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Need a Good tester for CAT5 cables

T

todays

Senior member
Looking for a good tester for CAT5e cables. Needs the make sure patch cables are wired properly and cable runs inside office walls. Anyone have any good ideas. I found this one.
Cable tester
 
Spidey,

Those are only for you rich high-level network geeks. We poor low-level geeks must make due with lesser brands.🙂

Russ, NCNE
 
I pride myself in doing quality installs, but... COUGH, COUGH, $5300 COUGH again. I usually do small installs, 16-48 users. lol.

I found another company that has the same part I found above but cheaper. LANtest Pro $85
I just need to make sure the wiring is working and proper. This cheap one also checks for cross-talk so that's a plus.
 
I must add that I have used both the Microtest and the Fluke network equipment and I prefer the Fluke. However, I do agree that both are overkill for a simple cable tester.
 
If you want a lot cost approach do what I do, take 2 keystone jacks and put some leads in them. Plug your cable in and use a multimeter to check it. Most everyone owns a multimeter so total cost is about $3.

Garrett.
 
I gotcha. I was under the impression he wanted to test/certify cables. If you just want to test connectivity and pin outs then any of the models mentioned above will do fine.

BGOVANLU - I'd have to agree with you on the fluke. Much quicker and easier than the microtest.
 
I dont know exactally what he wants either, but my method works great. You can test continuity, see if you wired it right, and test resistance(you get a good feel for what should be right).

Garrett.
 
The multi meter idea is good for few cables, but cumbersome for a lot of cables, because in each cable you have to test at least four separate wires.

It is possible for about $20 to build a little box (RadioShack Project Box), with battery and 4 LED?s.

You put on both side of the box RJ-45 (female), and you connect the LED?s so that they will light only if there is connections between the right pins.

Of course, this will test only continuity of connection.

Unfortunately I cannot draw a schematic, and post it here since no graphic allowed.
 
Just make sure you get one that has the "remote" end to it so that you don't have to have both ends of the cable to check it!
 
Just about anything starting with the letters F-L-U-K-E.

EDIT: Whoops, Fluke is probably overkill. I just noticed you were
looking for something simple.
 
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