Abstract: A cable management system includes an adapter plate disposed between a panel and a cabling component, such as a wiring block or wiring trough. The adapter plate includes a first plurality of fasteners and a first plurality of alignment pins extending orthogonally from a first surface, and second plurality of fasteners and a second plurality of alignment pins extending orthogonally from a second surface. The first plurality of fasteners engage tabs formed on the panel and the second plurality of fasteners engage features formed on the cabling component. The first plurality of alignment pins are disposed to engage alignment apertures formed in the panel. The second plurality of alignment pins are disposed to engage alignment apertures formed in the cabling component. The adapter plate can include an abutment portion disposed to abut the panel and cooperate with the first plurality of fasteners to position the adapter plate relative to the panel.

Abstract: A system having a plurality of patch cords, wherein each of the patch cord is terminated with patch cord connectors. Each of the patch cord connectors, in turn, contains a unique identifier that can be used to distinguish one patch cord from among the many patch cords in a telecommunication patch system. Within the telecommunications closet is at least one rack structure. A plurality of connector ports are disposed on the rack structure. Each of said connector ports is adapted to receive a patch cord connector. Each of the connector ports has a sensor that reads the unique identifier of any of the patch cord connectors as a patch cord connector is either inserted into, or removed from, a connector port. As the identifier on each patch cord connector is read, the overall system can automatically keep track of which specific patch cords are being added and removed from the system.

Abstract: A machine (46) for attaching an Insulation Displacement Connector (IDC) (10) to a cable (20) includes a fixture (76, 240) for engaging and arranging individual wires (18-18) in the cable in parallel, spaced-apart relationship. The machine also includes a press mechanism (51, 54, 101, 102)) for engaging a mandrel (12) of the IDC (10) and for pressing it against the wires (18-18) engaged by the fixture (76, 240) to seat each wire in a corresponding mandrel channel (14). The press mechanism (51, 54, 101 and 102) further functions to press the mandrel (12), with the wires (18-18) seated in the mandrel channels (14-14), against a IDC contact block (22) to engage each wire with an end (30) of a corresponding IDC contact (24) to accomplish attachment. As the wires (18-18) are pressed into the mandrel channels (14-14), a blade (106) severs the excess portion of each wire to facilitate attachment of the wires to the contacts.