About Patch Panels

What can be said about patch panels? For start, that they are an integral part of a network system.
So much that without them data transmission is ineffective. In other words, they are the functional
piece that increases the efficiency and use of a network system.
Patch panels are designed to consolidate all horizontal cabling in the system’s infrastructure. There
one organized point for all cables to terminate neatly.

A patch panel is the point where data in collected and routes to its intended destination. A faulty
patch panel may lead to a system failure. This tells you how important they are. They are used for a
network system allowing the ease of managing telecommunications networks in buildings.

WHAT ARE PORTS?

The ports are the physical point of connection. They are where data enters and leaves the panel.
Each port routs signal to a specific destination. The number of ports may vary (12, 24, 48 etc) and
should be selected according to need. When designing a LAN network, the number of ports needed
will be determined allowing the appropriate panel size to be used.

SUPPORTED CABLES
Patch panels are configured to accommodate Ethernet cables in a local area network (LAN). They
serve as a static switch board allowing the cables to interconnect network computers within the LAN
as well as to outside lines, including the internet and/or other wide area networks (WAN).
Patch panels may also be used to connect and manage fiber optic cables.

PATCH PANEL TYPES

Patch panels are categorized by the number of ports. The most common ones are 12 port, 24 port
and 48 port panels. They are designed per specific cable type, such as Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a and Cat7
cables. Specific panels are designed for unshielded twisted pair (UTP) and shielded twisted pair
cables.

WHAT IS A CABLE TESTER?

A cable tester is a hand held electronic device. It is used to verify electrical connections in a cable
network. Signal strength, particularly in a computer networks, is crucial for data transmission.
A cable tester can come in one of many shapes & sizes, and may have multiple
 functions. A hand held battery-powered tester checks for insulation losses
and crossed wiring, and is generally easy to use. Most testers are designed with two parts – the
tester itself and a remote. Testers typically have different testing ports to test today’s most popular
mediaincluding ports for RJ-45, RJ-11, USB and BNC.

WHEN TO USE A CABLE TESTER:

Once you are ready to check if a cable is set up properly to achieve a strong connection between
source and destination. That time is, typically, after installation / set up is complete. It is good
practice to test the system once all components are connected in order to assure the job has been
done properly. If the test shows connectivity troubleshoots, you can address the issue(s) and retest.

POSSIBLE ISSUES:
Connection between server and computer(s) is weak
Outside interference causing data loss or decreased signal strength
Faulty cable

HOW TO USE A CABLE TESTER:

1. Select the cable to be tested and make sure it is not plugged to any electrical power and free of
any packaging or tangled with other cables, to prevent false reading.
2. Visually inspect the cable for damage. If cable is broken or torn it should be replaced.
3. Plug the network cable into the appropriate port on the cable tester, and then connect the other
end of the cable to the remote.
4. Switch the tester on to test your cable. The tester will show results, and if applicable, will indicate
what the potential problem is.

Plug one end of the cable into the transmit jack. The transmit jack on the tester maybe be
labeled "TX".

Plug the other end of the cable into the receiver jack.The receiver jack may be labeled
"RX" on the device.

Check the lights on the tester.

1. Select the cable to be tested and make sure it is not plugged to any electrical power and free
of any packaging or tangled with other cables, to prevent false reading.
2. Visually inspect the cable for damage. If cable is broken or torn it should be replaced.
3. Plug the network cable into the appropriate port on the cable tester, and then connect the
other end of the cable to the remote.
4. Switch the tester on to test your cable. The tester will show results, and if applicable, will
indicate what the potential problem is.
5. Get the patch cable
6. Insert the patch cable to RJ45 port to cable tester
7. Observe the light of cable tester if the 1 to 8 led are lighted equally.