We bought new house and I need to test network (RJ45) and coax jacks to see which ones are working. How can I do that without actually connecting computers/cable boxes?
How to test network and coax jacks
coaxoutletstesting
Related Solutions
You can use your cable modem itself as the tool. Do a search for "[your modem manufacturer] cable modem diagnostics" and you'll find out how to access the modem's diagnostic page in a web browser. This will give you upstream & downstream signal levels and lots of other useful info.
Here's a page with some information about a few different manufacturers.
You do not need to know if there is a 'signal' you just need to know if there is a connection.
A basic tool that can tell you evetrything and costs a few bucks/quid at local hardware store. Multimeter
Never in my life did i have to use a tone generator, a oscilloscope to test if my CCTV, Satellite or TV connection is giving me good enough signal.. LOL
You use that type of equipment for digital/analogue testing where you control several if not hundred outcomes, synchronization and high speed data transfer.
You just need to use a few simple free (brainpower) tricks.
Point A being nearest to your TV and Point B being the other end of the cable.
- Disconnect all TVs
- Short point B (so connect the signal and shield with a wire)
- Test point A with a multimeter set at Ohm
Results
- ~0Ohm or very close to - Woohoo you have a nice connection from a to b!
0Ohm More than dead short - You have a bad connection somewhere
- No reading - Cable form Point A to Point B has no connection
There is no need to analyse the signal or test for a signal because you know you have a signal in the other TVs (assuming the coax is connected to the same place)
Alternatives
If you know the coax for all the TVs is the same cable you, you can leave Point B terminated - which is most likely closest to the antenna or after the junction. Test Point C,D...Z respectively to make sure there is a good connection.
Take your TV and connect it to a working plug to make sure the TV is not broke - or as pointed out use TV that works and plug it into your outlet - same difference I think? (but does not eliminate double jeopardy - your TV might still be knackered as well as the signal be broke :) )
Alternative 2
Also requires for all plugs to be disconnected from all TVs. Connect a 9 volt battery to one end and test all the ends for a voltage. If you get ~9 volts then the route is good. If you get a <9V then you have an issue on the route (micro short?) if you have 0V then there's no connection
Good Luck
And a photo to make it look pretty.
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Best Answer
Very good question but you need to find out more information.
The very first question on my mind is.. Where do they connect to ? if they are connected to anything else at all?
A simple solution
Find the starting point(A) and the end point(B) of either cable.
Using a multimeter and a *return cable** you test continuity of the cable. Either using Ohms = 0 which means short circuit(in this case good because the cable is good) or some meters have buzzer if there is continuity.
You can also test the cable without a return cable, by joining the ends (centre and shield- or a pair) at one side and testing the centre core and shield on the other. This will test the entire continuity. If there is no continuity - which means the cable is broken - then you would not know if its the core or shield. But at least you will know the cable needs replacing.
RJ45 Network cable used for 10/100Base Networks.
This is very time consuming because RJ45 have several strands of cable so testing one after the other can be beach. But one clever solution is to make a loopback on point B and test the corresponding points on PointA. If it does not loop back then the cable is most likely broken.
There are also network testing equipment that do the same as mentioned above.. but you have nice flashy lights and a nice loopback box supplied.Ebay a few bucks each for el cheapo ones.
COAX
Coax is a funny one and depends on what you need it for. Coax for TV, satellite or CCTV again. On digital signals you might get choppy or images cutting in and out if there interference. On analog you will see allot of "snow" or shadows. It is best to replace or check the fittings to see that the connections are good.
But you can test the cable also ...
An extra step here (1) is to test for short circuit between single(centre) and (shield) without and return cable or joining any end. This will check if there is a short circuit on the coax.Possibly a nail or screw when right through the cable.
The other part if its used for a network then it all has to be connected and terminated to test it(but its unlikely its used for network because these types or network have been eradicated because of unreliability)
REMEMBER
This will only test if the cables are in an operable state. So you connect it and it will work. The bandwidth, noise-to-signal and interference will greatly depend on the quality of the cable, workmanship during installations, etc.
EG The RJ45 could be rated for Gigabit but your bandwidth could a mere 250mbs(1/4 bandwidth) because the shielding has not been done properly, or the ends have been poorly installed, the cable is near high voltage lines, the cable is severely bent ins several places along the way.
COAX in general either works or not.But for Analog Video; again many factors come into play. For digital(eg satellites) it should be ok
*return cable - A long piece of wire that you know is OK. You will attach this at Point B and run it freely back to your meter. This way you can test the continuity of a single core.