UTP Testing

Tester Setup

Before  testing is undertaken the tester should be set up ensuring the three following elements match the specification or nominated test requirements 

  1. Standard
  2. Test Configuration
  3. Peformance Level

Standards

Globally testing on telecommunication cabling in commerical premises is carried out to two overarching standards, those being the International Standard (ISO/IEC11801) and the US Standard (TIA/EIA 568 B).

Some countries and geograhical areas have regional variations of these standards. In Australia and New Zealand the applicable standard is AS/NZS 3080

As of the 1st June 2007 there was no published standards for EA or FA Cabling systems or any associated  published standard on field testing.

 

Test Configuration

  • Permanent Link and Channel Tests are the only valid test configuration under Australian, US and International Standards.
  • Permanent Link testing is the preferred configuration for compliance testing.  
  • Basic Link Tests are no longer valid.
  • Permanent Link Tests using Channel Adaptors are invalid.
  • Channel Tests using Permanent link Adaptors are invalid.

Performance Levels

  • Class D Permanent Link or Channel is a Category 5 (5e) Permanent Link or Channel under Australian and International Standards.
  • Class E Permanent Link or Channel is a Category 6 Permanent Link or Channel under Australian and International Standards.
  • Class F Permanent Link or Channel is a Category 7 Permanent Link or Channel under Australian and International Standards.
  • The Term Category 5 has replaced Category 5e in Australian and International Standards.

Adaptors

  • Permanent Link and channel adaptors are subject to wear and tear and require replacing periodically. Failure to do so may result in failure in Return Loss, NEXT or other  test parameters.

Tester Firmware

  • Tester firmware should be checked and updated before testing is undertaken.
  • Tester Firmware contains the parameters and/or the test calculation formulas. Failure to update firmware may result in the test being carried out to a non current standard.
  • Tester firmware updates add features and remove known problems.

Calibration

  • Tester should be factory calibrated each year.
  • Calibration certificates should be available on request. A copy of calibration certificates form part of some customers acceptance process.
  • Field Calibration of cable testers should be carried out every day before the start of testing.

Tests

  • All relative tests must be carried out to make test results valid.
  • Australian and International Standards require all of the following tests for Compliance Testing.
    • Return Loss
    • Insertion Loss
    • NEXT
    • PS NEXT
    • ACR
    • PS ACR
    • ELFEXT
    • PS ELFEXT
    • DC LOOP Resistance
    • Propagation Delay
    • Skew
    • Wire Map
    • Continuity of conductors, screens, short and open circuits.

Tester

  • Low batteries on tester produces inconsistent results.
  • The NVP setup in the tester may vary cable length by 10–15 Metres.
  • No latching clip on the RJ45 Permanent Link Adaptors produce inconsistent results.
  • Level IIe tester or greater is required for testing of Class D-Category 5/5e installations.
  • Level III tester or greater is required for testing of Class E-Category 6 installations.
  • Level IV tester or greater is required for testing of Class E-Category 7 installations.
  • Some Commercially available Cable testers are not capable of carrying out testing to compliance requirements of the Australian, US and International Standards.

Test Results

  • Test results should be provided electronically in the testers native format.
  • Manipulation of test results is considered a fraudulent act.