This category covers fans, fan units and other cooling accessories for server and network cabinets with 19-inch equipment. It suits IT administrators, installers and businesses whose cabinets hold warm switches, servers or power supplies. Our range has more than 200 products, including items from Rittal, ROLINE, Triton and Supermicro.
How to choose rack fans and cooling
Type and mounting position. Roof fan modules extract hot air from the top of the cabinet, 19-inch panels sit in the frame between the equipment, and filter fans draw air in through a side panel. Start by deciding where heat builds up in your cabinet and which way the air should travel.
Airflow. It is measured in m³/h and should exceed the heat the equipment gives off, with some margin, so add up the power of everything in the cabinet in watts. Two fans instead of one also let the cabinet keep running if one fails.
Noise. If the cabinet stands in an office or near workstations, check the stated level in dB(A). Slower fans are quieter but move less air, so the two figures have to be balanced.
Dimensions and power supply. Check the cabinet width, depth and roof cut-out, and for 19-inch panels the height in U. Many cabinet fans run on 230 V, but low-voltage models such as 12 or 24 V also exist, so confirm the power source you have before ordering.
Control and dust. A thermostat or temperature sensor switches the fans on only when needed, which cuts both noise and energy use. In dusty rooms choose models with a replaceable filter so that dust does not settle on the servers.
Brands we carry
- Rittal: a German manufacturer known for industrial and IT enclosures and their climate control equipment, including filter fans.
- ROLINE and Delock: known for cables, adapters and other IT accessories, so you can round out a cabinet with small parts too.
- Triton: makes server and network cabinets and their accessories.
- Schroff: specialises in electronics enclosures and 19-inch systems.
- Supermicro: a maker of servers and server components.
- Digitus: known for network cabling and cabinet accessories.
Also in our range: DSIT, ROCKSTABLE, IT-BUDGET, Silence Rack, EFB-Elektronik.
Frequently asked questions
How do you cool a server cabinet?
Start by creating a clear airflow path: cool air enters at the front or bottom and hot air leaves through the top. A roof fan module or a fan panel, blanking panels over empty U spaces and tidy cabling are usually enough for this. If the heat load is too high, a dedicated cooling unit is needed.
How many fans does a server cabinet need?
It depends on how much heat the equipment produces. Add up the power of everything in the cabinet in watts and compare it with the airflow of the fans in m³/h. Two fans are often fitted so that there is some redundancy.
Can fans replace air conditioning in a server room?
Not always. Fans only move heat out of the cabinet, so they work when the room air is cooler than the air inside. If the room is warm, or the cabinet is closed and heavily loaded, you need a cooling unit or room air conditioning.
Can cabinet fans be controlled by a thermostat?
Yes, many cabinet fans can be connected to a thermostat or temperature sensor. Before buying, check that the thermostat matches the voltage and current of the fan. The fans then run only when the temperature rises.
