So I got assigned to install a patch panel and a bunch of wall plates. into a residential apartment way up in penthouse and was given a bunch of supplies . I have no idea how I am supposed to fit a rack mount patch panel into this box? I have only ever punched down a handful of keystones in my life. Any tips would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I'd go to the owner and explain that the only way to mount it is vertically and that you'll need to make custom brackets to get it into that enclosure. The answer is simply, a path panel like that is designed to be rack mounted and terminated from behind, assuming it's a punch down style. Normally, if there's no access from behind like this, it's mounted with a hinge on one side to provide enough access for punch down and maintenance.
So I got assigned to install a patch panel and a bunch of wall plates. into a residential apartment way up in penthouse and was given a bunch of supplies . I have no idea how I am supposed to fit a rack mount patch panel into this box? I have only ever punched down a handful of keystones in my life. Any tips would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance. View attachment 107303View attachment 107304
Nice patch panel .. not the typical ones I use .. just as @looney2ns noted, will need keystones with this style ..
If you want to keep it nice and clean, plan which way you want the numbers to run, and then cut the cables appropriately or stuff some of the cable up into the "attic"
DO NOT cut the cables until you have made plans for the setup .. you may need the cables to run out from the enclosure to a rack .. which would hold the patch panel
You will need significant space behind the panel for the cable bundle ..
Typically you would run the cables out to a wall mounted rack like this one:
or a cabinet like this one .. ( make certain it is deep enough )
I have a box full of key stones. I like the idea of making a big service loop directly above in attic. Thanks for that. Probably end up doing what Sebastiantombs said and somehow custom mount it in there so it can be serviced too. I will confirm with the boss on this rack idea though.
These can be mounted vertically or horizontally, they snap out of the bracket and swing to face you for punch-down from rear, then snap back in. They're 12 port, 4 for $65 ($16 each) would be the same total port count as the 48 port version you have now. ==>> Monoprice 12-port Vertical Cat6 Mini Patch Panel, 110 Type (568A/B Compatible) (UL)
I don't know how much of this you've done before so if I tell you something you already know, then great!
I'd cut me a piece of good quality 3/8 to 1/2" plywood to make a backboard, slide it behind those CAT cables, bolt it in then screw those snap-in brackets to the back board. That backboard will also give you a place to dress and tie down those cables as you will likely have to do in order to fit them in NEATLY.
When it's all in, tested, dressed and the ports ID'd on the face of the blocks LEGIBLY, a nice schematic or port call-out sheet either laminated or placed inside a sheet protector and fastened to the INSIDE of the panel cover would be icing on the cake.
You'll likely have a simple vertical list with port # on the left column and to the right another column with the room # or such, but you get the idea.
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then the owner could call a real technican, not a handyman
so seems no option.
better have shitty job from someone who have no idea how to install a patch panel then pay too much for the job !
Some people never learn this in their life. Cry once is not enough !
Do you have a decent punchdown tool? Don't cheap out. ( readily available at Home Depot Menards, Lowes, etc....) You'll be a 568B punch down expert on those keystones. you don't want to repunch any if you can help it. I had an old Telco worker who double punched all his terminations. Not sure if thats necessary, but not all keystones and punchdowns are created equal.
I see a #11 and a # 12 on one bundle of the gray cable.
If they got em 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8- 9-10-11-12-13 etc....then of course try to make the patch panel the same way.
Service loops! Do what Sebastian said.
You got some job security for the next couple days. LOL of course they want it done tomorrow right? Motherfuck them.
Too bad they didnt get the preinserted jacks so you could punch right on the back of the panel. But given the fucked nature of your working space, maybe the individual keystones will give some wiggle room.
Do you have a decent punchdown tool? Don't cheap out. ( readily available at Home Depot Menards, Lowes, etc....) You'll be a 568B punch down expert on those keystones. you don't want to repunch any if you can help it. I had an old Telco worker who double punched all his terminations. Not sure if thats necessary, but not all keystones and punchdowns are created equal.
I see a #11 and a # 12 on one bundle of the gray cable.
If they got em 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8- 9-10-11-12-13 etc....then of course try to make the patch panel the same way.
Service loops! Do what Sebastian said.
You got some job security for the next couple days. LOL of course they want it done tomorrow right? Motherfuck them.
Too bad they didnt get the preinserted jacks so you could punch right on the back of the panel. But given the fucked nature of your working space, maybe the individual keystones will give some wiggle room.
Yes it’s identified in bundles too certain rooms. Plus I get paid by the hour as I am employed by the company. I am a fluid power automation technician by trade, and a millwright apprentice. I Just decided to get into a different trade 5 years ago. Mostly cameras . Still learning lots about that too. Which is why I joined this site years ago.
I use these in my shallow wall cabinet. They stick out an inch from the rear of the cabinet, leaving enough space to close the door without crunching the patch cables too horribly. (at icc.com)
I use these in my shallow wall cabinet. They stick out an inch from the rear of the cabinet, leaving enough space to close the door without crunching the patch cables too horribly. (at icc.com)
Will check those also. Was a-bit concerned about not being able to shut the door. I don’t get why the boss and the cable solution company he got advice and parts from, sent me a rack mount patch panel. Probably was the cheapest option knowing the boss.
This year I moved into a house with the same shape of comms box, maybe a little smaller. Lucky for me, the builders used cat5e for all the telephone wiring, so I repurposed it for ethernet. Can't ask for much more than that from a house built in ~2003.
I only had 11 network cables to deal with. It looks like you have 30-40 there. But maybe you will still like the solution I found.
It is a nice little shielded Cat6A patch panel, fully enclosed in a metal shell. 12 ports for $40. 24 ports for $65.
These fit easily in that kind of comms box and can be mounted to the inside. The mounting holes won't align with the holes in the box, but that is nothing you can't work around.
With the metal lid off, there is lots of room to work with and I found it really easy to punch the wires into it.
An alternative of course is to abandon the box they have and install a rack. You can get small wall-mount vertical racks like this and it can be used for patch panel(s) and switches or routers alike.
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It has served me well in wiring over a dozen keystones throughout the house, and in the patch panel itself. I do double-punch usually just to avoid future frustration due to a wire that didn't seat properly.
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