66 Block Installation Guide
A 66 block is a very common piece of telecommunications equipment seen in most residential and commercial telephone closets. Essentially a 66 block is a type of punch down block used to connect wires that will eventually feed your telecommunication service. A 66 block is designed to support the termination of 22 to 26 gauge wire which is the common gauge range of your standard telephone network cables. A 66 block is like a central hub for your telephone services. It is a panel that allows you to bring in your telephone services from the street and then easily commission them out to your end-user locations. A location is basically each telephone location in a home or business. You will have to have cable runs from your 66 block and branch out to each one of these locations to support dial tone.
In order to terminate a 66 block you will need a punch down tool that has a 66 blade on the end. By punching down the wires onto the 66 block you are essentially forcing the wire into metal slots on the 66 block. This punch down method is ensuring a strong long lasting connection. Most commonly a 66 block is mounted on a backboard (a piece of plywood) or in a structured wiring panel located in the main closet where other utility types enter the home or business. This will be your distribution point for all your services. Most 66 blocks come mountable on a flat service but it is recommended to also purchase a 66 block mounting bracket. This will give you the needed space behind the block to easily dress and terminate your cables. If you are installing your 66 block in a residential structured wiring can then it is most likely you are buying a 66 block that already includes an integrated bracket that allows you easily mount the 66 block directly into the can.
The punch down tool to terminate your cables onto a 66 block is a very common tool used by telecom and network technicians. The punch down tool has a special 66 block blade that is designed specifically to work with the metal blades that are on a 66 block. The termination tool not only pushes the wires onto the 66 block but it also cuts any excess cable that is unwanted. This leaves your terminations a clean professional look. Most quality punch down tools come with both a 110 and 66 block blade that are reversible depending on the connector block type you are using. Most punch down tools are simple to handle, simple to use, and are reasonably low in cost. Just make sure if you are terminating wire onto a 66 block that you match that solution with a 66 blade.
A 66 block is also pretty inexpensive. Most 66 blocks are made with durable high impact flame retardant materials. Be sure that the 66 block you choose exceeds Category 5e cable connecting hardware requirements specified in TIA/EIA-568-B.2. Most 66 blocks come in 50 pair configurations so there is plenty of room on the block for future growth. For best installation practices make sure you carefully read the installation instructions prior to terminating your 66 block. This will ensure the most successful installation!