How to pass large cable bundle through drywall?

Question

I’m moving all my network equipment to a central location inside a closet. I will mount the switch on the wall, and have about 14 Cat6 cables passing through the interior wall and going in different directions. What’s the best way to do this? I have seen passthrough wall plates like this, but I don’t like that they allow airflow and a potential entry for mice or other critters.

I have also seen recessed boxes like this with a punchdown patch bay, but this doesn't actually get the wires into the closet.

For smaller installations like in each room, I would use keystone plates like this.  So I could mount four of these right next to each other.  Is that the best approach?

Greg Hill · Answer

There exists a putty called "duct seal compound" which you can pack into the opening of a pass-through plate to seal the opening. I couldn't say whether it is rodent-resistant (few things are) but it may get the job done for you.

Answered by Greg Hill on May 15, 2021

Ecnerwal · Answer

Keystone jacks come up to 6 ports on a single-gang plate (you show 4s) so three of those would do the job. You can also get a 12-port model for a double-gang box (or boxless low-voltage trim ring, which simplifies the wire-handling behind the plate.)
6 port surface-mount boxes are also common.

How to pass large cable bundle through drywall?

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