If you want to install network cabling yourself, you can crimp the connectors on this cable yourself. Unfortunately, crimping a connector sometimes goes wrong without you noticing. A network cable tester is an indispensable tool to test the cable for correct operation. With a network cable tester you can easily test within a few seconds whether the connectors of the cabling are correctly mounted. We have listed different types of network cable testers with which you can test whether all wire pairs are correctly connected. The professional types have additional functions such as cable length measurement and split core pair test.
Best Network Cable Testers:
Why use a network cable tester?
Unfortunately, a few things can go wrong when mounting a network connector. When inserting the wires into the connector, two wires can get mixed up and end up under the wrong contact. The connectors can accidentally slide upside down on the wire pairs causing the wire pairs to end up under the wrong contacts. One or more of the wires cannot reach far enough into the connector when plugged in, resulting in poor contact or no contact at all when the connector is crimped. These are all errors that lead to a non-working network connection.
When installing it yourself, it is important to check the network cabling with a network cable tester after installation. The operation of the network cable tester is simple. Insert both cable ends into the tester and turn it on. The device measures the cabling per core. Depending on the type, it is indicated for each wire how it is connected or a correct or fault diagnosis is given by the network cable tester.
Laying loose network cabling
When installing network cabling yourself, a loose cable per meter is often chosen. With this type there are no connectors at the ends of the cable. The necessary RJ45 connectors are only mounted at the ends of the cable after the cabling has been laid. This mounting is easy to do yourself with the right tools. For mounting you need a network crimping tool, a network stripping tool and of course loose RJ45 connectors. After stripping the cable sheath, the different wire pairs must be turned apart and placed in the correct order. Then the end of the cord is pushed into the RJ45 connector.
In this precision work it is important that the correct wire is placed under the correct connector pin. After this, the connector is inserted into the specialized crimping tool and the pliers are squeezed shut. Due to this pinching, the sharp ends of the contacts are pushed through the insulation of the network cable wires and thereby make reliable contact with the conductors. If everything went well, the network cable can be put into use. Unfortunately, it can also go wrong, which is why a good test instrument is not an unnecessary luxury.
Buy the right network cable tester
If you want to buy a network cable tester, it is important to pay attention to the tester properties. A modern network cable tester can test at least one cable with RJ45. If you are using cable with screen, choose a test instrument that can also measure the correct connection of the screen. If you also want to be able to test telephone cable, choose a network cable tester that is also suitable for RJ11 and RJ12. Another useful option of a network cable tester is the ability to test USB cables. For this the test device has a USB-A and USB-B connection or a USB-A and micro USB connection.
If you work with power over Ethernet equipment, the PoE test function is a must. It is not common anymore, coaxial network cabling with BNC connections. Nevertheless, it is useful for the all-round service technician and professional hobbyist to have a network cable tester with coax-BNC test function. To test an installed cable, many test instruments have a remote unit, which can be connected to the end of the cable. A good choice is the LANSmart network cable tester for the demanding professional. This tester works without a remote and has many extra measuring functions.