Daniel J SaitPattrick Brothers Communications has been involved in the manufacture and distribution of data, AV and telecommunications equipment since 1987. Its data and network cabinet ranges are marketed under the KAUDEN and convicab brands, as well as OEM branding for other well-known distributors.
The convicab concept is, in a nutshell, ‘convertible convenience’. The company has taken its standard wall mounted cabinet and re-engineered it for quick conversion to a floor standing version when required.
It was discovered after some market research that around a third of customers who buy standard wall cabinets actually want to mount them on the floor and they don’t necessarily want the generally more expensive models that can be seen in data centres or other large scale commercial settings.
Re-calibrated for strength, the floor section has been made suitable to accept four castors along with a range of accessories that are specially designed to accommodate both wall and floor scenarios. There are six models available in 9U, 12 and 15U and either 450 or 600mm depth. An economic solution for a floor mount cabinet .
Wall mounting – One enclosure with two applications means convenient convertibility and thus no need for distributors to stock two ranges. Lockable side and front doors are provided for security and the glass door panel is tempered to BS EN12150. Added options provided are new style wider knockouts, rear knockouts and the option to attach brush plates to keep the dust out (more on this below).
Knockouts – All convicabs have knockouts on the top, bottom and rear. The 9U has one rear knockout in the centre and the 12 and 15U both have two rear knockouts near the top and bottom. The size of the knockouts have been designed to enable a CAT5e or CAT6 patch panel removed from another device to be pulled through, saving the re-punching of the cables back in again.
Brush plates – No more gaping holes! And no more ingress of dust. The top mounted surface 5mm deep Brush Plate has been designed with the back edge open so that it can be attached after the cables have been pulled through the knockout. The back-mount surface brush plate incorporates a smooth ledge so that the cables are not resting on the actual cabinet edge, reducing possible damage to the cabling when floor mounting, hence the 10mm depth of the plate.
Floor Mounting – The floor has been re-enforced with extra steel plates and can accept four screw mounting castors which can quickly be attached and are sold separately. The basic kit includes two normal and two lockable castors.
Castors – A set of four suitable castors are available, two lockable, that screw to the re-enforced bottom section of the cabinet.