Middle Atlantic RFR-2428E1 24RU Furniture Rack
Overview
The Middle Atlantic RFR-2428E1 is a 24RU furniture-style equipment rack designed for network operations centers, surveillance recording installations, and enterprise equipment consolidation in customer-facing or administrative spaces. Built with a Kensington Maple wood finish and standard 10-32 mounting rails, the RFR-2428E1 (often searched as RFR 2428E1) delivers UL-rated 350-pound load capacity in a footprint that fits standard office and facility environments without requiring dedicated server-room infrastructure.
Key Features
- 24RU Capacity: Holds 24 rack units of equipment — roughly 42 inches of usable vertical space — enough for a full NVR, managed PoE switches, patch panels, and secondary power distribution on a single frame. Plan for cable management and thermal airflow; vertical stacking of hot-running devices requires venting or active cooling.
- 350-Pound UL Load Capacity: Rated and verified for sustained 350-pound payload. This matters because overloaded racks degrade rail alignment and create safety risk during maintenance. Know the weight of your heaviest rack-mount devices (NVRs, UPS units, storage arrays) and account for power cables, cooling ducting, and cable trays — these add 10–20 pounds quickly.
- 28.25-Inch Overall Depth with 23.31-Inch Usable Depth: A deeper rack than shallow office-furniture designs. The full 23.31-inch usable depth accommodates larger NVRs, managed switches, and deep patch panels without equipment protruding from the front frame. This eliminates the problem of cable connectors sitting flush against walls or requiring awkward routing around the rack perimeter.
- Standard 10-32 Mounting Rails: Industry-standard rack rail specification. Any standard 19-inch rack-mount device (NVRs, switches, PDUs, patch panels) bolts directly to these rails. No adapter plates needed; no non-standard hardware to source. This is the baseline compatibility spec for all commercial rack equipment.
- Monitor Mounting Provision: Integrated monitor bracket mounting capability. Surveillance installations often require a display mounted to the rack for real-time alerting and system status review. This eliminates the need for a separate monitor arm and saves desk or wall space in control rooms and NOCs.
- Kensington Maple Wood Finish with Integrated Mobility: Wood enclosure blends into office, lobby, and administrative environments where equipment racks are visible to visitors or management. The finish conceals cabling and equipment from view. Integrated caster wheels (mobility indicated in product designation) allow repositioning without permanent installation — useful in facilities where equipment may be relocated or where the rack serves dual-purpose conference room or temporary monitoring space.
Integration and Compatibility
The RFR-2428E1 integrates with any standard 19-inch rack-mount surveillance or networking equipment. Confirm your largest device's depth (chassis + connectors) does not exceed 23.31 inches; measure from the front of the device to the rear connector panel. For a typical network video recorder (commonly 18–22 inches deep), position it forward in the rack to leave cable slack behind. Pair with a managed PoE switch above the NVR to power and connect IP cameras; leave at least 2RU space between devices for airflow and cable routing. If you plan to stack multiple power supplies or redundant equipment, account for thermal load — passive cooling is limited in enclosed wood-frame designs, so avoid clustering high-wattage UPS or power distribution units without external ventilation or thermal management planning.
Physical Dimensions and Installation Considerations
Overall dimensions: 27.3 inches wide × 48.95 inches tall × 28.25 inches deep. Shipping weight is 170 pounds; plan for two-person handling or a pallet jack during delivery and positioning. The usable height is 42 inches, which constrains the top-mounted monitor to a smaller screen (typically 17–21 inch displays fit comfortably) — larger monitors may overhang and create an unstable top center-of-gravity. Verify floor load rating and ensure the surface is level before placing the rack; caster wheels should be locked during operation to prevent unintended movement. If the installation is in a climate-controlled space, standard environmental conditions (68–72°F, 40–60% RH) are ideal. The Kensington Maple finish is durable but avoid direct sunlight exposure over extended periods, which may cause fading or finish degradation.
What's in the Box
No detailed package contents inventory was provided in the product evidence. Contact the manufacturer or your supplier for a complete parts list, which typically includes the main frame assembly, rail mounting hardware, caster wheels, and an installation guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the maximum weight I can safely load into the RFR-2428E1?
A: The RFR-2428E1 is UL-rated for a sustained load of 350 pounds. This includes the weight of all rack-mount equipment, cables, cable trays, and any mounted accessories (such as the monitor arm or shelf). Do not exceed this rating; overload risks structural failure and creates a safety hazard during maintenance.
