Based on the firm’s ‘FeedThrough’ profile, which fits various electrical and optical connectors in the standard cut-out for an XLR connector, there are four pre-loaded panels – include one with the ST MM (multi-mode) fibre-optic connector whose straight tip connectors have a bayonet-style coupling for twist-on-twist-off installation.

The SC Simplex panel meets the requirements of single mode (SM) fibre-optic cables where each cable has one fibre, and the small form factor LC Duplex   connector is available as single and multi-mode (SM and MM) assembled panels used for duplex communication between devices where a separate transmit and receive signal are required. A cable strain relief bracket is optional.

“Applications for fibre-optic communications continue to grow as data speed, quality and bandwidth are pushed ever further by system designers,” said Cliff MD John Hall. “Our pre-assembled connector rack panels, whether fibre-optic, audio, power or USB offer systems integrators fast and convenient system assembly.”

Applications for the patch panels are expected in audio, video, digital, optical and data feeds and professional equipment for post-production and editing suits. Other applications include TV camera feeds, broadcast, networking, lighting, instrumentation and industrial applications.

The Cliff FeedThrough concept combines using the 24mm diameter XLR panel cut-out with double-ended connectors, where one connector faces inside the equipment – making assembly to internal PCBs straightforward, and a second connector faces outwards towards the equipment user. The connectors are not necessarily identical facing in and out, allowing, for example, gender-changing, and some are duals – two USB connectors in a single cut-out, for example,

Standardising on the XLR cut-out allows a variety of connectors to be mixed and matched anywhere on a panel with only a screwdriver.

FeedThrough versions available include: RJ45, HDMI, BNC and USB3.0 compliant single and dual USB versions; Firewire, HDMI A-A and 50Ω BNC; USB2 A-to-B and B-to-A gender-change sockets; high speed USB Type-C; USB3 to USB3 in all gender changing configurations – A-A, A-B and B-A; the LC and SC fibre (duplex and simplex); UTP and FTP RJ45s in both Cat6 and Cat5e (shielded and unshielded), Toslink, RCA Phono and blanking plates.

According to Cliff, the idea started for use in audio and broadcast systems, and is finding increasing popularity in instrumentation, medical and industrial applications.