Panduit CBXF6BL-AY Mini-Com 6-Port Surface Mount Box with Fiber Spool
The Panduit CBXF6BL-AY is a six-port Mini-Com® surface mount box designed for structured cabling deployments where you need a clean, wall-mounted termination point without the footprint of a full flush-mount faceplate. Built into the base is a fiber spool that captures and retains cable slack — a small detail that prevents the coiled-cable-behind-the-box problem that plagues installs done quickly. Part of Panduit's Pan-Net® copper-systems line, the CBXF6BL-AY (often searched as CBXF6BL AY) is sold individually and ships in cartons of 10.
Overview
Surface mount boxes are the right call when wall penetrations aren't practical — drop ceilings with limited above-ceiling access, retrofit installs over finished drywall, or conference rooms where you need a visible, labeled termination point that field technicians can service without opening the wall. The CBXF6BL-AY handles up to six Mini-Com modules, meaning a single box can terminate a full six-drop copper run. The black ABS enclosure keeps the profile low and blends into commercial interiors without drawing attention.
The built-in fiber spool in the base is the feature that separates this from a commodity surface mount box. Fiber slack management at the termination point is one of those steps that gets skipped under time pressure, and the consequences — bend-radius violations, signal degradation, damaged fiber over time — show up weeks or months later. Having the spool integrated into the box removes the decision from the installer entirely.
Key Features
- Six Mini-Com Module Ports: Accommodates up to six Mini-Com modules in a single enclosure. For a standard six-drop workstation cluster, one box handles the full run — no splitting across multiple faceplates or boxes, which simplifies cable management and labeling.
- Integrated Fiber Spool in Base: The built-in spool secures cable slack directly within the enclosure. This protects the cable from excess tension and bend-radius violations at the termination point — a common failure mode in retrofit installs where slack is coiled loosely behind or beside the box.
- Adhesive Tape or Screw Mounting: Installs on flat surfaces using either adhesive tape or mechanical screws. The dual-method option lets you choose a non-destructive mount for surfaces where drilling isn't permitted (glass partitions, finished panels) or a permanent screw mount for high-traffic locations where adhesive alone won't hold long-term.
- Label Pocket Included: An integrated label pocket on the box front supports field identification without improvised tape labels. In high-density environments — a server room, a trading floor, a structured AV rack area — labeled boxes prevent the wrong port from being pulled during a move or change.
- ABS Construction: The enclosure is molded from ABS plastic — impact-resistant and dimensionally stable in typical indoor environments. At 4.7 in. wide × 0.98 in. tall, the CBXF6BL-AY sits close to the wall surface, minimizing the protrusion profile in pedestrian areas.
- RoHS Compliant: Meets RoHS hazardous-substance restrictions — relevant for projects with environmental compliance requirements or EU-destination equipment specifications.
- Pan-Net® Ecosystem Compatibility: Designed to accept standard Mini-Com modules, which means it integrates directly into Panduit's Panduit structured cabling ecosystem. Port population is flexible — mix data jacks, multimedia inserts, and blank modules as the application requires.
Integration & Compatibility
The CBXF6BL-AY accepts any standard Mini-Com module from the Panduit surface mount box line. Module selection determines the actual port function — copper data, coax, fiber, HDMI, USB, or blanks for unused positions. This flexibility makes it a practical choice for AV-over-IP deployments, conference room connectivity points, and network infrastructure termination in finished spaces.
For cabling planners, the 6.66 in. overall length provides enough internal volume to dress and manage the incoming cable bundle before the runs terminate into the modules. Pair with a structured cabling patch panel on the distribution side for a clean end-to-end copper run. Competitor cross-reference: MX-SM6-01 and MX-SMZ6-01 are equivalent-position products from other manufacturers — the CBXF6BL-AY is the Panduit native option for Mini-Com module compatibility.
What's in the Box
- 1x Panduit CBXF6BL-AY Mini-Com Surface Mount Box (black, 6-port, with fiber spool)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many modules does the CBXF6BL-AY accept?
A: The CBXF6BL-AY accepts up to six Mini-Com modules. You can populate it with any combination of Mini-Com data jacks, multimedia inserts, coax adapters, or blank inserts for unused ports.
Q: What mounting methods are supported?
A: The box supports both adhesive tape and screw mounting. Use adhesive for non-destructive installs on glass or finished panels; use screws for permanent mounting in high-traffic locations where adhesive long-term hold is a concern.
Q: Does the CBXF6BL-AY include modules or just the enclosure?
A: The CBXF6BL-AY ships as the enclosure only — no Mini-Com modules are included. Modules are selected and ordered separately based on your port-type requirements.
Q: What are the physical dimensions of the CBXF6BL-AY?
A: The box measures 6.66 in. long × 4.7 in. wide × 0.98 in. tall (overall height). The slim 0.98 in. profile keeps the wall protrusion minimal in pedestrian corridors and workstation areas.
Q: Is the CBXF6BL-AY RoHS compliant?
A: Yes. The CBXF6BL-AY meets RoHS hazardous-substance compliance standards, which is relevant for projects with environmental specifications or EU-destination equipment requirements.
Q: What is the carton quantity for the CBXF6BL-AY?
A: The CBXF6BL-AY ships in cartons of 10 units. It is also available for single-unit purchase (package quantity of 1).
The detail I point integrators to first on the CBXF6BL-AY is the built-in fiber spool in the base — it's a small feature that has a real impact on long-term install quality. In retrofit and tenant-improvement jobs where you're running cable to finished spaces, slack management at the termination point is the step that gets compressed under schedule pressure, and a violated bend radius on a fiber run won't announce itself at punch-out. Having it integrated into the box at this price point removes the variable.
Technical Highlights:
- Six-Port Capacity: A full six-drop termination in a single 4.7 in. × 6.66 in. footprint — covers a standard workstation cluster or conference room AV/data combination without stacking multiple boxes on the wall.
- Dual Mounting (Adhesive + Screw): The flexibility to go adhesive-only matters in tenant environments where drilling on finished surfaces requires landlord approval or isn't permitted. The mechanical screw option handles anything in a high-traffic corridor where adhesive won't hold for a five-year lease.
- RoHS Compliance: Meets RoHS standards — relevant if you're specifying into a LEED project, an EU-connected supply chain, or a customer with a blanket RoHS requirement across structured cabling components.
Deployment Considerations:
- The CBXF6BL-AY ships as enclosure only — no modules included. Budget and order Mini-Com modules separately; the six open ports mean nothing until they're populated. Factor module lead times into your project schedule.
- The 0.98 in. profile is slim but not flush — in ADA-sensitive corridor deployments, verify the protrusion clearance against your local code requirements before mounting at standard outlet height.
This box is a natural fit for conference room AV-over-IP termination points and structured copper deployments in finished commercial tenant spaces — anywhere you need a clean, labeled six-port wall presence without opening the wall.
