A breakout box is a piece of electrical test equipment used to support
integration testing, expedite maintenance, and streamline the troubleshooting process at the system, subsystem, and component-level by simplifying the access to test signals. Breakout boxes span a wide spectrum of functionality. Some serve to break out every signal connection coming into a unit, while others breakout only specific signals commonly monitored for either testing or troubleshooting purposes. Some have
electrical connectors, and others have
optical fiber connector
An optical fiber connector joins optical fibers, and enables quicker connection and disconnection than splicing. The connectors mechanically couple and align the cores of fibers so light can pass. Better connectors lose very little light due ...
s.
A breakout box serves as a troubleshooting tool to determine the wiring of an
electrical connector interface on a networking device or computer. Typically, a breakout box is inserted between two electrical devices to determine which signal or power interconnects are active. Breakout boxes are handy in troubleshooting connection problems resulting from manufacturing errors (e.g., miswiring) or defective interconnects resulting from broken wiring. Breakout boxes are specific examples of a more general category of network testing equipment called "status monitors".
Various such monitoring devices are available for testing serial interfaces, including
RS-232
In telecommunications, RS-232 or Recommended Standard 232 is a standard originally introduced in 1960 for serial communication transmission of data. It formally defines signals connecting between a ''DTE'' (''data terminal equipment'') such ...
,
RS-449
The RS-449 specification, also known as EIA-449 or TIA-449, defines the functional and mechanical characteristics of the interface between data terminal equipment, typically a computer, and data communications equipment, typically a modem or term ...
,
V.35, and
X.21, as well as specialty interfaces. They generally come with several kinds of connectors and are quick and easy to use for isolating problems with serial transmission connections in networking, telecommunications, and industrial settings.
Variants
![KL Break Out Box RS-232](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/KL_Break_Out_Box_RS-232.jpg)
The term ''breakout box'' is derived from the mechanical enclosure in which a connector's aggregate connections are separated (i.e., broken out) into the individual signal or current-carrying wires or cables. Often, if there are only a few connections, then a breakout cable (also called an ''octopus cable'') may be used, as is common on
notebook computer
A laptop, laptop computer, or notebook computer is a small, portable personal computer (PC) with a screen and alphanumeric keyboard. Laptops typically have a clam shell form factor with the screen mounted on the inside of the upper li ...
s.
The most common breakout boxes use
D-subminiature
The D-subminiature or D-sub is a common type of electrical connector. They are named for their characteristic D-shaped metal shield. When they were introduced, D-subs were among the smallest connectors used on computer systems.
Description, no ...
connectors (sometimes referred to as D-sub connectors and sometimes erroneously as DB connectors) and are configured with both male and female
DE-9, DA-15, DB-25, DC-37 or DD-50 standard density connectors and related test points. These units can also be used to simulate special cables, interconnect
RS-232
In telecommunications, RS-232 or Recommended Standard 232 is a standard originally introduced in 1960 for serial communication transmission of data. It formally defines signals connecting between a ''DTE'' (''data terminal equipment'') such ...
devices, or adapt test equipment to an RS-232 device.
* ''Breakout boxes for post-production studio editing suites.'' Breakout boxes (also called patch bays or
patch panel
A patch panel is a device or unit featuring a number of jacks, usually of the same or similar type, for the use of connecting and routing circuits for monitoring, interconnecting, and testing circuits in a convenient, flexible manner. Patch ...
s) are used to patch audio/video output signals from multiple sources and connect them to other devices quickly. These boxes range from simple analog audio interconnects with up to 96 audio ins/outs
to complex plug-in component with composite video, S-Video, HDMI, RS422 control, and digital signaling.
* ''Industrial I/O breakout box.'' A piece of
electronic test equipment
Electronic test equipment is used to create signals and capture responses from electronic devices under test (DUTs). In this way, the proper operation of the DUT can be proven or faults in the device can be traced. Use of electronic test equipmen ...
used for
diagnosing problems in
computer communications, typically over a
serial port
In computing, a serial port is a serial communication interface through which information transfers in or out sequentially one bit at a time. This is in contrast to a parallel port, which communicates multiple bits simultaneously in parallel. ...
