Patch Panels & Comms Cabinets

Patch panels and comms cabinets form the central hub of a structured cabling network, where cable runs from wall outlets terminate and connect to switches and routers. We stock Knightsbridge 19 inch 1U 24-port UTP patch panels in CAT5e and CAT6 and a 6U 400mm deep wall-mounted comms cabinet.

Complete each link with Zahler 1 and 2 gang RJ45 sockets, CAT5e and CAT6 modules, faceplates, blanks and RJ45 crimp plugs. Trade pricing is available to account holders, and in-stock networking items ordered before 5pm reach NI and ROI the next working day.

NET24C6 In-Stock

Knightsbridge 19” 1U 24-port UTP CAT6 Patch Panel

£40.56 inc. VAT

19 1U 24 port UTP CAT5e Patch Panel by Meteor Electrical

NET24C5E In-Stock

Knightsbridge 19" 1U 24-port UTP CAT5e Patch Panel

£40.19 inc. VAT

6U/400 In-Stock

6U 400mm Deep Standard Duty Wall Rack Comms Cabinet

£154.28 inc. VAT

NETCAT5WH Ships in 3-5 days

White Modular UTP CAT5E RJ45 Outlet

£3.00 inc. VAT

NETCAT6WH In-Stock

CAT 6 RJ45 Single Module

£3.36 inc. VAT

ZC652 In-Stock

Zahler 1 Gang RJ45 Socket

£4.34 inc. VAT

ZC653 In-Stock

Zahler 2 Gang RJ45 Socket

£10.03 inc. VAT

FP2G Ships in 3-5 days

2 Gang 4 Module Face Plate

£5.40 inc. VAT

NETHWH In-Stock

Half Blank Plate Module (25mmx50mm)

£2.04 inc. VAT

NET2GWH In-Stock

1 Gang 2 Module Face Plate

£1.69 inc. VAT

RJ45/P In-Stock

RJ45 UNSCREENED CAT5 CRIMP PLUG

£0.20 inc. VAT

How to plan a patch panel and comms cabinet installation

A tidy, well-labelled patch panel makes a network easier to install, test and maintain. Whether you are wiring a home office, a small business or a fit-out, the same principles apply: match the components, size the cabinet with room to grow and keep cabling neat.

Choose the cable category

Decide on CAT5e or CAT6 at the start and use the same category for the network cable, patch panel, outlets and patch leads. CAT6 is the more common choice for new installations, while CAT5e remains widely used for basic office and home networks. Mixing categories means the link performs to the lowest-rated component.

Size the comms cabinet

Comms cabinets are measured in rack units (U), with 1U equal to 1.75 inches (44.45mm) of height. Count everything that will sit in the rack:

Patch panels, usually 1U per 24 ports
Network switches and routers
Cable management bars or brush panels
Power distribution units and shelves for equipment
Spare space for future expansion

Also check depth: a 400mm deep cabinet suits patch panels and compact switches, but larger equipment may need a deeper enclosure.

Installation tips

Terminate cables to the same wiring scheme throughout, usually T568B or T568A, and keep pair untwisting to a minimum at each termination. Label every port and its matching wall outlet. Dress cables neatly with cable ties or hook-and-loop straps without overtightening, and keep data cables separated from mains in line with current wiring regulations and cabling guidance. Test every link, and use proper data networking tools for punch-down and crimping.

Meteor Electrical carries 5,000+ products in stock from 100+ trade brands. Delivery is free on orders over £30 / €35 ex VAT, and you can Click & Collect from our Cookstown trade counter.

FAQ's Ask Your Own Question

What are Patch Panels?: A patch panel is a piece of hardware with several ports that aids in the organization of a bunch of cables. Each of these ports has a cable that connects to a different location. They can also be configured for cat5 cables, RJ45 cables, and a variety of other cables.
What are Patch Panels used for?: Patch panels are found in a variety application and are used to connect various IT equipment. Each connection on a patch panel connects to a separate device throughout the facility. Each panel collects all the connections to connect to another network. This is commonly used to link a LAN to a WAN or the Internet.
What is Comms Cabinets used for?: These network cabinets provide a professional cable management solution and are extremely simple to mount server racks within.
What does 1U mean on a patch panel?: 1U means the patch panel takes up one rack unit of height, which is 1.75 inches or 44.45mm, in a standard 19 inch rack or comms cabinet. A 1U 24-port panel is the most common size. Knowing the U height of each item lets you work out how big a cabinet you need and how much space remains for future equipment.
What size comms cabinet do I need for a small office?: For a small office with one or two patch panels and a network switch, a 6U to 12U wall-mounted cabinet is usually enough. Add up the rack units for each panel, switch, cable manager and shelf, then allow spare space for growth. Check the depth too, as some routers and switches need more than 400mm.
What is the difference between UTP and shielded patch panels?: UTP (unshielded twisted pair) patch panels rely on the twisting of the cable pairs to reduce interference and are the standard choice for most office and home networks. Shielded panels have a metal screen and are used with shielded cable in areas with high electrical noise. The panel, cable, outlets and leads should all be either unshielded or shielded, not mixed.