Newsgroups: comp.dcom.cabling
Subject: Re: Data (Cat6) and telephone (Cat5e) lines on the same patch panel
References: 
 writes:

> I've read various posts that seem to touch on my questions, but not knowing 
> all the lingo I'll ask anyway....
> 
> I have 18 lines of Cat6 (will use for data) and 18 lines of Cat5e (will use 
> for phone) all connected to a Belkin 48-port unshielded patch panel in my 
> basement. I also have a Cat5e line from the outside telephone box connected 
> to the patch panel. I will connect the data lines to a 3Com switch using 
> one-foot Cat6 patch cord. As for the phone lines....
> 
> 1) Any issues running the outside telephone line to the patch panel? I've 
> read that there are issues with telephone line voltage and possible damage 
> to data equipment. Does the patch panel contain this? As long as I don't 
> connect the port with the incoming telephone line to my data switch I should 
> be OK, right???

As long you don't accidentally connect the incoming telephone line 
to a data switch equipmentor similar you should be safe. 
If you happen accidentally do that connection, then there is some 
risk that you damage something (most often data equipment port 
you connected telephone to). Some equipment break more easily 
than some other, and the pins each service uses has to do what 
happens (for example Ethernet and telephone line typically are wired 
to use different pins on RJ-45 connector).  

>  2) Is the patch panel the same as a 110 block?

110 block is one type of patch panel. 
There are also other type of patch panels in use. 
For example patch panels built using RJ-45 connectors on them 
and Krone LSA PLUS type patch panels.

> 3) Is there a phone switch similar to the data switch that I use for the 
> phone lines? And if so, do I just use one-foot Cat5e patch cord to this 
> phone switch?

The closest equivalent to data switch would be a small PBX  
or a remote line card for a bigger PBX. 
 
> One of the reasons for doing it this was to have the flexibility to convert 
> a phone line to a data line and vice-versa by just moving the patch cords 
> from the phone switch to the data switch.

This wiring outlet to phone or data on need basis 
has been used on real life application.. 

-- 
Tomi Engdahl (http://www.iki.fi/then/)
Take a look at my electronics web links and documents at 
http://www.epanorama.net/