sundance-communications.com/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Cabling Telephones Systems Wiring how do you test your cables, if more than one installed

If there is a problem with 1 cable, then you have to unplug them one at a time to see which cable is at fault...and if there are two cables with problems, say a reversal on one cable and an open on another cable?

For wire mapping I use a STM-8 with 4 remotes, it doesn't take all that much time on small jobs.

On larger jobs Fluke DTX 1800.

First of all, Thanks for all the replies.

correct me if I am wrong , but the developed rig acts as a splitter, all ports are tested, and connected together.

If there is a problem with one or two cables it is easy to determine which one is the problem, as I see at the jack if the pins are mis-wired or have opens, etc.., going back to the server room (where all my cables are marked to correspond appropriately with their jacks) to the my 12 port box with remote connected to it, and all I have to locate the wire in question and re-crimp if thats required ( never have to do it as I have an OCD making sure its done right the first time around, checking for appropriate pin our color code scheme in the plug and jack before and after crimping/punching.) But, I guess things do happen sometimes, I leave room for error, to make it easier to determine which cable(s) if any are problem, I have my marking on the cables.

First of all, Thanks for all the replies.

correct me if I am wrong , but the developed rig acts as a splitter, all ports are tested, and connected together.

If there is a problem with one or two cables it is easy to determine which one is the problem, as I see at the jack if the pins are mis-wired or have opens, etc.., going back to the server room (where all my cables are marked to correspond appropriately with their jacks) to the my 12 port box with remote connected to it, and all I have to locate the wire in question and re-crimp if thats required ( never have to do it as I have an OCD making sure its done right the first time around, checking for appropriate pin our color code scheme in the plug and jack before and after crimping/punching.) But, I guess things do happen sometimes, I leave room for error, to make it easier to determine which cable(s) if any are problem, I have my marking on the cables.

Welcome to the board Cepega. Time for the constructive criticism You'll notice that no one has said "wow! awesome idea" because for the most part larger installations are certified which requires testing each run separately and to walk back and forth a few times when testing smaller jobs is not really that big of a deal is it? That testing rig makes me nervous. hehe

It's not a bad idea, but it's not awesome either. If one of your cables had a short it would cause all the tests to fail. But yes, plug the dongle into one of the jacks, and plug up to 11 cables in and run the tests at the other end. Doesn't help you ID the cables at all.

The hanging cables with crimped on ends it absolutely terrible. There is no reason to keep it up. Make a new policy that any new cables get punched down on a patch panel, and patch cords make up the rest of the connection. Eventually, everything will get cleaned up.

Get a "blank" patch panel, that takes keystone jacks. Terminate your existing cables a little at a time on it, and patch them back in. Won't take long, but doesn't need to be done all at once.

I use a Test-Um Lancaster pro with 8 remotes. It tests all pairs, identifies the cable and will test data speed if plugged into a network. It will also ping and request an ip by DHCP.

I recently decided to use mod patch panels. In other words I terminate a jack on both ends of the run, plug the mdf end into the patch panel and the other into a faceplate. Makes access to the back of the patch panel practically unnecessary and a lot easier to add cables later.

Here is an idea install an unloaded patch panel for the new runs that you are installing. You start out on the right foot. Plan your back board so if at some point in time you do get to clean it up it will look great when done. Just an idea. I tell new customers that I don't crimp end on cables I do it right and terminate in patch panel they can get someone else if they dont like that idea. I install quite a few unloaded patch panels, cost effective (cheap). Good luck

If I'm not mistaken, I see lots of cut-off blue wires in that photo. They can be pulled out, and you will at least have a little better chance at making things easier to trace.

Explain to the customer (use my remarks above, if you wish) that you need to gradually change the wiring in the closet over from lunacy to sanity.

24-port and 48-port patch panels appear for sale on Ebay regularly, at very reasonable prices.

As far as saving steps doing tests, the job we do entails exercise in the form of walking, climbing, squatting, kneeling, bending and lifting. Exercise is good for you.

I am also in Cleveland. I'll come clean the whole thing up for ya

I still this this should have been filed under "Pictures of Ugly Work"