Middle Atlantic PCS-3-2H Rack Cable Spool Panel
Overview
The Middle Atlantic PCS-3-2H is a 2U, 19-inch rack-mount cable spool panel designed to store and manage slack for both fiber optic and copper cabling inside equipment racks. Integrators running structured cabling through AV, security, or IT racks know the problem: excess cable coiled loosely behind equipment creates strain points, blocks airflow, and complicates future moves. The PCS-3-2H solves this with two integrated spools in a 3-inch-deep chassis — deep enough to hold a real service loop without forcing the cable into a tight radius that degrades fiber transmission or fatigues copper conductors. The 2.5-inch minimum bending radius keeps fiber well above the critical bend threshold where signal loss occurs, making this panel appropriate for single-mode and multimode runs alike. At 2U, it consumes a modest footprint in any standard rack enclosure while delivering two independent managed spool points per panel.
Compatibility
The PCS-3-2H mounts in any standard 19-inch EIA rack — including Middle Atlantic's own rack and enclosure lines as well as third-party open-frame and enclosed racks following the EIA-310 standard. The two spools handle both fiber optic (OM1 through OM4, OS1/OS2) and copper patch cables (Cat5e through Cat8), so it works equally well in camera backbone runs terminated at a network video recorder or patch panel, in PoE switch installations where cable dressing is critical, and in AV or unified communications racks. There are no tool-specific mounting requirements beyond standard rack hardware — the panel installs with the same screws used for any rack-mount device in a 19-inch bay. The 3-inch chassis depth is shallow enough to coexist with rear cable managers and deep equipment in standard 24- to 36-inch-deep rack enclosures.
Installation Notes
Orient cable entry and exit so neither spool imposes a bend tighter than the 2.5-inch rated radius — particularly important when routing fiber; a kink at the spool edge can cause permanent insertion loss. Leave one rack unit of clearance above or below if adjacent patch panels are densely populated, to allow access to the spool routing channels. Standard rack-screw hardware (10-32 or 12-24 depending on your rack post) is required but not included; confirm your rack's thread type before install. The manufacturer warranty applies; sourced factory-new from the manufacturer or US-stocking distributor — no grey-market, no parallel imports.
