What Are My Options?

[Geps]

I don't know what the DNOs opinion would be on sticking an immovable 42U rack full of gear in front of the cutout such that it can't be accessed in an emergency...?

I was thinking along the lines of having the rack on the right hand wall and so I'd need to move the meter as it sticks out too much and would stop me opening the door.

I sorry, but a 42u rack in a domestic is carp.

HD 48w panels take 2u, normal take 3u. So say you have 96 positions thats 4u or 6u and (maybe) a couple of 1u cable management bars.

Why would anyone then need 34u + for active kit in a 3 bed house.

I gotta be honest, I thought that to, but when I wrote down the list and spec it out it makes sense to jump up to 42U as they're so much cheaper to buy and it'll be easier to work on....that's if I can fit it in

 

[Steve]

If you get a smaller cabinet, you could built a false floor (if the meters are low down) and put the cabinet higher up.

 

[Lectrician]

they would probably move it at the same time as they are also authorized to work on the equipment.

Not quite true (for my DNO atleast).

They are authroised to work on behalf of SOME meter operators, but not all. Each DNO will have differing agreements.

My DNO will provide a free quotation, and will let you know if they can move the meter or if you need to arrange this seperately.

A typical move from inside to outside on the other side of a wall would be roughly £400 in my area, assuming meterbox installed by yourself and trenching/pits done by you. My DNO will supply the meterbox, hockey stick and any duct required. They have to open any public highway or pavement, but this does push the cost up.

Just get a quote - it's not binding. when compared to your spend on AV kit etc, it will surely be minor?

 

[Geps]

I've been going through the different options and I think the best bet might be to move it else where in the house. I originally had specced a utility room just off the kitchen but looking at what space requirements the server cabinet would fit in here perfectly. It just means redirecting soil pipes which I have to do anyway as I'm moving the bathroom.

Still not 100% but at least I've got options now so can start to plod through them.

Thanks guys,

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I sorry, but a 42u rack in a domestic is carp.

Not if you are stark raving bonkers, in which case I'm sure it makes sense.

HD 48w panels take 2u, normal take 3u. So say you have 96 positions thats 4u or 6u and (maybe) a couple of 1u cable management bars.

Why would anyone then need 34u + for active kit in a 3 bed house.

Oh c'mon Chri5 - surely you must realise that the amount of computing power and/or related hardware that you can squeeze into 34U these days is pitifully small.....

 

[Chri5]

Move towards SSD storage and you could host Google UK in 10u

 

[ajrobb]

I'm not sure if he has allowed sufficient space for the A/C kit and ducts to cool the cabinet. Oh, don't forget the noise insulation to limit the noise from all the fans.

 

[Geps]

Yup, all covered, that's why the cupboard under the stairs was so appealing as it already had outside venting and extremely thick walls.

 

[Chri5]

Stop teasing me then, would you please post a schedule or (better still) a drawing of how (and thus why) your AV kit will run to 42u's worth ?

Have you considered:-

An open rack / frame system ? Less need to force cool / vent with noisy fans- smaller footprint (some run 600 wide, 450 deep)

Buying and insulating a small shed and provide a route between shed for active kit and a small footprint location for the passive (wiring and sockets) inside.

The 2 location system active in loft / eves and passive in an accessable area.

Changing the CH to combi and opening the airing cupboard as a comms centre

Rgds

 

[Geps]

I didn't say I needed 42U straight away....it's off topic but I'd want to know if I was in your shoes. The plan is to have a single bank with all the AV for the house and the computer that will run the automation software. I'll then have single HDMI/HDMI over Cat5/6 cables going to each TV. So where you normally end up with a load of wires hanging down going to setup boxes etc it'll all be controlled centrally (via IR relayed by computer network) and then transmitted.

I've provisionally specced and I haven't done much with racks so might be way off:
UPS 4U
Computer 4U
Console 1, 2 and 3, Bluray Player, Setup-box, Router+Modem, Amplifier 1 and Amplifier 2 all on 2U shelves.
5U for patch panels (slightly excessive but I plan on having 1 patch panel per data type)
Keyboard and screen 1U
Switch 2U
Cable management 3U

That's 35U and I still need to add on a HDMI matrix and various other bits and bobs.

The main space is taken up with AV which won't be running 24/7 so heat buildup isn't that big an issue and of course the patch panels.

No need for a shed as I have the space and I'll be running lots of Cat5 so it could get expensive very quickly (particularly as best place for shed is bottom of garden).

Open rack....the one I've purchased you can take the sides off so it pretty similar to an open rack...either way the space required is very similar.

Feel free to critique