Patch panel system

• US 7,193,422 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2005
• Issued: 03/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemon Company The (The Siemon Company Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: The Siemon Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Velleca, Frank, Siemon, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hirshfeld; Andrew H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HOAI AN D
• Application Number:
  US11/037,859
• Publication Number:
  US 20050186819A1
• Time in Patent Office: 791 Days
• Field of Search: 324/538, 324/537, 324/66, 361/778, 370/241, 370/248, 439/59, 439/62, 439/63, 439/188, 702/122, 702/183
• US Class Current: 324/538
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6691 with built-in signalling means H01R13/717 takes precedence

Abstract

A patch panel system including a patch panel having a first outlet including a first conductive tab and a device having a second outlet including a second conductive tab. A patch cord has a first plug having a first screen for contacting the first tab and a second plug having a second screen for contacting the second tab. The patch cord includes a conductor electrically connecting the first screen and the second screen. An analyzer is electrically connected to the first tab and detects a connection between the first tab and the second tab along the conductor.

Claims

1. A patch panel system comprising:

a patch panel having a first outlet for receiving a plug, an interior surface of the first outlet having mounted thereon a first conductive tab;

a device having a second outlet for receiving a plug, an interior surface of the second outlet having mounted thereon a second conductive tab;

a patch cord having at one end a first plug matable with the first outlet, the first plug having a conductive first screen on an external surface thereof, the first screen for contacting the first tab at the other end a second plug matable with the second outlet, the second plug having a conductive second screen on an external surface thereof, the second screen for contacting the second tab, and a conductor electrically connecting the first screen and the second screen;

an analyzer electrically connected to the first tab, the analyzer detecting a connection between the first tab and the second tab along the conductor.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the conductor is a single wire.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the conductor is a screen of the patch cord.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the second tab is a shield of the second outlet.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the analyzer is electrically connected to the second tab, the analyzer determining that the patch cord connects the first outlet to the second outlet.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the second tab is connected to ground, the analyzer determining that the patch cord connects the first outlet to an outlet on the device.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the device is active equipment.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the device is a second patch panel.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising:

active equipment connected to the second patch panel.

10. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a telecommunications outlet connected to the first outlet, a path between the telecommunication outlet and the first outlet including a ground path.

11. The system of claim 10 further comprising:

a decoupling capacitor positioned in the ground path in series with the telecommunications outlet and the first outlet.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the first plug is an RJ-45 plug having eight contacts for 4 wires pairs, the conductor being a ninth conductor on the patch cord.