Middle Atlantic Wall Rack - Steel - Black - Tool-free Quick-mount System FOR Easy - DWR-12-17

Middle Atlantic DWR-12-17 12RU Pivoting Steel Wall Rack

The Middle Atlantic DWR-12-17 is a 12-rack-unit pivoting wall rack built for AV, security, and IT infrastructure installations where floor space is at a premium and single-person mounting is a real constraint. At 17 inches deep with a UL-rated 200 lb load capacity, it handles a full complement of NVRs, switches, patch panels, and power distribution without demanding a dedicated equipment room. The forward-rackrail design and tool-free quick-mount system make commissioning straightforward — a meaningful factor on multi-site rollouts where labor time per location adds up fast.

Key Features

• 12 Rack Units / 21-Inch Usable Height: Fits 12U of rack-mount gear — enough for a mid-size security or AV head-end (NVR, PoE switch, patch panel, and a UPS module) in a single enclosure. The 21-inch usable interior height matches standard rack-unit spacing exactly, so no partial-unit gaps eating into your layout.
• 200 lb UL-Listed Load Capacity: The 200 lb UL-rated load rating means you can fully populate the rack without guessing on structural margin. Most 12U security head-ends run well under 100 lbs populated — the DWR-12-17 gives you 2× that, covering dense NVR/switch configurations or future expansion without a rack swap.
• 17-Inch Depth / 15-Inch Usable Interior: The 15-inch usable depth accommodates standard 1U switches, NVRs, and patch panels. Deeper gear (2U+ NVRs with rear cable management) may require cable planning at the rear — the 2-inch margin between cabinet depth and usable depth accounts for cable routing at the back plane.
• Seismic-Rated Construction (Patent No. 7278183): The seismic rating matters in California, the Pacific Northwest, and anywhere local code requires seismic compliance for wall-mounted equipment. The UL listing covers seismic load capacity under patent 7278183 — document this during permit pulls in seismic-zone jurisdictions.
• Pivoting Design — Tool-Free Quick-Mount: The rack pivots away from the wall for rear cable access without removing gear or disassembling the enclosure. Paired with the tool-free quick-mount system, one technician can mount and initially populate the rack — a real labor savings on residential or small commercial installs where two-person crews aren't always available.
• Forward Rackrail — No Front Door: The forward rackrail positions gear at the front of the enclosure, optimizing access for patching and indicator lights. The open-front design (no door) improves airflow for heat-generating gear like NVRs and multi-port PoE switches — relevant if you're running 24/7 recording appliances in a closet or utility space with limited ventilation.
• Black Wrinkle Powder Coat Finish / Steel Construction: The steel chassis with black wrinkle powder coat is durable enough for utility spaces and clean enough for visible wall installations in lobbies or server closets. At 41.15 lbs unloaded, the rack itself is substantial without being unwieldy for a single installer.
• TAA-Compliant / Made in USA: The DWR-12-17 is TAA-compliant and manufactured in the USA — qualifies for federal, state, and municipal procurement under the Trade Agreements Act. If you're bidding government or education contracts, this clears one of the standard compliance checkboxes without needing a waiver.
• Forward Compatible: Verified forward-compatible with current Middle Atlantic accessory and mounting hardware ecosystem — shelves, blanks, power strips, and cable management accessories designed for the DWR series fit without modification.

Integration and Compatibility

The DWR-12-17 accepts standard 19-inch rack-mount equipment on the forward rackrail. With 15 inches of usable depth, it pairs well with 1U managed PoE network switches, 1U–2U network video recorders, horizontal patch panels, and 1U power distribution units. For security system head-ends, this rack commonly integrates alongside Middle Atlantic power management and cable management accessories in the same DWR-series ecosystem. The pivot function requires clear wall clearance behind the rack for swing-out access — verify rough-in dimensions during pre-installation site survey. At 23.4 inches wide and 28.06 inches tall, confirm stud layout or blocking is present before mounting; the 200 lb load capacity is rated to the mounting system, not just the cabinet frame. Browse the full wall-mount rack category for companion options and accessories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Middle Atlantic DWR-12-17 TAA-compliant for government procurement?

A: Yes. The DWR-12-17 is TAA-compliant and manufactured in the USA, qualifying it for federal, state, and municipal procurement under the Trade Agreements Act.

Q: What is the UL-rated load capacity of the DWR-12-17?

A: The DWR-12-17 carries a UL-listed load capacity of 200 lbs (90.7 kg). This covers fully-populated security and AV head-ends well within margin for standard 12U configurations.

Q: Is the DWR-12-17 seismic-rated?

A: Yes. The DWR-12-17 is seismic-rated under patent number 7278183. This is relevant for installations in seismic-zone jurisdictions where local code requires wall-mounted equipment to meet seismic load compliance.

Q: How deep is the usable interior of the DWR-12-17?

A: Usable interior depth is 15 inches (38.1 cm). The overall cabinet depth is 17 inches — the 2-inch difference accounts for rear cable routing space. Most 1U switches, NVRs, and patch panels fit comfortably; plan cable management for deeper 2U appliances.

Q: Can one person install the DWR-12-17?

A: Middle Atlantic designed the DWR-12-17 with a tool-free quick-mount system specifically for one-person installation. At 41.15 lbs unloaded, single-person mounting is feasible with proper wall blocking or stud-mount prep completed in advance.

Q: Does the DWR-12-17 have a front door?

A: No. The DWR-12-17 ships without a front door. The open-front design supports airflow for heat-generating rack equipment and provides unobstructed access to indicator lights and front-panel interfaces.

Eden Phillips

The Middle Atlantic DWR-12-17 is the rack I spec by default for small-to-mid security head-ends where you need 12U of real capacity on the wall without committing to a floor-standing cabinet. The 200 lb UL load rating gives you genuine headroom — I've seen integrators spec lighter-rated racks and then back-populate with heavier NVRs and battery modules and quietly exceed spec. That's not a conversation you want on a TAA-bid government site.

Technical Highlights:

• 200 lb UL Load Rating: At 200 lbs UL-listed, this rack handles a fully-loaded 12U head-end — NVR, managed PoE switch, patch panel, and a 1U PDU — with margin remaining. Most populated 12U security enclosures come in under 80–90 lbs; you're not close to the limit.
• Seismic Rating (Patent 7278183): The seismic-rated construction isn't marketing language — it's backed by a specific patent number, which means it can be cited in permit documentation for seismic-zone jurisdictions. Pull this number when submitting to AHJs in California or the Pacific Northwest.
• 15-Inch Usable Depth: The 15-inch usable interior depth is the real constraint to check against your equipment list before ordering. Standard 1U switches and NVRs clear it easily; some 2U+ rackmount appliances with deep rear connectors get tight — measure your deepest piece of gear, not just the chassis.

Deployment Considerations:

• The pivot function requires 17+ inches of clearance behind the rack for full swing-out — verify wall clearance and any conduit or blocking behind the mounting surface before rough-in. A wall box or recessed conduit run directly behind the rack will limit pivot travel.
• At 41.15 lbs unloaded (DWR-12-17 ships at 77.65 lbs including packaging), confirm your mounting surface has proper blocking between studs or a structural backing plate rated for the combined load. The 200 lb UL rating assumes correct wall mounting — an under-blocked drywall install voids that rating.

For a small commercial or municipal security deployment — school closet, retail back-of-house, or government facility IDF — the DWR-12-17 hits the spec trifecta: TAA-compliant, seismic-rated, UL load-listed. It's the rack to spec when the AHJ and procurement office are both looking over your shoulder.