Communication is a vital part of our lives that becomes more and more innovative over time. Thus, communication and technology continue to evolve together which led to the creation of networks. As networks grew, the cabling structure requirements for support increased as well. So, what happens when network faults occur?

Normally, it is due to faulty cabling which requires some tests to the lines. Thus, this is where network cable testers come in the picture as a handy tool that can help solve the issue. How? Network cable testers should be able to detect damaged fibers, data transfer issues, damaged connections, and more. In this post, we will tell you more about this tool and how you choose the best one.

 

A network cable tester is a go-to instrument that is specially designed to test the strength and connectivity in the line. This device can determine the strength and connectivity of lines. It can even determine the reliability of a high-speed cable by testing its performance level. For network technicians, this is one of the most valuable tools that you can compare with carpenters’ hammer.

Depending on the knowledge and skills of the user, this device can be used at home or in commercial areas. Anyone who deals with network problems can use a network cable tester even without a professional’s help. Also, anyone who has an Internet network with more than a single cable can maximize the benefits of this device.

 

Before you get too excited about buying a network cable tester, there are some things to consider first. There are different types of network cable tester that are designed to target specific network cable problems. Here is a list of top rated products which are selected by experts at Newswatchngr keeping most common factors in mind.

As its name suggests, this tester is the one that guarantees that a cabling system has passed the industry standards. This is the only type of network cable tester that provides information on whether a cabling system is passed or failed. In the USA, the organization that sets the industry standard in transmission capabilities is the TIA or Telecommunications Industry Association.

For the international markets, there’s the ISO/IEC or Electro-technical Commission of the International Organization for Standards. All certification test devices help determine the compliance of a link with the class (ISO) or category (TIA).

 

This is the type of network cable tester that determines if the cabling link can support the network speeds and technologies. This tester meets the needs of those network technicians who don’t install new cabling but require troubleshoot operating networks. This tool determines if the link can support a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), 100BASE-TX (Fast Ethernet), or Gigabit Ethernet.

This tool also helps network technicians to isolate problems in cabling in the network protocol. Normally, qualification testers are built with verification test tools features. Thus, this type of tester is more powerful when it comes to assessing cabling bandwidths and identifying their flaws.

 

Compared with the two other types of network cable testers, cable verification testers verify if the cable is connected properly. Thus, these tools focus on basic continuity functions to ensure that cabling links are connected to their proper termination points. It also helps maintain the proper pairing of wires in twisted pair cabling. Moreover, advanced testers can even verify wire pairing and detect installation faults such as split pairs.

These tools can also help in troubleshooting by offering a toner that can locate a cabling link. In some cases, other verification tools are also built with extra features like TDR or Time Domain Reflector. This feature determines the length of a cable or distance to a short circuit. On the other hand, these tools don’t provide information about the bandwidth or the network’s high-speed data communication.

 

To get the best network cable tester, take note of these different types before comparing their features and prices. The verification tester is the most basic type of cable tester that provides all basic verification details on wires. The qualification tester is typically used by technicians who are responsible for the maintenance and repairs of current cables.

Lastly, the certification tester is considered as the best network cable tester since it is packed with more sophisticated functions. So, it comes in handy for network installers and maintenance professionals. Though manufacturers have their style of handling technical terms, this will still serve as a solid guide for choosing the best network cable tester.