How to Wire a 48 Port Patch Panel

Large networks that support hundreds or thousands of devices require sophisticated cable management systems to ensure that cables are not damaged. Patch panels enable network administrators to terminate large groups of CAT6 or CAT5 cables into a rack in a fashion that is space efficient and organized. Terminate large groups of CAT6 cables using patch panels with 110 punchdown blocks to properly manage network infrastructure.

• 1

  Use the wire-stripping tool to strip two inches of the protective jacket from the end of each CAT6 UTP cable. Untwist each pair of wires one inch from the end of the twisted pair cable.

• 2

  Place the CAT6 UTP cables into a 110 punchdown block on the back of the patch panel, inserting the wires from left to right following order below:

  Pin 1 White/Blue wire

  Pin 2 Blue wire

  Pin 3 White/Orange wire

  Pin 4 Orange wire

  Pin 5 White/Green wire

  Pin 6 Green wire

  Pin 7 White/Brown wire

  Pin 8 Brown wire

  Placement of the wires should allow the CAT6 UTP wire to protrude beyond the punchdown block about one inch.

• 3

  Use a punchdown tool setup so that the "Cut" or "Cutter" blade is facing toward the wires, and push the wires into the punchdown block. The wires will be pressed into the punchdown block and the excess wire that is protruding past the punchdown will be clipped off.

• 4

  Perform the punchdown procedure for each CAT6 UTP cable that needs to be connected to the patch panel. Each of the 48 ports should now have a CAT6 UTP cable attached to its associated 110 block.