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[plugsandsparks]

CE RJ45 Ethernet Splitter/Economiser - Pair - Cable adaptor

RJ45 Ethernet Splitter/Economiser - Pair - Available at Comms Express, Networking Reseller - Free Next Day Delivery

www.comms-express.com

I think he was referring to these, often used when you are desparate, basically the 8 cores are split into 2 X 4cores to enable doubling up

 

[gazdkw82]

The capability of the cabling after it has been installed, poor installation practice can dramatically affect the performance of data cables.
Tight bends, kinks, overtightened cable ties, crushing, poor termination can all reduce the performance of the cable but still pass a basic continuity test.

A 'proper tester' doesn't confirm continuity or just have flashy lights. You are thinking of the basic continuity checkers available for ~£5, a 'proper' tester is more likely to set you back £5000.
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Not by a simple Y split, you need a network switch to 'split' a network connection.

Network connections carry a digital data signal, if you attempt to y split the cable you will have all sorts of problems. Imagine trying to listen to two different pieces of music through the same speaker at the same time, that a basic idea of the what the device at the other end of the network connection will be facing.

Well I'm not investing in that kind of tester. What can I do to confirm the condition of the cable.

I'm still confused by the term "capability" it's not the sort of terminology I'd expect when referring to the condition of a cable. That would be more like integrity or condition etc....

Sorry if I'm splitting hairs, its just a little confusing

 

[davesparks]

Well I'm not investing in that kind of tester. What can I do to confirm the condition of the cable.

I'm still confused by the term "capability" it's not the sort of terminology I'd expect when referring to the condition of a cable. That would be more like integrity or condition etc....

For a home installation a simple flashy light tester is all I would use, and I suspect its all anyone would use. Confirm continuity and as long as it all works then carry on. Certification and qualification of the cables (yes they are technically different things) is not necessary for normal domestic installs in my opinion.

Capability refers to its data transmission capability, in basic terms it refers to the maximum data speed that the cable is capable of transmitting without the signal becoming degraded. This is affected by many things with high speed data cables, physical damage, length of cable, not maintaining the correct twists in the pairs at terminations and all manner of other things.

Testing a data cable is different to testing a power cable.

 

[Simon47]

I think he was referring to these, often used when you are desparate, basically the 8 cores are split into 2 X 4cores to enable doubling up

As long as you don't want faster than 100M or want PoE then yes, they will get you out of a fix.
But you really want to keep the option of 1G these days. Also, should you want to run (e.g.) HDMI over Cat5e then you cannot share the cable with anything else. That's why I'd suggest runnibg two cables.
But for the networking, if you need more connections, just use a switch - even 1G switches are cheap these days.

For a home installation a simple flashy light tester is all I would use, and I suspect its all anyone would use.

Not quite "anyone" ;-) A few years ago I spotted some ex-rental Fluke DSP100 testers with smart remote going for a very attractive price. Only Cat5, not Cat5e, but if it's OK for Cat5 then it's unlikely to fail for Cat5e - and it's earned it's keep over the years. Apart from "certifying", the initial continuity test will tell you where any breaks or errors are which can save a massive amount of time.
I used to do a bit of installation work at my previous day job - when I started there, all they had was a "blinky light box".

Confirm continuity and as long as it all works then carry on. Certification and qualification of the cables (yes they are technically different things) is not necessary for normal domestic installs in my opinion.

I'd agree with that. Double check all your connections as you do them, and take care how you handke the cable, and you aren't likely to have problems.

One thing I would say is to doubke check how your jacks (sockets) need to be wired. It's a common source of confusion and problems. If in doubt, come back here and ask.