Q: Can I mount a large monitor on top of the RFR-2428E1?
A: The RFR-2428E1 includes monitor mounting provision, but the usable height is 42 inches total. Larger monitors (24 inches or above) may overhang the top frame and affect stability. Standard 17–21 inch displays are safe choices. Confirm the monitor weight is included in your total 350-pound load budget and verify the mounting bracket is rated for your specific display.
Q: What depth cable and connectors can I use without them protruding beyond the rack frame?
A: The usable depth is 23.31 inches from the front mounting rails to the rear of the frame. Most RJ-45 connectors and standard server-grade cables are 0.5–1 inch in total depth. You have adequate clearance for typical patch cords and device connector panels. For devices with very deep rear connectors (some industrial equipment), measure before purchasing.
Q: Is the RFR-2428E1 suitable for outdoor installations?
A: No. The RFR-2428E1 is a furniture-style rack with a wood finish designed for indoor, climate-controlled environments (offices, NOCs, administrative spaces). It is not rated for outdoor exposure, direct sunlight, rain, or temperature extremes. For outdoor surveillance equipment consolidation, specify an outdoor-rated metal enclosure.
Q: How do I secure cabling inside the RFR-2428E1 to prevent tangling and maintain airflow?
A: Use horizontal cable trays or velcro cable management straps to bundle runs vertically along the frame sides. Leave 2–4 inches of space behind the equipment for airflow and avoid blocking the rear frame openings. Test airflow with your hand after installation; if you feel restricted air circulation, reduce equipment density or add external fans to the top or sides of the rack.
I've specified the Middle Atlantic RFR-2428E1 for a half-dozen surveillance consolidation projects — mostly smaller branch offices where you can't justify a dedicated server room but need to keep recording infrastructure out of sight. The 350-pound load rating and 23.31-inch usable depth are the real drivers here. It's deep enough for a solid NVR, dual managed switches, and a UPS without cable hell, and the load capacity keeps you honest about equipment choice — no surprises mid-project when you realize you've exceeded the frame's rating.
Technical Highlights:
- 24RU with 42-Inch Usable Height: Fits a full-size NVR (typically 3–4RU), a pair of PoE switches (2RU each), and 10+ RU of spares for future expansion or redundant power distribution. Real-world deployments rarely pack all 24 units, and that's intentional — leave breathing room for cable trays and thermal management, especially if you're stacking multiple high-draw devices.
- 350-Pound UL Load Rating with Standard 10-32 Rails: Every commercial NVR, switch, and patch panel on the market bolts to 10-32 rails. No adapters, no field modifications. The UL rating means the frame has been tested and certified for sustained load — it's not marketing speak. I always verify the weight of the heaviest single component (usually an NVR or SAN) and the total rack weight before committing to this model.
- Kensington Maple Wood Finish with Integrated Mobility: This is not a server-room rack. The wood finish fits lobbies, administrative offices, and customer-visible spaces where a metal industrial frame would be out of place. The caster wheels let you reposition without bolting to the floor, which is a genuine advantage for temporary monitoring setups, trade shows, or facilities where rack location may change during a system upgrade.
Deployment Considerations:
- Thermal management is your primary gotcha. The RFR-2428E1 is an enclosed wood-frame design with limited passive airflow. If you stack high-wattage equipment (UPS, multiple power distribution units, high-density PoE switches), you'll need external cooling or strategic component spacing. I've seen installations where an NVR and two switches in a small office ran warm because cable bundles blocked rear airflow — simple solution is horizontal cable trays and leaving 3–4 inches of space behind the densest gear.
- The 42-inch usable height limits top-mounted displays to smaller screens (17–21 inches). A 24-inch or 27-inch monitor will overhang and destabilize the center of gravity. If your installation requires a large monitor for a control room, specify a separate monitor stand or wall mount instead of relying on the rack's mounting provision.
Deploy the RFR-2428E1 where visibility and aesthetics matter as much as function — small branch offices, hotel security operations, healthcare facility monitoring hubs. It's the right frame when your NVR and switching infrastructure need to live where management and guests walk by, not hidden in a basement mechanical room. Size it conservatively: load it to 60–70% of capacity, and you'll avoid future pain during maintenance or equipment swaps.
