Punch down blocks are electrical connections used with telephony. With punch blocks the wires are slipped or punched into slots called insulation-displacement connectors. The wires are stripped as they go through. A metal clamp then holds the wires in place and sends electrical charges through them. Any company that requires punch blocks first needs to learn punch down block basics.

Understanding punch down blocks basics means learning what punch down blocks are, how to use them and how to buy them. Punch down blocks are available in two sizes that can be joined together with other punch down blocks or used separately. The amount of lines a company uses determines the size of the blocks needed.

1. Find punch down blocks descriptions and information.

2. Examine punch own blocks diagrams and guides.

3. Purchase punch down blocks.

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Read punch down blocks information and descriptions

Understanding the punch down blocks basics, setup and design for helps you choose the proper block for your business. Product specifications can become confusing if you do not understand all the terminology. Brush up on your telephony knowledge and skill base before attempting to differentiate between a Category 5 Category 6 line so that your system and all your fingers remain intact.

I recommend: Sellntell Cable Products provides descriptions and information on all types of punch down blocks. Read product descriptions and see diagrams at TWAcomm.com. Find definitions, descriptions and advice about punch down blocks at Jupitermedia.

Learn how to install punch down blocks

Proper installation is the key to getting the most out of a punch down block. Installation needs to be done by a well informed, trained professional. How-to guides and diagrams illustrate the process of installing phone punch down blocks.

I recommend: Gruber supplies diagrams of 110-punch down blocks. VDV Works provides punch blocks diagrams and how-to guides. Read tutorials about wiring 66-punch down blocks and 110-punch down blocks at HomeTech Solutions. Visit Telecommunications Tidbits for an up close diagram and description of telecommunications wires.

Purchase punch down blocks

Punch down blocks are available in two sizes: 66 and 110. Sixty-six-punch blocks are used by smaller companies who don't require Category 5 or Category 6 wiring. A 110-punch down block is required to run a Cat 5 line or higher.

I recommend: Browse a variety of plastic telephone punch down blocks at Action Electronics. Telephone Central carries phone network punch down blocks for use in a variety of company sizes. MilesTek provides their line of high quality telephone punch down block.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A punch down block tool is designed to install wires into the punch down telephone block connection. Trying to insert wires with a punch down tool causes damage to the block and the wires.

Punch down blocks, also known as punch blocks, are a shortcut for making many wire or cable connections at once, such as in telephone exchange systems. Instead of stripping insulation and tightening connections with screws one at a time, use punch down blocks to quickly make or change connections in batches.

To make connections with a punch block, use a punch block tool to insert pairs of wires or cables to be connected into one of the numerous slots in the punch down block. Blades in the tool or slot strip the insulation from the wire as it's pushed in, and the slot holds the connected wires in place.

The 110 punch down block is the standard size used today. It's compact in size and capable of handling high-speed Category 5 connections. You can still find earlier, bulkier 66 punch down blocks if you need them as replacement parts for older systems, but 66 telephone punch down blocks can't handle anything more than Category 3 connections. With either model, be sure to:

1. Compare punch down block providers prior to purchasing.

2. Look for providers that sell used or refurbished telephone punch down blocks.

3. Obtain any extra tools and accessories you need to make connections with punch down blocks.

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Find phone network punch down blocks that work well for your business

Punch down block providers carry a wide variety of punch down blocks from many different manufacturers, for many different needs. Whether you are looking for 66 punch blocks to nurse along a small office phone exchange or need the highest-speed 110 punch block, look for a punch block provider offering online tutorials or toll-free technical assistance lines.

I recommend: HomeTech Solutions carries both 110 and 66 punch blocks. They also offer an instore seminar or an online learning section for their web customers. Telephone Central stocks telephone punch down blocks for 66 and 110, and they carry accessories, jacks and cords for both systems.

Purchase refurbished punch down blocks

Phone punch down blocks can be a substantial investment. By purchasing used or refurbished equipment, you can get quality products at a lower price.

I recommend: Network Liquidators stocks refurbished used punch down blocks that are usually available for overnight delivery. Startech Telecommunications provides new and refurbished 66 punch down blocks and 110 punch down block with all needed cable and accessories.

Don't forget to purchase the right punch down block tool and replacement blades

You need a punch down block tool to insert the wires or cables into the slots in punch blocks. Some tools come with interchangeable heads that adapt to both the older 66 punch down blocks and the new 110 punch down block standard.

