Panduit CPB24BL PanZone 24-Port Consolidation Point Box
Overview
The Panduit CPB24BL is a 24-port, 1RU steel consolidation point box from the Panduit PanZone line — purpose-built to deliver a structured interconnection or cross-connection point within the permanent link of a horizontal cabling run. Whether you're terminating a structured cabling system above a drop ceiling, under a raised floor, or on a wall in an open office zone, the CPB24BL gives you a clean, code-compliant place to land and reconfigure without running cable all the way back to the main distribution frame. The steel enclosure accepts a standard 19-inch panel and ships in black to blend into typical ceiling grid environments.
Key Features
- 24 Ports, 1RU Form Factor: Fits a full 19-inch patch panel in a single rack unit of vertical space. Enough capacity for a typical open-office zone without oversizing the enclosure — keeps ceiling installations compact and easier to re-enter during moves, adds, and changes.
- Three Install Orientations: Rated and designed for in-ceiling, on-wall, and under-floor deployment in a single SKU. You're not buying separate enclosures for each zone type — one part number covers the full horizontal cabling topology.
- UL 2043 Listed: UL 2043 covers air-handling space plenum applications. If your cable is running through a return-air ceiling plenum, this listing is a code requirement in most jurisdictions — not optional. The CPB24BL meets it, so you're not creating a fire code problem at the consolidation point.
- UL 1863 Listed: UL 1863 governs communications circuit accessories. This dual-listing confirms the enclosure is evaluated as a complete communications hardware component, not just a metal box — relevant when AHJ inspections check the full cabling assembly.
- Steel Construction: The all-steel body holds its shape under the mechanical stress of repeated patching cycles and the weight of populated panels. Compared to plastic enclosures, steel resists deformation when cables are dressed tightly against the enclosure walls — a real-world factor on high-density zone installations.
- 19-Inch Panel Compatibility: Takes industry-standard 19-inch panels directly, so you can populate with whatever media or port type the zone requires — copper, fiber, or mixed — without custom adapter brackets.
- 12.2 × 19.4 Inch Footprint: At 12.2 inches wide and 19.4 inches tall overall, the CPB24BL fits standard above-ceiling mounting brackets and under-floor enclosure cutouts designed for 12-inch-wide zone enclosures. Verify clearance before ordering for tight interstitial spaces.
Integration and Compatibility
The CPB24BL is panel-agnostic — any Panduit patch panel or third-party 19-inch panel seats directly. In structured cabling designs following TIA-568 or ISO 11801 consolidation point topology, this enclosure acts as the CP enclosure at the horizontal cable transition. Pair it with appropriate cable management and zone cabling accessories to complete the installation per standard. The PanZone designation indicates compatibility with Panduit's zone cabling system architecture, though the physical panel slot accepts any compliant 19-inch insert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the CPB24BL approved for installation in air-handling ceiling plenums?
A: Yes. The CPB24BL carries a UL 2043 listing, which is the standard for equipment installed in air-handling spaces. This listing is typically required by code when the enclosure is mounted in a return-air plenum ceiling.
Q: What panel size does the CPB24BL accept?
A: The CPB24BL accepts standard 19-inch rack panels. It is a 1RU enclosure, so it fits a single 1U panel insert.
Q: Can the CPB24BL be installed under a raised floor?
A: Yes. According to Panduit's product description, the CPB24BL supports in-ceiling, on-wall, and under-floor installation in a single enclosure configuration.
Q: What are the overall dimensions of the CPB24BL?
A: The overall width is 12.2 inches (308.6 mm) and the overall height is 19.4 inches (492.6 mm). Depth is not specified in available documentation — confirm with Panduit's product page before finalizing a tight-clearance install.
Q: What standards does the CPB24BL meet?
A: The CPB24BL meets UL 2043 (plenum air-handling space) and UL 1863 (communications circuit accessories).
Q: Is the CPB24BL sold as a single unit or in a case pack?
A: The CPB24BL ships with a package quantity of 1. It is sold as a single enclosure unit.
The CPB24BL is the detail that keeps a zone cabling design code-compliant without a fight at inspection. The UL 2043 plenum listing is the spec that matters most here — if you're placing this in a return-air ceiling and the AHJ pulls your plans, a non-listed enclosure at the consolidation point can hold up the entire fit-out. The CPB24BL has the listing baked in, not bolted on as an afterthought.
Technical Highlights:
- UL 2043 Plenum Listing: Required in most US jurisdictions for enclosures in air-handling ceiling spaces — using a non-listed box here puts the whole cabling installation at risk of a failed inspection.
- 19-Inch / 1RU Panel Bay: Takes any standard 1U patch panel, which means you're not locked into Panduit inserts. Copper, fiber, or mixed media all fit — a practical advantage when zone requirements vary floor to floor.
- Steel Body, 12.2 × 19.4 Inch Envelope: The all-steel construction handles repeated patching without the flex you get from plastic enclosures, and the 12.2-inch width fits standard zone enclosure mounting hardware without adaptation.
Deployment Considerations:
- Depth is not published in available documentation — measure your interstitial ceiling space or raised-floor cavity before ordering, especially on retrofit projects where clearance is tight.
- The CPB24BL ships as a single unit (package quantity 1), so factor per-unit freight into project budgets if ordering in quantity across multiple zones.
Best fit: open-office or warehouse zone cabling deployments where the consolidation point sits in a plenum ceiling and the AHJ enforces UL 2043 at every enclosure — the CPB24BL checks that box without requiring a separate plenum-rated housing kit.
