How to Punch Down a Patch Panel of Any Size?

Patch panels are an inexpensive way to allow easy access to your networking cables. There are many manufacturers that make them, and there is a standard on how the panels are punched down. For instance, every panel has color-coded slots on the back to insert the individual wires in.

Should have a place to write down information for each jack on the panel itself. Remove the backboard from the panel, and mount the panel upside-down on the panel to help keep it in place. Use cabling scissors or a RJ45 crimping tool to strip the sheath off one of the cat5e cable and the white string. Use only about an inch of each of the twisted-pair cables.

Unwind the cables slightly while keeping the twist as tight as possible, then press each individual wire via color code into the slots on the panel with your fingers. After the wires are in place for an individual cable, use a standard punch tool (available at most hardware stores) to install the wires. Simply press down the slot with the tip of the punch tool, then press down hard with the tool. A “punching” sound should be made as the tool presses the cable tightly into the slot. The punch tool has a blade that cuts off the excess wire as it is being pressed into the slot. The slot itself will create a small cut in the wire insulation to allow the metal wire to have contact with the panel. Repeat these steps for all eight wires in the cable.

After all of the cables have been installed in the panel, place the front of the panel back into the backboard. Now it is time to test each jack of the panel to make sure the cables are installed correctly. Plug a cable tester into one of the jacks on the panel. Plug the other end of the punched cable into the other module of the cable tester. Test the cable as stated on the instructions of the cable tester. Cable testers are similar in the way each one operates, and they are not difficult to read. Repeat these steps to test each jack of the patch panel. And now you’re done!