A distribution frame is a passive system used to connect telecommunication and audio-visual cables. It consists of double-sided connection blocks mounted on vertical racks within an enclosure. The blocks allow for incoming and outgoing cables to be connected and modified without disturbing existing connections. The system is used in telecommunications networks to connect available lines to consumer lines. The connector units are double-sided and consist of back-to-back connection points, with the left side used for incoming feeds and the right side for consumer lines. The number of connector blocks used depends on the size of the network served.
A distribution frame is a passive connection system used to terminate and interconnect telecommunication systems and audio-visual cables. These components typically consist of clusters of connection blocks mounted on vertical racks within a dedicated enclosure, kiosk, or building. The blocks are usually of a double-sided design which allows an incoming or power cable to be connected on one side and an outgoing or consumer cable to interconnect with it on the other side. Connections are usually made using a special tool that pushes the wire down into the terminal block, simultaneously stripping the insulation and securing the connection. The distribution frame allows these interconnections to be made, removed and modified at will as needed without disturbing any of the other existing connections.
Telecommunication and cable networks make use of a large number of wire pairs usually consisting of incoming power wires and outgoing consumer wires. In a telecommunications network, available lines are routed from a central exchange to secondary distribution points where they are then connected to the consumer’s home lines. At switching and secondary distribution points, a distribution frame system is usually employed to facilitate these connections. These systems consist of isolated modular terminal block units mounted on a vertical panel, rack, or carrier board. The deployment frame can contain anywhere from one to several hundred connector units, depending on the size of the network it serves.
The connector units used in the chassis are double-sided and consist of a series of back-to-back connection points. Most often they look like a large slab of chocolate with a series of blocks on the left and right sides of the unit. Each left and right pair is interconnected with a bus link and has a separate stab type connection point on each side. In most cases, the left side of the unit will be used for incoming feeds and the right side for consumer lines.
In the case of an empty, unpopulated connector, a typical interconnect will be made as follows. The two wires of the incoming line from the switchboard for a certain telephone number will be connected to blocks number one and two on the left side of the connection unit. The two wires of the user line will be connected to blocks one and two on the right side. The connection bus between the left and right sides therefore ensures continuity between the power and consumption lines. Each new connection will occupy the next two free rows of connectors.
Individual connector units differ in size and can consist of 12 or more connection points. The number of connector blocks used in the distribution frame will also depend on the size of the network served by the frame. This system allows linemen or technicians to easily test a specific line and make new connections and remove existing ones without disrupting service on any of the other lines.
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