Patch Panels

A patch panel terminates the fixed cable runs from outlets around a building in one place, so short patch leads connect them to switch ports. Cable is punched down on rear IDC blocks, as on the All-Rack PNL24ABCAT6, and the front RJ45 ports are numbered for labelling, so a change means moving a patch lead rather than re-terminating cable.

Yes, so the finished link keeps the cable's rated performance. The All-Rack PNL24AB is designed for UTP Cat 5e cable, the TRENDnet TC-P24C6 is certified for 250Mhz Category 6, and the Vanco 820924 complies with CAT6a specifications. A Cat6A panel such as the TRENDnet TC-P16C6AS is also compatible with Cat5e and Cat6 cabling.

A keystone panel holds separate keystone jacks rather than fixed ports, so it can be loaded with the jacks the installation needs. The Connectix 009-010-010-35 is a shielded 24 way angled panel supplied unloaded for 10G keystone modules, and the Vanco 820016, 820024 and 820048 accept UTP or modular keystone jacks from several makers.

When the cable is shielded. TRENDnet designs its Cat6A shielded panels, such as the TC-P24C6AS and TC-P08C6AS, for shielded cabling that eliminates EMI and crosstalk in gigabit and 10G copper networks. Unshielded panels such as the TRENDnet TC-P48C6 and the Knightsbridge NETC624 suit UTP cable.

A fibre patch panel terminates fibre optic cable in a cabinet, with adaptor ports on the front and splice management behind. The Connectix fibre panels come complete with splice management, the Starlight LC panels such as the 009-023-040-06 are mild steel for 19" cabinets, and Fibrefox sliding panels such as the 009-023-040-24 have a sliding tray for access to splices.

Yes. The TRENDnet TC-P08C6AS and TC-P12C6AS are Cat6A shielded wall mount panels with metal housings, the TC-P12C6V is a 10" Cat6 panel that comes with an 89D wall mount bracket, and the TC-KP12V is a 12-port angled wall mount keystone panel for vertical or horizontal installation.

One per cable run, with spare ports for later additions. Panels here include 8-port and 12-port wall mount models, 16-port and 24-port 1U rack panels, and 48-port panels such as the TRENDnet TC-P48C6 and the 2U Connectix 009-001-009-30 high density panel for cabinets where space is tight.

A punch-down tool for the rear IDC blocks. The TRENDnet TC-P24C6AS uses 110D IDC terminal blocks for a 110 or Krone type tool, and the Vanco 820924 is IDC compatible with 110 and Krone punch down tools and takes 22-26AWG stranded or solid wire. Colour-coded labels on the Vanco 820924 show T568A and T568B wiring.