Description
This article is from the Data Communications Cabling FAQ, by Peter Macaulay pmac@fox.nstn.ca with numerous contributions by
others.
15.0 Cable Test Equipment (Data Communications Cabling)
15.1 DVM
DVM = Digital Volt Meter (measures volts)
15.2 DMM
DMM = Digital Multi Meter (measures volts, ohm, capacitance,
and some measure frequency)
15.3 TDR
TDR = Time Domain Reflectometer (measures cable lengths,
locates impedance mismatches).
15.4 Tone Generator
Tone Generator and Inductive Amplifier = Used to trace cable pairs,
follow cables hidden in walls or ceiling. The tone generator will
typically put a 2 kHz audio tone on the cable under test, the
inductive amp detects and plays this through a built-in speaker.
15.5 Wirmap Tester
Wiremap tester: checks a cable for open or short circuits, reversed
pairs, crossed pairs and split pairs.
A least-cost wiremap type tester that detects split pairs correctly
(using a NEXT test) is the Fluke 610, at $400. MOD-TAP and UNICOM
make a similar device.
15.6 Noise Tester
Noise tests, 10Base-T: the standard sets limits for how often
noise events can occur, and their size, in several frequency ranges.
Various handheld cable testers are able to perform these tests.
15.7 Butt-in
Butt-in set: a telephone handset that when placed in series with a
battery (such as the one in a tone generator), allows voice communication
over a copper cable pair. Can be used for temporary phone service in a
wiring closet.
15.7 Fiber Testing
See section 20.7 for fiber optic test equipment.
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networking, cabling, data communications, standards, implementations, 10Base-T, Classification, cable rating, fiber optic cable
