what is cable tester

what is cable tester

Cable Tester: Many hardware problems are caused by faulty cabling and connector especially in the networking. Connectivity and functionality can be tested using some specialized hand-held devices commonly termed as cable tester. These devices range from moderately priced Data Cabling Testers to very expensive Time Domain Reflectometers (TDR).

– Data Cabling Tester: Data Cabling Testers are mainly used to perform a number of different types of tests on twisted-pair and coaxial cables. Data Cabling Testers normally consist of two units: a master test unit and a separate load unit,

The master unit is attached to one end of the cable and the other end is attached with the load unit. The master unit sends patterns of test signals through the cable and reads them back from the load unit. In case of twisted-pair cabling this device is used to detect:

• Broken wires

• Shorted connections

• Improperly paired connections

– Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR): TDRs are more advanced and sophisticated cable testers that can be used to determine the distance to a break in a cable. It sends signals along the cable and waits for them to be reflected. Then the physical distance can be calculated using the time between sending the signal and receiving it back.

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