Category Archives: Fiber Patch Panel

Cat5e vs Cat6: Can Cat6 Use on Cat5e Patch Panel or Vice Versa?

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In the market, there exist both Cat5e patch panel and Cat6 patch panel. We know that Cat5e patch panels are meant to be used with Cat5e patch cable, and Cat6 patch panels are meant to be used with cable Cat6, but what’s the Cat5e vs Cat6 differences, and Cat5e patch panel vs Cat6 patch panel differences? Can I use Cat6 cable on Cat5e patch panels or can I use Cat5e cable on Cat6 patch panels? Answers will be provided in this blog.

Cat5e vs Cat6: Cat6 on Cat5e Patch Panel

Cat5e vs Cat6 Differences: Can I Use Cat6 on Cat5e Patch Panel?

There isn’t much practical difference in the patch panels themselves. There is a difference in the wire gauge specified between Cat5e/Cat5 vs Cat6 Ethernet cable. The Cat6 wire is thicker. Cat6 usually has 23AWG copper conductors compared to only 24 AWG in Cat5e cable. Another factor making Cat6 a larger wire than Cat5e is the fact that between each of the four pairs in a Cat6 cable there is a spline that will separate each pair from one another. Separating the pairs helps reduce cross-talk between the pairs and gives you a better signal. However, this spline also increases the diameter of the cable. Regardless of the size difference in Cat5e vs Cat6, the fact was that Cat6 cable is backward compatible with Cat5e. Yes, Cat6 is often times a larger cable, but this in no way affects its use with Cat5e patch panels. Feel free to use Cat5e patch panels if you already have them. You can always upgrade them later.

Cat5e vs Cat6: Can I Use Cat5e on Cat6 Patch Panel?

In addition to using Cat6 on Cat5e patch panel, we may also across some situations where we want to use Cat5e on a Cat6 patch panel. According to the passage above, we know that Cat6 cable is thicker than Cat5e, so if I use Cat5e on a Cat6 patch panel, will it be too loose? Although Cat6 individual twisted pairs insulation is usually thicker than Cat5e, this is usually never a problem with termination, only with how many cables you can stuff through a piece of conduit. So, will a Cat5e cable be “looser” terminated on a Cat6 jack, slightly yes, but electrically it will still make contact and work fine. But you should mind that your cabling channel will default to the lowest Catx component. Even though the patch panel says Cat6, with Cat5e cables you should only expect Cat5e performance on those jacks.

Conclusion

When punching down Cat5e wire on a Cat6, the Cat5e wire is enough smaller that it is possible to get what looks like a good punch, but the insulation on the wire is not actually penetrated or is only partially penetrated by the vampire jaw of the punch block. When punching down Cat6 wire on a Cat5e panel, the larger wire can end up bending or even breaking the vampire jaws on the punch down block. In both cases, using care and testing each connection, you can usually make it work. If you’re just doing one panel at home you are probably OK. Although it can both work well, we don’t recommend to do this. Use the Cat5e on Cat5e patch panel and Cat6 on Cat6 patch panel will get the best performance. FS.COM provide both high-density Cat5e patch panels for Fast Ethernet applications and Cat6 patch panels for 1-Gigabit Ethernet applications. Easy to management and conserves data centers rack space. For more information, please visit www.fs.com.

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High Density Rack Mount Fiber Patch Panel for Fiber Adapter Panels & MTP Cassettes

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When you’re dealing with fiber optic patch cables in your network, whether your installation is small or large, simple or complex, your fiber patch cables have to terminate somewhere, so make sure you’ve got the right fiber patch panel solution designed specially to protect them. As we know, fiber patch panels are either for patching or splicing applications. For patching fiber patch panel, which can hold either fiber adapter panels (FAPs) or MTP cassettes. Usually, a standard 1RU rack mount enclosure can hold 3 LGX FAPs or cassettes, however, a high density 1RU rack mount fiber patch panel can hold 4 HD FAPs or cassettes, which efficiently optimize space utilization and save more cost in rack cable management.

fiber-enclosures

Fiberstore’s FHD series high density rack mount fiber patch panel, including 1RU (FHD-1UFCE), 2RU (FHD-2UFCE) and 4RU (FHD-4UFCE) types, are designed to hold both FAPs and cassettes and can easily mount in EIA 19-inch racks or cabinets, which provide a comprehensive line of fiber distribution enclosures that provide a high density flexible and modular system for managing fiber terminations, connections, and patching in data center application to maximizing rack space utilization and minimizing floor space.

