Also known as a jackfield or patch bay, a patch panel is a panel that contains multiple cable connections. The back of the panel has wiring or other connective cabling that runs to disparate equipment. The front of the patch panel allows easy access to connect the different equipment through the use of short patch cables. One common example of this concept was before automatic telephone switching became widespread; early telephone operators would connect callers to their intended parties manually by plugging in a cable on the switchboard.
Patch panels are used in a variety of fields and applications. Telephone and cable companies built patch panel cabinets in neighborhoods that allow their roaming technicians to make a quick change at the cabinet to deploy or disconnect service to your home. Auditoriums and stage theaters usually have patch panels connecting the various audio-visual components to aid with performances and presentations. Radio stations, recording studios, television broadcast studios, and other media-heavy services require extensive abilities to connect and route data and media to different devices as a part of their productions. Local Area Networks and larger networks such as the global internet where you are reading this also make extensive use of patch panels and other types of connection terminals.
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