Blanking panels cover the empty spaces in server and network racks, so they suit anyone building or tidying a rack. Our range has over 250 products: blank panels, blind panels and PCI slot covers.
You will find items from DELOCK, SCHROFF, SLIM WIREWIN and DSIT, with panel heights from 1U to 5U.
How to choose a blanking panel
Height in U. The panel height must match the free space in the rack, and one U is 44.45 mm. Our range includes panels from 1U to 5U, mostly 1U and 2U. A large gap can be filled with several smaller panels, but one taller panel looks tidier and needs fewer screws.
Panel type. Blank panels and blind panels cover empty gaps between equipment at the front of the rack. A PCI slot cover is a different product: it closes an expansion card opening at the back of a computer or server chassis. Decide first whether you need a rack panel or a chassis cover.
Material. Most panels in our range are steel, with some other metal and a few plastic ones. Steel (including SPCC cold-rolled steel) is stiffer and holds its shape for longer, while plastic is lighter and suits racks with a light load.
Mounting. Most server racks follow the 19-inch standard, but fixings differ: some panels are fitted with screws and cage nuts, others clip in without tools. Check that the fixings are included and that they fit your rack's mounting rails.
Colour. Most racks and rack equipment are black, and black panels dominate our range too, with some grey and one white. Matching the colour of the rack keeps the covered areas from standing out against the rest of the front.
Brands we carry
- SCHROFF: known for 19-inch electronics enclosures and rack systems, so its panels follow the standard those components are built to.
- RITTAL: a German manufacturer famous for industrial and server enclosures and the accessories made for them.
- DIGITUS: offers network cables, racks and passive network equipment, which makes it easy to pick panels together with other rack accessories.
- DELOCK: best known for cables, adapters and connectivity accessories, and also supplies panels as an add-on for racks.
- TRITON: makes server and network racks, so its panels are designed for exactly those cabinets.
- INTER-TECH: familiar for PC cases and 19-inch server chassis.
Also in our range: SLIM WIREWIN, DSIT, IT-BUDGET, VALUE, LANVIEW and INLINE.
Frequently asked questions about blanking panels
What is a blanking panel for in a server rack?
A blanking panel covers unused space at the front of a rack. It keeps dust out, stops accidental contact with cables and makes the rack look tidier. It also helps guide air through the running equipment.
What height of blanking panel should I buy?
Buy the height of the free gap in your rack, counted in U. Count the empty units between your equipment and choose one or more panels whose combined height covers the gap exactly. Our range includes panels from 1U to 5U.
Do blanking panels improve cooling?
Yes, they help, because they stop warm exhaust air from flowing back to the front through an empty gap. They do not replace proper rack ventilation or extra fans, but they make the airflow more orderly. The effect is greatest in racks with large empty spaces.
What is a PCI slot cover used for?
A PCI slot cover closes an unused expansion card opening at the back of a computer or server chassis. It keeps dust out of the case and helps maintain the intended airflow inside. It is not a rack panel, so it should not be confused with 1U or 2U blanking panels.
