Key Questions to Ask When Ordering Subrack Chassis

Jun. 23, 2025

6 Things You Should Know Before Buying Subracks - Rdekono

Subracks, also known as card cages or chassis, are essential components in electronic systems, providing a robust and organized structure for mounting circuit boards and other electronic modules. When selecting subracks for your application, several key factors should be considered to ensure optimal performance and compatibility. Here are six important things you should know before buying subracks:

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from Rdekono.

1. Compatibility and Standards

Ensure Compatibility with Your Equipment:

· Board Size: Verify that the subrack is compatible with the size of the circuit boards or modules you intend to mount. Common standards include Eurocard sizes (100mm x 160mm, 100mm x 220mm, etc.).

· Bus Architecture: Check that the subrack supports the bus architecture of your system, such as VMEbus, CompactPCI, or VPX.

Adherence to Industry Standards:

· Look for subracks that comply with industry standards like IEC or IEEE .10, which ensure interoperability and reliability.

Subracks

2. Construction Material and Durability

Material Quality:

· Subracks are typically made from aluminum or steel. Aluminum subracks are lightweight and offer good thermal conductivity, while steel subracks provide superior strength and durability.

Environmental Resistance:

· Consider the operating environment. For harsh conditions, opt for subracks with corrosion-resistant coatings or special treatments to withstand moisture, dust, and temperature extremes.

3. Thermal Management

Heat Dissipation:

· Effective thermal management is crucial to prevent overheating and ensure the longevity of your electronic components. Look for subracks with built-in ventilation slots, fans, or provisions for heat sinks.

Airflow Design:

· Ensure the subrack design allows for adequate airflow around the components. Some subracks come with options for front-to-back or bottom-to-top airflow to match your cooling requirements.

SNCF Subracks

4. Customization and Flexibility

Modular Design:

· Choose subracks with a modular design that allows for easy customization and scalability. This is particularly important if your system requirements may change or expand in the future.

Mounting Options:

· Consider the different mounting options available, such as 19-inch rack mounting, desktop use, or wall mounting. Ensure the subrack can be easily integrated into your existing setup.

5. Ease of Assembly and Maintenance

User-Friendly Design:

· Look for subracks that are easy to assemble and disassemble. Tool-less designs or those with minimal screws and fasteners can save time during installation and maintenance.

Access and Cable Management:

· Ensure the subrack provides sufficient access to the components for maintenance and troubleshooting. Good cable management features, such as cable trays or guides, help keep the installation tidy and reduce the risk of damage to cables and connectors.

6. Cost and Availability

Budget Considerations:

For more information, please visit Subrack Chassis.

· While it’s important to find a subrack that meets all your technical requirements, it should also fit within your budget. Compare prices from different suppliers and consider the total cost of ownership, including any additional accessories or components needed.

Supplier Reliability:

· Choose a reputable supplier with a track record of providing high-quality subracks and reliable customer service. Check reviews and seek recommendations to ensure you’re purchasing from a trusted source.

Lead Times and Stock Availability:

· Consider the lead time for delivery and ensure that the supplier can meet your project deadlines. Check if the subracks are readily available or if there are any long lead times that could delay your project.

Conclusion

Selecting the right subrack is a critical decision that impacts the performance, reliability, and longevity of your electronic systems. By considering compatibility, construction materials, thermal management, customization, ease of assembly, and cost, you can make an informed choice that meets your specific needs. Always prioritize quality and reliability to ensure your investment supports your application effectively.

7-Step Guide To Specifying Metal Electronic Enclosures | Metcase

Your Seven-Step Guide To Specifying Customised Metal Electronic Enclosures

Fabricated metal enclosures are quicker, easier and more cost-effective to prototype than plastic cases: you don’t need new tooling every time you design a new housing. So you can specify fully customised aluminium enclosures in very low volumes. Here’s the best way to start…

Step 1: What’s The Enclosure For? 19” Rack, Wall-Mount, Desktop/Portable Electronics?

Partner with us early in the design process because you’ll be surprised by all the opportunities available. It’ll save you time, budget and stress. Here are the main options:

19” racks and enclosures – standardised floor-standing or desktop mini-racks. Racks are typically available in heights from 3U to 42U for mounting 19” subracks (84HP), chassis and cases
19” rack cases – equipment housings for mounting in racks (typically in heights from 1U to 9U)
10.5” half-width desktop enclosures – compact standard housings for 10.5” subracks (42HP) and chassis (typically in heights of 3U to 6U)
desktop and portable instrument enclosures – usually available with or without a tilt/swivel carry handle which acts as a desk stand
sloping-front desktop enclosures – with ergonomically inclined operating front panel for terminals and data-entry
wall-mount enclosures which can also be mounted on machines.

