Prism Cabinet Buying Guide: PI vs FI vs IP54
Start with the equipment you need to house, its mounting depth, weight and cooling requirements. Then compare Prism PI, FI and IP54 configurations. A rack’s U height alone does not tell you whether your equipment will fit.
Browse Prism cabinets and accessories or ask In Touch Telecoms Ltd for a configuration quote.
PI vs FI vs IP54: which range should you consider?
| Range | Starting point | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| PI | Data, networking and server cabinet configurations across a broad choice of rack heights and footprints. | Doors, panels, working depth, mounting profiles and the load rating for your exact model. |
| FI | An aluminium-frame server enclosure with high-airflow mesh doors for installations where airflow and equipment load are central to the specification. | Equipment weight, cooling layout, rail compatibility and the quoted door/panel arrangement. |
| IP54 | The range to discuss when your project specifies an IP54 enclosure. | Written confirmation of the required protection, cable entries, ventilation and supporting manufacturer documentation. Do not assume outdoor or waterproof suitability. |
These are selection starting points. Specifications belong to the individual configuration: do not apply one cabinet’s load, airflow or ingress-protection claims to the whole range.
How to size a cabinet
- Add up rack height. Count the U used by equipment, patch panels, shelves and other rack-mounted accessories. Allow space for planned expansion and your cooling design. One rack unit (1U) is 44.45 mm; external cabinet height also includes the frame, base and roof.
- Check usable depth. External depth is not the same as usable rail-to-rail or equipment depth. Allow for rear connectors, cable bend radius, power leads and door clearance. Check your server’s rail-kit requirements.
- Choose width for the installation. Cabinet width affects cable-management space and room footprint. Check the specific mounting arrangement rather than treating external width as rack mounting width.
- Check the complete load. Include servers, UPS equipment, shelves and other accessories. Ask for the applicable static and transport/load conditions; castors and feet may have different limits.
Plan airflow, power and access together
Match front-to-rear equipment airflow to the room layout. Choose doors, blanking arrangements and cable management that support the cooling design. Confirm that shelves, fan trays, PDUs, earth bars, baying kits and plinths suit the selected range and footprint.
Measure the delivery route, including door openings, corridors, stairs and lifts. Send the delivery postcode, access restrictions and unloading requirements with your enquiry. If a flat-pack option is needed, ask us to confirm availability and assembly arrangements before ordering.
What to include in your quote request
- Range, U height, width Ă— depth and quantity.
- Equipment list, maximum depth, weight and rail requirements.
- Front/rear doors, side panels, locks, colour and cable-entry needs.
- Cooling, power, earthing, shelves and cable-management accessories.
- Delivery postcode, site access and required project date.
Manufacturer lead times vary by model. Check the product’s Shipping tab; availability, delivery dates and charges will be confirmed in your quotation.
Can made-to-order cabinets be cancelled or returned?
FI cabinets, IP-rated cabinets (including IP54), and non-standard sizes are supplied as bespoke or made-to-order items. For business orders, these items are non-cancellable once we accept the order in writing and non-returnable for change of mind. Check the quoted size, doors, panels and requirements before confirming. Statutory cancellation and consumer rights are unaffected; see our Returns and refund policy.
Ready to choose?
Use the range, U-height and footprint finder in our Prism collection. For a server installation, you can start with our 42U FI server cabinets and compare your required configuration with us.
Request help choosing a Prism cabinet.
Manufacturer references
Range information checked on 26 October 2026 against Prism’s PI range, FI server cabinet specification and IP54 range. Final specifications depend on the model and agreed quotation.