Do network cables HAVE to be terminated in a patch panel? Regulations?

[burgemaster]

Hi,

 

We have just had a couple of network points put in by a different network company. When I went down to patch then in, they said its ok ive put connectors on the end of the cables. You can plug them straight in to the switch.

 

Before I say please come back and put them into the patch panel, does anyone know if this is regulation or best practice etc?

I'm not really bothered that they go straight in to the switch as its a bit of a mess, but would like to know before I say something?

 

Thanks in advance

Edited January 31, 2014 by burgemaster

[Gatt]

I, personally, would recommend a patch panel - that way it can be properly labelled for each of the ports.

[Gibson335]

We have some ancient cabling done that way, but I would always go for a patch panel...much easier when testing for issues...much easier for managing the cab. Not heard of any cabling companies who don't use them as a rule...but then did they quote for them, were they on the order?

[tmcd35]

Is there a patch panel already in place they could have used, or would they have needed to quote for a new patch panel?

 

Any company who did that here would get called back and never used again!

[localzuk]

There aren't any rules regarding it in the UK. However, there is a reason for doing it. If you don't terminate infrastructure runs of cat5e in a patch panel, then you're putting strain on the wire - meaning over time it could snap. Repairing/replacing the run is a heck of a lot more expensive than replacing a short patch lead.

 

The runs between switches/rooms generally use solid cable, which can crack if moved over time. Whereas patch leads use stranded cables which are more flexible.

[Oaktech]

I've been guilty of doing this if I consider the line i'm putting in is just a temporary thing/last minute bodge... Otherwise it's patch panels all the way!

[GeekyPete]

The cabling in the wall/ceiling should be solid copper core. This will break if flexed to any greater degree. Therefore terminating it in a patch panel is the way to go. Patch leads on the other hand use stranded copper cores which is much more durable.

 

EDIT: Exactly what was said two posts before. I really should read more carefully.

Edited January 31, 2014 by GeekyPete

[plexer]

The solid core used for infrastructure would only break with repeated movement and these things aren't moved very often but I would still prefer patch panels.

 

Ben

[Gibson335]

Also, if you ever want to VLAN then you can colour-code your patch cables for a visual ID (rather than use labels). Increases your possibilities for a very reasonable cost, the humble patch panel.

[plexer]

Also, if you ever want to VLAN then you can colour-code your patch cables for a visual ID (rather than use labels). Increases your possibilities for a very reasonable cost, the humble patch panel.

 

True and not just when vlanning either if you have a flat network and different devices phones Poe waps etc....

 

Ben

[Theblacksheep]

patch straight in = half a job.

[SkreeM1980]

I would go spare, unless i had specifically told them to bodge it and scarper. Proper Structured calbing terminates at Panels and should be tested as such, the standards then allow for up to 10Mts total of "Fly/Patch lead" at the respective ends.

[GeekyPete]

patch straight in = half a job.

 

Then you get fired because of the kind of bloke you are and it then = 4x the job for the bloke who fills your shoes.

[plexer]

Some interesting documents

 

https://www.anixter.com/content/dam/Anixter/Guide/12H0001X00-Anixter-Standard-Ref-Guide-ECS-US.pdf

 

https://www.anixter.com/content/dam/Anixter/Guide/12H0005X00-Anixter-Installation-Pocket-Reference-Guide-BOOK-W%26C-EN-US.pdf

 

Plugs are available for solid cable as well.

 

Ben

[SYNACK]

Eep, worst practice, solid core is not designed to be terminated with the little plug blades and so the connection is going to be suspect at best let alone the bend etc. Get them back and tell them to sort it with a patch pannel. Might want to watch and make sure they don't sit there and untwist 10cm of the end of each cable to patch it in, this is also shocking but probably if they tries to get away with plugs on the end of solid core.

[LukeC]

We have some done this way, and the ends are shocking any slight movement we can lose connectivity or it drops from 1gb to 100mb. I'm sorting this over the next holiday - I always say go for patch panels!

[MatthewL]

Oh dear.

 

What if them points were not going to be used for data and you wanted to run a video sender over one!!

 

Get them back in to re do it and terminate to a patch panel, what is a patch panel, £50, its nothing.

 

Cross them off your list and don't use them again.

[AngryTechnician]

Solid core is not designed to be terminated with the little plug blades and so the connection is going to be suspect at best let alone the bend etc.

Just to nitpick on this - there are such things as solid core plugs where the blades are designed differently and work fine with solid cable. I sometimes use them to wire in APs, and they work fine.

 

Still best practice to use a patch panel, but if they have used the right termination plugs, connection quality should not be an issue.

[actech]

Then you get fired because of the kind of bloke you are and it then = 4x the job for the bloke who fills your shoes.

I think Theblacksheep was implying that you have only done 1/2 the job if you patch straight in, not that he would only do a half arsed job himself!

 

You know what happens when you ass-u-me!!

[Gaz]

What about getting something like this. Black Box Cat6 Feed-Through Patch Panels

[Trev_LCHS]

What was the Company name? I ask so I know never to let them near my site, not getting at you, just want to make sure they don't set foot in here

[chazzy2501]

No patch panel? Sounds like someone having a go not a professional. Are they using pre terminated cables as well? are they even using solid core?

 

if I saw this I'd fire them and withhold payment. Unacceptable.

 

(unless its an in house bodge because you just need it "now":)

[tensop]

this sort of stuff is part of a death by a thousand compromises...

[localzuk]

What about getting something like this. Black Box Cat6 Feed-Through Patch Panels

 

Not a terrible idea, but as someone else said, putting an RJ45/8P8C connector on the end of a solid core CAT5e/CAT6 cable is not going to be as good as on a stranded one - the contact may be a bit hit and miss. So, you'd need to make sure its properly done. Not to mention, those panels are outrageously expensive! Normal ones are £20-£40.

 

I'd still say do it properly with a punch-down patch panel.

Edited February 5, 2014 by localzuk

[seawolf]

I would fire the company that did that without a seconds thought.