Patch Panel

A patch panel provides an easy way to connect devices and accommodate different types of cabling, such as twisted-pair and fiber optic cables.

It typically terminates wires that run from different Ethernet office wall plates. Once terminated, you can use patch cables to connect those ports to the Ethernet switch.

Fiber patch panels are used to connect fiber optic cables to network racks. Fiber optic cables use light that can damage the eyes. Be careful when servicing them. Never look down the end of a fiber optic cable. Instead, shine the light onto your hand or look for a red dot, but do NOT look into the cable itself. Fiber optic cables aren't susceptible to electromagnetic interference.