Middle Atlantic Lockbox Storage Unit 3 Spaces 9IN. D - LBX-3

Middle Atlantic LBX-3 Rack-Mount Lockbox, 3U, 9-Inch Depth

Overview

The Middle Atlantic LBX-3 is a 3-rack-unit lockbox designed to secure rack-mounted equipment in shared, semi-public, or multi-tenant environments where a standard open rack frame leaves sensitive gear exposed. At 9 inches deep and rated for 50 lbs of UL-verified load, it fits comfortably into standard 19-inch equipment racks alongside NVRs, network switches, and other security system components — giving integrators a straightforward way to physically restrict access to equipment without building out a dedicated locked enclosure. The LBX-3 (often searched as LBX 3) occupies just 3U of vertical rack space, making it a practical add-on in installations where only a subset of rack gear requires access control.

Key Features

• 3U / 5.25-inch height: Three rack units of vertical space is the sweet spot for housing a single NVR, a compact network appliance, or a patch panel section that needs to stay hands-off. At 5.25 inches tall, it won't dominate a partially populated rack, and it leaves room above and below for cable management or ventilated shelving.
• 9-inch depth (22.9 cm): The 9-inch interior depth accommodates a wide range of shallow rack-mount equipment — small NVRs, PoE injectors, managed switches, and 1U servers in the sub-10-inch depth class. Verify your target device's chassis depth against this spec before spec'ing the LBX-3; deeper 1U/2U appliances will need the longer-depth variant.
• 50 lb UL-rated load capacity: The UL load rating of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) is a verified structural ceiling, not a marketing estimate. That comfortably covers virtually any single rack-mount NVR or network appliance you'd install in a security deployment, and provides margin for cabling and accessories mounted inside.
• Standard 19-inch rack width: At exactly 19 inches wide (48.3 cm), the LBX-3 drops into any standard EIA-310 rack without adapters. Two mounting points secure it to the rack rails — straightforward installation with standard rack hardware.
• Physical access restriction without a full rack enclosure: In a shared IDF closet, a retail back-office, or a school IT room where the full rack isn't locked, the LBX-3 lets you isolate just the components that need to stay secure. This is especially relevant for NVRs and VMS servers where unauthorized USB access or physical tampering is a real concern in deployments where multiple parties have general room access.
• Low shipping weight of 10.3 lbs (4.7 kg): The unit ships at just over 10 lbs, which matters for freight cost in multi-unit orders or in installations where gear is staged at a vehicle and hand-carried to upper floors. It won't add meaningful dead weight to a populated rack.

Integration and Compatibility

The LBX-3 is compatible with any standard 19-inch two-post or four-post rack following EIA-310 dimensions. It integrates cleanly into existing Middle Atlantic rack systems and third-party open-frame or enclosed racks used throughout commercial network video recorder and AV deployments. For integrators building out rack-mount security systems, the LBX-3 pairs naturally alongside open rack shelves, cable managers, and power distribution units — it occupies its 3U footprint without requiring any special rail adapters or modification. If your rack infrastructure planning involves PoE switches or patch panels that also need physical security, review your rack accessories selections alongside the LBX-3 to coordinate U-position assignments before installation. Note that the LBX-3 is a passive enclosure — it provides no power, cooling, or cable pass-through features beyond what you configure during installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the maximum equipment depth the LBX-3 can accommodate?

A: The LBX-3 has a 9-inch (22.9 cm) interior depth. Equipment with a chassis depth at or below 9 inches will fit; anything deeper will not. Confirm your target device's depth specification before ordering.

Q: What is the UL-rated load capacity of the LBX-3?

A: The LBX-3 carries a UL-verified load rating of 50 lbs (22.7 kg). This is a structural, tested figure — not a nominal estimate.

Q: How many rack units does the LBX-3 occupy?

A: The LBX-3 occupies 3 rack units (3U), with a physical height of 5.25 inches (13.3 cm).

Q: Does the LBX-3 fit standard 19-inch EIA racks?

A: Yes. The LBX-3 is 19 inches wide and mounts via two standard rack-mount points, compatible with any EIA-310-compliant 19-inch rack.

Q: Can the LBX-3 be used to secure an NVR in a shared equipment room?

A: Yes. That is the primary use case — housing a single rack-mount NVR or network appliance in an environment where physical access to the rack cannot be fully restricted. The lockbox restricts access to the enclosed equipment while the rest of the rack remains accessible.

Q: Does the LBX-3 include ventilation or active cooling?

A: No. The LBX-3 is a passive lockbox enclosure. It provides no integrated fans or ventilation features. Confirm that any equipment installed inside generates heat within levels that passive enclosure can handle in your specific rack environment.

Ted Perry

The LBX-3 comes up frequently in deployments where the installer has a good rack but a bad room — shared IDF closets, retail back offices, school network rooms. The 9-inch depth is the critical dimension to verify upfront; most compact NVRs and 1U switches sit just under that threshold, so it covers the most common use cases without requiring the deeper variant. The 50 lb UL load rating gives you confidence that the structural claim is tested, not guessed.

Technical Highlights:

• 9-inch depth: Targets the majority of 1U rack appliances in commercial security deployments — compact NVRs, PoE injectors, managed switches — without requiring the larger footprint of a deeper enclosure.
• 50 lb UL load capacity: UL-verified at 22.7 kg means this isn't a nominal figure. For a single rack-mount NVR or network appliance, you have structural margin to spare.
• 3U / 5.25-inch height: Three rack units is enough to house most 1U or 2U appliances and still leave room for airflow above and below in a populated rack column.

Deployment Considerations:

• The LBX-3 is a passive enclosure — no fans, no ventilation features. In a warm rack environment with high-heat equipment inside, you need to account for heat buildup before closing the door. Don't assume the lockbox is thermally neutral.
• The two-point rack mount means you're relying on standard rack rail hardware for installation. In four-post racks, verify that rear rail attachment is not required for your specific rack model — the LBX-3 spec lists two mounting points, which is a two-post front-mount configuration.

This unit is the right call for K-12 and retail integrators running NVRs in shared spaces where the full rack can't be locked — it closes the most common physical-access gap without displacing gear or requiring a dedicated locked cabinet.