Middle Atlantic 4-1/2FAN 120V W/cord - MAFAN

Middle Atlantic MAFAN 4.5-Inch 120V AC Rack Fan

Overview

The Middle Atlantic MAFAN is a 4.5-inch (11.4 cm) active rack fan rated for 120V AC that delivers 95 CFM of airflow — the kind of straightforward, no-controller thermal management that belongs in any rack enclosure running heat-generating security equipment. Whether you're stacking NVRs, PoE switches, and power supplies into a single rack enclosure, or topping off a column of AV gear, the MAFAN handles the continuous forced-air job that passive ventilation can't. It ships at 1.4 lbs, mounts in a standard rack opening, and draws from a standard 120V AC outlet — no exotic wiring, no controller module required.

For integrators building out security and AV racks across commercial installations, the Middle Atlantic product line is the reference standard for rack thermal management accessories, and the MAFAN fits squarely into that ecosystem.

Key Features

• 95 CFM Airflow: At 95 CFM, this fan moves enough air to keep a densely populated 8–12U security rack within safe operating temps. If you've ever pulled a failed NVR and found the ambient inside the cabinet was 20°F above ambient room temp, 95 CFM is the spec that prevents that scenario.
• 4.5-Inch (11.4 cm) Fan Blade: The 4.5-inch fan diameter is the sweet spot for rack-mount applications — large enough to deliver meaningful airflow without requiring a deep panel slot or conflicting with cable management on adjacent 1U shelves.
• 120V AC Power Type: Runs directly off a standard 120V AC outlet or a rack-mounted power strip — no DC conversion, no inline transformer, no additional hardware. Plug it in and it runs. This matters in environments where you want zero ambiguity during a commissioning walk-through or a late-night service call.
• Active (Forced-Air) Cooling: Passive ventilation through rack side-panels or top vents relies on convection and ambient airflow — acceptable for lightly loaded racks, inadequate for 24/7 recording systems with spinning drives and full-load PoE switches. The MAFAN's active design provides consistent CFM regardless of room layout or rack placement.
• Compact Form Factor — 4.69 × 4.69 in (11.9 × 11.9 cm): The square footprint fits standard rack fan panels and most open-top rack cutouts. At 1.4 lbs shipping weight, it's light enough that two or more can be stacked without adding meaningful load to the rack structure.
• No Fan Controller Required: The MAFAN runs at a fixed speed off the AC line — no speed controller included or needed. This is deliberate: fewer components means fewer failure points in a 24/7 security infrastructure context. If variable-speed control is a requirement, that's a separate product decision, but for most always-on security racks, constant-speed cooling is the correct architecture.

Integration & Compatibility

The MAFAN integrates into rack thermal management solutions wherever standard 120V AC is available. It is designed for Middle Atlantic rack enclosures and fan panels but is physically compatible with any rack opening sized to accept a 4.5-inch fan unit. Note that this product is not available for international shipment — it is a 120V AC unit, appropriate for North American electrical standards only. No fan controller is included; if your installation calls for thermostatically controlled or variable-speed operation, pair with a compatible fan controller accessory from the Middle Atlantic lineup.

For integrators planning rack builds that include NVRs, managed PoE switches, and video servers, active cooling via the MAFAN is a standard line item — particularly in enclosed metal rack cabinets where convective heat rise can push internal temps 15–25°F above room ambient within an hour of full-load operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the airflow rating of the MAFAN?

A: The MAFAN is rated at 95 CFM (cubic feet per minute), sufficient for active cooling in standard security and AV rack enclosures.

Q: What voltage does the MAFAN require?

A: The MAFAN operates on 120V AC and connects to a standard North American power outlet or rack-mounted power strip. It is not rated for international (240V) use and is not available for international shipment.

Q: Does the MAFAN include a fan speed controller?

A: No. The MAFAN does not include a fan controller and runs at a fixed speed directly off the 120V AC line. If thermostatically controlled or variable-speed operation is required, a separate fan controller accessory would be needed.

Q: What are the physical dimensions of the MAFAN?

A: The MAFAN measures 4.69 × 4.69 inches (11.9 × 11.9 cm) with a 4.5-inch (11.4 cm) fan blade. Shipping weight is 1.4 lbs (0.6 kg).

Q: Is the MAFAN passive or active cooling?

A: Active. The MAFAN uses a powered fan motor (AC-driven) to force air through the rack enclosure, as opposed to passive ventilation which relies on convection alone.

Q: Can the MAFAN be used in international deployments?

A: No. The MAFAN is a 120V AC unit designated for North American use only and is listed as not available internationally.

Ted Perry

The Middle Atlantic MAFAN is the kind of component that gets overlooked during rack planning and then suddenly becomes the most important thing in the room when an NVR throttles or a switch starts dropping packets at 2 AM. At 95 CFM from a 4.5-inch blade running off straight 120V AC, the MAFAN is designed to run continuously without a controller, without supervision, and without complication — which is exactly what you need in a sealed security rack running 24/7 recording loads.

Technical Highlights:

• 95 CFM at 4.5 Inches: That's meaningful forced-air volume for a single-fan unit of this physical size — enough to clear heat from a mid-density security rack when positioned correctly (exhaust at top, intake at bottom or front).
• 120V AC, No Controller: Fixed-speed, line-voltage operation means this fan runs at full rated CFM from the moment power is applied. No controller to configure, no speed ramp-up delay, no sensor to calibrate or fail.
• 1.4 lb Shipping Weight: Light enough to add two or three to a rack ceiling panel without structural concern — relevant when you're stacking fans for higher-density thermal loads in a 20U+ enclosed cabinet.

Deployment Considerations:

• The MAFAN ships with a power cord for direct 120V AC connection — confirm your rack has accessible outlet capacity (a rack-mounted PDU or power strip) before finalizing the installation BOM. No DC power path exists on this unit.
• There is no fan controller included and no variable-speed capability. In environments where noise is a constraint (executive conference rooms, quiet offices), evaluate whether the fixed-speed operation at full CFM is acceptable before specifying the MAFAN.

The MAFAN is the right call for enclosed security rack cabinets in back-of-house installations — IT closets, server rooms, telecom spaces — where continuous 24/7 airflow is required and noise level is a secondary concern. It is not the right fit for open-frame racks or environments where acoustics are a priority.