Groups > sci.electronics.design > #458679

Re: Patch-panel fabrication

From	Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid>
Newsgroups	sci.electronics.design
Subject	Re: Patch-panel fabrication
Date	2017-05-04 01:45 -0700
Organization	A noiseless patient Spider
Message-ID	<oeepfv$80o$1@dont-email.me> (permalink)
References	<oedcbf$j5t$1@dont-email.me> <oeei2d$n5r$1@gonzo.alcatraz>

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On 5/3/2017 11:34 PM, Jasen Betts wrote:
> On 2017-05-03, Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote:
>> I have 96 drops that need to terminate on a pair of 48 connector
>> panels.  The panels aren't supported in a rack but, rather, as
>> plates in/on the wall.
>
> reduced-width panels: - maybe a bunch of these:
>
> https://www.americanteledata.com/cat612portpatchpanels1.htm

I have some of those.  But, I'd need 4+4 to address my needs.
Then, end up with a bunch of things "pieced together" instead
of a homogenous panel(s).

> or these:
>
> http://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-Structured-Media-Twist-and-Mount-Patch-Panel-with-24-Cat-6-Ports-Black-002-476TM-624/203409484
>
> it's not like your problem is unique.

What's "unique" is the desire not to have it techy (i.e., tacky!)
looking!  Note the Home Depot "installed" example, above.  Imagine
having *four* of them.  And, the associated cables (in my case,
only the cables plugging into the panels "from the front" are
visible, unlike the HD example).

The typical black-with-white-legend rack panels are too large
(wrong shape) and too techy.  Also, impractical in my siting
(can't read what would typically have been hand-written labels
adjacent to each connector).

My original implementation (only 72 ports -- 36+36) built on
the rack-style concept.  I added a mylar graphic overlay that
allowed me to "permanently" legend each connector (the wires
on the backside aren't ever going to change, so why not
commit the legends, permanently?).  And, fabricated 72 distinct
patch cables -- each trimmed exactly to length (cuz both
ends are fixed in place!) -- to cable the patch panels to the
switch (which hides itself).

This "looked pretty" (e.g., nice, neatly dressed wires, no
slop for service loops, etc.) but was impractical.  Couldn't
read the legends (panels are located close to the floor so
they aren't "in the way") and hard to physically plug/unplug
them.

In addition to adding 24 more ports, I'm eliminating the legends
in favor of indicators.  Similar to the indicators that would normally
be visible on the switch (which, you recall, is hiding!) but more
informative.  E.g., tell me "at a glance" if the device that a
port is servicing is "failed", "off", etc. so I don't have to
power up the "console" and examine the status directly.

Additionally, it lets me "identify" a particular cable (connector)
when/if I need to plug/unplug something:  flash the indicator
associated with that port instead of forcing the user to read
little numerical/iconic legends, etc.  (I can make this all
look even LESS techy by blanking the indicators until needed)

I'd like to make this "mess" look more professional; more
up-scale.  E.g., replacing the panel with a piece of zebrawood.
Or, a plastic extrusion machined to fit the connectors.  etc.

I.e., the difference between having wiremold power receptacles
and light switches throughout your home vs. "in wall" fixtures.

