3-38SC with a lifetime warranty — which matters for a passive infrastructure component that is expected to outlast the active equipment it supports by a decade or more.

Integration and Compatibility

The cable management application for the PCD-2-3-38SC is straightforward: it mounts alongside equipment in standard 2-post or 4-post open frame racks and routes vertical cable runs between patch panels, switches, and PDUs. It is not designed for enclosed cabinets where side-mounted vertical managers are the standard approach. If your rack population is mixed — some open frame, some enclosed — plan the PCD-2-3-38SC for the open frame positions and use panel-mount vertical managers for enclosed cabinets.

For security integrators building out network switch and NVR head-ends on open frame racks, this duct pairs naturally with horizontal patch management and PDU mounting. The 38RU height accommodates full-height relay racks common in IDF and MDF applications. Review the Middle Atlantic rack systems line for compatible rack frames, cable rings, and horizontal managers that complete a structured cabling layout. Installers building multi-rack rows should account for inter-rack routing separately — this duct manages within-rack vertical runs, not overhead or underfloor paths.

Where airflow matters on network video recorders and switch stacks, routing cables through the vertical duct rather than draping them across equipment faces maintains front-to-back airflow lanes — a small detail that matters in warm head-end rooms without dedicated cooling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What rack types is the PCD-2-3-38SC compatible with?

A: The PCD-2-3-38SC is designed for 2-post and 4-post open frame racks. It is not intended for enclosed cabinets.

Q: Does the PCD-2-3-38SC include a cover?

A: Yes. The duct ships with a cover that encloses the cable channel after dressing.

Q: How tall is the PCD-2-3-38SC and how many rack units does it span?

A: The duct is 68 inches (1727.2mm) tall and spans 38 rack units, suitable for full-height open frame racks.

Q: What is the interior channel size of the PCD-2-3-38SC?

A: The duct measures 2 inches wide by 3 inches deep (50.8mm x 77.72mm), providing sufficient depth for realistic cable bundle diameters without forcing sharp bends.

Q: What warranty does the PCD-2-3-38SC carry?

A: Middle Atlantic provides a lifetime warranty on the PCD-2-3-38SC.

Q: Is the PCD-2-3-38SC available under an alternate search format?

A: Yes — the PCD-2-3-38SC is often searched as PCD 2 3 38SC. Both refer to the same product.

Jerry Tildsen

The PCD-2-3-38SC is the duct I spec when a head-end is built on open frame relay racks and the integrator actually intends to service those racks over a multi-year contract. The 3-inch channel depth is the decision point — most competing plastic ducts in this height range run 2 inches deep, which is fine for four or five patch cables but stops working the moment you're routing Cat6A trunk bundles alongside alarm wiring and camera power runs. At 68 inches, the PCD-2-3-38SC runs the full height of a 38RU open frame without requiring stacked segments.

Technical Highlights:

• 3" Channel Depth: Accommodates realistically-sized cable bundles — the difference between 2" and 3" depth is substantial when pulling Cat6A, which has a larger OD than Cat5e and doesn't tolerate compression bends near the duct entry points.
• Included Cover: Keeping cables covered on open frame racks prevents incidental snagging during adjacent equipment swaps, which is the most common cause of inadvertent cable pulls in busy head-end rooms.
• Lifetime Warranty: Passive cable management infrastructure should outlast the active equipment by a generation — Middle Atlantic's lifetime coverage on the PCD-2-3-38SC reflects that expectation and removes warranty tracking from the maintenance burden.

Deployment Considerations:

• Confirm your rack's side rail spacing before ordering — the PCD-2-3-38SC is designed for open frame racks (2-post and 4-post) and does not adapt to the side panels of enclosed cabinets.
• The 2-inch width is optimized for standard open frame rail configurations; if your rack uses non-standard rail spacing or has pre-installed vertical mounting accessories, measure the available side clearance before committing.

This duct is the right call for physical security head-ends, IDF closets, and video surveillance aggregation points built on open frame relay racks — anywhere that cables need to be dressed cleanly today and traced efficiently during a service call two years from now.