Middle Atlantic TD5LK 5-Space Heavy-Duty Locking Rack Drawer
Overview
The Middle Atlantic TD5LK is a 5U steel rack drawer built for integrators who need secured, accessible storage inside a standard 19-inch equipment rack. At 15.56 inches of usable drawer depth and a 50-lb UL-rated load capacity, the TD5LK handles everything from spare patch cables and SFPs to test equipment and deployment tools — without the flimsy feel of light-duty alternatives. The integrated key lock keeps contents secured in shared rack environments, multi-tenant data closets, or any installation where physical access control matters.
Explore the full Middle Atlantic rack solutions catalog for compatible enclosures, panels, and rack accessories that pair with this drawer.
Key Features
- 50-lb UL-Rated Load Capacity: UL-verified at 50 lbs (22.7 kg) — not a marketing number. That's enough to store a full set of hand tools, a spare PoE switch, or a stack of patch panels without stressing the slides. If your team stages equipment inside the rack during service calls, this capacity matters.
- 5U Rack Height (8.75 in): Five rack units of vertical space gives you meaningful interior volume without consuming the entire rack. In a 12U or 16U wall-mount enclosure, 5U is a real trade-off to evaluate against active equipment — but in a 42U floor cabinet, it's proportionate storage that earns its slot.
- 15.56-Inch Drawer Depth: Deep enough to store most small form-factor devices flat, or to organize cable rolls, keystones, and spare SFPs with room to spare. The depth also means the drawer won't bottom out against rear cable managers in standard 29–32-inch-deep rack enclosures.
- Keyed Lock Included: The lock isn't a separate accessory — it ships on the drawer. In shared IDF closets, co-location cages, or any rack accessible to multiple trades, a locked drawer is the simplest way to prevent tool loss and unauthorized access to spare credentials or config media.
- Steel Construction with Textured Black Powder Coat: All-steel build resists flex under load and survives the abuse of active installation environments. The textured black powder coat matches standard rack black and doesn't show fingerprints or minor scuffs — relevant if the rack is customer-visible in a lobby or server room.
- 19-Inch Rack-Mount Width, 2 Mounting Points: Standard EIA 19-inch form factor mounts directly into any rack with two-point attachment. Two mounting points is typical for drawer hardware at this width — verify your rack has accessible square or round holes (not toolless) at the intended RU position before ordering.
- 23.74-lb Product Weight: The drawer itself ships at 23.74 lbs (10.8 kg) — not featherweight, which is consistent with the steel construction. Factor this into rack weight budgets, especially for wall-mount enclosures with lower structural limits.
Integration and Compatibility
The TD5LK installs into any standard 19-inch EIA rack — wall-mount enclosures, open-frame two-post racks, and enclosed four-post cabinets. The 5RU height requires five consecutive open rack units; confirm clearance above and below before placement, particularly if adjacent equipment uses rear cable tie-downs or blanking panels. The 15.56-inch depth is compatible with most standard rack depths (typically 24–36 inches), but measure your rear rail-to-door clearance to confirm the drawer opens fully without obstruction. Pair this drawer with a rack enclosure or rack accessories from the same family for a consistent build. For installations requiring organized cable runs alongside storage, consider patch panels mounted in adjacent rack units. If you are building out a complete rack system, review our rack planning guide for load distribution and airflow considerations when mixing passive and active equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the load capacity of the TD5LK?
A: The TD5LK has a UL-rated load capacity of 50 lbs (22.7 kg). This is a verified UL figure, not a self-reported rating.
Q: How many rack units does the TD5LK occupy?
A: The TD5LK occupies 5 rack units (5U), with a physical height of 8.75 inches (22.2 cm).
Q: Does the TD5LK include a lock?
A: Yes. The TD5LK ships with an integrated key lock — it is not a separately purchased add-on.
Q: What rack width does the TD5LK fit?
A: The TD5LK is built for standard 19-inch EIA racks (width: 19 in / 48.3 cm) with two mounting points.
Q: What is the drawer depth on the TD5LK?
A: The drawer depth is 15.56 inches (39.5 cm), which accommodates most small form-factor devices and organized cable or hardware storage.
Q: What finish does the TD5LK have?
A: Textured black powder coat over steel construction — matches standard rack black and resists visible wear in working environments.
The TD5LK is a drawer I spec into rack builds where the installation team needs secured, in-rack storage that won't become a liability. The 50-lb UL-rated load capacity is the number I look at first — a lot of drawers in this form factor are rated by the manufacturer only, and that rating disappears fast under real field use. With the TD5LK, 50 lbs is UL-verified, which means it holds up under structured testing, not just marketing claims.
Technical Highlights:
- UL Load Rating (50 lbs / 22.7 kg): Independent UL verification at 50 lbs distinguishes this from self-certified alternatives — relevant when you're storing a PoE injector, spare switch, or tool kit that could damage slides or equipment below if the drawer fails.
- 15.56-Inch Drawer Depth: Sufficient depth for flat storage of small appliances, organized SFP trays, or cabling consumables. Clears rear cable managers in most 29-32-inch-deep enclosures without requiring a shallower rack.
- Integrated Keyed Lock: Ships with the lock installed — no additional hardware purchase. In multi-trade environments (AV, IT, physical security all touching the same rack), a locked drawer is the practical answer to tool accountability and config media security.
Deployment Considerations:
- The 5RU footprint requires five consecutive open rack units. In compact 12U wall-mount enclosures, verify you can spare that space against your active equipment count before committing to this drawer size — consider a 2U or 3U variant if rack real estate is constrained.
- Product weight is 23.74 lbs (10.8 kg) unloaded. Wall-mount rack enclosures have structural weight limits — add this to your rack load budget before placement, especially in seismic-rated installations or enclosures near their rated capacity.
Best fit: 42U floor cabinets in IDF/MDF rooms, co-location cages, or any multi-trade installation where in-rack tool and hardware storage needs to be locked down between service visits.
