Patch Panel Rack Installation Guide

You might be thinking about building or upgrading a home or office computer network with a rack mount patch panel.

A patch panel rack is very critical in cable management and cable protection.

Rack switch patch panel help us manage our cable to make our cable runs tidy and, it protects cables from wearing down from plugging in and out of the system or network.Patch panel rack has many types. In this guide, we’re going to show you how to install the different types of rack mount patch panel such as:

• Keystone Patch Panel
• Punchdown Patch Panel
• Feed-through Patch Panel

in this article you will get the answer for the following question:

Those are the three most used types of patch panel rack in the market, although they are all patch panels with the same function in a computer network, they have different ways of terminating or connecting patch cables.

So, let us discuss the ways on how to use or install the different types of patch panels.

How to install and terminate a wire into a Keystone Patch Panel?

• A keystone panelis a popular form of a patch panel with a flat style and 1U (1.75 inches) rack space (24 ports).
• Sometimes there are numbering on the front side of the panel which gives us a quick and easy way to identify cable runs and grounding wire.
• Keystone patch panel uses keystone jacks and keystone inserts for us to configure our panel so that we can adjust to a variety of schemes like color-coding on keystone jacks.
• When using this type of patch panel we get all the functionality and compatibility.

Now here is the guide on how to install and terminate wire into a Keystone Panel:

1. CHOOSING

• • The first step is the choice of the keystone jack that is going to be use and the category of patch cable.
    • In a computer network, RJ-45 is the proper jack or keystone we use. Different from pre-loaded or fixed patch panels, a keystone patch panelshave no built-in ports. That is why we need a keystone panel.

2. STRIPPING and TERMINATION

• The next step is to terminate the wires to the keystone jack.
• By using a wire stripper strip the cable about 1 to 1.5 inches should be enough for terminating wires.
• Determine the wiring scheme and align the wires properly according to the jack.
• Insert the wires down to the IDC (insulation-displacement contact) terminal slots.
• Use a punch down tool to punch down the wires in place and cut the extra wires to the sides.
• Lastly, place the dust cover on the jack.

3. PLACING

• After finishing wires into the keystone jack, the next step is placing the jack into the panel slot.
  • Simply insert the front of the jack from the rear of the panel and it will lock itself in place.

4. INSTALLATION

• The next step is the installation of the panel into a wall or rack.

• Install the patch panel with the keystone jacks in place into a rack with the help of a screw and screwdriver.

5. PLUGGING

• • After the installation of the patch panelrack, we are all set in plugging the Ethernet patch cables to the jacks we have inserted earlier.

• Insert the patch cables to the right jack of the panel.

6. MANAGING

• The last step is managing your cable routes.
• With the help of cable managing accessories so as cable tie, cable markers, or cable tie mounts manage your cable runs to make it look nice and tidy plus to clearly distinguish the best cables of the equipment connected to the network.

Note: Steps 4 and 5 can be reversed.

A keystone patch panel is a wise choice if you want an easy determination of ports and devices that is connected to the network because you can customize the color of each port in the panel. Plus, installation is easy to learn.

That is why a keystone panel is a great option for easy and close access for Ethernet cabling.

How to install and terminate a wire into a Punchdown Patch Panel?

• Punchdown panel is a type of patch panel rack with a built-in slot of RJ-45 ports in the front for a direct connection of punch panel cables and on the rear part a punch down panel module with a color-coding scheme for punching down or terminating wires.
• This type is usually available in Cat5e or Cat6 patch panel with many varieties of port numbers like 12, 16, 24, 48, and many more.
• This type of punch down panelis a bit cheaper than the other patch panel rack.

Now here is the guide on how to install and terminate wire into a punch  panel:

1. CHOOSING

• The first move would be to choose the right Ethernet cable kind and the accurate length of the cable you are going to use.
• Typically, a punch down paneluses a Cat5e and Cat6 patch cable but there are companies that provide a punch panel that does other category patch cables like Cat6A patch cables.

Note: Leave a5 to 10 loops of cable for future repairs on the connection

2. STRIPPING and TERMINATION

• • After you pick the right patch cablerack, we proceed to strip and to eliminate the wires.

• First, we need to strip the patch cable by using a wire stripper tool. Strip the wires about 3 to 6 inches from the end to reveal the wires.
• Un-twist and sort the wires
• Determine a port in the panel where you want to remove the wire.
• At the back of the panel, you will see a guide that is color-coded about where you will put the wires correctly.
• By using a punch down tool with the 110 blades, terminate each wire one by one by punching down with the tool until it ticks and cuts off the end of the wire.

Notes:

• There are two color schemes, T568A and T568B.
• Be careful when eliminating the wires into the panel.
• Be sure to follow the color scheme.
• Cat6 Patch cable has a plastic case in the center.
• Be sure to cut the spine off the cable when terminating.

