Lesson
3: UTP (Unshielded
Twisted Pair) Cable Testing
Objectives:
From this lesson you should learn:
What specifications for UTP cabling must be tested
Wiremap testing for checking connections
Certification testing for rated performance
Tools And Components
Needed
UTP cable wiremapper
UTP cable certifier or Verifier
Samples of cable and connectors
Introduction
It is impossible to work in premises cabling without
having a good working knowledge about cabling performance
and testing. In this lesson, we will cover testing the
cabling and the test equipment used.
Testing UTP cable begins with checking all connections are
correct. Then you test the performance of the cabling vs.
requirements of the standards.
Allow plenty of time to complete the exercises without
interruption, although this lesson can be broken into
segments for each cable type.
Safety
Please
Note: This is not the usual online course - it
is intended to guide you as you learn new skills
- the "hands-on" skills needed to install
optical fiber cable plants. It involves using
tools and components in a realistic manner. Some
of the processes here can be hazardous, like
working with sharp scraps of optical fiber and
chemicals.
In
Lesson 1 you should have familiarized yourself with
the safety procedures - follow them all the time. Do
not work with fiber without eye protection and a
proper work area that is easy to clean up.
Always wear safety glasses when doing any of
these exercises and dispose of all scraps
properly.
Background
Review
This "skills" course assumes you have a
basic knowledge of cabling. If you are new to
premises cabling, you should first complete the
"Fiber
U Premises Cabling"
course before attempting the hands-on exercises
here or review the FOA
Guide section on cables.
Hands-On
Lab Instructions
Download the Workbook section on Cables and the VHO
tutorial on Cable Preparation. Watch the videos and/or
read the references on the cable types you have available
for practice. The VHO
"Virtual Hands On" Tutorials take a "step-by-step"
approach to the hands-on processes covered in this
self-study program and the videos will show the
processes in motion. They are both a good way to teach
yourself the processes here - watch the video for the
overview then follow the steps in the VHO web pages.
Hands-On
Assignments:
After reading the workbook section and VHO tutorial and
watching the videos, complete these exercises. Refer
to the workbook, VHOs and videos as you do the exercise.
UTP Cable Testing And Cabling Testers
Using the workbook, familiarize yourself with the testers
used for checking UTP cabling. If you have your own
testers, become familiar with their operation.
UTP testing is defined by link and channel testing. The
"permanent link" is the cabling permanently installed from
outlet to outlet. Most specifications are based on the
permanent link. Channel testing adds the patchcords used
for connecting equipment over the cabling. Since
patchcords are purchased ready to use, get swapped and are
not permanent, testing usually focuses on the permanent
link.
Your exercises in Lesson 2 should have built a simulated
permanent link. This lesson will look at testing it.
Wiremapper
Wiremappers do end-to-end testing so a tester has two
parts - the tester and a remote that are connected to
either end of the cabling to check connections. Most have
the option of connecting to plugs or jacks. When testing
the permanent link, it would connect with plugs to the
outlets of the permanent link.
If you have built a cable or simulated permanent link in
Lesson 2, test if with a wiremapper. Record your results
in the workbook.
Cable Certifiers
Cable certification requires a special tester that can
test performance characteristics of the cable plant over
the full frequency range it it specified. These are
complex instruments that require time to learn how to use
the instrument. If you have access to a cable certifier,
first learn how to use it and then use it to test the
cabling link you created in Lesson 2.
As you finish each section, fill in the worksheet at
the end of the Workbook section. Your completed
worksheets are the records of your having successfully
completed the exercises.
- Test
Your Comprehension - Online
Quiz
- Have
you completed the Workbook worksheets that are the
records of your having successfully completed the
exercises?
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to Lesson Plan
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