Testing Ethernet cables without a connector installed

[rsboucka]

I have a house that has Ethernet connections in every room. Each room has a jack where the Ethernet cable can be plugged in and every cable terminates in a closet. However, there are no connectors installed to the cables that terminate in the closet. I want to install connectors to these cables, but only for the rooms that I plan on using. Is there a way to test the cables without installing a connector on each one (roughly15) to eliminate unneeded work. Thanks for the help and answers anyone may provide.

 

[digitaldoc]

You will need to connectors on the cables in order to do anything with them, including testing them. It really should not take too long to get connectors on them.

 

[jsmithepa]

No magic.

 

[digitaldoc]

Hard to get around sweat and work.

 

[bill001g]

If you mean you want to figure out which cable goes to which wall jack then you can use something like
http://www.harborfreight.com/cable-tracker-94181.html

But if your goal is to verify the cable itself then as indicated you will have to terminate them. The ends are almost always the problem the wire itself is seldom a issue.

 

[rsboucka]

You will need to connectors on the cables in order to do anything with them, including testing them. It really should not take too long to get connectors on them.

I was hoping you were not going to say that. Thanks for the response!

 

[Alabalcho]

If you want to go really lazy - cut one end of Ethernet cable like four inches, strip and twist all wires together (shorting all eight pins). Plug this into first room' wall plate, and go to your closet. Untangle cables, and strip any two wires from all of them.

With a continuity tester (you can get a multimeter for like $15 which can do that) you can find which cable "rings" when you probe it - this is the cable going to "Room 1". Repeat for all rooms. If you get continuity at more than one cable (or when your connector is not plugged), you have a problem.

 

[jsmithepa]

With a continuity tester

If you are DIY-ing this thing, would you trust to continuity testing only? To get full bandwidth performance, one is suppose to not make sharp turns while cabling, not run them next to power feeds, not to untwist the wires more than a few inches etc.

OP, if you are PUNCHING (the Pro way) these things down, it should be a lot easier than if you are trying to CRIMP them.

 

[Alabalcho]

The OP explicitly said he/she is looking for "simple" solution with just a couple of terminated cables. He/she was asking for ideas how to determine which cable is which without terminating ALL of them.

Yes, we all here are PROs, and have everything done right, but some people don't build space ship when they need a wagon.

 

[BBrent]

Sorry OP. Unless you have a toner and probe you're going to have to crimp connectors.
http://www.flukenetworks.com/datacom-cabling/copper-testing/IntelliTone-Pro-Toner-and-Probe

 

[jsmithepa]

Yes, we all here are PROs, and have everything done right, but some people don't build space ship when they need a wagon.

Well it would be a shame to go through all the trouble of running cables through the house and not do it right. Why do it then, just get a couple of WIFI extenders.

Funny thing is, I've seen contractors do continuity test only, but I figure they got their best-practiced down packed plus they guarantee results, so if any trouble, they will come in again to rectify. DIY, once you close the walls, ur done.

 

[Fusionmkdev]

You could always use a professional meter - http://www.flukenetworks.com/enterprise-network/network-testing/CableIQ-Qualification-Tester
Alternatively, there is a cheap tester such as this - https://www.tindie.com/products/Bazinga/rj-45-ethernet-cable-tester/ they got a blog post written on the topic too - http://omgbazinga.com/blog/index.php/item/19-understanding-ethernet-cables