Whether installing new cable or troubleshooting existing cable, cable testing plays an important role in the process. But do you know the process of using cable tester to test Ethernet cable? First we should know the product of Ethernet cable and network cable tester clearly.
About Ethernet Cable
An Ethernet cable is one of the most popular forms of network cable used on wired networks. An Ethernet cable has eight wires that are arranged in four pairs. For current to flow correctly, the wire pairs must be connected in the proper order. Ethernet cables normally support one or more industry standards including Category 5 (CAT5) and Category 6 (CAT6).
Ethernet cables are physically manufactured in two basic forms called solid and stranded. Solid Ethernet cables tend to offer better performance and protection against electrical interference, while stranded cables are less prone to physical cracks and breaks making them more suitable for travelers and portable devices.
Computer networks use Ethernet cables to allow computers in the network to talk to each other. Ethernet cables connect network devices on local area networks such as PCs, modems, routers, switches and Fiber Optic Adapters. They transmit data using the Ethernet protocol.
About network Cable Tester
Basic network cable testers can test for simple connectivity issues but may not identify other problems that cause the cable to malfunction. Cabling may not work when it is near a source of interference or if the cable is too long. Intermittent faults may develop that do not show up when the cable is tested. Sometimes the problem is not sustained long enough to show up on the tester. Professional-level network cable testers may not only tell if an open circuit exists, but may identify where the break is located. Some also identify the gauge of wire used and can generate their own signal to test for interference.
When connected to an Ethernet cable, a network cable tester tells if the cable is capable of carrying an Ethernet signal. If the cable carries the signal, this indicates that all the circuits are closed, meaning that electric current can move unimpeded through the wires, and that there are no short circuits, or unwanted connections, in the wire. Network cable testers vary in complexity and price, but a basic tester consists of a source of electrical current, a measuring device that shows if the cable is good, and a connection between the two, usually the cable itself.
How to test Ethernet cable with Ethernet cable tester?
1.Reboot your modem/router. Unplug the power cord or hold down the reset button on your modem or router. Wait for 30 to 60 seconds then turn your modem/router back on.
2.Wait for your modem/router to re-establish a connection. Depending on your network hardware, it might take two to three minutes. If the problem persists, then try the network cable tester.
3.Turn on the network cable tester and plug one end of the cable into the “IN” Ethernet input on the network cable tester and the other end into the “OUT” input on the network cable tester.
4.Press the “Test” button on the network cable tester. The tester will send a signal across the Ethernet cable. If the signal gets from one end of the cable to the other, the tester will let you know if the test was successful, by displaying a green light, or unsuccessful, by displaying a red light.
5.Replace the Ethernet cable. If the test was unsuccessful, replace the bad Ethernet cable with a good one.
Follow the steps above, you generally know the error during installing new cables or troubleshooting existing cable. Correct it and finally have a smooth network.