Key Takeaways
- Chatsworth Products (CPI) manufactures four primary rack families: ZetaFrame, QuadraRack, ServerRack and SeismicFrame, each aligned to specific load, security and environmental needs.
- Two-post racks suit light-duty network and telecom spaces, while four-post frames like the QuadraRack handle up to 2,000 lb for standard enterprise servers and edge deployments.
- Enclosed cabinets such as the ZetaFrame and SeismicFrame deliver physical security, high-density cooling support and seismic compliance for AI, HPC and colocation environments.
- Integrated CPI eConnect PDUs, cable managers and factory-assembled configurations improve airflow, simplify maintenance and shorten deployment timelines.
- When standard CPI racks fall short, contact Fabcon for custom precision-fabricated solutions engineered to exact project specifications.
CPI Rack Families and Structural Categories
CPI organizes its rack products into three structural categories: two-post, four-post and enclosed. Within these categories, CPI offers four primary product lines.
- ZetaFrame Cabinet System: Flagship enclosed cabinet for high-density deployments, AI and HPC workloads
- QuadraRack 4-Post Frame: Open-frame rack for standard server mounting and edge deployments
- ServerRack: Adjustable four-post rack for general-purpose data center use
- SeismicFrame (Z4-Series): Enclosed cabinet engineered for earthquake-prone regions and severe environments
Two-Post Racks for Light-Duty Network Spaces
CPI two-post racks support cable management, patch panels and lighter network equipment. They suit telecom rooms, network closets and back-office spaces where equipment loads remain modest.
The open-frame design maximizes airflow and simplifies cable routing. This structure works well for low-density environments such as closets and back offices.
Four-Post Racks for Standard Server Deployments
CPI four-post rack families provide the structural support needed for standard 19-inch servers. Adjustable mounting depths accommodate varying equipment lengths.
CPI QuadraRack 4-Post Frames support up to 2000 lb of equipment, which suits most enterprise server deployments. Key features include square-punched mounting rails, integrated cable management and grounding options.
The QuadraRack 4-Post Frame also appears in CPI edge infrastructure portfolios. It supports decentralized computing environments where open-frame mounting is preferred.
Enclosed Cabinets for Security and High-Density Cooling
CPI enclosed cabinet systems provide physical security, controlled airflow and integrated cable and power management. These features support dense, mission-critical workloads.
ZetaFrame Cabinet System: Built on a roll-formed, tubular, fully welded steel frame, the ZetaFrame supports high static and dynamic loads. It integrates with CPI eConnect PDUs, liquid cooling solutions and environmental monitoring, creating a single-vendor ecosystem for demanding workloads.
SeismicFrame (Z4-Series): The Z4-Series SeismicFrame supports a seismic equipment load plus an additional top load for cabling. It meets stringent seismic certification requirements and suits colocation facilities, enterprise data centers and edge sites in seismically active areas.
Enclosed cabinets are available in multiple widths and depths, including deeper models for high-density server applications. They can also ship factory-assembled with power and cable management preinstalled.
This single-vendor approach resonates with customers who want predictable compatibility.
"It is nice to have a single-vendor solution, so we do not have to worry about someone else PDU fitting and the compatibility with the cabinet. It is a good package to go along with the cabinet." — Robert Carneim, PhD, Supervisor of Instructional Technology, Oak Ridge Schools
Load Capacities and Key Rack Dimensions
Static load describes the weight a rack can support when stationary. Dynamic load accounts for forces during movement or seismic events. For four-post and enclosed racks, CPI typically supports loads up to 2000 lb, with the ZetaFrame welded steel frame extending to higher static capacity.
Beyond load, rack height and width define how equipment fits. Rack height is measured in U (rack units). One U equals 1.75 inches of vertical height.
Common CPI cabinet configurations include 42U and 45U heights, with depths ranging from 600 mm to 1200 mm and up to 1300 mm in some models. For CPI racks, 19 inches is the standard EIA width for most enterprise equipment, while 23-inch and 35-inch widths are available for specialized deployments, as seen in the Universal Rack.
When specifying a rack, sum the full weight of all installed equipment, including PDUs, cable managers and accessories. Confirm the rack rated capacity exceeds that total with margin for future expansion.
Seismic bracing is mandatory in seismic zones such as California. Each rack must be anchored to the floor with bolts rated for the rack weight and the region seismic acceleration coefficient.
Matching CPI Racks to Common Applications
AI and High-Density Computing: Modern AI racks routinely exceed legacy enterprise rack densities, so they demand high structural capacity, integrated cooling support and dense cable management. The ZetaFrame Cabinet System meets these demands with its high static load rating, compatibility with direct-to-chip liquid cooling and integration with high-power eConnect PDUs.
Colocation and Multi-Tenant Facilities: Colocation environments require racks that balance security, ease of access and compatibility with diverse tenant equipment. CPI room-level structure supports rapid deployment, high-speed networking and colocation of enterprise assets and includes seismic bracing, pathway solutions, containment solutions, cages and bonding solutions.
Enclosed cabinets like the ZetaFrame or SeismicFrame provide physical security and controlled airflow for these shared spaces. Open four-post racks offer flexibility for tenants with non-standard equipment or unique cabling needs.
Edge Deployments: Edge sites often have space constraints and environmental challenges. CPI edge data center products include the ZetaFrame Cabinet System, Monitored eConnect PDU, VersaEdge Wall-Mount Cabinet, CUBE-iT Wall-Mount Cabinet and QuadraRack 4-Post Frame.
For harsher environments such as manufacturing floors, warehouses and outdoor sites, CPI offers industrial enclosure solutions designed to withstand temperature extremes and contaminants.
