Cat 5. Best tools, hint and tips if you'd be so kind.

[electromonkey]

Hello all,

I have a couple of re wires which I will be needing to second fix soon. In both, I have run quite a few networking cables. I'm noticing an increase for this service with customers so I'm looking for a few pointers on what you guys consider to be the best tools and materials to work with to allow for quick and easy installations. Any advice is welcome as this is something in which my experience is very limited.

Thanks in advance.

 

[telectrix]

for domestic and small commercial network cabling , cheap testers on ebay around £7.99, confirms correct terminations. the one i bought does CCtv cable as well. keep networking cables away from mains as best as possible.

 

[Cyberprog]

I use a fluke 620 (iirc) to test my cables, and only use Hellerman Tyton Alpha Snap faceplates & modules and Right Angled Patch Panels. The 620 allows me to test out each socket with 4 plug in modules (can do upto 8, but it was discontinued before I could buy 5-8!) which the unit will identify for me. It'll tell me if a miswire has occurred, and also if there is a break in a cable, and roughly how far down that break is.

 

[topquark]

When terminating the Cat 5 don't be tempted to unwind the pairs too much at the accessory (the more you unwind the more prone to interference it will be).

 

[Electro-tech]

I have the Deluxe Network cable tester lan cable tester : Maplin Electronics

 

[Cyberprog]

I used to use one of those, I wouldn't describe it as Deluxe though!
The fluke will also alert me if there's a computer or switch plugged into the cable, or active phone port, which the cheaper units will not do.

 

[electromonkey]

I have the Deluxe Network cable tester lan cable tester : Maplin Electronics

It's so good, you posted it twice!

Thanks folks, most appreciated. I'll look in to them later this eve.

 

[malcolmsanford]

Hope electromonkey (apologies mate) won't mind me hi-jacking this, but back in Blighty are not installs calling for cat 6 and gigabite capability now??

 

[Cyberprog]

Very few customers see any real benefit with Cat6 and gigabit capacity, all of mine have looked at the options and opted to stick with cat5 for the forseeable future!

 

[electromonkey]

Hope electromonkey (apologies mate) won't mind me hi-jacking this, but back in Blighty are not installs calling for cat 6 and gigabite capability now??

If you're writing this from Saudi, I don't think it's advisable to mention hi-jacking. There's probably a laser guided missile courtesy of the CIA on its way to you now!

 

[malcolmsanford]

^^^^^^ is that what that strange whistling noi.................................

 

[Phil]

^^^^^^ is that what that strange whistling noi.................................

just before it came down did you see a guy holding a little laser in the air around the area

 

[Phil]

I love installing cat 5. laid miles of the stuff, use the alphatek meter as suggested in an earlier don`t untwist too much and jobs a good one

 

[johnski]

The type of tester depends on whether you want to 'certify' the installation as Cat 5 or 6 compliant. For that you will need the more expensive testers that produce a printout across the frequency range the cables need to carry to meet their spec, a wire map tool is just that - baiscally a fancy continuity tester which will work for most use - but hi-end use needs better testing - wiremap doesnt tell customer if cables have been installed correctly - i.e. avoiding sharp twists, really tight bends, inteference, poor termination techniques poor quality cable (theres a lot out there!). The top end testers are the likes of 'Fluke' - but costly if a one off job.

 

[Cyberprog]

The type of tester depends on whether you want to 'certify' the installation as Cat 5 or 6 compliant. For that you will need the more expensive testers that produce a printout across the frequency range the cables need to carry to meet their spec, a wire map tool is just that - baiscally a fancy continuity tester which will work for most use - but hi-end use needs better testing - wiremap doesnt tell customer if cables have been installed correctly - i.e. avoiding sharp twists, really tight bends, inteference, poor termination techniques poor quality cable (theres a lot out there!). The top end testers are the likes of 'Fluke' - but costly if a one off job.

Holy thread resurrection batman!