--- title: "From the Museum: Patch panel – et cetera..." description: "Explore a piece of ETC's collection of historical lighting industry gear: this month, a patch panel." image: https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/patchpanel1-750x500.jpg --- - [ETCCONNECT](https://etcconnect.com/) - [ABOUT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/about) - [AUTHORS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/blog-authors) - [CONTACT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/contact) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ElectronicTheatreControls) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ElectronicTheatreControls) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/electronic-theatre-controls) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.youtube.com/user/ETCVideoLibrary) [![EtCetera_319x104](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EtCetera_319x104.png?width=319&height=104&name=EtCetera_319x104.png "EtCetera_319x104")](https://blog.etcconnect.com) [![ETC Blog](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EtCetera_319x104.png?width=319&height=104&name=EtCetera_319x104.png "ETC Blog")](https://blog.etcconnect.com) - [SPOTLIGHT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/spotlight) - [ETC CULTURE](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/etc-culture) - [GEAR](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/gear) - [LEARN](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/learn) - [ODDS & ENDS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/odds-ends) - [BRIGHT IDEAS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/bright-ideas) Search ## [![blog-header](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-header.png?width=476&height=155&name=blog-header.png "blog-header")](https://www.etcconnect.com) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ElectronicTheatreControls) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/ElectronicTheatreControls) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/electronic-theatre-controls) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.youtube.com/user/ETCVideoLibrary) [✕](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/10/monthly-museum-patch-panel#gwen-offcanvas-primary) - [SPOTLIGHT](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/spotlight) - [ETC CULTURE](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/etc-culture) - [GEAR](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/gear) - [LEARN](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/learn) - [ODDS & ENDS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/odds-ends) - [BRIGHT IDEAS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/bright-ideas) # From the Museum: Patch panel ![Kate Foster](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images/kate.png?width=34&height=34&name=kate.png)By [Kate Foster](https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/kate-foster) 3 Oct 2017 ![](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/patchpanel1-750x500.jpg)   Welcome to [Monthly(ish) Museum](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/from-the-museum), where we periodically feature highlights from ETC’s collection of historical lighting industry gear and ephemera. This installment: a Kliegl Bros. patch panel. ![Kliegl Patch Panel](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/patchpanel2.jpg?width=1400&height=921&name=patchpanel2.jpg) Our notes indicate that this patch panel dates from around 1972, and that it was installed in Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Arlington, VA. It remained in use until 2006. It is a large piece of equipment, measuring 66″ x 61″ x 100″. ### What is a patch panel, anyway? In the days before theatres had a lot of dimmers, the number of lighting positions/circuits frequently exceed the number of available dimmers. Patch panels provided a workaround, and a convenient interface for selecting which lights would be controlled by which dimmer. Each circuit in the space corresponded to one of the numbered patch cords across the top of the panel. The patch cords are designed to automatically retract when released in order to keep everything orderly (as you can see in the photo above, some of the retracting mechanisms on this unit have broken, so the cords hang loose.) This Kliegl patch panel allows up to six patch cords to connect to each dimmer, though the combined load couldn’t exceed the dimmer’s capacity. The hookup cheat sheet in the photo below shows that two or three circuits were generally patched to a single dimmer – though, of course, those circuits could then only be controlled together. ![](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_1042.jpg?width=4032&height=3024&name=IMG_1042.jpg) Often, simply controlling multiple lights together on one dimmer wasn’t enough to get the desired effect. To make the most of limited dimmers and control channels, the circuits were often manually re-patched mid-show. A dimmer that controlled a downstage special in Act I might be re-patched at intermission to control side light for an Act II dream ballet. ![](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_1046.jpg?width=4032&height=3024&name=IMG_1046.jpg) Unlike [piano boards](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/06/monthly-museum-piano-boards), which are all but extinct in the wild, there are actually still a fair number of patch panels in use in theaters around the world. I have (mostly) fond memories of using one in my college theatre circa 2005 (last I saw, it was still there). Sure, there were some loose-hanging cords and “NFG” dimmers. But the patch cord handles had a comfortable, tactile weight, and the cords retracted on their spools with a satisfying “shhhk-thunk” sound. If you ever harbored any fantasies of being a mid-century telephone switchboard operator, this was the piece of backstage equipment for you. *Do you have memories to share about using patch panels? Do you know something about the unit pictured above? Our archives are a work in progress, and we’d love your feedback. Let us know in the comments or email us at [blog@etcconnect.com](mailto:blog@etcconnect.com).