Panduit CBX2IW-AY 2-Port Mini-Com Surface Mount Box
The Panduit CBX2IW-AY is a 2-port surface mount box from the Pan-Net™ series, designed to house Mini-Com™ keystone modules in locations where a flush wall plate is not practical — think exposed concrete, brick, or glass partition walls where cutting a box into the substrate is not an option. At 3.65 in. long × 1.95 in. wide × 1.06 in. tall, it keeps the footprint compact enough to deploy on workstation surfaces, under desks, or along baseboards without creating an obstruction. Off-white (blanc cassé) finish blends into standard commercial interiors.
Overview
Surface mount boxes fill a specific gap in structured cabling: code-compliant terminations without in-wall rough-in. The CBX2IW-AY accepts exactly two Mini-Com modules — think RJ-45 data jacks, fiber adapters, coax, or multimedia inserts — making it the right tool for two-port drops at workstations, AV connection points, or IP camera data outlets on exposed wall runs. The plenum rating (UL 2043) means it can be deployed above drop ceilings and in air-handling spaces without triggering a fire-code violation, which matters on commercial build-outs where the inspector checks. UL 1863 certification covers the communications raceway standard, keeping the installation documentable for building permits and IT infrastructure audits. RoHS compliance rounds out the certifications for environments with environmental materials restrictions.
Key Features
- 2-Port Mini-Com Capacity: Accepts any two Mini-Com™ keystone inserts — data, fiber, coax, or multimedia — so a single box handles a complete workstation drop or a dual-feed camera outlet without requiring a separate surface raceway and plate.
- UL 2043 Plenum Rating: Cleared for installation in air-handling spaces and above drop ceilings. This is the certification building inspectors actually check; a non-plenum box in a plenum space is a code violation that causes project delays and rework costs.
- UL 1863 Compliant: Meets the communications raceway wiring standard, keeping the installation documentable for commercial building permits, structured cabling audits, and end-user warranty on the cabling system.
- Three Mounting Options: Ships ready for adhesive tape, screw, or optional magnet mounting — no extra hardware kits needed for most installations. Screw mount is the right call for permanent deployments; adhesive works on glass or finished surfaces where drilling is not permitted; magnetic attachment suits modular furniture and equipment enclosures.
- Label Identification: Accepts an adhesive label for port identification — useful in multi-drop installations where field technicians need to trace circuits quickly without pulling the box off the wall.
- ABS Construction: Impact-resistant ABS keeps the box from cracking under normal installation handling and holds its shape in climate-controlled commercial interiors. Not rated for outdoor or high-humidity environments — plan accordingly.
- Compact Footprint (3.65 × 1.95 × 1.06 in.): Low-profile enough to sit on a desk edge or mount inside an equipment rack surround without blocking adjacent ports or creating a cable management problem.
- RoHS Compliant: Meets the EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive — required for projects with environmental materials specifications or international distribution.
Integration & Compatibility
The CBX2IW-AY (often searched as CBX2IW AY) is designed exclusively for Panduit Mini-Com™ keystone modules. It does not accept non-Mini-Com third-party inserts — verify your jack and adapter inventory matches the Mini-Com form factor before ordering. For Panduit structured cabling deployments already using Mini-Com patch panels and surface raceways, the CBX2IW-AY integrates cleanly into the same ecosystem. Competitor cross-references include 4S089-2WP, AX102652, and OR-40400050 for integrators sourcing from mixed-brand environments. This box pairs naturally with surface-mount patch cords and horizontal cabling runs in open office, retail, and light industrial environments. For structured network infrastructure projects requiring higher port density, Panduit offers larger surface mount boxes in the same family.
What's in the Box
- 1× Panduit CBX2IW-AY 2-port Mini-Com surface mount box, off-white
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Panduit CBX2IW-AY rated for plenum (air-handling) spaces?
A: Yes. The CBX2IW-AY meets UL 2043, the standard for communications equipment installed in plenums and other spaces used for environmental air. It also meets UL 1863 for communications raceway systems. Both ratings are required for above-ceiling installations on most commercial projects.
Q: What modules fit in the CBX2IW-AY?
A: The CBX2IW-AY accepts Panduit Mini-Com™ keystone modules only — up to two per box. This includes RJ-45 data jacks, fiber adapters, coax inserts, and other Mini-Com format multimedia modules. It is not designed for non-Mini-Com third-party inserts.
Q: What are the mounting options for the CBX2IW-AY?
A: The box supports three mounting methods: adhesive tape (suitable for glass or finished surfaces where drilling is prohibited), screw mounting (recommended for permanent commercial installations), and an optional magnet (useful on metal surfaces or modular furniture panels).
Q: Can the CBX2IW-AY be used outdoors?
A: No. The CBX2IW-AY is an ABS indoor surface mount box with no IP or NEMA environmental rating. It is intended for climate-controlled indoor environments — offices, corridors, retail spaces, and above-ceiling plenum areas. Do not install it in exposed outdoor locations or high-humidity environments.
Q: What are the physical dimensions of the CBX2IW-AY?
A: The CBX2IW-AY measures 3.65 in. (length) × 1.95 in. (width) × 1.06 in. (height) — equivalent to approximately 92.7 × 49.5 × 27 mm. Carton quantity is 10 units; each box ships individually (package quantity of 1).
Q: Is the CBX2IW-AY RoHS compliant?
A: Yes. The CBX2IW-AY meets RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) compliance requirements, making it suitable for projects with environmental materials specifications or installations subject to EU regulatory requirements.
The CBX2IW-AY earns its place on commercial structured cabling projects primarily because of its dual certification stack — UL 2043 plenum and UL 1863 raceway — in a box that costs less than $12 MSRP per unit. That combination is harder to find than it should be on a 2-port surface mount form factor, and it is the reason I specify this box on above-ceiling camera data drops and open-office workstation outlets where in-wall rough-in is not an option.
Technical Highlights:
- UL 2043 Plenum Rating: Clears the box for above-drop-ceiling cable runs and air-handling spaces — the certification that building inspectors specifically verify on commercial fit-outs. Non-compliant boxes installed in plenum spaces require rework and can void the cabling system warranty.
- Compact Geometry (3.65 × 1.95 × 1.06 in.): Low enough profile to mount flush on a workstation edge, under a countertop, or along a baseboard without creating a cable management hazard. The 27 mm height in particular keeps it out of ADA clearance zones on accessible surfaces.
- Three-Method Mounting: Adhesive, screw, and optional magnet give installers flexibility to match the mounting method to the substrate — no extra hardware kits, no field improvisation. Screw mount is the durable permanent choice; adhesive is the right call on glass partition walls.
Deployment Considerations:
- This box accepts Mini-Com™ modules exclusively — confirm your jack inventory is Mini-Com format before deploying at scale. Mixing module families mid-project creates compatibility problems at the insert level that are time-consuming to unwind.
- ABS construction means no outdoor or high-humidity exposure. The CBX2IW-AY has no IP rating — keep it indoors in climate-controlled spaces. If you need a surface mount box for a loading dock, warehouse perimeter, or exterior wall, look for a rated enclosure instead.
The CBX2IW-AY is the right spec for open-plan office fit-outs and retail floor deployments where plenum compliance is non-negotiable, port count is low, and the installation needs to stay clean and labeled without cutting into finished walls.
