Middle Atlantic CBL SPOOL1-3/8IN. In. D2SP PNL - PCS-1-2H

Middle Atlantic PCS-1-2H 2U Dual-Spool Rack Cable Management Panel

Overview

The Middle Atlantic PCS-1-2H is a 2U, 19-inch rackmount cable spool panel purpose-built for managing both fiber and copper cabling inside equipment racks. At just 1-3/8 inches (35mm) deep, it occupies minimal rack real estate while providing two dedicated spools for controlled, repeatable cable routing — the kind of detail that separates a maintainable rack from one that becomes a liability the moment a technician needs to trace a fault. If you're building out a rack enclosure system for a surveillance, AV, or data installation and cable dress matters, the PCS-1-2H (often searched as PCS 1 2H) belongs in your design from the start.

Key Features

• 2U Rack Height — Right-sized for high-density builds: Two rack units gives you enough panel height for organized spool mounting without consuming the space better used by active gear. In a 12U or 16U edge rack where every unit counts, a compact 2U management layer keeps the rest of the rack usable.
• Dual Independent Spools — Separate fiber from copper cleanly: With two spools on a single panel, you can dedicate one spool to fiber runs and the other to copper — avoiding the bend-radius violations and signal integrity risks that come from co-routing dissimilar cable types over the same guide. This matters most on fiber paths where a tight, unguided bend can increase insertion loss and trigger link errors.
• 1-3/8 Inch (35mm) Depth — Fits shallow racks without compromise: Many field-deployed security enclosures and telecom cabinets run 18–24 inches deep. At 35mm, the PCS-1-2H doesn't encroach on the clearance you need behind deeper 1U switches or NVRs. Check your rack's usable depth before specifying — but this panel will clear virtually any standard enclosure.
• 19-Inch Rackmount Standard — Drop-in compatibility with any standard cabinet: The 19-inch EIA-310 form factor means the PCS-1-2H integrates directly into any rack accessory ecosystem — Middle Atlantic, Chatsworth, Belden, Panduit, or generic open-frame. No adapter rails, no custom brackets.
• Fiber and Copper Application — One panel, both media types: Security and AV installations increasingly run mixed-media backbones. A panel that explicitly supports both fiber and copper on the same spool structure avoids the need for separate single-media managers, reducing SKU count on a project BOM.
• Consistent Cable Dress Across the Build: Standardizing on a single cable management panel model across multiple racks in a project simplifies documentation, speeds future moves-adds-changes, and reduces the cognitive load for any integrator who inherits the installation. The PCS-1-2H is straightforward enough to specify in quantity without per-rack customization.

Integration and Compatibility

The PCS-1-2H mounts in any standard 19-inch two-post or four-post rack. It sits naturally alongside other Middle Atlantic rack products — cable raceways, horizontal managers, and patch panels — and integrates without modification into third-party rack ecosystems that follow EIA-310-E mounting standards. For surveillance rack builds, pair this panel with a network video recorder and PoE switch installation where structured cable routing prevents airflow obstruction and simplifies future NVR servicing. The 35mm depth profile makes it compatible with the panel-mount zone of shallow-depth security enclosures commonly deployed in utility closets, IDF rooms, and above-ceiling spaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many rack units does the PCS-1-2H occupy?

A: The PCS-1-2H occupies 2U (two rack units) in a standard 19-inch rack.

Q: How many cable spools does the PCS-1-2H include?

A: The PCS-1-2H has two spools, allowing you to manage two cable runs independently — useful for separating fiber from copper on the same panel.

Q: What is the depth of the PCS-1-2H?

A: The PCS-1-2H is 1-3/8 inches (35mm) deep, making it compatible with shallow rack enclosures and leaving clearance for deeper active equipment behind it.

Q: What rack standard does the PCS-1-2H fit?

A: The PCS-1-2H mounts in standard 19-inch EIA-310 racks and is compatible with two-post and four-post rack configurations.

Q: Can the PCS-1-2H manage both fiber and copper cabling?

A: Yes. The PCS-1-2H is designed for both fiber and copper cable management, making it suitable for mixed-media rack builds common in surveillance and AV installations.

Q: Does the PCS-1-2H require any special tools or hardware to install?

A: The PCS-1-2H is a standard rackmount panel and installs using your rack's existing cage nut or clip-nut hardware. No special tooling is required beyond standard rack-mounting practice.

James Everett

The detail I keep coming back to on the PCS-1-2H is the 35mm depth. In a typical IDF closet or above-ceiling security enclosure, you're working with a shallow rack where depth clearance is the constraint — not panel width. At 1-3/8 inches, this panel doesn't compete with your switch or NVR for rear clearance, which means you can mount it at the top or bottom of the rack without rearranging the rest of the build.

Technical Highlights:

• 2U Form Factor: Two rack units is the right trade-off for a cable management panel — enough structure for two dedicated spools without sacrificing three or four units of productive rack space in a compact enclosure.
• Dual Spool Layout: Two independent spools on one 2U panel let you separate fiber and copper in the same panel zone, which matters for bend-radius compliance on fiber and for keeping EMI-sensitive runs physically apart from power-adjacent copper.
• 35mm Depth: Shallower than most patch panels, which means you can position the PCS-1-2H in the front-of-rack panel zone and still have clear access to equipment ports behind it — a real advantage in wall-mount or swing-gate rack enclosures.

Deployment Considerations:

• The PCS-1-2H mounts on standard 19-inch rails — confirm your rack's cage nut pattern (M6, 10-32, or 12-24) before ordering, as the appropriate fasteners vary by rack manufacturer and are not always included with panels.
• Two spools is the right count for a single structured-cabling segment, but if you're managing four or more independent cable runs in a single rack zone, plan for multiple panels or a supplementary horizontal manager alongside this unit.

This panel is the right specification for a surveillance or AV rack build in a shallow-depth enclosure — particularly IDF closets, utility rooms, or above-ceiling backboxes where the 35mm depth profile and 2U footprint fit cleanly into a constrained physical layout without forcing a rack redesign.