Middle Atlantic Metal Surface Raceways WM - AL5200B-5

Middle Atlantic AL5200B-5 Large Multi-Channel Aluminum Surface Raceway

The Middle Atlantic AL5200B-5 is a 5-foot section of large-format aluminum surface raceway designed for structured cable management in server rooms, AV control environments, and commercial security infrastructure. At 12 inches wide, 5 inches tall, and 2 inches deep, this base section provides serious conduit capacity — enough cross-section to consolidate power, network, and low-voltage runs without the cramped bundling that creates heat and maintenance headaches. TAA compliance makes it a straightforward specification for government facilities and federally funded projects.

This listing covers the raceway base (AL5200B-5). For complete installations, pair it with the matching cover and any fittings in the Middle Atlantic raceway and enclosure line. If you're planning a full cable management layout, see the cable management category for compatible accessories.

Key Features

• 12-Inch Channel Width: At 30.5 cm across, the AL5200B-5 accommodates multiple cable types side-by-side — power, Cat6, coax, and fiber can run in parallel without forced bundling. Forced bundling is the leading cause of signal interference and failed terminations at pull points.
• 5-Inch Profile Height: The 12.7 cm interior depth gives vertical stacking room for thicker cable assemblies and patch cords. Installers running large-gauge power conductors alongside data cabling won't be fighting bend radius on every pull.
• 2-Inch Mounting Depth: The 5.1 cm rear-to-front dimension keeps the raceway flush to the wall surface without projecting aggressively into walkways — relevant for server room aisles and equipment corridors where rack access clearance is engineered to the inch.
• 5-Foot Section Length (1.5 m): Standard 5-foot runs reduce cut waste versus longer stock and align with common stud-spacing and panel layouts. Consistent section lengths simplify quantity takeoffs on larger projects.
• TAA Compliant: Manufactured to Trade Agreements Act requirements, the AL5200B-5 satisfies procurement rules for U.S. government contracts, GSA schedules, and education or healthcare projects with federal funding mandates. Specify it without an exemption request.
• Aluminum Construction: Metal surface raceways dissipate heat better than PVC alternatives and resist physical damage in high-traffic areas. For network infrastructure deployments where cable runs pass through maintenance corridors, metal construction is the defensible choice.

Integration and Compatibility

The AL5200B-5 is the base section of the AL5200 large multi-channel raceway series from Middle Atlantic (a Legrand brand). Matching covers, inside corners, outside corners, and end caps are available within the same series — confirm part numbers against the AL5200 series fittings list to ensure dimensional compatibility before ordering. This raceway is appropriate for surface-mounted structured cabling in commercial AV, security, and IT environments. For PoE network switch deployments where cable runs from the IDF to camera or access control endpoints need protection, the AL5200B-5 provides the cross-section to handle both power and data runs in a single managed channel. When designing cable pathways for NVR or access control head-end rooms, reference the structured cabling planning guide for raceway sizing and routing recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Middle Atlantic AL5200B-5 TAA compliant?

A: Yes. The AL5200B-5 is TAA compliant, making it eligible for U.S. government procurement, GSA schedule purchases, and federally funded projects without requiring a waiver.

Q: What are the exact dimensions of the AL5200B-5?

A: The AL5200B-5 is 12 inches wide (30.5 cm), 5 inches tall (12.7 cm), 2 inches deep (5.1 cm), and 5 feet long (1.5 m) per section.

Q: Does the AL5200B-5 include a cover?

A: The AL5200B-5 is the raceway base only. A separate matching cover from the AL5200 series is required to enclose the channel. Confirm the cover part number against the AL5200 series fittings list.

Q: What types of cabling can run through the AL5200B-5?

A: The 12-inch width and 5-inch height provide sufficient cross-section for mixed runs including power, Cat6, coaxial, and fiber cables simultaneously. Exact fill capacity depends on cable diameter and local electrical code requirements for mixed-voltage separation.

Q: Is the AL5200B-5 suitable for outdoor installation?

A: No outdoor rating is specified in the manufacturer documentation for the AL5200B-5. It is intended for interior surface-mounted installation. For outdoor cable management, consult the Middle Atlantic product line for rated alternatives.

Jerry Tildsen

The AL5200B-5 is the raceway I specify when a single channel needs to handle mixed cable types at volume — the 12-inch interior width (30.5 cm) is what separates this from the typical 4- or 6-inch raceways that integrators reach for out of habit and then immediately outgrow. At 5 inches tall with a 2-inch mounting depth, it sits flush enough for equipment corridors while still accommodating large-gauge power conductors without forcing an illegal bend radius at every fitting.

Technical Highlights:

• 12" Channel Width: Enough room to segregate power from data within the same raceway — run a divider and keep NEC separation requirements without adding a second surface-mount channel alongside it.
• 5-Foot Sections: 1.5 m per stick aligns with standard 16" stud spacing layouts and reduces field cutting. On a 40-foot run, you're ordering 8 sections clean — no waste calculation needed.
• TAA Compliance: Verified on this SKU — meets Trade Agreements Act requirements for GSA and federal procurement. No country-of-origin waiver needed at spec time.

Deployment Considerations:

• Order fittings — inside corners, outside corners, couplers, and end caps — from the AL5200 series at the same time. Field-fabricating transitions on aluminum raceway this size is slow and looks unprofessional on a finished installation.
• The AL5200B-5 is a base section only. Budget for the matching cover as a separate line item; the cover is not included and this channel is too wide to leave exposed in a finished commercial space.

This raceway is the right specification for IDF-to-endpoint cable runs in enterprise security head-end rooms, government facilities, or university AV infrastructure where mixed cable types, TAA requirements, and long-term maintainability all land on the same project spec sheet.