Need to install a new cable or troubleshoot an existing one? Perhaps you need to test electrical wiring and connectivity in an old house? Depending on what you’re working on, there are a variety of cable testing tools that can accelerate your work on the job site and provide the data accuracy you need to get the job done right.
No matter if you work in broadcasting, CATV installation, as an electrician, or are a savvy handyman looking to make cable and electrical work safer and easier, you’ll find a tool for you in the post below:
Cable and Network Testers
Having trouble connecting to a network? Even with Wi-Fi on the rise, most cable technicians know that having a wired network is more reliable, faster and cheaper. But when they stop working it can be tricky to pin-point the issue. That’s where a network cable tester comes in. This effective tester is great for checking cable continuity and making sure there’s a signal coming through.
Before testing make sure to remove the cable from the computer and modem or router. Depending on the features your network tester has, you’ll be able to test different cables with various connectors: Ethernet with RJ-45, telephone cable with RJ-11 and coaxial cables with BNC. The tester will check continuity and identify potential problems like open and short circuits and much more!
For pro cable technicians who work with any and every type of cable and network we recommend:
Klein Tools VDV501-823 VDV Scout® Pro 2 Tester Kit – Tests voice (RJ11/12), data (RJ45) and video (F-connector) coax connections. View the video below for all features:
Order the Klein Tools VDV501-823 VDV Scout® Pro 2 Tester Kit
Platinum Tools TCB360K1 Cable Prowler™ PRO Test Kit – Full-color high-end cable and length measurement tester with the capability to identify link status, link capability, and PoE detection. View video below to see all features:
Order the Platinum Tools TCB360K1 Cable Prowler™ PRO Test Kit
Electrical Testers
Electricians know that with an electrical tester in your arsenal of tools you never have to worry about getting shocked again. You’ll need a non-contact voltage tester, a circuit tester and a continuity tester – and you can buy all three relatively cheaply.
Non-contact voltage tester
This handy tester will help you confirm that electrical power is off, before you touch a wire. Before you begin make sure you turn off the main panel electrical power. A non-contact voltage tester will help you determine if you have indeed turned off the power on the right circuit. If a voltage is detected the tester will flash or beep. Great for testing hot cables, receptacles, power at switches, light fixtures and more!
Circuit tester
One of the most reliable tools you’ll need when testing wires to make sure a circuit is complete. With the circuit off, disconnect the wires to a device and turn the circuit back on. Touch the ground wire with one lead and the hot wire with the other lead – if the light comes on it confirms you have a good circuit.
Continuity tester
Testing and tracing the route of wires to determine which wire goes where can be cumbersome and dangerous with the circuit on. With the circuit turned off a continuity tester can help achieve this safely and quickly. Great for identifying remote wires and testing switches.
Browse all Electrical Testers.
Fiber Testers
Having trouble isolating faults in fiber optical cables? Need to pinpoint exactly where there is a bend in the fiber glass?
If you’re a telecommunications or CATV technician or are working on a fiber optics integration project, investing in a dependable visual fault locator can mean the difference between getting a strong connection or suffering unwanted optical loss, pinches, breaks, bends and poor connections on both singlemode and multimode fibers.
We recommend the Greenlee 180XL visual fault locator.
We stock many more quality cable testing tools – visit our store in Burbank, CA or conveniently shop online for a wide variety of top-branded tools and testers!