LAN Cable Testing

Local Area Networks (LAN) are everywhere. From home offices to large corporate and industrial complexes, everything is networked. While the components of these networks receive a lot of attention because of their expense, the cabling is often overlooked. It is estimated that 50% of all network problems are caused by the cabling. The cabling can be in the wall, floor, ceiling, outlets, interconnects and/or patch panels. This has created the need for Cable Testers to confirm that the network can successfully carry traffic at the rated speed.

A few questions need to be answered before the appropriate Cable Tester can be selected.

What type of cable is to be tested? Twisted Pair, Coax or Optical. When testing Optical cable, it must be determined whether it will be Single-mode or Multi-mode.

What connectors or cabling is required? If copper, what patch cords are required? If optical, what connectors (LC, SC, ST, FC or other)?

What speed is the cabling being tested for? Standard tests for the various network speeds have been established by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and the Organization for Standardization (ISO). The TIA Standards are referred to in categories (CAT 5, 6, 7, etc), while the ISO Standards are defined in Classes (Class, D, E, F, etc). Testing speeds can range from 100 MHz up to 900 MHz.

What level of testing is required?
Certification - Guarantees compliance to industry standards
Qualification - Primarily used as a troubleshooting tool
Verification - Verifies basic connectivity

Once you have determined the Cable Testing Solution required, you will need to plan your acquisition strategy. If your project is short-term then an equipment rental may be your best solution. Rental allows you to scale to project size and scope, minimize capital outlay and quickly replace a down unit. If your project is long-term, or of a repetitive nature, a lease or purchase may be a better option.

A few links are listed below to provide more detailed information.

TRS-RenTelco: LAN Cable Testers (CAT 5, CAT 6)
http://www.trs-rentelco.com/SubCategory/LAN_Cable_Testers_CAT_5_CAT_6_.aspx

Fluke Networks: Cable Testing Basics
http://www.flukenetworks.com/fnet/en-us/featuredTopics/Cable+Testing+Basics.htm