Quote:
Originally Posted by pocoloco /forum/post/18303545
So I was wondering, does a custom installer test all Cat5/6 cables, even if they are not going to be immediately used? If so, when does he test them? Twice, before and after drywall, or just once after drywall goes up?
Hard question to answer because there are so many variables. In a perfect world this is what would happen.
House would be completely framed and the electrician, plumber hvac guys would be completely done before the low voltage guys begin.
This allows us to avoid running parallel with high voltage, lets us center our speakers on light cans, lets us determine what outlet and switch height is so that our low voltage boxes match the height of high voltage outlets and switches. It lets us choose wiring paths based on unused areas. We have no idea that a HVAC needs a specific path for ducts and it sucks to have to move your cables after they have been run & managed. And more importantly.. There is less chance of someone damaging our cables if they are all done working.
If the wiring is done properly and you are using good cable and you have a plan to manage the cables at the control system end then IMO you usually dont have to worry too much about your cables being damaged. Installers know how to route cables so that they are protected from the sheetrock guys.
Before Sheetrock:
We use a toner to test continuity to make sure cables are labeled properly and to make sure that none were forgotten about. Cat5/6 are punched down at each end with jacks and tested with a lan tester.
Cable certification is another service we offer where cables are not only tested for continuity but also rating. In some cases a cable might test okay for continuity but not pass certification because the cable has been damged during installation.
After Sheetrock:
All Cat5/6 cables are punched down to patch panels at the control system end and terminated to wallplates in locations around the house. This makes it easy to use a lan tester to make sure all your cables are good and wired correctly at the patch panels.
And if certification was a requested service the cables would also be tested again to make sure they pass.
Cable certification tool: