Cabling newb needs help!

[Crappy187]

Installing a patch panel for a pretty small office, this will be the first time i have done this (just a trainee), so ive come here to ask you guys for some advice on numbering my sockets up with the right cable on the other end that will go to my patch panel, ive tried just using a enhanced network cable tester and using a small network cable from it to one of my sockets on the wall, then by rights if i short out the cable at the other end i should get some lights on my tester, that was my first solution to matching them up, but when i tried it i had no luck , is there an easier way of finding out what wall socket is which cable on the other end?


thanks,
David

 

[thiggins]

You can also use a cable tracer. See this.

 

[Breakingcustom]

I've been doing structured cabling for almost 3 years now and have done small offices to casinos. What I suggest you buy is a cable tester. Ideal makes a simple to use tester that does voice/data/video. For data all it will show you is whether you have everything punched down correctly. So if you are doing one style to another it will show up miswire. I have never punched anything down with A style only B. So if you bunch down both sides with B style, you'll be good to go.

Here is a link to it:http://idealindustries.com/prodDeta...&l1=testers&l2=testers_twisted_pair&l3=33-856

Go on Ebay to pick it up. At Lowes it was like $80, I got it for $39. If you need to know footages and what not, you can use an software program or if you got the cash buy a Fluke Linkrunner. You can pick one up for like $300. We use them all the time at work and they do the job. Tell you footages, what wires are miswired/shorted, etc.

Always remember to label the cables. Because if you don't, you'll need to get yourself a toner/probe. Which is another expense but still a viable tool to have when you find yourself in a jam. I use a Fluke toner/probe which I found on Ebay for $140. You can find cheaper ones, but we only use Fluke at work and I trust the Fluke name.