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Troubleshooting CAT 5 Cable

[Q] How do I troubleshoot CAT 5 Cable? [A] Because of the many differences between the quality and manufacturing method of cable, some cables are going to be prone to different types of failure by design. An example of this can be seen when inspecting many of the "bargain" cables that are being made overseas and shipped to the U.S.A. Cables that are punched down (contacts pressed into the individual wires) using machines of low quality will build stresses in the plug of the cable that will cause the cable to often times fail prematurely. This is unfortunate, because a well made patch cable can last for years and years, even being reused or relocated. Generally, patch cables that are hand-made are going to better overall quality because the operator making the cable can observe exactly how well the contacts insert into the wires, and only the needed force is required by using adjustable force crimping tools. This greatly reduces the chance of the cable having any flaws from the onset. There are several possible failures that can be seen in a patch cable. Probably the most common is wires being pulled out from the RJ45 plug. This usually occurs when the cable is jerked or pulled in a manner that well exceeds the pulling tension rating for a given cable type. The result is usually not easily seen with the naked eye, and you will need to use a patch cable test meter to see exactly which wire was pulled loose. This type of abuse can also snap individual wires within the twisted-pair bundle, once again requiring a test meter to confirm. Another common failure seen in patch cables is wire breakage from mechanical shock. This usually happens when the cable is placed on the floor in a traffic area, (even if under carpet) or when the cable crushed by the leg of a desk, appliance or other heavy object that the cable is routed behind. When the impact of a large weight crushes the cable, it can sometimes lead to damage that cannot be repaired. Use of a test meter will confirm broken, crossed or split pairs. A less seen but possible other scenario involves cable being damaged by extreme heat and cold. Cheaper material will of course be more likely to have this issue, but all cables have their limits, regardless of how good the material is. Unless the damage has compromised the PVC jacket with obvious melting or cracking, this type of thermal damage will be nearly impossible to detect without a cable scanner to reveal the defective pairs. There are many quality differences in the way Ethernet Cables are made, so be sure and do your homework. Getting the right cable to begin with will save you hassle down the road. When in doubt, always replace the cable. CAT 5 Cable Company provides CAT 5 and CAT 5e patch and Crossover cables for all networking applications in 9 colors, and any custom length. Hand assembled and 100% tested to ensure the finest quality. RELATED FAQ QUESTION: What is the difference between CAT 5 and CAT 5e cable? Keywords: Cat 5, Cat 5e, Ethernet cables, patch cable, crossover cable