Rack shelf - strange item or is it me?

[Redgie]

Update: Concluded in post #9

So we're in need of a shelf in our rack at work to allow us to put a couple tower machines in there. Thinking this would be a reasonably straightforward purchase, I measured the depth and ordered a shelf. I've just come to fit it though, and it's too wide. The width of the shelf is 483mm (standard), however that's the width of the entire shelf, not just the front and back bits, the entire shelf, so it can't physically slide in? Here's a picture that I hope demonstrates my point (click for bigger):



Here's a picture of the sheet of paper that came with it, explaining how you're supposed to fit the shelf:



Am I completely misunderstanding the situation? Because as far I can tell, even if the rack was open, and we fitted it to the four corners, the shelf would still collide with the central rails pictured here:



Best I can tell, I'm in need of something more like the following, with the mounting points wider than the physical item, and therefore more akin to a switch or patch panel:



Does that seem about right? Appreciate the help

 

[[Darkend]Viper]

The shelf would fit, and I bet the central bits aren't original, they look like a section of cable tray has been put in to support the cables, but on the wrong side.

How much too wide is the shelf?

 

[Redgie]

The shelf would fit, and I bet the central bits aren't original, they look like a section of cable tray has been put in to support the cables, but on the wrong side.

How much too wide is the shelf?

It definitely can't fit in, even if the central rails were taken out, the physical shelf is wider than the gap between the side-mounts of the front and back rails.

The shelf is 483mm wide, the gap is about 465mm. See pictures below (click for larger):

Rack space:


Shelf:

 

[16-bit]

Not being silly but did you try putting it in at an angle, most shelf's I've installed needed to be put it in sideways then vertically towards you.

Have you got the model number of the shelf you purchased?

EDIT: yea, that's the same width as our shelves. Either your having a blonde moment or your rack is being weird.

 

[Redgie]

It's the central rail, if it wasn't there I could slot the shelf in at an angle then flatten it and it'd fit fine.

I've arranged to return the item and have purchased on the pictured in the OP. Removing the central rails isn't really an option unfortunately

 

[Armageus]

Can't see how the seconds shelf with the rack ears is going to fit any better than the first one - Both shelves will be the same width at the shelf part.

The only difference being the ears attach to the front and back faces of the rack rails, rather than the first shelf which bolts to the side faces of the rack rails.

Personally looks like those central rails are fitted wrongly.

Regardless of which shelf you use, you have to fit it from the front or back, between the rails e.g. at 45 degrees and then drop it down to horizontal.

 

[16-bit]

So did the new shelf fit okay?

 

[CraigN]

looks like you are trying to fit a full size shelf into a small comms rack not a server rack.

I bought small adjustable shelves for my small comms rack that hosts my lab environment.

I purchased "Universal 400mm Deep Cabinet Shelf (300mm - 500mm)"

 

[Redgie]

So did the new shelf fit okay?

Apologies for the thread revival but felt I should close this off.

Yes, the new shelf was adjustable enough to fit and all was sorted Thanks for the help all!