APC by Schneider Electric AR3812 42U NetShelter AV Open-Frame Rack Enclosure
Overview
The AR3812 is APC's 42U NetShelter AV enclosure in the 600mm-wide, 825mm-deep open-frame configuration — supplied without side panels. At 1991mm tall and 806mm deep (usable), it gives data center and server room operators a full-height, standard-footprint cabinet that ships with 10-32 threaded rails, making it compatible with the broad universe of rack-mount equipment built to that threading standard. If you're deploying network video recorders, managed PoE switches, patch panels, or a mix of IT and security hardware in a structured rack environment, this enclosure provides the physical framework to do it cleanly.
The no-side-panel configuration is intentional, not a cost cut — open-frame deployments improve airflow in environments where hot-aisle/cold-aisle containment handles cooling, and they simplify cabling access during installation and ongoing maintenance. If your environment requires side panels for dust control or physical security, APC offers them as add-on accessories.
Key Features
- 42U Rack Height: 42U of usable rail space means you can stack a full security system stack — NVRs, switches, patch panels, KVM, UPS — in a single enclosure without running out of vertical real estate. That matters in server rooms where floor space is metered.
- 600mm Wide Form Factor: The 600mm width is the standard two-post/four-post rack footprint. It fits in standard raised-floor tiles and structured cabling pathways without requiring custom cut-outs or aisle reconfiguration.
- 806mm Usable Depth: At 806mm deep, this enclosure accommodates even extended-depth servers and high-density NVR appliances. Most 1U/2U rack-mount NVRs and switches are well under 700mm deep, so you have clearance to spare for cable management at the rear.
- 10-32 Threaded Rails: The 10-32 thread standard is the most widely supported rack mounting format in the North American IT and security hardware ecosystem. You won't need cage nuts — equipment mounts directly with standard 10-32 screws, which reduces installation time on multi-unit deployments.
- No Side Panels — Open Frame: Open-frame enclosures simplify airflow management and make it significantly easier to route cables laterally. For installations inside dedicated IT rooms with environmental controls, the lack of side panels is an operational advantage, not a limitation.
- UL 60950-1 and EIA-310-E Certified: UL 60950-1 certification confirms the enclosure meets North American safety standards for IT equipment — relevant when the rack is being installed in a facility subject to inspection or insurance requirements. EIA-310-E compliance ensures dimensional conformance to the industry standard for 19-inch rack equipment.
- RoHS Compliant: RoHS compliance is a procurement requirement for many government, healthcare, and enterprise buyers. The AR3812 meets those material restriction standards out of the box.
- Rated to 1363.64 kg Capacity: This is a structural rating that far exceeds any realistic mixed-security/IT deployment. In practice, a fully populated 42U rack with NVRs, switches, and UPS units rarely exceeds 500kg. The overbuilt structural spec means you won't need to track cumulative load during future expansions.
Integration and Compatibility
The AR3812 is physically compatible with standard 19-inch rack-mount equipment across the security and IT stack — NVRs from Axis, Hanwha, Hikvision, and i-PRO; managed PoE switches from Cisco, Netgear, and Ubiquiti; patch panels; and 1U/2U UPS units. The 10-32 threaded rails accept equipment with standard 10-32 rack screws directly. Equipment requiring cage nuts (M5 or M6 threads common in European-spec gear) will need adapter strips, which are not included.
The open-frame design is most appropriate for enclosed server rooms, network closets, and data center rows with row-level or room-level cooling. It is not suited for open-office environments or locations where physical access control to rack equipment is a concern — in those cases, a comparable enclosure with locking side panels and doors would be the right specification.
For network switches and patch panel deployments, the 10-32 rails and 806mm depth provide adequate clearance for rear cable management. Pairing with APC's full product line of PDUs, cable managers, and blanking panels allows a fully integrated rack build. If you're building out a video surveillance infrastructure, review the NVR rack-mount options that populate this enclosure, and consult the structured cabling category for patch panels and cable management accessories that complement this build.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the AR3812 come with side panels installed?
A: No. The AR3812 is explicitly configured without side panels. This is an open-frame enclosure intended for environments where airflow and cable access are priorities. APC offers side panels as separate accessories if your installation requires them.
Q: What thread standard do the rails use on the AR3812?
A: The AR3812 ships with 10-32 threaded rails — the standard North American rack thread. Most US-market rack-mount IT and security equipment uses 10-32 mounting screws and will install directly without cage nuts.
Q: What is the maximum load capacity of the AR3812?
A: The AR3812 is rated to 1363.64 kg. A fully loaded 42U rack with NVRs, switches, and UPS equipment in a typical security deployment will come in well under that figure.
Q: Is the AR3812 RoHS compliant?
A: Yes. The AR3812 carries RoHS compliance certification, which satisfies material restriction procurement requirements common in government, healthcare, and enterprise environments.
Q: What are the external dimensions of the AR3812?
A: The enclosure measures 600mm wide x 806mm deep x 1991mm tall. Package dimensions are 749mm x 1029mm x 2121mm, and the packaged unit weighs 8.27 kg — relevant for freight planning and door-clearance verification on delivery.
Q: Does the AR3812 meet UL and EIA rack standards?
A: Yes. The AR3812 is certified to UL 60950-1 for IT equipment safety and conforms to EIA-310-E, the dimensional standard for 19-inch rack equipment. Both are relevant for facility compliance and equipment insurance reviews.
The AR3812 is the enclosure I spec when integrators ask for a full-height, no-compromises rack frame for mixed security and IT equipment in a controlled room environment. The 42U height and 1363.64 kg structural rating mean you can build out a complete NVR-plus-switching stack and still have room for future expansion — without worrying whether the frame can handle it. The no-side-panel configuration is the right call for server rooms with active cooling; it keeps installation and recabling straightforward.
Technical Highlights:
- 10-32 Threaded Rails: Direct-mount compatibility with virtually all North American rack equipment — no cage nut kits required, which cuts per-unit installation time noticeably on dense builds.
- 1991mm Height / 42U: Full-height frame gives you the vertical capacity to consolidate an entire site's security infrastructure — NVRs, PoE switches, patch panels, UPS — into one enclosure and one cable plant.
- UL 60950-1 + EIA-310-E + RoHS: Three certifications that together satisfy North American safety inspection requirements, dimensional interoperability with 19-inch equipment, and material compliance for regulated-industry procurement without needing to file exceptions.
Deployment Considerations:
- The open-frame design requires an enclosed, access-controlled room. Do not deploy in open-office or semi-public areas without adding locking side panels and door hardware — the AR3812 as shipped provides no physical access barrier to rack equipment.
- At 8.27 kg packaged and 2121mm package height, verify freight elevator and doorway clearances before scheduling delivery to upper-floor server rooms — this is a common logistics oversight on high-rise builds.
This enclosure is the right specification for a purpose-built security operations room or data center row deployment where a dedicated IT space handles cooling and physical security, and where the 10-32 rail standard aligns with the NVR and switching equipment being racked.
