However, with patch panels, adjusting cable connections is much easier. Ports are all in one place and patch cords are shorter, so network adjustments can be managed much more efficiently. While fiber patch panels and fiber network switches may look a bit similar with their rows of ports, they serve markedly different functions.
Network switches , on the other hand, actively filter and route data — they take incoming data and determine where to send it to. In essence, they connect clients into a network. It would be possible to construct a fiber network without using any patch panels although it would definitely be unideal and the network would be tedious to manage.
It would not be possible to construct a fiber network without a switch. Once you know where the patch panel should be mounted and have mapped out the connections that will be run to it, go ahead and mount it. Finally, you should organize cables to make future adjustments easier. This typically includes bundling them and labeling each cable with the same tag on both ends.
Again, this is a very high-level overview of the installation process. At FIBERONE , we provide responsive customer support for any installation questions, as well as access to robust educational materials for specific fiber products. As mentioned above, fiber patch panels come in a variety of shapes and sizes. One of the key factors in distinguishing types of patch panels is the location the panel is designed for. Rack mount fiber patch panels are designed, obviously, for inclusion in an equipment rack.
Panels may occupy multiple rack units. They commonly use a splice tray to organize splice modules. These patch panels are typically used in remote locations such a wiring closets or similar customer premise applications. Outdoor fiber patch panels are built to be weatherproof and will carry a NEMA rating to represent how protected they are from elements. Another key factor is the number of ports on the patch panel. Fiber patch panels tend to have a number of ports that is some multiple of twelve.
Common configurations include port patch panels, port patch panels, port models, port models, all the way up to port models — and there are patch panels that go beyond that, too.
Patch panels can be supplied with fiber pigtails that feed into a splice tray for fusion splicing. Factory polished connectors on the other end provide a high-quality connection required for most applications.
Field termination connectors can be used in some applications. These are generally used with multimode fiber as the data rates are much lower and the tolerances for fiber loss are much higher. We would not recommend using field terminations for single mode fiber, except for temporary use such as emergency restoration kits.
Higher density fiber patch panels obviously take up more rack space. There is a wide variety of configurations available, after all. Our technical experts can help. We help network engineers and technicians to access the quality fiber products they need, quickly and with full confidence in performance. Talk to a technical expert today to order the right fiber patch panel for your application.
We can help. This includes: Wall mount patch panels with 12 or 24 ports, capable of both terminating and splicing fibers. See the products here. Wall mount patch panels with secure housing for 48, 72, or LGX rack mount patch panels from ports with a variety of configurations. U-Series Fiber Connectivity System for ports with a variety of configurations. What are common components of a fiber patch panel? What are fiber patch panels used for? How do you install a fiber patch panel? What are the different types of fiber patch panels?
How much do fiber patch panels cost? How can I choose the right fiber patch panel? Ready to learn more about fiber patch panels? For SC and LC adapters and the adapter itself will be color coded to represent the type of fiber being used. For ST and FC adapters the dust cap is used to represent the mode of fiber. The graphic below illustrates each type discussed and illustrates the proper TIAC color coding that should be followed for use with different fiber mode types.
This is where the fiber patch panels will have slots for adapter plates to be installed into. The adapter plates are sold separately or pre-configured with a configuration code.
Adapter plates hold the adapters and then are used to populate the slots in the fiber patch panel. But after reading this guide a novice should have a much better understanding of the wold surrounding fiber patch panels.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Please enter a number from 1 to What is a Fiber Patch Panel? Scorpion 2 Plate Fiber Patch Panel. The location of Installation. Rack mounting of fiber patch panels is done with either 19" racks or 23" racks both defined by the EIA Standard. The 19" and 23" refers to the horizontal spacing between the two vertical posts to which the equipment will mount.
The 19" rack is the more common between the two types. The vertical spacing between the mounting points is described by Rack Units RU. Rack mount fiber patch panels will typically specify how many rack units it will occupy when installed.
The more rack units it occupies the more fiber the patch panel will typically accommodate. Check out our selection of Rack Mount Patch Panels.
Wall mounting fiber optic patch panels is also very common. Check out our selection of Wall Mount Patch Panels. Outdoor fiber patch panels are specifically designed to be installed directly outdoors. They protect against rain, snow, dust, and wind. They are typically made from fiberglass, steel, or aluminum. The NEMA rating defines the types of environmental protection the patch panel enclosure will provide.
This type of fiber patch panel will typically accommodate wall or pole installations. Check out our selection of Outdoor Patch Panels.
DIN fiber optic patch panels are common in industrial installations where a DIN rail is the preferred type of mounting solution. DIN-mountable patch panels are designed to be small and lightweight to make them suitable for this type of installation.
Strand Count. Within a bulk fiber cable there will be multiple individual fiber strands. Higher strand count cables will typically bundle fiber strands in groups of 12 within the bulk cable.
Typical strand counts are even numbers. If a cable exceeds 12 strands it will be in multiples of Most commonly available strand counts are: 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, 96, Singlemode fiber has a smaller core and is used for long-distance communication.
This is typically fiber runs that are over 2km 1. Multimode It is a newer fiber mode and was developed for high-speed applications. These mode types allow for higher data speeds over longer distances. Identifying the Strand and Mode Most fiber suppliers will print both the mode and fiber count on the jacket.
Below is an example of how bulk fiber cable is label by a manufacturer:. The highlighted words "12F" indicate the strand count, 12 fibers. The highlighted words "SM" indicates the mode type, singlemode. Splice Trays. There are two methods a technician will use to break-out and then terminate a bulk fiber cable:.
Direct Termination — Splice Tray not Required No Splice Tray is required if the cables will be directly terminated with fiber connectors. This termination type involves installing a fiber connector directly onto the bulk fiber cable.
The cable is cut back, the strands are separated, and a connector is installed directly on the end of each fiber strand. This type of termination is the most time consuming, as epoxying and polishing the connectors is a slow and methodical process.
A directly-terminated fiber cable is most common when the bulk fiber cable is pre-ordered with a factory performed termination and installed with the connectors already on the bulk fiber cable. Direct field termination is not common and typically only performed when there is a small number of fibers to terminate or specialty applications where limited spacing is available making splicing not be possible.
This involves using heat to join two fibers together. The bulk fiber cable will be joined to a short length of matching fiber where the connectors have been pre-installed polished, and tested at the factory fiber pigtail. Splicing is a quick process for a trained technician and the most common method for field termination. The Point of Connection.
Slimline 2 Plate Fiber Patch Panel. ST Connectors. SC Connectors. Slang: Square Connector Are an older style connector Most common use is with singlemode fiber cable. LC Connectors. Slang: Little Connector Popular where there is a high strand count since they are a smaller form factor These are the most popular style connector on the market today Widely used for all types of fiber. FC Connectors. The least common out of the options shown and has therefore not yet earned a nickname When seen, used most with single mode fiber.
Adapters Plates or Built-in? There are two main ways fiber adapters are incorporated into a fiber patch panel. Fiber Patch Panels with Built-in Adapters This is where the adapter is built-in to the patch panel and not meant to be remove or changed. Adapters can usually not be changed Capacity is fixed; adapters cannot be removed or added Not common for splicing applications.
Fiber Patch Panels with Adapter Plate Slots This is where the fiber patch panels will have slots for adapter plates to be installed into. Modular - buy what is needed with the opportunity to expand later Flexible - each slot can accommodate a different adapter style Easy to change the adapter type when necessary Most common type of fiber patch panel.
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