Panduit CP24BLY 24-Port All-Metal Shielded Modular Patch Panel 1U
Overview
The Panduit CP24BLY is a 24-port, 1U all-metal modular patch panel built for structured cabling installations where shielding integrity matters — data centers, enterprise IDF closets, and security-system head-end racks where EMI is a real concern. Part of Panduit's Pan-Net® copper systems line, the CP24BLY accepts up to 24 Mini-Com™ shielded keystone modules, giving you flexibility to configure port types at the rack level rather than buying fixed-port panels. The stainless-steel flat-profile chassis mounts in standard 19-inch and 23-inch racks and cabinets, so it drops into virtually any existing rack infrastructure without adapters.
Key Features
- 24-Port Mini-Com™ Modular Architecture: Each port accepts any Mini-Com™ shielded keystone module individually — swap a port from copper to fiber or replace a damaged jack without pulling the panel. For installers running mixed-media runs or phased buildouts, this avoids buying a new fixed panel every time requirements shift.
- Full-Metal Stainless Steel Construction: The all-metal chassis does two things a plastic panel cannot: it maintains shield continuity from cable to patch cord across every port, and it survives the physical abuse of active rack environments — repeated cord insertions, cable management pressure, and the occasional dropped tool. In shielded (STP/SFTP) deployments, a break in the shield path at the patch panel defeats the shielding on the entire run.
- Integrated Grounding Terminals: Built-in grounding lugs let you bond the panel directly to the rack ground bus — a requirement in shielded cabling systems (ISO/IEC 11801, TIA-607) and critical in any installation near power distribution equipment or in industrial environments where ground loops cause data errors.
- 1U Form Factor — 19-Inch and 23-Inch Rack Compatible: At 1.72 inches (43.68 mm) tall and 19 inches (482.6 mm) wide, the CP24BLY fits standard 19-inch EIA rack rails and 23-inch NEBS-style cabinets without modification. One rack unit for 24 ports keeps your patch field dense — important in head-end closets where rack space is finite.
- Labelable Port Areas + Adhesive Strip Support: The panel ships with writable label fields at each port and accepts adhesive labeling strips, so you can document circuit IDs, VLAN assignments, or camera drop numbers without buying third-party label holders. Legible port documentation reduces MAC errors and speeds up troubleshooting.
- RoHS-Compliant Materials: Meets the EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive — relevant for international deployments and for organizations with environmental procurement policies that require restricted-substance compliance across infrastructure components.
- Black Finish: The flat black stainless-steel face reduces glare in rack environments with open fronts and blends with standard rack-mount equipment aesthetics — a minor but practical consideration in client-facing or glass-wall server rooms.
Integration & Compatibility
The CP24BLY is purpose-built for the Mini-Com™ modular patch panel ecosystem — it requires Mini-Com™ shielded keystone modules (sold separately) to populate ports. This is not a pre-loaded panel. Module selection determines the cable category and performance rating of each port, so verify that your chosen modules match the cable plant (e.g., Cat6A modules for Cat6A horizontal runs). The panel's 19-inch and 23-inch rack compatibility means it integrates directly into standard network cabinets and open-frame racks without rail adapters. For complete patch field builds, pair with a Panduit horizontal cable manager above or below the panel to control cord dress — unmanaged patch cords in a 24-port field create airflow and access problems quickly. The shielded design is appropriate for shielded structured cabling systems where EMI mitigation is part of the design spec; in unshielded UTP environments, a shielded panel adds cost without functional benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the CP24BLY come pre-loaded with keystone modules?
A: No. The CP24BLY is an empty panel chassis that accepts up to 24 Mini-Com™ shielded keystone modules, which are purchased separately. This lets you configure port types (copper, fiber, or mixed) and cable category to match your specific installation requirements.
Q: Does the CP24BLY fit a standard 19-inch rack?
A: Yes. The panel is 19 inches (482.6 mm) wide and 1.72 inches (43.68 mm) tall — exactly 1U — so it mounts in standard 19-inch EIA racks. It also fits 23-inch rack formats, making it compatible with NEBS-style and older telecommunications cabinets.
Q: Is this panel suitable for shielded cabling systems?
A: Yes. The CP24BLY is described as a shielded panel with an all-metal stainless-steel chassis and integrated grounding terminals. It is designed for shielded (STP/SFTP) cabling systems where maintaining shield continuity through the patch field is required. For unshielded UTP installations, an unshielded panel would be the appropriate choice.
Q: Is the CP24BLY RoHS compliant?
A: Yes. The CP24BLY meets RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) compliance standards, as confirmed in the product specifications.
Q: Can the CP24BLY be used with any Mini-Com™ module, or only shielded ones?
A: The CP24BLY is specified for Mini-Com™ shielded keystone modules. Verify module compatibility with Panduit's Mini-Com™ shielded module line before ordering to ensure the panel and modules form a compliant shielded system.
The CP24BLY is the panel you specify when shield continuity through the patch field is a design requirement, not an afterthought. The all-metal stainless-steel chassis with integrated grounding terminals isn't a marketing bullet — in a properly bonded shielded cabling system, a plastic or partially-metal panel at the patch field breaks the Faraday cage effect you paid for in the horizontal cable plant. If you're running shielded Cat6A to IP cameras, access control readers, or PoE devices in an EMI-dense environment, the CP24BLY closes that gap.
Technical Highlights:
- All-Metal Stainless Steel Chassis: Provides the continuous metallic enclosure required for shield path integrity in STP/SFTP systems — a plastic-bodied panel, even with shielded jacks, introduces a break in the shielding chain that can allow EMI ingress at the patch field.
- Integrated Grounding Terminals: Direct rack-to-panel bonding without add-on hardware. In shielded systems, proper bonding per TIA-607 is the difference between a shielded installation that performs and one that doesn't — the grounding lugs are built in, not an aftermarket add-on.
- 1U / 24-Port Density: At 1.72 inches tall, you get 24 modular ports in a single rack unit — useful in IDF closets and security head-end racks where every U counts and a 2U panel for 24 ports is wasted space.
Deployment Considerations:
- The CP24BLY ships as an empty chassis — budget for Mini-Com™ shielded keystone modules separately. Port count and cable category are determined entirely by module selection, so confirm modules match your horizontal cable specification before ordering the panel.
- This panel is purpose-built for shielded deployments. Installing it in a UTP environment adds cost without benefit; the grounding terminals have nothing to bond to in an unshielded system and the shielded modules cost more than their UTP counterparts.
The CP24BLY is the right spec for enterprise security head-ends, industrial control rooms, and any IDF serving shielded Cat6A runs — particularly in manufacturing facilities, broadcast environments, or healthcare infrastructure where EMI from motors, lighting, or medical equipment makes unshielded cabling a reliability risk.
