Power over ethernet transient voltage suppression patch panel

A patch panel module including transient suppression, comprising:

• a first electrical connector having a plurality of first contacts;
• a second electrical connector electrically connected to said first electrical connector, said second electrical connector having a plurality of second contacts, where each of said plurality of first contacts is connected to a respective one of said second contacts;
• and
• a circuit board having a first side with said first electrical connector mounted thereon and a second side with said second electrical connector mounted thereon,
• said circuit board including a plurality of conductors, each of said plurality of conductors connecting said each of said plurality of first contacts to said respective one of said second contacts,
• said circuit board further including a transient suppression module for at least one pair of said plurality of conductors said at least one pair of said plurality of conductors forming a differential pair, said transient suppression module including a frequency-variable impedance directly connected between said at least one pair of said plurality of conductors, wherein said frequency-variable impedance comprises a first inductor connected to a second inductor and a mutual inductance between said first inductor and said second inductor, and a voltage-variable impedance connected to said frequency-variable impedance, said voltage-variable impedance connected to at least one of a chassis and an electrical ground.

A patch panel, comprising:

• a frame for mounting to a rack;
• a patch panel module including transient suppression connected to said frame, said patch panel module including:
• a first electrical connector having a plurality of first contacts;
• a second electrical connector electrically connected to said first electrical connector, said second electrical connector having a plurality of second contacts, where each of said plurality of first contacts is connected to a respective one of said second contacts;
• and
• a circuit board having a first side with said first electrical connector mounted thereon and a second side with said second electrical connector mounted thereon,
• said circuit board including a plurality of conductors, each of said plurality of conductors connecting said each of said plurality of first contacts to said respective one of said second contacts,
• said circuit board further including a transient suppression module for at least one pair of said plurality of conductors, said at least one pair of said plurality of conductors forming a differential pair, said transient suppression module including a frequency-variable impedance directly connected between said at least one pair of said plurality of conductors, wherein said frequency-variable impedance comprises a first inductor connected to a second inductor and a mutual inductance between said first inductor and said second inductor, and a voltage-variable impedance connected to said frequency-variable impedance, said voltage-variable impedance connected to at least one of a chassis and an electrical ground.

A method of providing transient suppression in a patch panel module, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a first electrical connector having a plurality of first contacts and a second electrical connector for electrically connecting to said first electrical connector via a plurality of second contacts, where each of said plurality of first contacts is connected to a respective pair of said second contacts;
• electrically connecting said first electrical connector to said second electrical connector with a circuit board having a first side with said first electrical connector mounted thereon and a second side with said second electrical connector mounted thereon;
• directly coupling at least one pair of one of said plurality of first contacts and said respective pair of said plurality of second contacts with a frequency-variable impedance, wherein said frequency-variable impedance comprises a first inductor connected to a second inductor and a mutual inductance between said first inductor and said second inductor, said at least one pair forming a differential pair;
• and
• connecting a voltage-variable impedance between said frequency-variable impedance and at least one of a chassis and electrical ground.