[davidag02]

To avoid paying comcast $26 per outlet connection, I went to Home Depot and got a 4 way splitter.


There are 5 outlets in my house, so I am only going to hook up 4 for now. Besides carrying a TV around to every outlet to check if it is recieving a signal... how can I use a multimeter to test which outlets are actually hooked up?

 

[zaphod7501]

The signal is RF so a multimeter won't work to check that way. There is a way to locate a particular cable (when they are not connected) with a meter. Use a clip lead to short the center to shield at the TV location and use the ohmmeter to find the cable that is now shorted by measuring (center to shield) at the source location.

 

[egnlsn]



Quote:
Originally Posted by zaphod7501 /forum/post/14204568


The signal is RF so a multimeter won't work to check that way. There is a way to locate a particular cable (when they are not connected) with a meter. Use a clip lead to short the center to shield at the TV location and use the ohmmeter to find the cable that is now shorted by measuring (center to shield) at the source location.

Or the shorted cable may have a staple in it and actually be shorted somewhere in the middle of the run. Better to use a known resistance, such as a 75-ohm terminator, and look for the cable with ~70-80 ohms resistance.

 

[zaphod7501]



Quote:
Originally Posted by egnlsn /forum/post/14205900


Or the shorted cable may have a staple in it and actually be shorted somewhere in the middle of the run. Better to use a known resistance, such as a 75-ohm terminator, and look for the cable with ~70-80 ohms resistance.

All you have to do is test before and after connecting the shorting lead. Some inexpensive meters can't resolve low restances very well. (everything under 100 seems to be zero)