I recommend: Cables To Go carries a punch down block tool and replacement blades that fit both the 110 and the 66 with same day shipping. TechToolSupply.com has the 66 and 110 punch down tool as well, and offers customers a toll free question line.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Punch down blocks aren't just for telephone systems. Broadcast and audio recording studio electricians use them, too, for use of making and switching multiple connections on the fly.

Many companies use telephone punch down blocks for management of their telephone lines. Punch down blocks education and training gives your employees the skills to install and maintain punch down blocks. This gives your company the ability to increase phone systems as needed. If your company uses multiple lines and a punch down block, you will benefit from receiving punch down blocks education and training.

Punch down blocks education and training is available in three areas. The 110-punch down block training is available for companies with more than 25 lines or that use a Category 5 cable line. Training for 66-punch down blocks is available for smaller companies with fewer phone lines and who do not need a Cat 5 line. Punch block tools are used to insert the wires into the block. Learning the proper use of a punch down tool is vital to maintaining a good connection.

1. Train for the installation and repair of 110-punch down blocks.

2. Locate educational information for 66-punch down blocks.

3. Learn how to use a punch down block tools.

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Find training opportunities focused on 110-punch down blocks

Training for 110-punch down blocks is available in a variety of forms. Classroom and online courses are for students who want to learn all the ins and outs of punch down blocks. Online guides and how-to articles provide more basic installation and repair information.

I recommend: VDV Works offers detailed guides about installing telephone punch down blocks. Visit The Miller Institute for Learning with Technology to find on-site and Internet-based phone punch down blocks training. Read a step-by-step guide about installing a 110-punch down block at CableOrganizer.com.

Learn how to wire 66-punch down blocks

There are many diagrams and demonstrations available online that teach how to install and maintain 66-punch down blocks. Most of these are free but there are some that require a small payment.

I recommend: PhoneGeeks.com provides online wiring diagrams for 66-punch down blocks. Visit DSLReports.com for guides and information about wiring a 66-punch down block. Find information and explanations of a 66-block down phone punch at DoItYourself.com.

Receive training about how to use punch down block tools

Punch down tools allow you to insert wires into the block to create a punch down telephone block connection. This training is available online and can be reviewed at anytime.

I recommend: Find information and training about how to properly use a punch down block tool at FAQ4Me.net. Learn how to correctly use a punch down tool at Tom's Hardware.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Punch blocks are dangerous and should only be installed by those who have completed installation training.

Punch down blocks are the telecommunications standard for voice cabling. If your business requires many lines for your telephone, the central location for all that cabling is the punch down panel. This is where the phone line makes its connection and becomes live. Punchdown blocks, like most items in the telecommunications industry, have unique terms and jargon associated with it. Review the key terms below to find the punch down block that meets your business communication needs.

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Punch down block

A punch down block is a system that contains a large group of telecommunication wires. It's also called a terminating block, a connecting blocks or a cross-connect block.

I recommend: Read a definition of punch down block on Webopedia. Visit PCMag.com for a definition of punch blocks.

66 blocks/66 block wiring

One common type of punch down block is 66 blocks, also known as 66 block wiring. With 50 rows of four slots, 66 block wiring will handle 25 pair of wires.

I recommend: HomeTech Solutions details the different types of connecting blocks, including 66 blocks. Tech-FAQ also provides information about 66 block wiring.

110 wiring block

A 110 wiring block is another common type of punch down system. It allows connections between patch panels and outlets in the work area.

I recommend: Read about the installation process of a 110 wiring block at the CableOrganizer website.

Ethernet cabling

Ethernet cables commonly used in punch down blocks carry data, voice, audio and video signals from one source to the other. There are different categories of Ethernet cables, ranging from Cat 3 to Cat 7. The higher the Cat number is, the higher the quality of the Ethernet cable. However, anything over Cat 5 is typically not compatible with punch down blocks.

I recommend: Petri IT Knowledgebase details the different types of Ethernet cables and their uses.

Color code

Telecommunications wires are color coded depending on the type of wire it is. There is a color-coding standard among industry professionals so anyone in the telecommunications business can repair or replace the wiring. Color code is especially important in punch down blocks because of the large number of wires confined in the small area.

I recommend: Read about telecommunications color coding standards for wire on the Telecommunications Tidbits website.

Punch down tool

Like most wiring projects, you get the job done right when you have the right tool. A punch down tool is designed specifically to terminate the phone connection inside the punch down block to make the line active.

I recommend: Read about punch down tools at Phone Man's Home Phone Wiring Advice Page.