Middle Atlantic 5 Space (8 3/4IN. ) 1/8IN. Flat Aluminum Blank Panel Black Brushed - HBL5

Middle Atlantic HBL5 5U Flat Aluminum Blank Rack Panel

Overview

The Middle Atlantic HBL5 is a 5-rack-unit (8.75 in.) flat blank panel machined from aluminum and finished in black brushed anodize — the straightforward way to close open slots in a 19-inch rack without improvising with cardboard or leaving airflow paths exposed to accidental contact. At just 0.08 in. deep, the HBL5 sits flush against your rack's front rail without intruding into cable management space behind the faceplate. If you're commissioning a new enclosure or filling gaps left by gear that's been moved or removed, this is the panel to reach for.

Middle Atlantic has built rack infrastructure for the AV, broadcast, and security integration trades for decades. The Middle Atlantic rack accessories catalog covers a wide range of panel sizes, and the HBL5 is one of the most commonly stocked because 5U gaps appear frequently when mixing NVR chassis, network switches, and power distribution in a single rack enclosure. One panel, one slot covered, done.

Key Features

• 5 Rack Units (8.75 in. height): Covers a full 5U opening in a standard 19-in. rack — the right size for gaps left by a mid-size NVR, a UPS, or a run of patch panels that haven't arrived yet. Measure your open slot before ordering; 5U is specific.
• 0.08 in. panel depth: At roughly 2mm, the HBL5 adds virtually no depth to your rack's front face. There's no lip or flange to snag cables during a service call, and it won't interfere with shallow-rack or wall-mount enclosures where interior depth is tight.
• 19 in. standard width: Fits any EIA-310-compliant 19-inch rack — server cabinets, open-frame racks, wall-mount enclosures, and security-specific rack furniture. No adapter strips, no trimming.
• Aluminum construction: Lighter than steel blanks and naturally corrosion-resistant — relevant in equipment rooms with marginal humidity control or in outdoor enclosures where condensation is a factor. The panel won't rust and won't add meaningful weight to a rack that's already near its load rating.
• Black brushed and anodized finish: Anodizing is a hardened oxide layer bonded into the aluminum surface, not a paint coat that chips or scratches off during rack builds. The brushed texture matches standard black rack gear, so the panel reads as intentional rather than temporary.
• 2 mounting points: Secures to standard rack rails at two points — one on each side. That's sufficient to hold the panel firmly without rattle. If your rack uses cage nuts, standard M6 or 10-32 hardware applies depending on your rail spec.
• Flat style: No venting, no cutouts, no louvers. Flat means you're blocking airflow through that slot intentionally. Use this where you want a thermal barrier between sections of the rack, or simply to prevent small hands, debris, or accidental tool insertion from reaching live equipment behind the panel.

Integration and Compatibility

The HBL5 drops into any standard 19-inch EIA rack without modification. It's a passive panel — no power, no data, no configuration. It ships as a single unit and installs in under two minutes with a screwdriver. Pair it with other rack accessories like cable management rings, patch panels, or horizontal lacing bars to complete a clean rack build. If you're building out a security rack that includes PoE switches, NVRs, and access control hardware, a rack blank panel like this is the detail that separates a finished installation from a work-in-progress.

Note that the HBL5 is sold as a single panel per package. For racks with multiple open slots of different sizes, Middle Atlantic offers blank panels in other rack-unit counts — verify your open slot height before ordering to avoid a second trip.

What's in the Box

• 1x Middle Atlantic HBL5 5U flat aluminum blank panel

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What rack unit height does the HBL5 cover?

A: The HBL5 covers exactly 5 rack units, which equals 8.75 inches of panel height in a standard EIA-310 rack.

Q: What is the panel width — will it fit a standard 19-inch rack?

A: Yes. The HBL5 is 19 inches wide and fits any EIA-310-compliant 19-inch rack, including server cabinets, open-frame racks, and wall-mount enclosures.

Q: Is the HBL5 vented or solid?

A: Solid and flat — no vents, no cutouts. Use it where you want to block airflow through an open slot or prevent access to equipment behind the panel.

Q: What material and finish does the HBL5 use?

A: The panel is machined from aluminum with a black brushed and anodized finish. Anodizing is an integral oxide layer — not paint — so it won't chip or peel during rack builds or service calls.

Q: How many mounting points does the HBL5 have?

A: Two — one on each side, attaching to standard rack rails. Standard M6 or 10-32 cage nuts apply depending on your rack rail spec.

Q: How many panels come in a package?

A: One panel per package. If you have multiple open slots, order the quantity you need and verify each slot's rack-unit height before purchasing.