Identifying Cables

[grundy]

A few cables we ran recently were not labeled. Since we ran all Cat5E for voice and data we need to figure out which are the voice lines.

If we used a cable tone generator and hooked the alligator clips to say some of the pairs of the cat5e, could we use the tone tracer to find them?

Would this work and/or is there a better way?

Thanks!

 

[Bobg1]

That should work.
Best thing to do is remember to label the cables as they are installed. It's really quite easy to do.

 

[jeffbouldin]

Hook one clip to one of the other conductors and the other clip to ground. Turn your probe down to a low setting. This should let you id the wires.

 

[skip555]

if you only have a few to do twist two wires together on one end and use a meter or other continuity device at the other end on the same pair.

we do this soemtimes if the tone and probe arent available.

 

[daronwilson]

We tone Cat5e when we lose the number or something. It is a bit of work since the twist keeps the tone in a lot better. One thing to do is make a little pigtail that puts all the tips together and all the rings together and clip your toner on there, then you are toning all the pairs and have a better chance of hearing it.

Good Luck

It is only my opinion, based on my experience and education...I am always willing to learn, educate me!
Daron J. Wilson, RCDD
daron.wilson@lhmorris.com

 

[jinxs]

Some continuity testers have the avaiblity to tone on multiple pair or all 4 if you desire. That is what I do, then again, I am supplied with most of my tools so I don't have to worry about buying the equipment.

 

[g6udx]

If you use a tone to identify CAT 5 cables, try putting the two croc-clips across a split pair. The balance of CAT 5 cable is so good the tone receiver very often can't pick up the signal.

 

[TouchToneTommy]

Make up an adapter using an 8-pin jack, and a chopped off 8-pin patch cord. If the patch cord is 568-B, punch the White/Orange conductor to the White/Blue slot on the jack, and the Brown/White conductor to the Blue/White slot on the jack. Plug the modular cord from your toner into the jack, then plug the patch cord into the jack you are trying to trace. This will put the tone on pins 1 and 8, which first of all is split, so the tone will be much louder, and being on pins 1 and 8 is much easier to dip the end of your probe into the patch panel ports and hit a pin with tone on it.