* - - - 0 [#History](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/history) [#From the Museum](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/from-the-museum) [#ODDS & ENDS](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/odds-ends) [#patch panel](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/patch-panel) [#patching](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/patching) ### Programming pumpkins for a Halloween extravaganza [Previous article](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/10/programming-pumpkins-for-a-halloween-extravaganza) ### Brian Lukas – not just another lighting guy [Next article](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/09/brian-lukas-not-just-another-lighting-guy) [Kate Foster](https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/kate-foster) ![Kate Foster](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20Images/kate.png?width=180&height=180&name=kate.png) Kate joined ETC in 2012 after several years spent creating sets, props, and the occasional hack lighting design in the basement theaters of New York City. In addition to writing for ETC, she has worked on numerous in-house design projects, including tradeshow booths and the New York office’s Art Deco lobby. In her free time, Kate practices figure drawing, explores obscure corners of NYC, and pines for mountains. #### You may also like [![](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/ChannelTrack_closeup.jpg)](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/01/monthly-museum) [Consoles](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/consoles) ### [From the Museum: Channel Track 2](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/01/monthly-museum) By [Kate Foster](https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/kate-foster) 24-Jan-2017 Over the years, ETC has amassed a collection of relics from the lighting industry’s past. In this series of posts, we bring these artifacts back into the light and share them with you. This month’s... [Read More](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/01/monthly-museum) [![](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/IMG_0189-750x500.jpg)](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/06/monthly-museum-piano-boards) [tracking](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/tracking) ### [Monthly Museum: Piano boards and “portable” dimmers](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/06/monthly-museum-piano-boards) By [Kate Foster](https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/kate-foster) 6-Jun-2017 Welcome to the [Monthly(ish) Museum](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/from-the-museum), where we make periodic dives into ETC’s collection of lighting industry gear and ephemera. In this installment: piano boards. [Read More](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/06/monthly-museum-piano-boards) [![](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Basic-Busking-on-Eos-Thumbnail-750x500.jpg)](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/04/organized-improvisation-live-concert-busking-with-eos) [Eos](https://blog.etcconnect.com/tag/eos) ### [Video: Zak Al-Alami explains live concert busking with Eos](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/04/organized-improvisation-live-concert-busking-with-eos) By [Kate Foster](https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/kate-foster) 20-Apr-2017 New York based programmer Zak Al-Alami is the Lighting Director at Jazz at Lincoln Center and Arc3 Design. He recently stopped by the ETC video studio to talk us through his process of busking for... [Read More](https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/04/organized-improvisation-live-concert-busking-with-eos) - [ETCCONNECT](https://etcconnect.com/) - [About](https://blog.etcconnect.com/about) - [Authors](https://blog.etcconnect.com/blog-authors) - [Links](https://blog.etcconnect.com/links) - [Contact us](https://blog.etcconnect.com/contact) [Privacy Policy & Legal Notices](https://www.etcconnect.com/Privacy-Policy-Terms-of-Use-and-Acceptable-Use.aspx) [CA Transparency Act & Transparency in Coverage](https://www.etcconnect.com/About/California-Supply-Chain-Transparency-Act.aspx) [Do Not Share My Personal Info](https://www.etcconnect.com/Do-Not-Share-My-Personal-Info/) [CA Privacy Rights](https://www.etcconnect.com/CA-Privacy-Rights/) ![ETC blog](https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/ETC-logo_footer-wh.png)   ![ETC 50 anniversary](https://www.etcconnect.com/uploadedimages/Main_Site/Images/50yr_160x80.png "ETC 50 anniversary") [![ETC social networks](https://www.etcconnect.com/uploadedFiles/Main_Site/Images/social_Footer.png "ETC social networks")](https://www.etcconnect.com/Get-connected.aspx) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Kate Foster", "url" : "https://blog.etcconnect.com/author/kate-foster" }, "dateModified" : "2022-11-29T16:32:42.324Z", "datePublished" : "2017-10-03T05:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "From the Museum: Patch panel – et cetera...", "image" : [ "https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/patchpanel1-750x500.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.etcconnect.com/2017/10/monthly-museum-patch-panel", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.etcconnect.com/hubfs/Logos%20-%20Icons%20-%20Design%20Elements/ETC_4c.png" }, "name" : "ETC" } } ```