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trueCABLE’s 3D Cat6A Unshielded Wall-Mounted Patch Panel - Overview and Installation Guide
Written by Don Schultz, trueCABLE Senior Technical Advisor, Fluke Networks Copper/Fiber CCTT, BICSI INSTC, INSTF Certified
What is a patch panel? Patch panels serve as the “head end” part of your installation, acting as the consolidation point for your permanent links. This type of installation is called a SCS or Structured Cabling System, and permanent links are foundational to that concept. As opposed to simply using pre-made patch cords throughout your installation, patch panels promote structure by centralizing the most critical part of your LAN (local area network) and encourage the use of much more performant Category rated termination hardware (keystone jacks).
More installations have been ruined due to improper cabling installation practices than any other factor!
So, we need to start off right. trueCABLE’s 3D unshielded Cat6A wall mount patch panel is a step in the right direction and brings quite a bit more to the table installation such as:
- ANEXT (Alien Crosstalk) mitigation at the patch panel for high bandwidth operation
- Multiple wall mount options
- Easy to use tool-less snap together installation with minimal headaches
Relevant in both professional and home Ethernet installations, this versatile Cat6A Component Rated wall-mounted patch panel finally brings high performance Cat6A 10Gbps operation to residential and commercial environments using less expensive unshielded Cat6A solid copper Ethernet cable.
There are many variations of network patch panels out there. See Punch Down, Feed-Through, and Toolless Keystone Ethernet Patch Panels Explained for a thorough understanding!
trueCABLE strongly recommends you also review the blog Calculating Ethernet Cable Overall Channel Length for Success. Proper cable length calculations in addition to proper termination practices are absolutely essential to a successful cabling system.
Product Overview
Key Features
- Anti-ANEXT 3D staggered design: Scientifically designed three dimensional stagger of the keystone jack ports reduces keystone to keystone EMI/RFI (known as Alien Crosstalk) interference without the need for shielded Ethernet cable or hardware.
- Enhanced depth mounting: Minimizes physical cable interference with the mounting surface by using a deeper panel frame. Depth is an issue with less thoughtfully designed wall-mounted patch panels, where there is not enough room to route thick cables behind the panel frame--especially when longer keystone jacks are used.
- Universal keystone compatibility: Use with trueCABLE or industry-standard snap-in HD Ethernet keystone jacks and couplers.
- Versatility: No wall or floor standing equipment rack required. Backward compatible with Cat5e and Cat6, designed for Cat6A unshielded keystone jacks and U/UTP Ethernet cable.
Technical Specifications
- Standards: ANSI/TIA 568-2.D Component Rated Cat6A patch panel, EIA-310-E, FCC part 68-F, IEC 60603-7.
- Compliance: RoHS compliant, UL listed, TAA compliant.
- Includes mounting hardware (screws and drywall anchors, two each).
Why Choose trueCABLE’s 3D Patch Panel?
Advanced Performance
- Specifically engineered for 10GBASE-T networks, mitigating ANEXT interference, while maintaining full backward compatibility with unshielded Cat5e and Cat6 Ethernet.
- Maintains reliable performance in high-density installations (e.g., 5GBASE-T with NBASE-T equipment).
Ease of Use
- Toolless keystone ports allow for easy upgrades and replacements without replacing the entire panel.
- Simplifies cable organization and termination in structured cabling systems while encouraging best practices.
- Enhanced depth design for longer keystone jacks, helping to alleviate mounting pressure between the panel frame and wall while promoting correct Ethernet twisted pair cable bend radius.
Cost-Effective and Durable
- Eliminates the need to install shielded Ethernet cable and hardware to defeat 10 Gigabit speed generated ANEXT.
ANEXT is of serious concern for high performance systems operating at 500 MHz (Cat6A) since one cable can be cross-talk with another, which will slow down your LAN due to retransmits of data packets. This phenomenon starts becoming an issue at 350 MHz and above. The solution up until this point has been more expensive and difficult to install shielded Cat6A Ethernet cable, hardware, and shielded patch panels whether or not other significant sources of EMI/RFI are present. Proceeding down the shielded Ethernet cable route introduces novel installation challenges for home installers, who may be at a loss for bonding a shielded patch panel to ground. The 3D stagger design permits the use of far less expensive unshielded Cat6A Ethernet cable and keystone jacks.
- Replace individual keystones instead of the entire panel for minimal downtime.
I will give you an excellent example of how a regular monolithic 110 punch down patch panel can be an issue: Upgrading your cabling to a higher Category. Punch down patch panels are Category rated and do not use replaceable keystone jacks. If you want to upgrade your Ethernet cable, you will need to replace the entire patch panel with a higher rated one and re-terminate all of your connections! A toolless keystone patch panel will provide at least some opportunity to upgrade with minimal disruption.
Installation Guide
Here are the recommended steps and best practices for installing the trueCABLE Unshielded Cat6A 3D Staggered Wall Mount Patch Panel! Also, we have a dedicated installation infographic that is tied to the QR code instruction card that comes with the patch panel. This infographic is a great resource with copious illustrations.
Combined together, the infographic and the more verbose written instructions below will give you all you need for a successful installation!
