Fluke Network Cable Testers Definitive Guide

In order to support the evolved networks, the demands for cabling infrastructure are springing up. Network cabling standards have also been developed to provide guidelines for cabling professionals when doing either copper or fiber cable network installation and testing. Ethernet cable testing plays an important role in the process of cable installation and existing cable troubleshooting, and in this process, network cable testers are essential tools. In the following content, we introduced different Fluke network cable testers and explained how to use them, hoping it can be a good reference for you.

Network Cable Testers Overview

Users expect their Ethernet network cabling to work perfectly, but corners cut during installation or testing can directly result in network downtime. For testing, the problem can be avoided by adopting professional network testers to help locate faults quickly. By testing the installation with network testers, installers and end users can ensure the network performance. Network cable testers can provide a level of assurance for the installed cabling links to provide the desired transmission capability to support the data communication. Common network tests for data communication cabling include length, wiremap, attenuation, and return loss, etc.

Different Types of Network Cable Testers

According to their functions and applications, network cable testers can be divided into different types - cable certification tester, cable qualification tester, and cable verification tester. Even though some features overlap between the network testers, each of them can still meet specific network testing needs and provide different levels of operational assurance.

Cable Certification Testers

A cable certification tester can help determine whether a link is compliant with a category (TIA) or class (ISO), for example, category6 or class E, which guarantees that cabling system is compliant with industry standards. FS provides Fluke DSX2-8000 cable certification tester, which can accelerate the testing process and support Cat5/5e/6/6a/8, Class I/II, single mode and multimode fiber loss certification and OTDR testing plus fiber end inspection. It is equipped with a touchscreen and integrated WiFi functionality which allows you to connect wirelessly with LinkWare™ Live, monitor the work progress, and use any intelligent device to locate the tester. Normally, cable certification is the final step required by many structured cabling manufacturers to grant their warranties for a new cabling installation.

Cable Qualification Testers

A cable qualification tester can help determine if an existing cabling link can support certain network speeds and technologies. Fluke LIQ-100 cable and network tester is designed to provide trusted cable testing along with network testing professionals need to do their jobs. It validates cable performance (up to 10 Gig) using frequency-based measurements and provides distance to fault information along with a wiremap of the cable under test. It can also troubleshoot active networks by providing connected switch information (such as switch name, port number, and VLAN information). For network technicians who do not install new cabling, but need to troubleshoot operating networks, cable qualification tester is a good choice.

Cable Verification Testers

A cable verification tester helps verify that the cable is connected correctly. It performs basic continuity functions, assures that all wires in a cabling link are connected to the proper termination points and not to any other conductors. In twisted pair cabling, it is important to maintain the proper pairing of the wires. Better verification testers can also verify wire pairing and detect installation defects like “split pairs”. Verification testers may also assist in troubleshooting by providing a toner to locate a cabling link. For example, Fluke MS2-100 cable vertification tester starts by taking results from different test modes and displaying them all at once - graphical wiremap, pair lengths, distance to fault, cable ID, and far end device, it can test all common media types including RJ11, RJ45, Coax (MS2 only), with no need for adapters. Fluke Pro3000F60-KIT tone generator and filtered probe provides clear and precise tracing of communication cabling, the filtered probe obstructs signal interference present in the environment (caused by power cables and lighting) when listening for tone; while Fluke MT-8200-60-KIT toner and probe kit can trace and locate cables on active network, which can help end network cable location confusion, decisively rejects noise and false signals.

How to Use Different Types of Network Cable Testers

Fluke DSX2-8000 network cable tester analyzes test results and creates professional test reports using LinkWare™ management software. It supports WiFi, which allows you to manage jobs and testers from any smart device over WiFi with LinkWare™ Live. The source of failures including crosstalk, return loss and shield faults will be displayed graphically for faster troubleshooting. Below video shows what settings to use and how to use the network cable tester to run a cable test, save the results, and upload those to LinkWare™ Live so they’re available later:

Same like DSX2-8000, Fluke LIQ-100 cable and network tester uses LinkWare™ PC cable test management software as well, except that it does not support WiFi. Video below displayed the detailed operation:

As for Fluke MS2-100 network cable tester, it can test all common media types without an adapter. Graphical wiremap, length, cable ID, and distance to fault will be displayed on one screen. The following video displayed its use:

Fluke Pro3000F60-KIT network tester has a filter that allows you to hear the tone free of interference from outside sources, just by simply turning it on and pressing the filter button and the light indicator will show the filter result:

Fluke MT-8200-60-KIT network tester is easy to use. Its signal strength indicator LEDs will help you identify the cable that is bundled with other cables. Video below explained the use of it, for your reference:

Summary

Network cable testing provides a level of assurance that the installed cabling links provide the desired transmission capability to support the data communication desired by the users. A network cable tester is a revolutionary device specifically made for testing the capability and reliability of cable connections. Thus, it is a must for network technicians, network testers, and other related work fields.