3. INSTALLATION

• Now that termination of wires is done, we proceed to the next step which is the installation of the rack mount patch panelon the wall or rack.
• Using a set of the screw and a screwdriver, place the patch panel into the wall or rack-mount then screw the server rack patch panelin place.

4. PLUGGING

• The fourth step is the plugging of pre-terminated Ethernet patch cable into the patch panel ports.
• Plug the RJ-45 patch cables into the right port of the rack mount patch panel.

5. MANAGING

• After plugging the patch panelrack, now is the time to make your network cabinet or racks looks tidy and clean
• By keeping your cable runs with cable ties, rings, and other cable managing accessories
• Make sure to label the panel and the cables with cable markers
• By doing this it will be easy to identify the correct cable with its devices

A punch down panel is the rack switch patch panel for you if you are on a tight budget because it is the cheapest patch panel rack of the three.

But the termination of the wires is somehow complex but there will always be the color- coding scheme at the back of the rack mount patch panel to guide you through.

How to install and terminate a wire into a Feed-through Patch Panel?

• A feedthrough patch panel is the most expensive of the three, but it is the easiest to work with.
• This type of rj45 patch panel feed throughhas RJ-45 ports on the front and back for easy plugging and unplugging of patch cables. This usually comes in 1U (24 ports) and 2U (48 ports) length configuration and Cat5e, Cat6 and, Cat6A cable configuration.
• This feedthrough patch panel can be installed or repair easily because it doesn’t need any special tool like a punch down tool and wire stripper.
• If you are using this type of rj45 patch panel feed throughl, you don’t need to terminate or punch down wires into the ports so it saves time and energy to maximize productivity.

This feed through patch panel is very suitable for a high-density system.

Now, here is the guide on how to install a feed-through patch panel:

1. CHOOSING

• This like the first step of a punch down type patch panel where you choose the right cable category and length of the cable you are going to use.

2.INSTALLATION

• Unlike the two other types, this type of feed through patch paneldoesn’t need punching down or terminating wires, so you can install the patch panel straight into the wall or rack.
• We will use screws and a screwdriver to put the patch panel in place into the wall or rack.

3. PLUGGING

• The next step is the plugging of Ethernet or RJ-45 patch cables.
  • Plug the cable to its corresponding port from the back and the front of the panel.
  • Be sure to plug the cables to the right ports.

4.MANAGING

• After plugging the right cables to its ports, the most important part of the work is the cable management.

• This is essential because if it’s not done right repairs or new installation of devices and cables will be hard.
• Manage cable runs to make it clean and tidy. We do this with cable management accessories.

Note:

When using a shielded type of this patch panel, be sure to connect the drain wires. Just use one wire for each module on the rack mount patch panel.

A Feed through patch panel allows patching of cables without the need to terminate or strike down the wire at the back of the panel or at the keystone jack.

This is more expensive but, if you are not on a tight budget this would be a perfect fit because this type of rj45 patch panel feed through is less messy, quick and, easy to install.

And, this is good for Gigabit Ethernet applications and high-density network which can protect cable and improve cable management.

Cable Management

Most manufacturers make cable control a top priority of new patch panel designs. We will give you an understanding of how you can have an effective cable management system.

What are the Types of Cable Management?

1. Horizontal Cable Management

• can support a patch cable pathway between the patch panel and switch.
• In multiple applications the horizontal cable management panel has different styles  such as built with lacing bar, D-rings, finger duct, brush strip, and end ring.
• They can be assembled at random to easily simplify cabling.

2. Vertical Cable Management

• This also answers today’s needs for cable routing
• Most widely used for patch panel rackand switch are 3 “single D-ring vertical cable manager and 3” wide plastic vertical cable manager with bend radius finger.
• It helps to give enough protection for cables with a bend radius. Regarding cable connections, it offers a tidy and structured cabling network for users.

3. Cable Ties and Cable Labeling 

• It helps in making the installation successful. When a network infrastructure is installed, vast numbers of cables are placed into the rack and routed to the devices where they need to go.
• The most common devices for keeping cables together are the Velcro cable ties.
• Cable labels will bring a lot of benefits to facilities that will better improve performance, reduce waste, enhance health, and generally make it run smoother.

Patch panel rack and switch allow traceable access points to be extended, providing a robust and reliable solution to the management.

Proper installation for rack switch patch panel and switch thus plays a crucial role in cable management.

A comprehensive line of cable management software is used, from the server rack patch panel to switch, to secure and support cables.

Careful technique makes all the difference in the amount of time it takes to install a stand. You can follow the steps we have provided above so you can install the different types of patch panel rack properly and ensure an efficient and error-free network.