APC by Schneider Electric AR7103 20U Colocation Rack Enclosure
Overview
The APC by Schneider Electric AR7103 is a 20U NetShelter SX colocation enclosure built for shared-space data environments where multiple tenants or departments require physically segmented rack space within a single footprint. At 600mm wide with perforated split front doors in black, it fits standard colocation floor tile spacing while providing the airflow openness that front-to-rear cooling architectures depend on. For teams evaluating network infrastructure enclosures, the AR7103 occupies the practical midpoint between a half-rack starter unit and a full-depth 42U floor cabinet — right-sized for edge deployments, satellite IDFs, or shared colocation bays where floor space carries a premium.
Key Features
- 20U Capacity: Accommodates up to 20 rack units of equipment — sufficient for a dense 1U switch stack, patch panels, a firewall, and a UPS in a single enclosure without spilling into adjacent rack space.
- 600mm Wide Profile: Matches the standard colocation bay width, so the AR7103 drops into most raised-floor grid layouts without custom cutouts or aisle realignment.
- Perforated Split Doors: Front split-door design improves airflow to front-intake equipment and allows partial door opening in tight aisle configurations — useful where clearance behind the technician is limited.
- Black Finish: Standard colocation aesthetic that blends with mixed-vendor rack environments; reduces visible fingerprinting and dust accumulation compared to light-colored finishes.
- 12.2 lb Enclosure Weight: At 12.2 lbs (5.55 kg) unloaded, the AR7103 is manageable for a two-person install without mechanical lift equipment in facilities that prohibit wheeled carts in colocation cages.
Integration & Compatibility
The AR7103 is designed to integrate within the broader APC by Schneider Electric NetShelter SX ecosystem. Standard 19-inch rack mounting rails accommodate EIA-310-compliant equipment from any vendor. Perforated door design supports front-to-rear airflow for equipment with rear exhaust — the dominant pattern in 1U and 2U servers, managed switches, and security appliances. Before specifying, confirm the usable interior depth against your deepest piece of equipment; colocation enclosures in this class typically range from 600mm to 1070mm usable depth, and the AR7103 specification should be verified against your equipment's depth requirement. Pair with an APC UPS or power distribution unit sized to the load of the installed equipment for a complete power-protected rack solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many rack units does the AR7103 support?
A: The AR7103 provides 20U of rack space, suitable for switches, patch panels, firewalls, UPS units, and other 19-inch EIA-310-compliant equipment.
Q: What is the width of the AR7103 enclosure?
A: The AR7103 is 600mm wide, matching standard colocation bay and floor tile spacing commonly found in shared data center environments.
Q: What type of doors does the AR7103 have?
A: It features perforated split front doors, which improve airflow to front-intake equipment and allow partial door access in tight aisle configurations.
Q: What does the AR7103 weigh unloaded?
A: The enclosure weighs 12.2 lbs (5.55 kg) unloaded, making two-person installation manageable without mechanical lift equipment in most colocation facilities.
Q: Is the AR7103 part of APC's NetShelter SX product line?
A: Yes. The AR7103 is a member of the NetShelter SX colocation enclosure family from APC by Schneider Electric, designed for shared-space data environments.
The AR7103 is a purpose-built colocation unit — the 600mm width and 20U capacity are the two specs that drive the decision here. At 12.2 lbs unloaded, it's light enough for a clean two-person drop-in during a colocation migration window without staging complications.
Technical Highlights:
- 20U Rack Capacity: Enough vertical space for a complete edge stack — top-of-rack switch, firewall, patch panel, and a 2U UPS — without needing a taller footprint that pushes into overhead cable tray clearance limits.
- 600mm Wide Form Factor: Aligns directly to standard colocation bay allocations, meaning no floor tile modifications and no conflict with adjacent cage boundaries in most raised-floor facilities.
- Perforated Split Doors: The split configuration matters in cage environments where adjacent racks are close — you can open one door panel without swinging into a neighboring tenant's space or blocking an aisle egress path.
Deployment Considerations:
- Verify interior usable depth against your deepest equipment before ordering — the published external dimensions do not confirm usable rail depth, and security appliances or servers in the 700–900mm range need to be checked against the AR7103's interior spec before committing.
- At 20U, this enclosure fills fast with power distribution and cable management accessories; plan U-space allocation before the install to avoid pulling equipment back out post-cabling.
The AR7103 is the right call for shared colocation bays, satellite IDF closets, or edge deployments where a full 42U floor cabinet is disproportionate to the equipment load and floor footprint is metered by the square foot.
