APC by Schneider Electric AR7316 Split Feed-Through Side Panel for NetShelter SX Racks
Overview
The AR7316 is a 2-pack of split feed-through side panels designed specifically for APC by Schneider Electric NetShelter SX 45U enclosures. Each panel measures 35.4" H × 43.2" W × 0.5" D and ships with integrated brush strips that close around cables without binding — the practical answer to open side-panel gaps that compromise airflow containment and dust management in dense rack environments. If you're running a NetShelter SX row and need to close off the sides while still routing power or data cables through cleanly, this is the part you need.
These panels are RoHS-compliant and finished in matte black to match the NetShelter SX aesthetic. At roughly 42 lbs for the pair, they're substantial enough to feel solid once latched, without requiring extra support hardware beyond what's already on the enclosure.
Key Features
- Split-panel design with brush strips: The panels split vertically, letting you route cables through mid-panel without removing the entire side. Brush strips seal around the cables — no open gaps for hot exhaust to recirculate into cold-aisle intake. On a high-density row with rear-to-front airflow, that matters more than most buyers realize until they see thermal readings spike from a poorly sealed side.
- Engineered fit for NetShelter SX 45U: This isn't a generic side panel. The AR7316 is purpose-built for the NetShelter SX enclosure family, so the slam latches, key locks, and panel dimensions align with existing SX mounting points. No drilling, no adapter kits.
- Slam latches with keyed lock: Each panel includes slam latches for tool-free install and removal, plus a key lock so the panel stays secured in shared colocation or multi-tenant environments. Keys are included in the box — worth confirming before deployment if physical access control is part of your compliance posture.
- 2-pack value: The AR7316 ships as a set of two panels, covering both sides of a single rack. That means one SKU, one line item, one delivery — relevant when you're configuring a row of racks and need symmetric side coverage across every enclosure.
- Ultra-slim 0.5" depth: At half an inch deep, the panels don't eat into adjacent rack spacing or violate hot-aisle/cold-aisle row clearance specs. In tight data center rows where every inch of aisle width counts, that slim profile keeps your data center infrastructure layout compliant with ASHRAE thermal guidelines.
- RoHS-compliant construction: Meets the EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive — required for deployments in regulated industries (healthcare, government, EU-based operations) where component-level environmental compliance is documented in procurement records.
- Black powder-coat finish: Matches the NetShelter SX enclosure body precisely. Cosmetically consistent rows matter in customer-facing machine rooms, colocation suites, and audit-visible infrastructure environments.
Integration & Compatibility
The AR7316 is rated for the NetShelter SX 45U enclosure. It is not listed as compatible with NetShelter VX, CX, or SX enclosures of other rack unit heights — verify your enclosure model before ordering. The 43.2" width and 35.4" height reflect the SX 45U form factor specifically. If you're deploying alongside a rack PDU or cable management arm, confirm that side-panel clearance doesn't conflict with those accessories before finalizing the rack layout.
What's in the Box
- 2× Split Feed-Through Side Panels (black)
- Brush strips
- Installation Guide
- Keys
- Slam Latches
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What rack is the AR7316 compatible with?
A: The AR7316 is designed specifically for the APC NetShelter SX 45U enclosure. It is not listed as compatible with other NetShelter lines or rack unit heights — confirm your enclosure model before ordering.
Q: How many panels are included in one AR7316 order?
A: The AR7316 ships as a 2-pack, providing side panel coverage for both sides of a single rack enclosure.
Q: Do the brush strips seal around cables to maintain airflow containment?
A: Yes. The brush strips are designed to close around routed cables without leaving open gaps, which helps maintain cold-aisle/hot-aisle containment by preventing hot exhaust from recirculating into cold-aisle intake through the side panel openings.
Q: Are keys included with the AR7316?
A: Yes. Keys are included in the box along with slam latches for tool-free panel installation and removal.
Q: What is the warranty on the AR7316?
A: The AR7316 carries a 2-year manufacturer warranty.
Q: Is the AR7316 RoHS compliant?
A: Yes. The AR7316 meets the EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive.
The AR7316 is one of those parts that gets ordered reactively — someone notices a hot-aisle containment problem, traces it back to open rack sides, and then goes looking. The split-panel format is the right call here: at 43.2" wide and 35.4" tall, these panels fully close off the SX 45U side profile while the brush strips let you route existing cable bundles through mid-panel without decabling anything first.
Technical Highlights:
- Split feed-through with brush seal: The vertical split lets you slide the panel halves around in-place cables. The brush strips then close the gap around the bundle — no hot-spot-creating open slots left behind. In a row with rear-to-front airflow strategy, this directly affects measured delta-T between inlet and exhaust.
- Slam latch + keyed lock mechanism: Tool-free removal for maintenance access, with a physical key lock for environments where uncontrolled rack access is a compliance risk. Keys ship in the box — don't let them walk off during installation.
- 2-pack per SKU, 0.5" panel depth: One order covers one full rack. The 0.5" depth keeps the panel flush enough that it won't violate ASHRAE aisle clearance specs in tight row deployments.
Deployment Considerations:
- Verify your enclosure is specifically a NetShelter SX 45U before ordering — the 43.2" width and mounting geometry are SX 45U-specific, not universal across the NetShelter line.
- The brush strips ship as a separate item in the box and require installation before the panels close cleanly around cables. Budget a few extra minutes per panel during rack commissioning — don't skip this step or you lose most of the airflow benefit.
Best fit for colocation rows and on-premises data centers where NetShelter SX 45U enclosures are already standardized and thermal containment is being retrofitted or hardened ahead of a density increase.
