Compact Rack Shelf Guide
The measurements and spacing rules we apply on every shelf visit.
Why Shelf Layout Matters More Than Spec Sheets
A mining unit rated at 0.05 TH/s on a bench does not automatically deliver that figure on a cramped half-rack shelf. Rear exhaust clearance, shared PDU circuits, and the thermal behaviour of the shelf above and below all change the outcome. This guide summarises the spacing and airflow rules we apply during every rack shelf layout assessment.
Minimum Clearances
| Zone | Minimum clearance | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Front (bezel to door/panel) | 50 mm | Allows intake airflow; less causes recirculation |
| Rear (grille to wall/cable tray) | 80 mm | Exhaust needs exit path; 80 mm is our floor for 0.05+ TH/s units |
| Side (unit to rack rail) | Per manufacturer | Most ASICs are full-width; verify rail depth |
| Top of shelf (unit to shelf above) | 1 U blanking panel minimum | Prevents hot exhaust from bathing the shelf above |
U-Spacing for Half-Rack Shelves
For a typical 6U half-rack shelf running units rated 0.05–0.20 TH/s:
Example 6U Half-Rack — Side View
- Place a blanking panel above each active unit where possible
- Reserve the bottom 1–2 U for PDU and cable management
- Do not stack units directly above one another without a blanking panel between
Airflow Direction
Most compact rack shelves in Korean small-facility setups use front-intake, rear-exhaust flow. Verify your unit model matches this before mounting. Units with side-intake designs rarely perform well in standard 600 mm deep racks without modification.
Power Budget per Shelf
Calculate total shelf load before mounting:
- Sum rated wattage of all units on the shelf
- Add 15% headroom for startup inrush
- Confirm the PDU circuit can sustain continuous load (not just peak)
We have seen operators lose hash-rate not from heat but from voltage sag when a single 20A circuit feeds eight units across two shelves.
When to Request a Professional Assessment
Consider a rack shelf layout assessment if:
- You are fitting more than four units on a single half-rack shelf
- Hash-rate has dropped without an obvious hardware fault
- You are converting a non-data-centre room (storage, office) into a mining space
- You have purchased used units without prior bench testing