How To Use A Fiber Optic PatchPanel？

How To Use A Fiber Optic PatchPanel？

What is a fiber patchpanel?

Patchpanel is defined as the interface between several glass fibers and optical devices. It is a terminating unit that supports networking and fiber optic distribution from the distribution cabinet to various end devices, communication or other electronic or electrical systems. Fiber optic patchpanel is used to terminate the fiber optic cable and provide access to each fiber of the cable for cross connection. They are mostly mounted in 19-inch relay racks, but can also be mounted free-standing on rails, in cabinets and also on walls.

Fiber patchpanel types

Fiber optic connector panels are divided into two types based on different designs, the wall mount category and the rack mount category. Both types can accommodate, organize, and protect fiber optic cables and connectors. Rackmount patch panels come in flat and angled versions, while the wall mount patch panel is used to terminate multiple fibers directly and is mostly equipped with guide guides to limit the bending radius for improved strain relief control.

They can also be classified according to the number of ports. The common patchpanels are available in 12 ports, 24 ports, 48 ports and 96 ports. The height can also vary as 1U, 2U, 3U, etc. You can find more information about the types here.

How to connect a fiber optic cable to a fiber optic patchpanel

Insert the adapter into the mounting plate and fix the mounting plate. Prepare the cables based on standard termination procedures and ensure that there is enough excess cable to work with. Connect the cable by securing the cable gland and roll the excess fiber onto the spool. Then remove the protective cap and insert it into the adapter. Once all the cables are connected, it is better to use a zip tie to secure the cables in a bundle. In a typical setup, the connection consists of a shorter cable that plugs into the front of the patchpanel and a longer cable that plugs into the back. In this way, the panel can replace an otherwise expensive switchgear.

This is the excerpt from How to Connect Fiber Optic Cable to Fiber Optic PatchPanel. There you will find further useful information.

How to use a fiber patchpanel

There are two main reasons for purchasing a fiber optic patchpanel: termination and better cable management. Patchpanel termination is the step of terminating fibers on the patchpanel, a precise task that required a great deal of attention.

As far as cable management is concerned, I recommend that you accompany it with cable managers here. From the top-down perspective, the order of the devices in a cabinet should be: fiber optic patchpanel 1, cable manager 1, fiber optic patchpanel 2, cable manager 2

For fiber optic cable management, carefully plan the location of your fiber connectivity hardware, including fiber patchpanels. You have the choice between direct cross-connection and patch panel. If you choose to use fiberboard, you will also need to arrange the routing and truing of your fiber optic patchcords. In the meantime, you also have the option to use fiber optic management brackets to avoid the fiber optic patch cords dangling. Owning a fiber optic link not only saves you a lot of time and energy in cabling planning, but also provides you with a clean cabling system that enables you to work efficiently.