FHD-1UFCE—High Density 1RU Rack Mount Fiber Patch Panel

HD FAPs is an unloaded 1RU rack mount fiber patch panel that can support either 4 FHD fiber adapter panels or 4 FHD MTP modular cassettes, up to 96 fibers. Inside the fiber patch panel, you can install either slack spools or splice trays for patching applications or splicing applications, which provides a complete system solution for connectivity. As shown in the figure below, its size is 44.4mm(H)x483mm(W)x457.8mm(D). Besides the FHD-1UFCE, we also provide pre-loaded 4 FHD fiber adapter panels fiber patch panel.

High Density 1RU Rack Mount Fiber Enclosures

  • Related FHD Adapter Panel & FHD MTP Modular Cassette Size

Fiber Adapter Panels and MTP Cassettes

FHD-2UFCE—High Density 2RU Rack Mount Fiber Patch Panel 

FHD-2UFCE is an unloaded 2RU rack mount fiber patch panel that can support either 8 FHD fiber adapter panels or 8 FHD MTP modular cassettes, up to 192 fibers. Inside the fiber patch panel, you can also install either slack spools or splice trays for patching applications or splicing applications, which provides higher patch field density in fewer rack units saving valuable space. As shown in the figure below, its size is 88.4mm(H)x447mm(W)x414mm(D).

High Density 2RU Rack Mount Fiber Enclosures

FHD-4UFCE—High Density 4RU Rack Mount Fiber Patch Panel

FHD-4UFCE is an unloaded 4RU rack mount fiber patch panel that can support either 12 FHD fiber adapter panels or 12 FHD MTP modular cassettes, up to 228 fibers. Splice tray, cable management loops and slack spools accessories of FHD-4UFCE are simple, which assures flexibility and ease of network deployment and moves, adds, and changes. As shown in the figure below, its size is 177mm(H)x447mm(W)x414mm(D).

High Density 4RU Rack Mount Fiber Enclosures

No matter where your cabling is, or what function you need your fiber patch panel to deliver, FS.COM has the ideal fiber patch panel solution. Our fiber patch panels are available in any configuration and feature industry-leading port density. Both rack mount and wall mount fiber patch panel for single-mode and multimode applications are available. All fiber patch panels are highly adaptable and easy-to-configure design, holding FAP Adapter Panels or MTP Cassette with superior cable management, port identification, fiber accessibility and security.

Why Not Use Cable Lacing Bars to Manage Your Messy Cables?

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Cable lacing bars, also called lacer bars, consist of a metal bar that mounts to the rear of a standard 19″ rack or cabinet, behind a patch panel. These bars provide support and management of cables that are secured to the bar with cable ties or adjustable clips. Each cable lacing bar occupies 1/3 to 2/3 of a rack space and can secure and manage up to 24 cables in 1 RU. They are usually used to support and manage cables in telecommunication rooms, which provide strain relief, bend radius control, superior aesthetics and improve organisation and routing of cable.

cable lacing bars

How to Use the Cable Lacing Bars?
In fact, the process of installing a cable lacing bar is very easy. As shown in the figure below, we only need to install the cable lacing bar to the rack firstly, and then use the cable tie to fix the cables to the cable lacing bar.

lacing bars

Which Type Cable Lacing Bars Should I Choose?
In order to meet different cabling management needs, there are also many different cable lacing bars available in the market. Below some common cable lacing bars are listed, and you can choose the right one for your network according to your specific cabling environment.
1. Round Lacer Bars
Use the 1RU round lacer bar when a small profile is required and for lacing small or individual horizontal cable runs. 1/4” diameter rod with flattened ends.

Round Lacer Bars
2. Rectangular Lacer Bars
Use the 1RU aluminum lacer bar when lacing cables vertically or horizontally. Aluminum construction provides the ability to drill holes to attach tie saddles, mount electrical boxes, etc. This lacer bar can also be used to support the rear of equipment. 1/4” diameter rod with flattened ends.

Rectangular Lacer Bars
3. L-Shaped Lacer Bars
“L” shaped lacer bars are strong and provide fixed tie points. Recommended for larger runs of cable. They are available in 2”, 4” and 6” offset. Choose the appropriate offset bar based on the distance from the rear of equipment to the rack rail.

L-Shaped Lacer Bars
4. Round Lacer Bars with Offset
Use the round lacer bar with offset when lacing small bundles or individual cables off the rear of equipment, patch panels and other components to relieve cable stress from the connections. They are available in 1.5” offset and 4” offset respectively (figure below). Choose the appropriate offset based on the distance from the rear of equipment to the rack rail. 1/4” diameter rod with flattened ends.

Round Lacer Bars with Offset
5. 90º Bend Lacer Bars
These 90° bend offset lacer bars are similar to other offset round lacer bars, but feature 90° bends to provide full-width support. Can also be used to provide clearance around components that extend past the rear rack rail (16-5/8” open width). 1/4” diameter rod with flattened ends.

