3.4. Connecting pots cards to patch panel

There are three kinds of patch panel:

Use an octopus cable to connect a port of a pots card to the first type of patch panel.

The second type is more popular than the third so in most cases you can't plug a RJ11 plug into a RJ45 socket of your patch panel. Connecting a RJ11 plug into a RJ45 socket of a non compatible patch panel can cause a defective contact.

The third type can accept RJ11 plugs without issues.

Besides, a RJ45 socket can be used to connect up to 4 pots phones. In this case an adapter cable must be used to connect a pots card to patch panel, following the scheme below.

[Warning]Warning

Using the “straight” scheme of connection, crosstalk issues occur in the part of cable from patch panel to phones.

Figure 3.5. Adapter cable

Adapter cable

Using a “straight” cable crosstalk issues occur because pair #3 couples conductors #3,6 and pair #1 couples conductors #4,5. Crosstalk issues are located in the part of cable from patch panel to phones.

Figure 3.6. “Straight” scheme of connection - Conductors affected by crosstalk

Straight scheme of connection - Conductors affected by crosstalk