. The breakout box sits between two pieces of equipment and usually has some LEDs to display the status of the different signals in the serial cable. It will also often have
DIP switch
A DIP switch is a manual electric switch that is packaged with others in a group in a standard dual in-line package (DIP). The term may refer to each individual switch, or to the unit as a whole. This type of switch is designed to be used on a ...
es to let the user connect or disconnect different signals in the cable. It will usually have connector pins that let the user short pins together using electrical
jumpers
Jumper or Jumpers may refer to:
Clothing
* Jumper (sweater), a long-sleeve article of clothing; also called a top, pullover, or sweater
**A waist-length top garment of dense wool, part of the Royal Navy uniform and the uniform of the United Stat ...
or gain access to individual signal lines with an oscilloscope or other test equipment.
* ''
RS-232
In telecommunications, RS-232 or Recommended Standard 232 is a standard originally introduced in 1960 for serial communication transmission of data. It formally defines signals connecting between a ''DTE'' (''data terminal equipment'') such ...
breakout box:'' Typically, RS-232 breakout boxes offer complete control of the RS-232 interface, test, re-wire, and open signal lines. These devices are pocket-sized for circuit testing, monitoring, and patching. They usually provide ten interface signal powered
LEDs to permanently monitor TD, RD, RTS, CTS, DSR, CD, TC, RC, DTR (E) TC signals, as well as enabling the breakout of individual circuits or reconfiguration or patching any or all of the 24 active switch positions.
*
Personal computer
A personal computer (PC) is a multi-purpose microcomputer whose size, capabilities, and price make it feasible for individual use. Personal computers are intended to be operated directly by an end user, rather than by a computer expert or tec ...
sound card
A sound card (also known as an audio card) is an internal expansion card that provides input and output of audio signals to and from a computer under the control of computer programs. The term ''sound card'' is also applied to external audio ...
s. A
DA15
The DA postcode area, also known as the Dartford postcode area,Royal Mail, ''Address Management Guide'', (2004) is a group of eighteen postcode districts in England, within eleven post towns. These cover parts of south-east London and north-wes ...
connector on the outside of the board is often broken out into
DIN connector
The DIN connector is an electrical connector that was standardized by the ' (DIN), the German Institute for Standards, in the early 1970s. The male DIN connectors (plugs) feature a 13.2 mm diameter metal shield with a notch that limits the ...
s for
MIDI
MIDI (; Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a technical standard that describes a communications protocol, digital interface, and electrical connectors that connect a wide variety of electronic musical instruments, computers, and ...
. Some professional audio applications use
rackmount
A 19-inch rack is a standardized frame or enclosure for mounting multiple electronic equipment modules. Each module has a front panel that is wide. The 19 inch dimension includes the edges or "ears" that protrude from each side of the equ ...
breakout boxes. A
patch panel
A patch panel is a device or unit featuring a number of jacks, usually of the same or similar type, for the use of connecting and routing circuits for monitoring, interconnecting, and testing circuits in a convenient, flexible manner. Patch ...
can also function as a breakout box, in the case of multi-channel DB25 (or other) connectors used for
multi-track recording
Multi-track may refer to:
* Multitrack recording, the process of mixing individual sound sources to a single recording
* Multi-track diplomacy, a method of conflict resolution
* Multi track, a process of civil litigation in England and Wales
** ...
.
*
Docking station
In computing, a docking station or port replicator (hub) or dock provides a simplified way to ''plug-in'' a mobile device, such as a laptop, to common peripherals. Because a wide range of dockable devices—from mobile phones to wireless mou ...
s for notebook computers. These draw the signal for multiple connectors from the pins of one connector.
*
Electronic control unit
An electronic control unit (ECU), also known as an electronic control module (ECM), is an embedded system in automotive electronics that controls one or more of the electrical systems or subsystems in a car or other motor vehicle.
Modern vehic ...
s (ECUs) in automotive engines have proprietary connectors that are densely packed, environmentally sealed, and difficult to gain access to without causing damage. The manufacturer sometimes provides a breakout box to allow service engineers to test the unit.
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Breakout Box
Telephony
Input/output
Electrical signal connectors
Audiovisual connectors
Computer connectors
Electrical connectors