Patch panel

Patch panels are commonly used in computer networking, recording studios, and radio and television.

The term patch came from early use in telephony and radio studios, where extra equipment kept on standby could be temporarily substituted for failed devices.

If a patch bay is wired to full-normal, then it includes break contacts in both rows of jacks.

Like patch panels, switching equipment for nearly any type of signal is available, including analog and digital video and audio, as well as RF (cable TV), MIDI, telephone, networking and electrical.

However, emulating or exceeding the capabilities of audio or video patch panels requires specialized devices like crossbar switches.

There are also software switcher applications used to route signals and control data within a "pure digital" computer environment.