APC by Schneider Electric AR3140B2 42U Network Rack Enclosure
Overview
The APC by Schneider Electric AR3140B2 is a 42U NetShelter SX Generation 2 networking enclosure built for data centers, network closets, and security infrastructure deployments where physical organization, airflow discipline, and long-term serviceability matter. At 800mm wide and 1200mm deep, it accommodates high-density active equipment — switches, patch panels, NVRs, servers, and UPS units — without forcing compromises on cable routing or future expansion. If you're specifying rack infrastructure for a network video recorder stack or a converged IT/security room, the AR3140B2 is dimensioned for that kind of mixed-load environment.
The enclosure ships in white and carries RoHS compliance, making it suitable for deployments with environmental material restrictions. Integrated cable management keeps runs organized from day one — a practical requirement in any rack that will be touched repeatedly by field technicians over its service life.
Key Features
- 42U Rack Height: 42U provides enough vertical space to house a full security head-end — NVRs, managed PoE switches, patch panels, and a UPS — in a single enclosure without stacking a second unit. That matters for deployments where floor space is constrained but equipment density is high.
- 800mm Width: The 800mm footprint (compared to the standard 600mm) gives you meaningful side clearance for high-density cable bundles and wider chassis equipment. Blade servers, multi-port patch panels, and wide UPS units all fit without forced cable compression against the side rails.
- 1200mm Depth: A 1200mm interior accommodates deep 1U/2U servers and full-depth UPS chassis that a 900mm or 1000mm enclosure would reject. If your equipment list includes deep network appliances or large battery backup units, verify depth clearance here before specifying a shallower alternative — the AR3140B2 handles it without adapters.
- Integrated Cable Management: Factory-installed cable management means technicians aren't improvising with zip ties and aftermarket panels. Structured cable routing reduces the risk of inadvertent disconnects during maintenance and keeps airflow paths clear — a real factor when you're running heat-generating NVRs and switches side by side.
- RoHS Compliance: RoHS certification covers the enclosure's material composition, meeting EU Directive restrictions on hazardous substances. Required for government, healthcare, and EU-export deployments where material compliance documentation is part of project closeout.
- White Finish: The white colorway is specified for environments where rack appearance is a site requirement — operations centers, retail back offices, clean-room adjacent deployments. If your site standard calls for black infrastructure, verify finish before ordering; this unit is white.
Integration and Compatibility
The AR3140B2 follows standard 19-inch EIA-310 rack mounting conventions, meaning it accepts off-the-shelf rack-mount equipment from any manufacturer without modification. It is part of APC's broader APC by Schneider Electric NetShelter SX enclosure line, which means accessories — blanking panels, side panels, cable managers, and PDUs — are designed to integrate directly. For converged security and IT infrastructure, pair this enclosure with a structured cabling plan and a dedicated UPS sized for the load; the 1200mm depth gives you room for a full-depth tower-style UPS mounted horizontally if needed. Consult your rack infrastructure planning documentation to confirm load ratings and airflow requirements before finalizing the equipment list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the rack unit capacity of the AR3140B2?
A: The AR3140B2 is a 42U enclosure, providing 42 standard rack units of usable mounting space for equipment.
Q: What are the external dimensions of the AR3140B2?
A: The enclosure is 800mm wide and 1200mm deep. Height corresponds to the 42U form factor. Verify exact overall height with the manufacturer datasheet for flooring and ceiling clearance planning.
Q: Is the AR3140B2 RoHS compliant?
A: Yes. The AR3140B2 carries RoHS compliance certification, covering material restrictions on hazardous substances per EU directive requirements.
Q: Does the AR3140B2 include cable management?
A: Yes, the enclosure includes integrated cable management as a standard feature.
Q: What color is the AR3140B2?
A: The AR3140B2 ships in white. If your site standard requires black rack infrastructure, confirm the finish before ordering.
Q: Is the AR3140B2 compatible with standard 19-inch rack-mount equipment?
A: Yes. The NetShelter SX follows EIA-310 19-inch rack mounting standards, accepting standard rack-mount equipment from any manufacturer without modification adapters.
The AR3140B2 is the enclosure I reach for when a project calls for a single rack to hold a complete converged security head-end — the 1200mm depth is the deciding spec. Most 42U units top out at 900mm or 1000mm, and once you factor in a full-depth UPS chassis plus cable management at the rear, you're fighting for space. The AR3140B2 eliminates that constraint before it becomes a field problem.
Technical Highlights:
- 1200mm Depth: Handles the deepest rack-mount equipment in the security and IT stack — large UPS chassis, full-depth servers, and high-density patch environments — without requiring depth extenders or external cable trays.
- 800mm Width: The extra 200mm over a standard 600mm enclosure makes a real difference when you're routing multiple high-density cable bundles; side-panel clearance means cables don't compress against the rails and create intermittent connector issues over time.
- RoHS Certification: Project closeout documentation for government and healthcare clients routinely requires material compliance certificates; having RoHS on the enclosure itself means one less item to source separately.
Deployment Considerations:
- Confirm floor load capacity before placement — a fully populated 42U enclosure with UPS, NVRs, and switching hardware can exceed 500kg; the AR3140B2's footprint needs a rated floor or proper load-spreading base.
- The white finish is a site-requirement item, not a preference — if your data center or IDF standard specifies black infrastructure, this unit will not match; verify finish before the enclosure ships to the job site.
For a converged security and network operations room — where NVRs, PoE switching, and backbone infrastructure share a single rack environment — the AR3140B2's depth, width, and integrated cable management make it a straightforward specification for system integrators who need the room to grow without a second enclosure.
