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Punching Down Tip: saving time or money or both

Punching Down Tip: saving time or money or both


When you're punching-down wires on a jack, patch panel or punchdown block, it's tempting to try to save money by leaving only a little bit of wire coming out of the end of the outer wire jacket.

While it's true that inches do add up to become feet, it's often a false saving.

If you leave three to four inches, you'll have a good "handle" that will make it easier to place the wires into the proper position for punching. After you punch, the longer length is easy to throw into the trash -- much easier than probing with a needle-nose pliers or blowing out tiny chunks of wire.

You'll get a better job done in less time, and that certainly will pay for a few extra feet of wasted wire.

(photo from Leviton)