Marking the location using rack-mounting template

You may want to mark the installation location by using a rack-mounting template. This section guides you through using the rack-mounting template as a tool to perform this task.

1. Using the rack-mounting template, determine where in the rack to place the system unit. Install units in the lower part of the rack first. Place larger and heavier units in the lower part of the rack.
   Figure 1. Example of a rack-mounting template

   
   Note: The front of the rack-mounting template has printed illustrations designed to help you identify the EIA location holes to be used when you add units to the rack. Do not use the rack-mounting template without completing the following steps.
2. Note the following when using the rack-mounting template:
   • Each black or white unit on the template is equal to one Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) unit.
   • An EIA unit is 1.75 in. (44.45 mm) in height.
   • The rack contains three mounting holes for each EIA unit of height.
   • The EIA units illustrated on the template must be aligned with the EIA units located on the rack.
   • It is not necessary to align like-colored EIA units. For example, a black EIA unit on the rack-mounting template can be aligned with a white EIA unit located on the rack.
   • The template is two-sided. When using the template, ensure that the appropriate side of the template is facing out.

   Figure 2 shows one EIA unit and four EIA units. Depending on the rack manufacturer, the EIA units might be separated either by color or by a line. Notice that the holes along the rail are not evenly spaced. If your rack has no color or line separation between EIA units, assume that each EIA unit begins where the hole spacing (A) is closest together.

   Figure 2. EIA units example

   

   To use the rack-mounting template, follow these steps:

   1. Remove the protective coating from each adhesive strip located on the back of the rack-mounting template. Lightly press the template into position on the rack. Ensure that both the left and right sides are at the corresponding EIA locations.
      Note: The tabs on each side of the template show a notch to indicate the proper spacing between the front flanges.
   2. Locate the dots, printed on the left and right side of the template. Place a self-adhesive dot directly across from the template's printed dots on or near the rack's EIA numbering strip. You will be using these dots to aid in correctly positioning the rail-alignment pins located on the front of each rail.
   3. Remove the rack-mounting template from the front of the rack. The front of your rack should now contain dots.
   4. Mount the rack-mounting template to the rack's back EIA frame. Place the rack-mounting template at the same EIA-numbered location that was used on the front of the rack.
   5. Wrap a self-adhesive dot directly across from the template's printed dots. Ensure that a portion of the self-adhesive dot wraps around the rack frame so that it can be seen from the front of the rack.
   6. Remove the rack-mounting template from the back of the rack. The back of your rack should now contain dots that have been partially wrapped around the frame.