The Importance of Cable Testing
It is essential to thoroughly test every data cable during installation especially before the installation goes live or depending on circumstances before the cable routes are covered. The image on the right (click on the image to enlarge) shows a manufacturing fault in the cable that failed during testing. The red tape to the left of the image was under the cable jacket and the orange pair was completely bare and twisted with new strands of copper. This is an obvious fail that would have shown up with a visual inspection or simple LED tester but some problems are less obvious but can still cause serious problems. This cable made it through installation as the bulge in cable was not seen during the install process, but it was picked up during testing. Not all cabling faults originate in manufacture. Many are caused during the installation process, typically when there is a period of time between the cables being pulled in and the terminations being applied.
Structured cabling is an expensive business asset and must be treated as such. The cost of replacement if problems are discovered later can be significantly higher once the routes are all covered. When there is a gap between cable installation (first fix) and termination (second fix) the installed cables are prone to damage from other contractors stepping over them and dropping tools and building materials. The damage is not always obvious as crushing, bending or kinking a cable without actually physically damaging the jacket can cause sufficient damage for the cable to fail when tested.
Check with your cabling installer to ensure they have made provision to protect installed cabling from the activities of other contractors. This is significantly cheaper than having to replace cabling in the future. If cable routes are going to be covered with no means of re-opening them between first and second fix, it is wise to temporarily terminate the cables so they can be tested before the routes are covered.
Astro Communications carry out third party testing on copper and optical fibre cable installations for customers, building contractors and M&E contractors. With many customers endeavouring to reduce costs, we also provide on-site training to customers or their nominated installers to enable them to use existing contractors or on-site staff to install cabling. We will also underwrite the installation provided we are able to inspect the installation work at various stages through the installation process.