90º Bend Lacer Bars
6. Horizontal Lacer Panel
Use the horizontal lacer panel for lacing large amounts of cable or mounting devices. Two rack space high, the horizontal lacer panel features a large flange, numerous cable tie points and more surface for mounting.

Horizontal Lacer Panel

Cable lacing bars are a useful and cost effective cable management solution for rack or enclosure systems. These bars are essential in helping avoid cable strain especially when trying to run cables from one side of the enclosure to the other. FS.COM offers a full line of cable lacing bars to fit a variety of applications offering end users flexibility and convenience to prevent cable strain. Higher density applications may be addressed with FS.COM cable manager.

Video Patch Panel With Patch Cable

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The jacks commonly used in patch panels in the U.S. conform to Western Electric standard dimensions. The number of insertion cycles a jack can endure should be rated in the tens of thousands. The factors affecting the life and reliablility of a jack include contact wear and failure of the termination switch. Descirable features include the following:

● Contacts fully isolated from the panel.
● Sealed metal housing to keep out contaminants and provide EMI protection.
● Easy replacement from the front of the panel.
● Low VSWR (below 600 MHz)
● High signal isolation (40 dB)
● 75 Ω characteristic impedance.
● Wide designation strips, making it easier to label the field and to allow more flexibility in selecting names that will fit on the lables.

If a patch cable is inserted in the signal path of a timed video system, it will delay the signal by an amount determined by its length and physical properties. The patch thereby alters the timing of the signal path. This can be avoided by using phase-matched normal-through fiber patch panels. The design of these patch panels anticipates the delay caused by a fixed length of patch cable by including that length in the loop-through circuit.

With phase-matched panels, the normaling connection in each connector module includes a length of cable that provides a fixed delay through the panel, usually 3 ft (0.914m). If a patch cord of the same length as the internal cable is used to make connections between patch points, the delay will be the same as that of the normal-through panel. When a fiber optic patch cord is plugged in, it is substituted for the loop cable through the swiching mechanism normally used in normalled patch connectors. Thus, critical timing relationships can be maintained.

In a normal uncompensated patch panel, when a cable is used to patch between two points on the panel, the length of the patch cord is added to that of the cables connected to the patch. The additional cable length delays the signal by approximately 1.52 ns/ft (5 ns/m). To avoid the delays associated with conventional patch panels, phase-matched normal-through video patch panels should be used.

If phase-matched patch panels are used, all of the patch cord must be the same length as the delay built into the patch panel. Obviously, if all of the patch cords must be the same short length for the phase-matched panel, it would not be possible to patch between panels that are separated by a longer distance than the cord can reach. This limitation should be considered when laying out patch panels in a fiber enclosure.

Color-coded cables can be specified. When different-length patch cords are specified, different colors can be used to distinguish one length from another for better cable management.

Fiberstore specializes in fiber optic patch cable assemblies and fiber optic network devices manufacturing since 1995, we are known as the fiber optic cable manufacturer for the excellent products quality, competitive prices, fast delivery and good service.  Our fiber optic cables are available with combinations of LC, SC, ST, FC, and MTRJ connectors and come in 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 meter lengths (and OM3 cables up to 30 meters).  We offer LC fiber optic cable, SC fiber optic patch cables, SC LC fiber patch cable ect. We not only offer OEM fiber optic patch cord assemblies to some world leading companies in this industry, but  also cooperate with many other companies from all over the world and support these partners to win in the market.

Punch-Down Block and Patch Panel

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The cable runs in a structured cabling environment terminate in a punch-down block, which is usually a 66-block or a 110-block, or BIX- or Krone-style blocks, “Cabling System Connections and Termination.” The 110-block is most commonly used for voice and data cabling termination, although you will find many installations that use a 110-block for termination voice systems and patch panel for terminating data systems. Punch-down block termination provides a cross-connect from one cable set to another, allowing for easier moves, adds, and changes (MACs) as the need arises.

What Is A Punch-Down Block?

A punch-down block is mounted to a backboard, which is usually made of plywood and secured to the wall of a TC. If you install cabling on more than the floor, each floor must have a separate punch-down block with terminations for the cable drops from the higher floors. Backbone cables should be installed with 10-foot service coils at the termination points, which are commonly located on the backboard in the closet. Figure 1 illustrates a typical TC.

Install patch cables from the punch-down block to a patch panel. The purpose of the patch panel is to connect the backbone system to networking equipment such as a hub or router. End-user equipment, which includes workstations, network printers and scanners, and other shared electronic equipment, generally connect to a hub (also called a concentrator) or router via RJ-45 cable jacks or outlets.

