The left flank of your Appartamento TCA flawless again
The side panel is the largest continuous piece of sheet metal on the machine and the first thing that catches the eye. It carries nothing and seals nothing – it closes off the side of the machine and keeps fingers, cloths and cables away from what lies behind it: the boiler, lines and the electrical side of the Appartamento TCA.
That is exactly why it takes the most knocks over the years. A portafilter that slips while being knocked out. A cup that bumps into it when being moved. The trip to the workshop and back. On a black painted surface, every one of these encounters shows, and unlike a scratch on stainless steel, it cannot be polished out. This item is the left side panel in black, part number A019908779.
When it is due
The side panel is replaced when it no longer looks right or the sheet metal has lost its shape. Typical signs are:
- scratches, scuffs or chipped paint that can no longer be concealed
- a dent or warping after a knock or during transport
- a panel that no longer sits flush against the chassis after a repair and sticks out at one corner
- torn-out or stripped mounting points, so that the panel can no longer be tightened firmly
- corrosion on the bottom edge where water has run down the machine over a long period
None of these points puts operation at immediate risk. A panel that no longer sits properly should still be replaced, though – it is the cover over an area that gets hot and carries electrical current.
At a glance
| Type |
Side panel, housing panel |
| Side |
left |
| Finish |
black |
| Installation location |
Housing, left side of the machine |
| Fits |
Rocket Appartamento TCA |
| Scope of delivery |
one side panel without screws and without panel insert |
| Part number |
A019908779 |
| Installation |
Installation by a qualified technician recommended |
| Brand |
Rocket |
Dimensions, sheet thickness and the exact type of surface treatment are not given in the documentation for this number, so we do not state them. If you want to check whether your existing panel is the same one: the part number A019908779 is the reliable way, not judging by eye.
Important for installation
Behind the side panel are the boiler, hot lines and live parts. So: switch off the machine, unplug it, let it cool down completely – and only remove the panel once both have been done safely. We deliberately do not describe a step-by-step disassembly here. If you are not familiar with the inside of an espresso machine, have the panel replaced by a qualified technician; the effort is small, the damage from a slip is not.
The side panels in the Rocket catalogue
Eight items, sorted by machine, side and finish:
Who it is for
For anyone who owns an Appartamento TCA in black and wants it to look the way it was meant to again. For workshops refurbishing a machine before resale. And for anyone who has bought a used machine and discovered that the previous owner used the left side as a shelf.
What goes with it
From our workshop in Bern and Zürich
When a black Appartamento comes to us for servicing, we remove both side panels before touching anything else – and place them on a cloth, not on the workbench. This is not a manufacturer requirement, simply experience: half of the paint damage on these panels does not happen during use, but in the workshop. When reassembling, everything is positioned by hand and only tightened at the very end so that nothing gets distorted.
And because a service like this ends with a test shot that shows whether everything is right, we like to use Nutty Delight, because it does not forgive extraction errors. If you prefer something milder, go for Cozy Chocolate, and if you want punch in your espresso, Very Nutty. The full selection is under Coffee beans.
Returns excluded
Spare parts are excluded from exchange and return. They are procured specifically for each order and cannot be resold once they have been installed or test-fitted on the machine. So before ordering, check the model, year of manufacture and serial number of your machine – or send us a quick message and we will check the fit together. Your rights in the case of defective goods remain unaffected.
Is this the left or the right side panel?
The left one. The right side panel in black has the number A019908780 and is a separate item.
Does the panel also fit an Appartamento without TCA?
The documentation lists this number for the Appartamento TCA. There are separate housing items for the older Appartamento. If you are unsure, send us the serial number and we will check the fit.
Are screws and panel insert included?
No. The side panel is supplied on its own. We stock the panel inserts as separate items in black, white and copper.
Is this an electrical part?
No. The side panel is a purely sheet-metal part with no electrical function. However, it covers an area with mains voltage – hence the installation note.
Can I look at the part in your showroom?
Yes. We are in Bern at Gerberngasse 44 and in Zürich at Hagenholzstrasse 50b. Bring the serial number of your machine and we will put the part next to it.
Questions about the fit? Write to us at [email protected]. We deliver across Switzerland and to Liechtenstein in 2-4 working days.
