[ale] How to test a cat5 wire?

James Sumners james.sumners at gmail.com
Fri Aug 16 10:01:10 EDT 2019


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-VDV-LAN-Scout-Jr-Tester-VDV526-052/202520420

^ I have one of these. It works.

On Fri, Aug 16, 2019 at 9:56 AM Derek Atkins via Ale <ale at ale.org> wrote:

> Hi,
> Thanks, Raj!
> I see two reports on the Amazon link that say the tool failed within a few
> minutes.
> For the third, I found the same on Amazon for cheaper (20 vs 25), but
> again, lots of negative reviews.
> Maybe I'll look at something a little more pricey that will be better
> quality.
> Also, thank you for the offer, but this is a tool I'm going to need for
> several months.  I've got ~100 cables I need to trace, punch/crimp, and
> test.  So it'll probably be better for me to have my own tool.
>
> Thanks!
>
> -derek
>
> On Fri, August 16, 2019 9:33 am, Raj Wurttemberg via Ale wrote:
> > Hey Derek,
> >
> > A cheap one like this should be sufficient:
> >
> >
> https://www.amazon.com/HDE-Network-Cable-Tester-Phone/dp/B009ZXYI1U/ref=sr_1_7
> >
> > Locally, Micro Center has a similar one (for less $):
> > https://www.microcenter.com/product/486708/network-cable-tester
> >
> > I have had this one for years and love it ($25):
> > https://www.microcenter.com/product/209845/network-modular-cable-tester
> >
> > I'm is Norcross/Peachtree Corners... so if you live near-by, you are
> > welcome to borrow mine.
> >
> > Hope this helps.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > /Raj
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Ale <ale-bounces at ale.org> On Behalf Of Derek Atkins via Ale
> > Sent: Friday, August 16, 2019 8:36 AM
> > To: Jim Kinney <jim.kinney at gmail.com>
> > Cc: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts <ale at ale.org>
> > Subject: Re: [ale] How to test a cat5 wire?
> >
> > Jim,
> >
> > Jim Kinney <jim.kinney at gmail.com> writes:
> >
> >> Best bet is to buy a cable tester. Barring that, use a radio and make
> >> an adapter with alligator clips that uses the earphone jack as a
> >> signal source and a speaker on the other end.
> >
> > Any recommendations for which cable tester to buy?  I'd prefer cheapest
> > with most required functionality.  I already have a cable follower which
> > sends a signal down a pair and lets me trace it.  I also have a
> multimeter
> > which I suppose I could use for continuty testing (I just need some
> > aligator clips to short out one side).
> >
> > So what do you suggest?
> >
> >> If a single wire is damaged and your connection doesn't require 8,
> >> just swap a pair of unused for damaged on both ends. Electrons are
> >> color blind 😁. Some labels explaining the change will help for later.
> >
> > Yes, this was my plan, but I don't know if it requires all 8 or not --
> > that was part of my question.  How do I know if the camera and switch
> > would use PoE mode A or B?  I do know it's only 100mbps.
> >
> >> It may be possible to use the damaged wire bundle to pull a new cable.
> >> Plenum rated wire is tough and easy to pull.
> >
> > Unlikely, unfortunately.  The cable was run when the walls were all open,
> > and I know it goes through joists and studs and it stapled to them along
> > the way.  So no, I don't think I could use it as a pull-string.
> > That was one of my first thoughts, even.  :(
> >
> > -derek
> > --
> >        Derek Atkins                 617-623-3745
> >        derek at ihtfp.com             www.ihtfp.com
> >        Computer and Internet Security Consultant
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>
>
> --
>        Derek Atkins                 617-623-3745
>        derek at ihtfp.com             www.ihtfp.com
>        Computer and Internet Security Consultant
>
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-- 
James Sumners
http://james.sumners.info/ (technical profile)
http://jrfom.com/ (personal site)
http://haplo.bandcamp.com/ (music)
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