A patch panel is a block or device with several connectors of the same type, designed to connect and route electronic circuits using cables. Patch panels are commonly used in computer networks, radio and television studios, as well as sound recordings.
Application
The term “patch panel” appeared when using patch blocks in telephony and radio studios. They were supposed to use standby equipment that was designed to replace failed devices. Connections in this case were made using patch cords and panels similar to the switching fields of telephone exchanges. The category of the patch panel is determined by the patch cord (for example, 5 or 6).
In broadcast television and radio studios, as well as in concert sound amplification systems, the blocks are widely used to facilitate the connection of various devices, such as microphones, electric or electronic instruments, recording devices, amplifiers and broadcast equipment.
Patch panels are blocks that facilitate connecting devices in various ways, since all the bundles are performed in the panels themselves. In addition, when using blocks, it is easier to correct malfunctions such as spurious grounding. Even small home and amateur studios often use patch panels as they group all input connectors in one place.
Installation
Rack mounted devices can be connected to the front of the patch panel. In this case, there is no need to search for the correct socket of the desired device from its rear. In addition, the use of patch panels can reduce the wear of the input connectors of studio instruments, since all connections to the panel are made in advance. Installation of blocks is carried out in several stages. A special tool is used to unblock patch panels.
The described blocks began to be used more often in domestic installations. This is due to the growing popularity of structured cabling systems. In addition, such panels can be found in home theater systems.
Standardization of use
Typically, the top row of ports on the patch panel connects to the outputs from the back, and the bottom row of connectors to the inputs of the devices. Blocks can be semi-normal or normal. In the latter, the upper and lower connectors are connected internally.
If the switching field has a lower semi-normal connection, this means that in the absence of a patch cord inserted into any connector of this field, the upper field connector has an internal contact with the lower connector. Inserting the patch cord into the upper connector will disconnect it while maintaining the extension line between the two connectors. Inserting a patch cord into the lower connector will break the internal line and replace the signal from the upper connector with the one transmitted through the patch cord.
If the switching field has an upper semi-normal connection, everything will be the other way around. If the switching field has a full normal connection, then it has open contacts in both connectors.
Switches
What could be an alternative to patch panels? This is a dedicated switching equipment. Switches have a simple routing mechanism. In addition, they can send a signal to any number of destinations at a time. This is their advantage over patch panels.
Switching equipment with the ability to emulate is expensive equipment. For example, an S-video matrix video distribution switch with similar capabilities (8 x 8), like a 16-point S-video unit (8 patch cords connect 8 inputs and 8 outputs) can cost 10 times more, although it has more features.
Like patch panels, this switching equipment can be used for almost any type of signal, including digital and analog video and audio, radio frequency (cable television), telephone, LAN and electric. There are various types of switches for audio and video: from simple matrix switches to complex software switchers. To emulate the capabilities of audio or video patch panels, specialized devices, such as matrix and coordinate switches, are used.