There are pros and cons to using cross-connect blocks. They offer higher densities and require less space than patch panels, and also are less expensive. On the other hand, they are the least friendly for making moves, adds, and changes to the configuration. Skill is involved in removing and rea-ranging cables. When using patch panels, almost anyone can rearrange the system. In both situations security, ease of attachment, expense, and physical space are all considerations.

What Is Fiber Optic Patch Panel?

Fiber optic patch panel is commonly used in fiber optic management unit. When you install and manage the fiber optic links, you may encounter hundreds or even thousands of fiber optic cables and cable connections, fiber optic management products are used to offer space and protection for the fiber cables and cable links, and they make it easier for the cable management and troubleshoot work. Our fiber optic patch panels are all sliding type, they are compatible to use with equipment and cable assembly products from other companies. Now you can see the two products from our store. They are SC fiber patch panel, 24 Port Fiber Patch Panel.

12 port  OS1/2 9μm Duplex Plastic SC Fiber Patch Panel

Features of FS001 SERIES MOLDED

● Compatible with Leviton fiber adapter panels
● Adapter panels offered in LC, SC, ST, and blank styles, fit for all Opt-X rack-mount and wall-mount enclosures and VertiGO® panels
● Equipped with plastic dust caps to make connecting panels tool-free and efficient
● Integrated couplers eliminate “rattle” and loose fit
● Captive push-lock pins allow for quick tool-less installationCaptive push-lock pins allow for quick tool-less installation
● Exceeds optical performance standards and meets all other applicable standards

12 pack LC Duplex 24 Port Fiber Patch Panel Blue

24 port Patch Panel

● Compatible with BlackBox Fiber Adapter Panel
● Adapter panels snap easily into all standard fiber enclosures, cabinets, and patch panels, including all Black Box® models.
● High-density panels with ST or LC connectors are available.
● The easy way to patch fiber cables to termination enclosures

We supply many fiber optic patch panels. They are with types to fit from 12 fibers to 72 fiber management demand. These fiber optic patch panels are with optional various kinds of fiber optic adapters and fiber optic pigtails, types including SC, LC, ST, FC, MU, E2000, etc.  We have a number of different customizable options available to fit whatever application you require. With products compatible with trusted brands including Black Box, Wirewerks, Mr-technologies, Corning, Leviton, Panduit Opticom adapter panel and more.

Bare Fiber Adapter Installation Guide

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Bare fiber adapter is a typical type of fiber optic adapters that places industry standard connectors on unterminated fiber. It is contained in a durable aluminum-alloy housing which is easy to stabilize any magnetic surface for hands free use. Bare fiber adapter provides a temporary connection that eliminates the time consuming process of splicing jumpers onto individual fibers to testing, allowing users to easily test and detect fiber damages anywhere, anytime.

ST Bare Fiber Adapter

Bare fiber adapters enable quick and easy temporary connections of single mode and multimode fibers. These adaptors are very useful for connecting fibers to optical power meter, optical time-domain reflectometers (OTDRs) and a variety of other instruments, enabling in-situ functional testing without having to attach a permanent connector.

Bare fiber adapters provide a simple and effective way to use un-terminated fibers with commercial receptacles. Here is the installation guide for the bare fiber adapters.

Steps to Install Bare Fiber Adapter

Attaching the patch cord

Clean connectors on fiber jumper or launch reel. Position connector on fiber jumper or launch reel with bare fiber adapter connector port. Insert the connector into the bare fiber adapter connector port until hear a click.

Preparing the fiber

Remove 6 inches of jacket and Kevlar. Remove 1 inch of coating and cladding. Cut the fiber 12mm-15mm long with fiber cleavers.

Inserting the fiber

Clean the bare fiber. Press and hold down the button (There is a button on the adapter) while slowly and carefully inserting the bare fiber into the fiber port. Open the window to visually see the proper alignment of the bare fiber in the V-groove. To prevent accidental breakage of the glass fiber, slowly insert 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch of fiber at a time. Rotate the fiber until the glass aligns with the v-groove to enter the connector port. Push the fiber until it stops in the connector port After that, releaser the button to secure the fiber.

Removing the fiber

Press and hold down the button while slowly and carefully pulling the bare fiber out of the fiber port. Be sure to check for any broken glass fiber pieces after removing the bare fiber from the adapter.

Removing the jumper cable

Slowing pull the fiber jumper connector out the connector port. Broken fibers are easily removed with piano wire, allowing hundreds of insertions.

Conclusion

FS.COM supplies the largest selection of bare fiber adapters connector styles on the market including SC, ST and FC bare fiber optic adaptor with stable qualities. These adapters use high-quality ceramic ferrules and precise fiber connector housing parts, they are used to quickly and easily terminate the fiber to the equipment.