Cat5e Patch Panels in structured media panel

[CalypsoCowboy]

I'm cleaning up my the rats nest of wires I've had for too long. I have all my cat5e run back to my leviton can. I have about 24 runs. I may be dropping a few as I'm realizing I don't need that many. But I'm curious what folks are using for patch panels in the smc cans?

I've seen a few panels from Leviton that would work, but they are ~$150+. I see ChannelVision makes some 8 port panels those are ~$40 but three of those and I'm up to the Leviton cost. I've seen 12 port wall mount patch panels for ~20 and those seem like the way to go. Just not sure how'd I'd mount those in the case. There are also the 19" rackmount ones that I'm guessing I could make some kind of bracket for to lay on it's side.

Do I just give up the bracket idea and screw in a sheet of plywood into the back of the can and mount things on it? Looking for ideas, pictures would be helpful too. I do want to keep the connections in the can.

 

[PaulD]

Assuming you want to keep the connections inside your Leviton cans, your least expensive route may be to get a used 19" patch panel (cheap on eBay)and then get creative on how to mount it in (or outside) the Leviton can.
In my case, I ran all my Cat5e to 4U wall mounted brackes with hinged fronts to hold the patch panels as a permanent installation and then used patch cords to hook the lines into my system. With that approach, I can move components around and only need to revise the patch cord arrangement. I went that route because I picked up the pieces on eBay at a reasonable price over time. I would not have gone that route if I had to pay retail for the items.

 

[pjwinstalls]

what brand of patch panels are you using? I have seen tuff jacks brand and APC that are really cheap NEW on ebay but i have never heard of them and usually use leviton but significant price difference.

I'm cleaning up my the rats nest of wires I've had for too long. I have all my cat5e run back to my leviton can. I have about 24 runs. I may be dropping a few as I'm realizing I don't need that many. But I'm curious what folks are using for patch panels in the smc cans?

I've seen a few panels from Leviton that would work, but they are ~$150+. I see ChannelVision makes some 8 port panels those are ~$40 but three of those and I'm up to the Leviton cost. I've seen 12 port wall mount patch panels for ~20 and those seem like the way to go. Just not sure how'd I'd mount those in the case. There are also the 19" rackmount ones that I'm guessing I could make some kind of bracket for to lay on it's side.

Do I just give up the bracket idea and screw in a sheet of plywood into the back of the can and mount things on it? Looking for ideas, pictures would be helpful too. I do want to keep the connections in the can.

 

[CalypsoCowboy]

I don't have any brand I'm using now, I've seen Leviton, ChannelVision, and if you search for 12 cat5e patch panel on ebay you'll see some generic 12 port ones.

 

[pjwinstalls]

sorry that question was directed toward pauld

 

[Neurorad]

Lowe's carries OnQ, Home Depot carries Leviton.

However, the selection at both is not very good.

To get what you want, you usually need to buy online, negating the benefits of a brick & mortar store.

The Leviton Wiring Strategies Guide may have some useful information for you (chaps 2, 2T, 3, 3T), though not many specifics on enclosure modules:

http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctD...;minisite=10028

The Leviton Installation Manual for Residential Structured Wiring gives a more thorough approach:

http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctD...;minisite=10028

Leviton's White Paper on patch panels (in right hand column):

http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctD...;minisite=10028

I found the Leviton Residential Catalog to be a good read, pp 140-67:

http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctD...;minisite=10026

It seems Leviton has some online learning also, though you have to register (ez-Learn):

http://ezlearn.leviton.com/el_front/

SetNetPro.com has some OnQ online learning modules. You have to register. Check out the one on installation:

http://www.setnetpro.com/browse.asp?id=1661

 

[PaulD]

sorry that question was directed toward pauld

I used 100% Leviton. I used Leviton 4U wall mounted brackets with hinges to allow the 19" patch panels to swing out so you can get behind them. My patch panels were all blanks with Quickport inserts. I have 2 panels with Cat5e Quickports and another panel with Quickport binding post that I used to tie my ceiling speakers into my audio system (HAI HiFi).
As I noted, I have purchased a lot of my items thru eBay over a 6 month period as my new house was being built. That allowed me to cut my cost for these type of itmes at least in half over normal retail or web prices.

 

[electron]

I have the Leviton patch panel as well, with the same hinge type mechanism. Very high quality for sure!

 

[felixrosbergen]

Middle Atlantic brand 6U Hinged Panel Mount for me...with a 19" 48 port Quickport patch panel.

They slots are all blank and i put the quickports insert in there as needed....this is certainly not the cheapest way to go..

If it's all cat5e you can just get a cat5e patch panel...shoudl be pretty cheap online and put it in the hinged panel mount.

Getting that many cat5 runs organized into a SW cabinet sounds like a problem to me.

Check the pics in the Showcase.