> do a search on "residential patch panel"
>

Thread

Patch-panel fabrication Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-05-03 12:54 -0700
  Re: Patch-panel fabrication Lasse Langwadt Christensen <langwadt@fonz.dk> - 2017-05-03 13:23 -0700
    Re: Patch-panel fabrication Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-05-04 00:10 -0700
      Re: Patch-panel fabrication Lasse Langwadt Christensen <langwadt@fonz.dk> - 2017-05-04 11:27 -0700
        Re: Patch-panel fabrication Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-05-04 11:43 -0700
        Re: Patch-panel fabrication Clifford Heath <no.spam@please.net> - 2017-05-05 08:57 +1000
          Re: Patch-panel fabrication Lasse Langwadt Christensen <langwadt@fonz.dk> - 2017-05-06 05:47 -0700
        Re: Patch-panel fabrication krw@notreal.com - 2017-05-04 19:37 -0400
      Re: Patch-panel fabrication Neon John <no@never.com> - 2017-05-04 17:56 -0400
        Re: Patch-panel fabrication Lasse Langwadt Christensen <langwadt@fonz.dk> - 2017-05-06 05:46 -0700
      Re: Patch-panel fabrication Jasen Betts <jasen@xnet.co.nz> - 2017-05-11 05:57 +0000
        Re: Patch-panel fabrication Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-05-11 10:37 -0700
  Re: Patch-panel fabrication Martin Riddle <martin_ridd@verizon.net> - 2017-05-03 20:32 -0400
    Re: Patch-panel fabrication Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-05-03 23:59 -0700
  Re: Patch-panel fabrication Jasen Betts <jasen@xnet.co.nz> - 2017-05-04 06:34 +0000
    Re: Patch-panel fabrication Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-05-04 01:45 -0700
  Re: Patch-panel fabrication whit3rd <whit3rd@gmail.com> - 2017-05-04 01:52 -0700
    Re: Patch-panel fabrication Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-05-04 11:42 -0700
      Re: Patch-panel fabrication whit3rd <whit3rd@gmail.com> - 2017-05-04 21:22 -0700
        Re: Patch-panel fabrication Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-05-04 23:04 -0700
          Re: Patch-panel fabrication whit3rd <whit3rd@gmail.com> - 2017-05-04 23:24 -0700
            Re: Patch-panel fabrication Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-05-05 00:19 -0700
              Re: Patch-panel fabrication whit3rd <whit3rd@gmail.com> - 2017-05-05 00:45 -0700
                Re: Patch-panel fabrication Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-05-05 02:17 -0700
  Re: Patch-panel fabrication jrwalliker@gmail.com - 2017-05-04 08:40 -0700
    Re: Patch-panel fabrication Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-05-04 10:12 -0700
      Re: Patch-panel fabrication jrwalliker@gmail.com - 2017-05-04 10:27 -0700
        Re: Patch-panel fabrication Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-05-04 11:01 -0700
          Re: Patch-panel fabrication makolber@yahoo.com - 2017-05-04 11:18 -0700
            Re: Patch-panel fabrication Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-05-04 11:27 -0700
      Re: Patch-panel fabrication Don Kuenz <g@crcomp.net> - 2017-05-06 05:33 +0000
        Re: Patch-panel fabrication Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-05-06 15:40 -0700
          Re: Patch-panel fabrication whit3rd <whit3rd@gmail.com> - 2017-05-06 20:15 -0700
            Re: Patch-panel fabrication Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-05-06 23:47 -0700
              Re: Patch-panel fabrication whit3rd <whit3rd@gmail.com> - 2017-05-07 03:51 -0700
                Re: Patch-panel fabrication Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-05-07 05:20 -0700
          Re: Patch-panel fabrication (POE) Jan Panteltje <pNaOnStPeAlMtje@yahoo.com> - 2017-05-07 17:30 +0000
            Re: Patch-panel fabrication (POE) Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-05-07 11:49 -0700
              Re: Patch-panel fabrication (POE) Jan Panteltje <pNaOnStPeAlMtje@yahoo.com> - 2017-05-07 18:58 +0000
                Re: Patch-panel fabrication (POE) Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-05-07 12:24 -0700
                Re: Patch-panel fabrication (POE) Jan Panteltje <pNaOnStPeAlMtje@yahoo.com> - 2017-05-07 19:48 +0000
                Re: Patch-panel fabrication (POE) Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-05-07 13:29 -0700
                Re: Patch-panel fabrication (POE) Jan Panteltje <pNaOnStPeAlMtje@yahoo.com> - 2017-05-07 20:54 +0000
  Re: Patch-panel fabrication Allan Herriman <allanherriman@hotmail.com> - 2017-05-07 10:35 +0000
    Re: Patch-panel fabrication Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> - 2017-05-07 05:26 -0700

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