[ale] How to test a cat5 wire?

[Raylynn Knight]

The Velleman one from MicroCenter is what I have.  Think I picked mine up at Frys though.  Does the job just fine.

Ray Knight


> On 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
>> _______________________________________________
>> Ale mailing list
>> Ale at ale.org
>> https://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
>> See JOBS, ANNOUNCE and SCHOOLS lists at
>> http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Ale mailing list
>> Ale at ale.org
>> https://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
>> See JOBS, ANNOUNCE and SCHOOLS lists at
>> http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo
>> 
> 
> 
> -- 
>       Derek Atkins                 617-623-3745
>       derek at ihtfp.com             www.ihtfp.com
>       Computer and Internet Security Consultant
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Ale mailing list
> Ale at ale.org
> https://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
> See JOBS, ANNOUNCE and SCHOOLS lists at
> http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo