Patchbay

A patchbay also: Patchbay, is in many areas of wired data transmission (eg audio, phone and video equipment or computer networks) a technical device for simplifying cabling where usually several devices are connected, their compounds comfortable means of short patch cables may be prepared and changed with attached to the front bushings.

While in the functionally similar cross rails or coupling fields, the sources and destinations are created as a matrix and thus arbitrarily can be switched together (n: m), can be associated with patch panels normally only ever a source to a destination ( 1:1).

The rear is not accessible usually during normal operation on the plug- fields vary - depending on the desired signal quality and simplicity of the mapping are ( individually or multi-core ) connectors, spring terminals or solder tabs used.

Application

In the early days of telephony calls were manually made ​​by telephone operators, by the interlocutors were connected via plug-in cable. The operators were able to connect with a headsets set directly on the patch panel to the terminals.

In the audio and video section patchbays enable the flexible wiring of signal outputs and inputs, such as the outputs of a mixer to a recording device or insertion of effects devices. Moreover, it is possible to intercept signals at various points in order to identify as error sources.

In the building services patchbays ( there usually referred to as patch panel ) used to interconnect all distributed over a larger area terminal connections at a central point can.

Modes of operation

In order to facilitate handling and to increase clarity, patchbays, certain signaling pathways have pre-configured internally connected without plugging the cable. This is useful, for example when the microphone input of a mixer, where, after the microphone is often a pre-amplifier (integrated in the mixer or external), an equalizer and a compressor behind each other are connected. Each trail between devices over a pair of jacks of the patch panel is performed, the output of the previous device is usually above, the input of the next below. The types of looping through is adaptable for many devices from the user, this can switch over, done the replacement of individual modules or soldering.

Normalized ( fully)

The signal is looped through to a normalized pair of sockets without plugging the cable via an internal bridge from the off to the entrance. If a plug out in one of the two sockets, the bridge will be interrupted.

Halbnormalisiert

Halbnormalisierte sockets are connected as in the normalized version unpatched state. However, it is separated only with a socket shows the default signal when plugged in, the second grinds the signal getting through. In general, the input is interpreted divisive to allow the ( exclusive ) supply another source while the output jack, the signal of both branched into patch cables as well as towards the entrance; However, this passive division may be associated with the level and quality loss.

Parallel

There is a rigid connection between all the sockets, which is not interrupted by cable plugging. This allows, for example, derive from the stereo output of the mixer, the signals for a recording device.

Open

In open configuration between the two jacks of said pair is no electrical contact.