D/7 - #1982

White Paper:
Leviton Patch Panels
The Right Panel for your Network Application
Asef Baddar, RCDD
Principal Engineer / Applications Engineering Supervisor
Leviton Network Solutions
Keith Kosanovich, RCDD
Senior Product Manager, Copper Systems
Leviton Network Solutions
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Table of Contents
D efinition 3
Technology Lending a H and 3
Choices, Choices, and M ore Choices 4
Cable M anagem ent 7
Sum m ary 8
3
Definition
The telecom m unications industry defines a patch panel as a panel of netw ork ports contained
together, usually w ithin a telecom m unication room or a com puter room , that connects the
incom ing and outgoing lines of a local area netw ork (LAN ) or Audio/Video applications. The
patch panel connects the netw ork's com puters to each other and to outside lines, w hich enables
the LAN to connect to the Internet or another W ide Area N etw ork (W AN ). These connections are
m ade using a patch cord. The patch cord allow s circuit connections to be arranged or rearranged
by relocating the patch cord plug from one port to another. Patch panels offer the convenience
of allow ing technicians to quickly change the path of select signals, w ithout the expense of
dedicated sw itching equipm ent.
Patch panels are typically installed on 19" or 23" racks that house cable connections term inated
in the back of the panel. They typically have short patch cords arranged in the front to allow
continuous access. Patch panel racks m ay also be housed w ithin cabinets used in D ata Centers
and Telecom m unication Room s. 23" applications w ill require panel extension bars to fit standard
19" panels.
Technology Lending a Hand
W hile patch panels offer flexibility and convenience, they can also introduce cable m anagem ent,
fit, and w ire term ination issues. Therefore, it can be difficult to find a panel designed to m eet
each custom ers needs. Leviton M anufacturing Com panys Voice & D ata D ivision has accum ulated
over tw o decades of valuable experience in the m anufacture of innovative voice, data, audio, and
video products. O ver those years, Leviton Voice & D ata has developed a w inning approach to
patch panel design that distinguishes itself from other patch panel m anufacturers. Levitons
philosophy is to address the custom ersneeds w ith the right patch panel and the right product
accessory to suit the specific application.
Leviton puts each new product line through a rigorous process that captures the m axim um
required deliverables to m eet custom er expectations. Those deliverables cover custom er and
value chain input, design concepts and alternatives, developm ent and m anufacturing, quality of
product, and then launch of the product w ith proper m arketing literature and appropriate product
training. Leviton application and specification engineers follow through on projects to determ ine
custom er feedback, and to m ake sure that proper installation guidelines are follow ed.
Leviton offers the right product fam ily to fit current and future applications. Leviton patch panels
are installed in D ata Centers, traditional Telecom m unication Room s (TR), H orizontal Zone Enclosures,
and in various security applications. Therefore, choices vary based on application needs and
density. O n pages 4-7, w e sum m arize the different offerings available from Leviton M anufacturing,
and the recom m ended place of use for each.
Choices, Choices, and More Choices
Standard Panels
Leviton offers m any options to
choose from like the standard
U niversal Patch Panels & Blocks that
contain 6-port RJ-45 m odules in the
front and 110-style punch dow ns in
the rear. These are available in 24-
and/or 48-port configurations w ith
T568A and B w iring schem es. Panels
also com e in a Q uickPort

style pre-loaded w ith any style connector desired, such as

eXtrem e

10G or eXtrem e 6+ , just to nam e a few . These panels feature Pair Separation Tow ers
for easy punch dow n, accurate and effective installation, and no split pairs. M ost Q uickPort
connectors, in pre-loaded panels, include Retention Force Technology to ensure long-term signal
integrity. These traditional standard panels can be used anyw here a patch panel is needed, and
w ork great in traditional TRs.
High Density Panels
For retrofits and tight-fit installations, Leviton
Q uickPort H igh D ensity Patch Panels are
an excellent choice. The robust 1RU 48-
Port Patch Panel features a patent pending
Egg-Cratedesign that increases patch
panel rigidity, w hile offering high-strength
and low w eight. Each kit includes a panel,
the appropriate num ber of connectors of
custom ers choice, labels and label holder,
and a cable m anagem ent bar.
Levitons 72-Port Patch Panels are available in
both standard and angled styles, and provide a
50% increase in port density over traditional 2RU
panels. 72-Port Patch Panels can be used in
m any places but they are popular in tight TRs and in data centers w here space is at a prem ium .
Increased density is an im portant custom er requirem ent for telecom m unications room s and data
center applications to m ake the m ost use of valuable rack, cabinet and floor space.
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Recessed Panels
Levitons Recessed Patch Panels feature a space-saving recessed design that allow s im proved
access in applications w ith m inim al depth in front of the panel w hile m aintaining proper cable
bend radius. This key feature helps ensure netw ork perform ance in data centers, central offices,
and other high density environm ents.
Universal 110-Style Recessed Patch Panels
feature Category 5e or 6 perform ance in 24- or
48-port densities. Clear, m agnifying port identification
w indow s are easy to read; color-coded labels
are provided.
QuickPort