Step by Step Installation
1. Preparation
- Tools to gather:
- Stud finder with AC detection
- Level
- Drill/driver with standard sized Phillips bit
- Marking pencil
- ⅛” drill bit for pre-drilling wood backboard (if mounting to wood backboard or through drywall and into studs)
- 5/16” drill bit for drywall anchors (if mounting to drywall without backboard or stud support)
- Ethernet cable jacket strip tool
- Flush cutters
- Cable cutter
- Keystone jack termination tools needed for the particular jack type
- Ensure the wall surface (drywall or wood) is flat and smooth.
trueCABLE recommends mounting the 89D bracket to a wood backboard (backboard itself mounted to studs) or directly into wall studs for maximum installation stability.
Be absolutely certain you know where your AC circuits are at. This is what the stud finder with AC detection is for, besides being used to locate the stud. DO NOT drill into a stud that has AC power running along it, as a miss may cause a short in your AC circuit with the risk of serious personal injury and fire.
2. Mounting the Patch Panel
- Locate the studs for mounting, or choose a location on the wooden backboard that is already mounted.
- Use the level to ensure the plastic 89D bracket is plumb.
- Mark out the location where you will drill with the marking pencil.
- Secure the 89D bracket using the included screws or drill and insert the drywall anchors and then secure the bracket to the anchors.
- Create your figure “8” shaped service loop. Leave enough slack for at least five feet of service slack, plus slack down to the patch panel. The goal is to end up with a minimum of five feet of service slack post termination. Ensure the service loop complies with the bend radius requirements for your specific cable type.
- Attach the patch panel frame to the bracket and route your individual drops through the keystone jack holes.
- Cut the cables evenly with the front of the patch panel frame.
- Label the front of the panel with the cable identification so you can match the correct cable to the correct port. They will all be different lengths due to the varying heights of the keystone ports.
Tip: Your cables are likely temporarily labeled towards the ends. Be sure to re-write any temporary identification further up the cable BEFORE you cut them! It is all too easy to cut off your identification markings.
It is far better to have too much cable slack than too little. The most expensive cable in the whole world (per foot) is the one you had to replace because it was 1” too short!
3. Cable Termination & Keystone Jack Installation
- Back out the cable drops and reverse the patch panel frame. Snap it onto the 89D bracket backwards (inside out).
- Terminate your Ethernet cable drops to the appropriate Category of keystone jack that matches the cable type. For punch down keystone jacks see How to: Terminate an Unshielded Punch Down Keystone Jack. For tool-less keystone jacks see How to: Terminate an Unshielded Toolless Keystone Jack.
- Snap each keystone jack into the patch panel frame, matching the cable identification with the port identification.
- Carefully take the patch panel frame off of the 89D bracket, turn it around, and snap it back onto the 89D bracket in the correct orientation.
- Snap the keystone jacks into the panel frame. Snap keystone blank inserts into any unused ports.
4. Test and Finalize Labeling
- Test connections with a cable tester to ensure functionality. Test equipment selection is a complex topic. Please see Testing 10 Gigabit Ethernet Over Copper on a Shoestring Budget for more information.
- Re-label the numbered ports with permanent labels if necessary, for easy identification. It’s a good idea to also permanently label your Ethernet cable runs with adhesive labels.
- Don’t forget to be sure your remote outlets are also labeled!
5. Final Adjustments
- Organize and secure cables for a clean, clutter-free appearance.
Best Practices When Using the Patch Panel
Cable Management
- Never bundle or affix your cables with nylon ties. Use velcro hook and loop straps as they focus much less pressure on the cable jacket.
- Keep cables organized to minimize signal interference and improve airflow.
- Always make use of the “circle 8” pattern for service loops at the patch panel when using unshielded Ethernet cable.
- Do NOT make use of a “cable comb”. Cable combs have proven to increase ANEXT between cables by being too neat.
Choosing the Right Ethernet Cables
- Cable choice comes down to Category and to cable jacket type. Do not use shielded Ethernet cable in this particular patch panel as there is no way to properly bond the cable shields to ground.
- Generally speaking, you will want to use CMR (Riser rated) Ethernet for all applications except those installations where the cable goes outdoors or where the cable must go into a HVAC plenum space. If you are unsure about the jacket type most suitable for your installation, please see Facts About Ethernet Cable Jacket Ratings.
Ethernet cable selection can be confusing. Please check out How to Choose the Right Ethernet Cable for a great explanation!
Conclusion
So there you have it! trueCABLE is constantly innovating to breathe new life into an outdated industry. The trueCABLE 3D Cat6A Unshielded Wall-Mounted Patch Panel is just such an example of where there is room for improvement.
- Advanced 3D stagger design provides ANEXT mitigation, resolving cable to cable interference issues at the patch panel that previously took expensive and difficult to work with shielded cabling to overcome.
- Designed with the 10G speeds of today and tomorrow in mind, all the while using unshielded Ethernet cable.
- Easy “go anywhere” installation and toolless design will provide years of easy upgrades.
Who says that Ethernet cable and structured cabling systems have to be boring?
Ready to learn more about networking and LAN cables? Please visit trueCABLE’s Cable Academy for hundreds of blogs and videos!
HAPPY NETWORKING!
trueCABLE presents the information on our website, including the “Cable Academy” blog and live chat support, as a service to our customers and other visitors to our website subject to our website terms and conditions. While the information on this website is about data networking and electrical issues, it is not professional advice and any reliance on such material is at your own risk.
