Network cables are used to connect the computers with each other. The cables come in a variety of shapes, standards and functions. Sometimes the cables get messed up and fail to transmit the data signals along them. It is very frustrating to find the fault and point of failure without a testing device and here comes the cable tester. Cable tester is a handheld electronic device that is used to check electrical and the physical properties, integrity and the connectivity issues of the network cables such as UTP and STP.
It lets you identify the defective cable in your computer network. Common types of the network cables that are tested by the cable testers include CAT 3, CAT 5, coaxial, trioxial, twisted pair and fiber optic cables. A cable tester consists of the following.
- Voltmeter
- A source of the current.
- A switching matrix that is used to connect the volt meter and the electrical source to all the points in the cables.
It is the perfect tool to check the connectivity of the network cables. It checks the cable connections integrity and identifies the continuity problems such as open wires, reversed pairs, shorts cross pairs and the mis wiring of the 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T, EIA/TIA 568A/568B, SCSI and other Ethernet cables.
There are following two methods to check the connections of the network cables.
Continuity Test:
In this test, you try to pass the current downward to the connection. If the current flows then the connection seems to be accurate.
Resistance Test:
Pass the current down the connection and measure the voltage. Next you calculate the resistance of the connection from the voltage and current.
The advanced cable testers have the following properties.
- Tests the continuity of the electrical signals and determine the cable types such as UTP/STP, SCSI and fiber optic cables.
- LED display.
- Easy to carry.
- The average dimensions are Dimensions: 2.5 X 1.5 X 0.75 (inches).
- Storage pouch.
- Included remote identifier tests the installed cables.
- Includes Test points.
- Test Resistance.
The measurement capabilities of the cable tester device vary from device to device. The more advanced cable testing equipments supports features including printing reports, database storage, scripting and graphic wiring display.
Before making a purchase decision you need to consider the following things.
- Decide that which cable properties you need to measure.
- Cables variety like UTP/STP, Coaxial and fiber optic etc.
- Your budget.
- Device Warranty.