Patch panel

A set of cross connected connectors used to enhance cabling options

A patch panel is in ingenious device for enhancing the options available for connecting cables to one another. As a benign device, (no moving or working parts), it's simple design can greatly influence cabling and wiring of a technical infrastructures.

The basic design of a patch panel is to have a single panel with connectors attached to it. The connectors should then be partitioned into component areas, such as input connections and output connections.

The 'back-end' of the connectors are then connected to the input or output cables accordingly. The connections are secured behind the panel. The 'front-end' connectors can then be cross-connected using a short piece of cable, 'the patch', to the incoming and outgoing ports as necessary.

It is important to label each connector and keep a log of how the back-end connectors are connected. This enables the redirection of inputs and outputs as deemed necessary by whoever is managing the patch panel connections.

The internal cabling of the patch panel, the cables feeding the back-end connections, will determine the cable rating of the connections on the patch panel.