Way to identify which cat5 cable at switch?

[lilscorpion]

My house and garage is wired (Cat5e) and all wires run into a centralized part of the basement. I'd say there's probably 40 or so cables. Every so often I run a new one or move an existing one. The way I typically identify which one I'm messing with is I look to see which light goes out on the switch when I disconnect it from the device. That works reasonably well but sometimes I have to take a trip or to back and forth to figure it out.

Now I've decided to put about 1/3rd of the cables on a separate switch to isolate the cameras and other security devices from my wifi/lan. Which ones? Probably should have labeled them...

So, is there some type of device that I can use to connect to outlets which fast bleeps or something so it's easy to identify it at the switch? Would be cool if such a thing exists.

 

[ddawg16]

I have a cheap Ethernet cable tester.....The main unit will test both ends....or I plug in one end of the cable then use the smaller head at the other end. It has lights that tell me the wires are connected and in proper sequence.

 

[alanbillips]

search cat 5 wire tracer

something like this
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Sperry-Lan-WireTracker-Tone-and-Probe-Wire-Tracer-ET64220/202520187

Just a tone generator

If you don't need to find the cable, I like using something like this tester
http://cnc-specialty-store.com/rs23...le-test-tool?gclid=CPC12IKt8skCFQovHwodyhwClQ

Plug the sender in one side, then the receiver into each cable at the hub until the lights come on in order. It is good for testing your connectors also.

 

[Git]

Get a cheapo cable tester

$10 and #1 best seller from Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OUFX38W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[ishiboo]

You can use a toner like alan linked from HD which will get you close, though in a patch panel or something it can sometimes be a pretty close call. I use them not only for network but also power wires quite frequently.

The Klein Scout is not particularly great, but it will tell you which of the numbered plugs you've inserted (1-5) so it's helpful in accurately identifying a port.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-VDV-Scout-Pro-2-Tester-Kit-VDV501-823R/205209866

 

[cdaiscool]

If you have a switch that does LLDP, get a fluke and plug it into the port in the room or at the camera. It should kick back what port its plugged into.

Then go back to your switch and move the cable to where you want it. If its already unplugged and you're just looking to light up dark cable, a toner is what you're gonna want.

 

[csp]

Connect the center terminal to the outer nut with a jumper wire at the termination point. Use a continuity tester where your wires originate to determine which one it is.

 

[bry@n]

They make toner's that have will make the lights flash on a switch. Might be easier.

 

[Davi]

I think atlas do cable testers with modules you can connect that send back their number to the main testing unit.

http://www.peakelec.co.uk/acatalog/jz_utp05.html

 

[mooseracing]

Get a cheapo cable tester

$10 and #1 best seller from Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OUFX38W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Problem with cheaps ones like this is they make troubleshooting almost impossible. They are not sending an active signal and you can't pick up temporary breaks/disconnects or bad connections at jacks.

I use the Fluke Net Scanner, but it is ~400.

 

[ToolRoom]

Best way would be to invest in a patch panel, and number each outlet at both ends - this will make life a lot easier, avoid connection issues if you swap cables around a lot and allow you to trace faults a lot quicker too.

Most cheap cable testers will come with a detachable module for testing shorts/crosses so you could use this at one end to find your cable.

More advanced ones will come with multiple modules, tone trace, link light flashing and length checking and will also identify things like PBX, POTS and POE - some even have clients built in so you can ping from the test unit. I've been using Test-Um NT750 testers for the past decade, probably superseded by much better things now - but these features may have crept into the cheaper units and would be worth looking out for.