APC NetShelter CX: sealed sound and EMI enclosures
NetShelter CX is not a data hall cabinet, it is a self-contained, non-conductive enclosure designed to put IT equipment safely into an office, a retail space or another environment that is not a purpose-built server room, with a fully isolated shell that needs no additional grounding.
Technical specification
| Model | U height | Width × Depth | Static load | Door type / perforation | Colour | Side panel | Cable entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AR4038A | 38U | – | – | Key-operated lock | – | Fully enclosed, non-conductive shell | – |
| AR4024A | 24U | – | – | Key-operated lock | – | Fully enclosed, non-conductive shell | – |
| AR4018A | 18U | – | – | Key-operated lock | – | Fully enclosed, non-conductive shell | – |
Source of the values: APC by Schneider Electric, Enclosure and rack systems brochure. NetShelter CX is a self-contained enclosure built from non-conductive materials with no additional grounding requirement; it is a cabinet, not a cooling appliance. Width and depth are not published in the documents we hold. An en dash means the manufacturer does not publish that value; we do not fill it in with an estimate. Confirm every figure against the current manufacturer document before it is written into a contract.
The references we quote in this family are AR4038A, AR4024A and AR4018A. Send us the U height, the width and depth your rack row allows, and we will confirm availability and lead time.
Which one should you choose?
The point is the room, not the rack density
CX exists because some equipment has to live in a normal office or retail floor where a standard perforated cabinet would be too loud and too exposed. If the equipment is going into a purpose-built server room, a NetShelter SX cabinet is cheaper and gives more airflow.
No grounding strap needed is a real installation saving
Because the shell is built entirely from non-conductive materials, CX does not need the ground strapping or pipe earthing a metal cabinet would require in the same location. In a retrofit into an existing office, that removes a step an electrician would otherwise have to plan for.
Three sizes cover a small closet to a modest server room
AR4018A, AR4024A and AR4038A step from 18U to 38U, which is enough range for anything from a single network rack in a reception area to a small dedicated IT closet. Width and depth are not published for this line; confirm the footprint against the room before ordering.
The key-operated lock is standard, not an upgrade
Because CX is often placed in spaces with general office access rather than a controlled data hall, the lock is built into every reference rather than offered as an option. That matters for a compliance conversation about who can physically reach the equipment.
Two door options exist for a reason
AR4018A ships with a plain solid door for maximum sound dampening, while the family also offers a version with a small viewing window for a receptionist or office manager who needs to glance at status LEDs without opening the enclosure. Tell us which matters more for the install before ordering.
Where it fits, and where it does not
Fits IT equipment that has to be physically located in an office, retail or public-facing space rather than a dedicated server room. Does not fit a data hall, where NetShelter SX gives better airflow and a lower cost per U.
What we need in order to quote it
- U height needed: 18U, 24U or 38U
- Room dimensions where the enclosure will sit
- Noise sensitivity of the surrounding space
- Access control requirement
Request a Quote
Tell us the usable capacity, the protocol and the delivery country. A priced quote comes back within 48 hours, usually with a second option so the trade-off is visible.