Recessed Patch Panels are

available pre-loaded w ith eXtrem e

10G /CAT 6A,

eXtrem e 6+ /CAT 6, or G igaM ax 5e+ /CAT 5e
connectors in 24- or 48-port densities. U nloaded
Q uickPort panels are offered in 24- and 48-port
densities as w ell as a high-density 72-port option.
All panels include a cable m anagem ent bar that
attaches to the rear of the panel.
Angled Panels
For optim um rack density, unrestricted patch
cord access, and a choice of Q uickPort and
U niversal styles, Levitons 128-degree Angled
Panel is the solution. The configurable design of
the QuickPort Angled Panel allow s for insertion
of alternative Q uickPort connectors to custom ize the application. This sam e feature sim plifies
m oves, adds, and changes. The Universal Angled Patch Panel is offered w ith six-port RJ-45
m odules on the front w ith 110-style punch dow ns on the rear. Both styles feature a slim
profile and offer excellent patch cord transition to vertical cable m anagem ent w ithout the use
of horizontal or front cable m anagem ent bars. This panel design is used in data center and
traditional TRs requiring high flexibility.
Recessed Angled Panels
Levitons Recessed Angled Patch Panel offers
easy cable m anagem ent and patch cord access.
The dual-angled design provides im proved access
to 110 punch-dow n field and enhanced patch
cord transition to vertical cable m anagem ent.
The panel is ideal for cabinet applications that
require a low profile panel. The recessed design ensures proper patch cord bend radius w hen
there is a m inim al clearance betw een cabinet doors and m ounting rails. Panels are available in
both U niversal and Q uickPort styles, pre-loaded or unloaded, and in a variety of port densities.
Shielded Panels
Leviton offers a Shielded Connectivity Solution
that safeguards data from electrom agnetic inter-
ference that can degrade and disrupt signal. The
panel is offered as an em pty 1RU 24-port for
field configuration w ith Shielded 10G , CAT 6, or
CAT 5e jacks. Cable m anagem entbar included.
Zero-U Panels
Levitons new VertiGO

Zero RU Patch Panel

provides the ideal solution for copper and fiber
connectivity in lim ited space applications. The prim ary
application is for data center server cabinets. The panel
consum es zero horizontal rack units (RU) by m ounting
vertically in the back of the cabinet. This provides easy
access to connectivity, im proved airflow, reduced patch
cord routing com plexity, and m ore space to m anage
active equipm ent.
The VertiG O panel is available in tw o styles, com patible
w ith either Q uickPort

copper connectors or O pt-X

fiber adapters, and accepts up to 12 connectors.

O ptional vertical cable channels offer an aesthetic and
flexible approach to dressing out and m anaging cable
bundles. The VertiG O panel is great for data centers
w here rack unit space is lim ited, as it can be m ounted
and stacked vertically on the idle space inside server
cabinets. VertiG O s com pact dim ensions allow for a
variety of overhead installation options, including inside
cabling ducts, or in a tray in locations w here netw ork
security m ay be a concern.
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Cable Management
H igh density patch panels lead to very full racks and cabinets, m aking efficient cable m anagem ent a
necessity. Leviton m anufactures m any cable m anagem ent products and accessories to com plim ent
its w ide variety of patch panel offerings.
Horizontal Versi-Duct

slotted ducts com e in different options:

o 1RU and 2RU front & rear
o 1RU and 2RU front only
Vertical Versi-Duct slotted ducts com e in different options:
o 35" long front & rear or front only
o 80" long front & rear or front only
Patch Cord Organizers com e in different options:
o 1RU and 2RU in 4" rings w ith and w ithout covers
o 4RU in 4" and 6" rings w ith and w ithout covers
Extended Cable Management Bar m ounts to the back of rack for active equipm ent
Front Hinge Bracket tilts dow n to allow easy punch dow ns and access to the rear of
the panel w ithout rem oving the panel from the rack
O ther m anagem ent bar options:
o SpaceM aker Cable M anager to facilitate retrofits
o Tie-W rap Bars to help keep cable in place w ithout pinching the cables
o Com bo Front and Rear Bar M anagers to take of both sides w ith one product
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Leviton
2222-222nd St. S.E. Bothell, WA 98021-4422 USA
Phone: (800) 722-2082 Fax: (425) 483-5270
Email: info@leviton.com Website: www.leviton.com
Leviton Canada
165 Hymus Blvd. Point-Claire, Quebec Canada H9R-1G2
Phone: (514) 954-1840 Fax: (514) 954-1853
International CustomersCall Leviton Network Solutions International Sales Department
Phone: (425) 486-2222 Fax: (425) 485-9170
Email: intl@leviton.com
Summary
Leviton proudly offers a world-class variety of patch panel options, including products like the
ingenious VertiGO, High-Density, and Shielded product lines. Even so, a cutting-edge patch
panel is only part of the solution.
In todays bustling, highly dense networks, the right cable management solution is a must. To
compliment its line of patch panels, Leviton manufactures an equally impressive line of cable
management products.
It all comes down to offering the right solution for your network application. Leviton makes it
easy. Visit us online at www.leviton.com for more information.