APC by Schneider Electric AR2401 NetShelter SV 42U Freestanding Rack Enclosure
Overview
The APC NetShelter SV AR2401 is a 42U, 600mm-wide by 1060mm-deep freestanding rack enclosure built for data closets, server rooms, and security head-end installations where structured cable management and reliable equipment mounting are non-negotiable. At 2057mm tall with a verified 42U of usable rack space, this cabinet handles everything from network switches and patch panels to NVR appliances and access control servers in a single footprint. If you're speccing the back-of-house infrastructure for a multi-camera security system or converged IT/OT environment, the AR2401 is worth a close look as a workhorse enclosure from APC by Schneider Electric's rack line.
Key Features
- 42U Rack Capacity: Forty-two rack units of usable vertical space means you can mount a full head-end stack — NVR, PoE switches, patch panels, UPS, and access control hardware — without splitting across multiple cabinets. Fewer cabinets means simpler cable runs and a tighter physical security perimeter.
- 600mm Width: The 600mm wide profile fits standard telecom and IT floor plans without the footprint penalty of a 700mm cabinet. Useful in retrofit installations where aisle clearance is limited or the room was originally designed around 19-inch rack standards.
- 1060mm Depth: At 1060mm, this enclosure accommodates full-depth 1U/2U servers, enterprise network video recorders, and deep UPS units without the door-clearance gymnastics you get with shallower 800mm or 900mm alternatives. Most commercial NVR appliances run 550–750mm deep — this cabinet handles them with room to spare for cable dressing.
- Adjustable Mounting Depth (66mm–306mm): The mounting rail adjusts from 66mm to 306mm of mounting depth, giving you flexibility to accommodate both shallow patch panels and deep compute equipment in the same rack. You're not locked into a fixed rail position at install time.
- RoHS and REACH Compliance: Both datacenter infrastructure certifications matter for enterprise procurement — RoHS restricts hazardous substances, and REACH covers chemical substance registration under EU regulation. If your project has environmental compliance requirements or the end-user is in a regulated sector, these marks simplify documentation.
- Freestanding Design: No wall anchoring required for installation (though seismic bracing is advisable in earthquake zones). Freestanding placement means you can position the cabinet away from walls for rear-door access during servicing — critical when you're cabling a dense 42U build.
- Black Finish: Standard black powder coat blends into server room and security head-end environments. Not a cosmetic detail — black cabinets absorb less ambient light reflection, which matters if you're running a NOC or security operations center where glare off equipment affects monitor visibility.
Integration & Compatibility
The AR2401 follows standard EIA-310 19-inch rack mounting, so it accepts any rackmount equipment with standard ears — Cisco switches, HPE servers, APC UPS units, Axis or Hanwha NVR appliances, Lenel/Software House access control servers, and patch panels from any vendor. The 1060mm depth makes it compatible with full-depth 2U rack servers and enterprise UPS models that typically run 700–900mm deep. When planning a power and UPS installation inside this cabinet, confirm that the combined UPS depth plus PDU rail depth does not exceed the 306mm maximum mounting depth on the front rail — measure your deepest unit before committing rail positions. The cabinet ships in black and is designed for indoor, climate-controlled environments consistent with standard server room operating conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many rack units does the AR2401 provide?
A: The AR2401 provides 42U of usable rack space in a freestanding enclosure measuring 2057mm tall.
Q: What are the external dimensions of the AR2401?
A: The AR2401 measures 600mm wide, 1060mm deep, and 2057mm tall. Package dimensions are 700mm W × 1160mm D × 2181mm H, and the packaged unit weighs 102.3 kg.
Q: What is the mounting depth range inside the AR2401?
A: The mounting rails are adjustable from a minimum of 66mm to a maximum of 306mm, accommodating shallow patch panels through full-depth servers and UPS units.
Q: Is the AR2401 RoHS compliant?
A: Yes. The AR2401 carries both RoHS and REACH compliance certifications, which satisfy most enterprise and EU-region environmental procurement requirements.
Q: Does the AR2401 require wall anchoring?
A: No — it is a freestanding rack and does not require wall anchoring for standard installations. Seismic bracing should be evaluated separately based on local building codes and site conditions.
Q: What equipment can fit in the AR2401?
A: Any standard 19-inch EIA-310 rackmount equipment fits, including NVR appliances, PoE network switches, patch panels, KVM units, UPS devices, and access control servers — provided depth does not exceed 306mm on the mounting rails.
The AR2401 is the enclosure I recommend when an integrator needs a reliable 42U cabinet that won't create surprises during a dense security head-end build. The 1060mm depth is the spec that matters most here — you get genuine clearance for full-depth NVR appliances and enterprise UPS units without fighting the rear door on every service call.
Technical Highlights:
- 42U / 1060mm Depth: Enough vertical space and depth to host a complete physical security stack — NVRs, PoE switches, patch panels, and UPS — in a single cabinet, which simplifies both the cable plant and the physical access control perimeter around the equipment.
- Adjustable Rail Depth (66–306mm): The 240mm of rail travel means you're not re-ordering a different cabinet if your UPS spec changes mid-project. Set shallow rails for the patch panel tier, deep rails for compute and UPS tiers — all in the same enclosure.
- RoHS + REACH Certifications: Both marks are on the AR2401, which matters when the end-user's procurement team runs a compliance checklist. Saves a documentation round-trip on regulated-sector projects.
Deployment Considerations:
- At 102.3 kg packaged, confirm the delivery route and floor load capacity before scheduling install — standard office floor ratings (typically 50 kg/m²) may be marginal once the cabinet is fully populated with dense hardware.
- The 600mm width fits standard aisles, but the 1060mm depth means you need a minimum 1360mm of total row clearance (1060mm cabinet + 300mm rear service aisle) — plan the room layout before finalizing the order.
This is the right enclosure for a security operations head-end or converged IT/physical security room where equipment depth varies across vendors and the integration team needs a cabinet that doesn't force compromises on rail positioning or depth clearance.
