A guide to network cable testers and their fault-finding Capabilities
Whether you’re a large multinational corporation competing on the global stage or a small, family-run business serving your local community, efficient management, data collection and transmission, and communication between colleagues and customers is paramount to success. In each case, connectivity is the linchpin; it binds these elements together and ensures smooth operations for business success.
Network technicians and engineers play a vital role in maintaining network infrastructure and, with the right tools, can safeguard cable integrity and optimise performance.
What is a network tester?
A network cable tester allows field technicians to efficiently monitor network activity, troubleshoot and diagnose potential issues, and ensure reliable connections for data transmission. Understanding your network needs, by considering factors such as accuracy, reliability, and key features, will enable you to choose the best cable tester to support your system infrastructure.
Solutions to common problems
There are many reasons why network cables fail – from faulty installation or problems with signal transmission to general wear and tear or corkscrewing. However, with regular maintenance you can identify common and complex network glitches at the touch of a button, long before they become a major problem.
Network testers are essential for troubleshooting copper and fibre cables used in voice, data, and video installations. Handheld network testers can help find and resolve many network connectivity issues – and provide fast and simple solutions to reduce downtime. These intuitive, user-friendly devices perform thorough diagnostic tests, analysing the transmission capabilities of copper and fibre cables, and producing fast, accurate results. Test findings are displayed on the unit interface or even remotely transmitted to network managers, so that immediate action can be taken to resolve any issues.
Range of network testers and their function
Network cable testers fall into three categories. Validation, or verification, testers examine the connectivity of individual wires; qualification testers assess cable quality and their ability to support the required bandwidth and transmission speed; while certifiers ensure your network infrastructure complies with industry standards. Network cable testers are also used for testing twisted pair data cables to support Ethernet applications.
Some network testers perform more than one function. Being aware of your equipment limitations and performance parameters is important to ensure you can provide a comprehensive maintenance service.
Validation network cable testers
Validation testers examine the connectivity of individual wires. An electrical pulse is sent down the wire to identify errors, such as breaks, shorts, or wiremaps, that can affect network connectivity. More sophisticated validation testers use Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR), which involves transmitting an electrical pulse into cabling that is open or unterminated at the end point. This allows the unit to measure and interpret the electrical reflections to find faults, pinpoint their location, and determine the cable length.
Qualification testers
Cabling needs to be of sufficient quality to provide the necessary bandwidth and ensure data can be transported error-free. Qualification testers assess the ability of cable networks to carry data at a particular speed and rate without errors. To generate and measure the transmission rate requires two testers at either end of the network. A pre-configured rate of network traffic is generated, in both directions and measured at each end. Performing a test for an extended period (typically over 24 hours) will help identify intermittent issues and noise events that could disrupt network traffic.
Others qualifier testers measure electrical signal parameters, such as insertion or return loss, near-end and far-end crosstalk, and compare these against the specifications of particular cabling standards to assess effectiveness. Some also include basic cable validation features.
Certification testers
All cable networks need to comply with UK industry standards. Certification testers compare specific electrical signalling and parametric measurements with the requirements set out by Ofcom to determine compliance to TIA, IEC and ISO standards. Test results show either a simple pass or fail to the relevant standards.
TREND Networks is here to help
Our comprehensive range of cost-effective testing equipment is designed to save you time and money and support all your network maintenance requirements. The network cable testers and Ethernet tools offered by TREND Networks are renowned for their quality, precision, and reliability. Whether for large or small data networks with copper or fibre cables, we always put our customers first with the latest, cutting-edge tools to make your life easier and facilitate efficient fault-finding.