Remember that standard enclosures are designed to be versatile. For example, a sloping-front desktop case can be ideal for wall-mount applications such as access control. Our UNIDESK terminal enclosures are a prime example of this. Three sizes of wall-mount kit are available in the range of accessories.

Step 2: How Will You Mount Your Components? Ease Of Access

This is very important for installation and maintenance. PCBs that slide in and out on guide rails are faster to install and remove than boards mounted on pillars. Advanced instrument enclosures such as TECHNOMET offer both options.

Using a 19” rack? How will users open the case? Via the front, rear, top or base? Will they need access while the case is still in the rack? This is a crucial consideration because it determines whether or not your enclosures will need diecast bezels (which cost more). This is one reason why it pays to get expert technical advice from us early on before committing to a particular enclosure model.

Step 3: Standard/Customised Or Fully Bespoke?

Specifying a standard enclosure then having it customised is usually quicker and more cost-effective than opting for a fully bespoke housing. Not always: bespoke cases can be cheaper if they are simple – but customised enclosures are usually the best option.

Determined to go bespoke? Ask us about prototyping offers; combining prototyping with an initial production run can offer astounding value. Batch sizes can be as low as 10 for larger rack cases or 25 for smaller instrument enclosures.

Step 4: Which Standard Model Is Best For My Electronics?

Most designers take the standard/customised enclosure route. Choosing the right model is critical because similar-looking cases can offer very different design advantages. So getting our expert advice pays dividends.

Does your preferred standard model offer all the features you need? Is it available in a wide range of sizes? Can it be manufactured to a custom size in all three dimensions? What are the standard ventilation options? Does the enclosure have earthing studs on every panel or will they need to be added later?

Bezels are a key factor for two reasons:

they enhance aesthetics but add cost
they are diecast – often limiting the availability of custom sizes.

But enclosures without bezels don’t have to look prosaic. The smart flat front of a bezel-less rack case gives it an unfussy elegance – and offers you a highly customisable enclosure at a very sensible price. Our bestselling COMBIMET rack cases are proof positive. They’re easy to modify, technically advanced and offer a great choice of options – and yet they’re still the most cost-effective 19” enclosures in the METCASE range. Hence their popularity!

Step 5: Download A 3D Model

Downloading a 3D model of your preferred enclosure enables you to spot design opportunities or pitfalls early on. You can specify apertures for controls and connectors – and see exactly how your components will look inside your customised housing.

Presenting us with a signed-off 3D model shortens the design process and speeds up production. 3D models are available for every enclosure in the METCASE range but they’re design-protected so you’ll need to register to download them.

Step 6: Customising Your Standard Enclosure

It makes sense to order your enclosures from a single-source supplier like METCASE so they’re fully customised and with all the accessories assembled. Your housings will be ‘PCB ready’ when they arrive at Goods In – you can send them straight to your production line.

METCASE customisation services include:

CNC machining – punching, forming, milling, drilling and tapping
fixings and inserts – threaded studs for mounting PCBs, connectors and electronics assemblies
custom colours – ask about ‘always in stock’ custom colours (that cost no more) and clever ways to add branding touches by colouring isolated panels and trims
legends and logos – digital printing has much lower set-up costs, making customisation viable for low-volume orders.

Step 7: Taking Account Of Project Timings – How Long Will It All Take?

Customised standard enclosures will always be faster to manufacture than fully bespoke housings. Our engineers can concentrate on the customised parts of the housing, while using standard parts for the rest.

For bespoke housings, finalising the design is usually the longest part of the process. If there is a clear specification for the component location then it can be quick. But often a series of prototypes may be needed – thus extending the project timing.

Our project delivery times are typically four to eight weeks for customised standard enclosures and from six to 16 weeks for bespoke projects. It’s always worth asking about customisation – you’d would be surprised how few modifications and how little extra finishing is needed to transform a standard housing into one that’s unique for your electronics.

View METCASE customising services >>

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Subrack Kit for Backplane. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Find Out More, Get A Quote

Comments

All Comments (0)