Power Distribution and Cable Management Integration
The rack functions as part of an integrated system, not an isolated enclosure. The CPI ecosystem includes eConnect PDUs, vertical and horizontal cable managers, overhead cable trays and bonding solutions for grounding.
Proper integration improves outcomes across three dimensions.
- Airflow: Strategic cable routing and blanking panels prevent hot spots and improve cooling efficiency
- Maintenance: Organized cable management simplifies hardware swaps and reduces downtime
- Scalability: Preinstalled PDUs and cable managers reduce deployment time and support future expansion
CPI offers factory-assembled configurations. Cabinets ship with power, cable and thermal management preinstalled under a project-specific part number, which reduces on-site assembly time and component count.
Customers confirm the ease of deployment with these factory-assembled systems.
"The cabinets were easy to install and arrived with all of the pieces and parts already configured. We just had to unpack and install them within the data center. It was that easy." — Chris Clary, RCDD, Cochran Technologies
Custom Fabrication for Nonstandard Requirements
CPI offers extensive configuration options, yet some deployments require modifications beyond standard offerings. Common examples include non-standard dimensions for unique spaces, specialized mounting for proprietary equipment, custom finishing for brand or environmental requirements and integrated assemblies that combine rack structures with additional components.
The shift toward build-to-suit colocation means rack buyers increasingly need customizable, project-specific solutions rather than generic standardized cabinets. Each tenant may require different power densities, cooling architectures and rack layouts, which increases demand for tailored designs.
Fabcon serves this need as a full-service U.S. precision sheet metal fabrication and assembly partner with 220,000 square feet of vertically integrated manufacturing space. In-house engineering, ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certification and capabilities spanning laser cutting, CNC punching, forming, welding, finishing and electromechanical assembly support custom racks and enclosures that complement CPI standard catalogs.
For deployments with requirements outside CPI standard configurations, get a quote from Fabcon to discuss a custom fabrication solution.
Conclusion: Aligning CPI Racks and Fabcon Support
CPI offers four major rack families: ZetaFrame, QuadraRack, ServerRack and SeismicFrame. Each family aligns to specific applications based on load capacity, dimensions, security needs and deployment environment.
Standard requirements fit well within CPI catalogs and TAA-compliant solutions. Requirements that fall outside standard configurations benefit from a custom fabrication partner with engineering and manufacturing depth.
Fabcon fills that role as a full-service precision sheet metal fabricator. Fabcon supports data center engineers and procurement teams from prototype through production, combining fabrication, finishing and assembly under one roof to reduce supplier complexity and accelerate timelines.
Get a quote and connect with Fabcon engineering teams to explore custom rack and enclosure solutions that align with CPI infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the ZetaFrame and SeismicFrame cabinet systems from Chatsworth Products?
The ZetaFrame and SeismicFrame differ primarily in their intended environment. The ZetaFrame focuses on high-density computing with high load ratings and liquid cooling integration. The SeismicFrame focuses on earthquake-prone regions with seismic certification and support for seismic equipment loads plus top cabling loads.
The key distinction centers on priorities. ZetaFrame suits density and cooling needs, while SeismicFrame addresses seismic compliance and structural performance in active zones.
When should a data center engineer choose a four-post rack over an enclosed cabinet?
Four-post racks like the QuadraRack and ServerRack suit environments where physical security is not a primary concern and airflow management occurs at the row or room level. These racks also support projects where flexibility in equipment mounting takes priority.
Common use cases include enterprise server rooms, network operations centers and edge deployments where open-frame access simplifies installation and maintenance. Enclosed cabinets work better when physical access control, contained airflow or integration with high-power PDUs and liquid cooling is required, particularly for AI, HPC and colocation environments where security and thermal management are critical.
How does CPI ecosystem of PDUs and cable management integrate with its rack families?
CPI designs its racks, PDUs and cable management products to work as an integrated system. The eConnect PDU line, featuring QuadLock outlets, supports high-power inputs suitable for AI and HPC workloads.
Vertical and horizontal cable managers, overhead cable trays and bonding solutions are engineered to fit within CPI cabinet dimensions. CPI also offers factory-assembled configurations where cabinets ship with power, cable and thermal management preinstalled under a project-specific part number.
This integrated approach reduces on-site assembly time, minimizes component count and supports compatibility across the full infrastructure stack.
What are the key selection criteria for data center racks in AI deployments?
AI workloads place demands on racks that differ from standard enterprise deployments. Primary criteria include structural load capacity, since AI GPU clusters are dense and heavy, and compatibility with liquid cooling architectures such as direct-to-chip cold plates or rear-door heat exchangers.
Support for high-power PDUs that handle elevated per-rack power draws also matters. Cable management density plays a major role, because AI clusters require high fiber counts and structured power routing.
Seismic compliance matters for facilities in earthquake-prone regions. Buyers also benefit when racks can be factory-configured with integrated power and cooling components to reduce deployment time.
When does a custom fabricated rack make more sense than a standard CPI catalog product?
Standard catalog racks from CPI cover a wide range of deployment scenarios, yet some projects require configurations beyond what a standard product line can deliver. Custom fabrication is driven by needs like non-standard enclosure dimensions, specialized mounting for proprietary or legacy equipment, custom finishes and integrated assemblies that combine rack structures with additional components.
A precision metal fabrication partner like Fabcon can design and build racks and enclosures to exact project specifications. In-house engineering, finishing and electromechanical assembly under one roof reduce the supplier complexity that comes with managing multiple vendors for a single finished product.