Cable testers from simple to advanced

Cabling installed in an office LAN must support strict parameters to handle Ethernet traffic. Installers rely on different types of testers to make sure networks meet these requirements. What network technicians use depends on what they’re testing and what their budget is. Usually the more detailed the test is, the more the test equipment costs.

For example, if you want to test simple continuity on cable installed from a work area outlet to a telecommunications centre, you don’t need anything more than a relatively inexpensive continuity tester. But if you want to check all parameters to ensure CAT5e compliance, you need a tester that performs certification.

These types of testers can often generate reports that show the installed cabling’s compliance. This way, you can download certification data from the tester and hand a report to a client or supervisor.

There are also mid-priced testers that offer capabilities between those of a simple continuity tester and a tester that handles certification. They usually provide cable mappings, check for opens, shorts and miswires and perhaps verify a few high-performance cabling parameters, such as NEXT and ACR, but not every parameter required for certification. These testers help budget-conscious installers who need to check the basics, as well as have some idea of the quality of the cable they install.