Jul. 29, 2026
When designing a 19-inch subrack, simply creating a mechanically correct drawing is not enough. A successful product must satisfy two fundamental requirements:
Dimensional compatibility, ensuring that components from different manufacturers fit together seamlessly.
Mechanical reliability, ensuring that the structure can withstand transportation, vibration, seismic events, electromagnetic interference, and long-term operation.
These two objectives are governed by two complementary international standards:
IEC 60297, which defines the mechanical dimensions of the 19-inch series.
IEC 61587, which specifies the testing methods used to verify structural performance.
Together, they form the foundation of modern electronic enclosure design.
What Is IEC 60297?
IEC 60297, officially titled “Mechanical structures for electrical and electronic equipment – Dimensions of mechanical structures of the 482.6 mm (19-inch) series," is the fundamental dimensional standard for 19-inch electronic equipment.
Rather than defining electrical interfaces or communication protocols, IEC 60297 establishes the physical dimensions, installation interfaces, and mechanical compatibility of:
* 19-inch cabinets
* Subracks
* Front panels
* Coding keys
Its primary purpose is to ensure that products from different manufacturers remain fully interchangeable.
For this reason, IEC 60297 is often regarded as the "constitution" of the 19-inch mechanical ecosystem.
IEC 60297 Standard Scope
IEC 60297-3-100 Basic dimensions for panels, subracks, chassis, racks, and cabinets
IEC 60297-3-101 Core dimensions for subracks and plug-in units
IEC 60297-3-102 Injector/extractor handle interfaces
IEC 60297-3-103 Coding keys and alignment pins
IEC 60297-3-104 Connector-related interface dimensions
IEC 60297-3-1051U cabinet and subrack specifications
IEC 60297-3-106 Adaptation to metric cabinets and racks
IEC 60297-3-107 Small form factor subracks
IEC 60297-3-108 Ruggedized subracks for harsh environments
IEC 60297-3-109 Subracks for embedded computing systems
Coding keys
These standards allow the traditional 19-inch architecture to meet the needs of industries such as industrial automation, medical equipment, railway transportation, aerospace, telecommunications, and embedded computing.
Designing to IEC 60297 Is Only the First Step
Producing a dimensionally correct design does not guarantee that the enclosure will perform reliably in the field.
A CAD model can demonstrate manufacturability, but it cannot prove that the structure will survive:
* Transportation
* Continuous vibration
* Earthquakes
* Long-term maintenance
* EMC requirements
* Harsh operating environments
This is where IEC 61587 becomes essential.
What Is IEC 61587?
IEC 61587 complements IEC 60297 by providing standardized mechanical performance testing methods.
While IEC 60297 defines how a structure should be designed, IEC 61587 verifies how well that structure performs under real-world conditions.
IEC 60297 defines the design. IEC 61587 validates the performance.
IEC 61587 Series Overview
IEC 61587-1 Environmental & Safety Environmental tests and safety requirements for indoor enclosures
IEC 61587-2 Seismic (Cabinets & Racks) Evaluates earthquake resistance of cabinets and racks
IEC 61587-3 EMC Shielding Measures shielding effectiveness from 30 MHz to 3000 MHz
IEC 61587-4 Performance Classes Defines combined ratings for IP, climate, EMC, seismic, and load
IEC 61587-5 Seismic (Subracks & Plug-ins) Evaluates functionality retention of subracks during and after earthquakes
IEC 61587-6 Mechanical Safety Defines safety classifications for indoor cabinet structures
The "Empty Enclosure" Testing Principle
One of the key concepts in IEC 61587 is that testing is generally performed on the empty mechanical structure, without installed electronic equipment.
The objective is to verify:
* Structural integrity
* Mechanical strength
* EMC shielding capability
* Environmental resistance
* Safety performance
Complete system EMC compliance and functional testing must be carried out according to other standards, such as the IEC 61000 series.
Chinese National Standards
For manufacturers operating in China, the IEC 61587 series has been adopted as the GB/T 18663 series of national standards.
These standards provide a practical reference for product development, testing, and certification in the Chinese market while remaining aligned with international IEC requirements.
Developing a reliable 19-inch subrack requires far more than following a single standard.
The IEC 60297 series establishes a complete dimensional framework, from basic cabinet dimensions and subrack structures to extractor handles, coding keys, and specialized applications such as 1U chassis and ruggedized systems.
Once the mechanical design is complete, the IEC 61587 series provides comprehensive verification methods covering environmental performance, seismic resistance, EMC shielding, structural safety, and mechanical reliability.
In short:
IEC 60297 builds the framework. IEC 61587 proves the performance.
By combining both standards throughout the design and validation process, manufacturers can develop 19-inch mechanical structures that meet the demanding requirements of telecommunications, industrial automation, railway systems, medical devices, aerospace, defense, and power infrastructure.
For the latest editions and official publications, visit the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) website :www.iec.ch
Oct. 01, 2023
For PCB board of the subrack insertion and extraction, Provides assistance when pulled out.Composed of four parts: handle, scutcheon, printed board bracket, and shaft. Handle material: PC+GF20%, Fire retardant standard: UL94V1, printed board bracket material: die-cast zinc alloy surface nickel plating.
Oct. 08, 2023
The subrack does not have a series of profiles, and after receiving an order, it is usually customized and processed according to the drawings. Products from different customers and products of different specifications from the same customer all need to be redesigned and processed, resulting in higher costs;