The Ultimate User Guide to Fiber Patch Panel

What is a Fiber Patch Panel?

In the simplest terms, the fiber patch panel is an array of ports on one panel, which helps organize a group of fiber cables. Fiber patch panels can interconnect pre-terminated products. Also, the fiber adapter panel can realize the connection and deployment of jumpers and pigtails between the equipment and the distribution area. The fiber patch panel is generally loaded in a fiber patch panel enclosure. As shown below, four fiber patch panels are loaded in a 1U 19” rack mount enclosure.

Four fiber patch panels loaded in a 1U 19” rack-mount enclosure

 Benefits of Using Fiber Optic Patch Panels

Fiber patch panels are important hardware equipment for data centers. Using fiber optic patch panels has many significant benefits including:

- Easy access to move, add and change fiber cables as all of the changes can be done at one patch panel.

- Allow easy termination of optical cables.

- Avoid wear and tear on the input ports of expensive networking equipment (like a switch, server, etc.) since all the connections are patched by using the ports of patch panels.

- Reduce costs of fiber cables since patch panels are typically located closer to the actual equipment, allowing using shorter fiber cables.

- Facilitates better organizing and management connections of all the input ports into a patch panel.

Types of Fiber Patch Panel

LC/SC/FC/ST/MTP/MPO Fiber Patch Panel

There are various fiber patch panel connector types, including LC, SC, FC, ST, and MTP/MPO fiber patch panels. Fiber patch panels with different connector types work with corresponding fiber optic cables. In data center cabling, the most widely used are LC patch panels and MTP patch panels.

LC/SC/ST/FC/MTP Fiber Patch Panels

Single-mode/Multimode Fiber Patch Panel

Like single-mode and multimode fiber cables, single-mode fiber patch panels and multimode fiber patch panels are also available. For ease of identification, QSFPTEK designs OM3/OM4 multimode fiber patch panels as aqua, visually compatible with OM3/OM4 patch cords and connectivity that also follows the color identification scheme of the TIA/EIA standard. And QSFPTEK OS2 single-mode fiber patch panel is designed as blue.

FHD OS2 LC (Blue) and OM4 LC (Aqua) Fiber Patch Panels

6/12/24/48-Ports Fiber Patch Panel

To meet the patching requirements of different densities, fiber patch panels are also available at various port specs. In data center applications, the most common specs are 6-port, 12-port, and 48-port fiber patch panels. QSFPTEK FHD serious product portfolio includes FHD 1U 19" modular rack mount enclosure, which can hold up to 4 FHD fiber adapter panels, providing a total of 48 ports, with a max fiber capacity of 96 fibers.

6/12/24/48-Port Fiber Patch Panels

How to Use Fiber Optic Patch Panel

Fiber optic patch panels are commonly loaded in a fiber patch panel enclosure and mounted onto 19", 21" or 23" rack systems. The fiber patch panel enclosure is also known as the fiber termination box. There are typically two types of fiber optic termination boxes available, rack-mountable and wall-mountable.

Rack-Mountable Fiber Termination Box

The rack-mountable fiber termination box is mainly used for main cross-connection and intermediate cross-connection. It usually adopts a 19 " rack or cabinet and is installed in the data center equipment room or building general control room. Generally, 12 to 288-fiber indoor termination and patching applications are optional. A typical appearance of a rack-mount fiber termination box is shown below.

A rack-mountable fiber optical cable termination box typically features:

- Allows fiber cable splicing or termination.

- Protects the connection and termination parts of optical fiber cables.

- Stores and manages optical fiber cables.

- Allows various types of fiber adapter panels, such as LC, SC, MTP, etc.

Rack-Mountable Fiber Termination Box

Wall-Mountable Fiber Termination Box

The wall-mount fiber termination box is mainly used for intermediate cross-connection, optical cable branch, and indoor/outdoor access fiber cables interconnection of multi-inhabitant units, such as fiber to the building (FTTB) and optical cable branch of the building. Generally, 6~48-fiber indoor termination and patching applications are optional. A typical appearance of a wall-mount fiber termination box is shown below.

A wall-mountable fiber optical cable termination box typically features:

- Allows fiber cable splicing or termination.

- Protects the connection and termination parts of optical fiber cables.

- Stores and manages optical fiber cables.

- Allows various types of fiber adapter panels, such as LC, SC, MTP, etc.

- Equipped with safety devices, such as a padlock.

- Has impact resistance and flame-resistance property.

Wall-Mountable Fiber Termination Box

QSFPTEK FHD Series Fiber Patching Product Portfolio

The QSFPTEK FHD fiber patch panel (single-mode/multimode) is designed especially for use with FHD 1U 19" modular rack-mount enclosure or FHD wall mount enclosure. The fiber panel is pre-terminated with 12 LC duplex connectors that work with both multimode OM3/OM4 and single-mode OS1/OS2 applications. It's easy to install with a simple snap-in mechanism, no tools are needed.

The FHD 1U 19" modular rack mount enclosure can house 4 FHD fiber panels, providing a max fiber capacity of 96 fibers, whereas the FHD wall mount enclosure can house 2 FHD fiber panels, providing a max fiber capacity of 48 fibers. Both two types of enclosures are made of heavy-duty cold-rolled steel that can last a lifetime. You can choose according to your actual needs. Cable management accessories such as 1U/Zero-U horizontal cable managers are also available at QSFPTEK.

FHD 1U 19" Modular Rack Mount Enclosure (Hold 4 FAPs)

FHD Wall Mount Enclosure (Hold 2 FAPs)

FHD fiber patch panels installation guide：