Telecommunications connection cabinet

A method of connecting telecommunications cables comprising:

• providing a first panel including an array of connector holders on the panel for selectively receiving a first plurality of connectors and a second panel including an array of adapters on the panel for selectively receiving the first plurality of connectors, the first plurality of connectors each having a dust cap about a first end;
• inserting the first end of each of the first plurality of connectors into the connector holders of the first panel;
• withdrawing a selected one of the first plurality of the connectors from the connector holder;
• removing the dust cap from the first end of the selected connector;
• inserting the first end of the selected connector into one of the adapters of the second panel so that the selected connector is optically connected to a second connector inserted in an opposite end of the adapter.

A telecommunications connection cabinet comprising:

• a housing including a front opening for accessing an interior of the housing, the housing also including a front door for opening and closing the front opening;
• an array of telecommunications adapters mounted within the interior of the housing, each telecommunications adapter being configured for coupling together two fiber optic connectors such that an optical interconnection is made between the two fiber optic connectors;
• a first fiber optic cord having an end that terminates at a first fiber optic connector;
• a storage area positioned within the interior of the housing for temporarily storing fiber optic connectors, the first fiber optic connector being stored at the storage area;
• the first fiber optic connector including a connector body having a first end and a second end, the first fiber optic connector also including a ferrule positioned at the first end of the connector body, the ferrule having a side surface and an end surface, the ferrule holding an optical fiber having a polished end face positioned at the end surface of the ferrule;
• a dust cap having an open end positioned opposite from a closed end, the dust cap including an inner surface defining a central opening that extends from the open end to the closed end of the dust cap, the dust cap being mounted on the ferrule of the first fiber optic connector with the inner surface of the dust cap engaging the side surface of the ferrule and the closed end of the dust cap opposing the end surface of the ferrule;
• and
• the storage area including a connector holder for holding the first fiber optic connector with the dust cap mounted on the ferrule, the connector holder having a front side and a back side, wherein when the first fiber optic connector is held by the connector holder, the connector holder blocks access to the first end of the connector body from the front side of the connector holder.

A telecommunications connection cabinet comprising:

• a housing including a front side and a rear side, the front side defining a front opening for accessing an interior of the housing, the housing also including a front door for opening and closing the front opening;
• an array of telecommunications adapters mounted within the interior of the housing, each telecommunications adapter being configured for coupling together two fiber optic connectors such that an optical interconnection is made between the two fiber optic connectors;
• a first fiber optic cord having an end that terminates at a first fiber optic connector;
• a storage area positioned within the interior of the housing for temporarily storing fiber optic connectors, the first fiber optic connector being stored at the storage area;
• the first fiber optic connector including a connector body having a first end and a second end, the first fiber optic connector also including a ferrule positioned at the first end of the connector body, the ferrule having a side surface and an end surface, the ferrule holding an optical fiber having a polished end face positioned adjacent the end surface of the ferrule, the ferrule defining a longitudinal axis;
• a dust cap having an open end positioned opposite from a closed end, the dust cap including an inner surface defining a central opening that extends from the open end to the closed end of the dust cap, the dust cap being mounted on the ferrule of the first fiber optic connector with the inner surface of the dust cap engaging the side surface of the ferrule and the closed end of the dust cap opposing the end surface of the ferrule;
• and
• the storage area including a connector holder for holding the first fiber optic connector with the dust cap mounted on the ferrule, wherein when the first fiber optic connector is held by the connector holder, the longitudinal axis of the ferrule of the first fiber optic connector extends generally in a front to rear orientation relative to the housing.

A method for managing a fiber optic cord of a telecommunications connection cabinet, the fiber optic cord having an end that terminates at a first fiber optic connector, the first fiber optic connector including a connector body having a first end and a second end, the first fiber optic connector also including a ferrule positioned at the first end of the connector body, the ferrule having a side surface and an end surface, the ferrule holding an optical fiber having a polished end face, the telecommunications cabinet also including an adapter for coupling the first fiber optic connector with a second fiber optic connector, and a storage area for storing the first fiber optic connector before the first fiber optic connector has been coupled to the second fiber optic connector, the method comprising:

• mounting a dust cap over the ferrule of the first fiber optic connector, the dust cap having an open end positioned opposite from a closed end, the dust cap including an inner surface defining a central opening that extends from the open end to the closed end of the dust cap, the dust cap being mounted over the ferrule of the first fiber optic connector with the inner surface of the dust cap engaging the side surface of the ferrule and the closed end of the dust cap opposing the end surface of the ferrule;
• and
• inserting the first end of the connector body of the first fiber optic connector into a connector holder, the first fiber optic connector being inserted into the connector holder with the dust cap in place over the ferrule of the first fiber optic connector, wherein the connector holder is adapted to temporarily hold the first fiber optic connector at the storage area of the telecommunications connection cabinet until it is desired to couple the first fiber optic connector to the second fiber optic connector, the dust cap being mounted over the ferrule while the first fiber optic connector is held by the connector holder.