Ethernet Cable Troubleshooting

A typical Ethernet cable test device consists of two separate units: a main unit and a remote unit. Use the main unit alone to test patch cables and both units to test cables after pulling them through conduit and connecting them to the termination modules.

Patch cables: These are short network cables used within electrical panels to make connections between Ethernet controllers or couplers and field-terminated cable runs. Patch cables are factory assembled with male RJ45 connectors at each end.

Cable runs: These are longer network cables that run through conduit to connect Fieldbus controllers or couplers to a common network interface device. Only one end of the cable has a male RJ45 connection. The other end must be field-terminated to a termination module.

Refer to Ethernet Network Installation in the Installation section of the iControl Hardware manual for more information about Ethernet cables and installation.

Local Test - Patch Cables

1. Connect both male RJ45 connectors to the main unit.
2. Turn the unit on. A red LED will blink indicating a test in progress.
3. Watch the cable test LEDs. If all are green, then the cable is good. If one or more flash red, then the cable is faulty and must be replaced.

Remote Test - Cable Run

1. Connect one end of a previously tested patch cable into the termination module connected to the cable run. This provides you with two RJ45 male connectors on the cable run to connect to the test unit.
2. Plug the other end of the patch cable into the remote unit.
3. Plug the RJ45 male connector at the network interface end of the cable run into the main unit of the cable tester.
4. Turn the main unit on.
5. Watch the cable pair LEDs on the remote unit.

• If all LEDs are green, then the cable run is good.
• If one or more LEDs flash red, then either the termination module connections are miswired or incomplete, or the cable is faulty.

Make sure the cable connections to the termination module are correct. Check each connection. If you suspect a bad connection, you can pull the lead out of the module and punch it down again closer to the jacket.  Refer to Installation in the iControl Hardware manual for Ethernet termination color coding.

If the termination module connections are good, then the cable is faulty and must be replaced.