The RJ45-8CAT5 and RJ45-16CAT5 are patch panel protectors comprising two rows of RJ45 connectors in a 2 HU rack panel. Protection is provided by a custom array comprising high speed steering diodes and transil diodes connected from each line to line and to a common point for every line in every RJ45 connector. This common point connects to frame ground via an earthing link. The custom array presents extremely low shunt impedance to normal signals with low capacitance and hence minimal crosstalk. The result is a clamping voltage of 10V for transient overvoltages on every line of every RJ45 connector. The protector is suitable for category 5 cabling systems. Its effect on end to end performance is equivalent to approximately one meter of category 5 UTP cable. The protector may be used on all common UTP systems, using 10BaseT Ethernet and other signaling protocols.