Testing network cables

[mowgli]

Hi, I will have access to pre-wire my small business office in a couple of weeks once the framing is done. In the first round, I will only be running cables and won't be able to connect them to keystone and patch panel until the drywalls are done. What are my options to test the cable runs during this first round? All the cable testers I found requires jacks on both ends.

Great thread on network cable installation by imagoon and contributions by others, it was very helpful for a beginner like me!

Thanks!

 

[imagoon]

Cables are normally not tested when they are bare in the wall. When properly installed you should leave yourself pull access as needed or pull extras and leave them unused.

 

[skyking]

a couple of extras here and there are priceless.
Once cables are walled in you will not have a good time trying to pull another in, due to the path and also burning issues where you drag the new cable across another and literally saw into it.

 

[azazel1024]

a couple of extras here and there are priceless.
Once cables are walled in you will not have a good time trying to pull another in, due to the path and also burning issues where you drag the new cable across another and literally saw into it.

Extras are always nice, but so are pull strings. So long as the pull strings aren't stapled down, you should be able to lubricate a new cable and pull it through pretty easily.

I've done >200ft pulls this way with no issues on any of them so long as I was being careful.

As for testing, there isn't a way unless you put an RJ45 end on them or keystone.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

You can test basic continuity by using the alligator clips on a cable tester, but this doesnt tell you anything other than the cable makes it from A > B, it doesnt tell you if the wires are in the right order, if they are cut somewhere and making contact with an adjacent one etc.