How To Trace Coaxial Cable? [Quick And Easy Guide]

Wondering how to trace coaxial cable?

It’s so simple and easy to do it with the right equipment.

All you need are some simple tools and pieces of your damaged line, which can easily be gotten through an examination microscope or hooked up directly if available!

Be sure not only do these allow reading down just about any length but also tracing back from there for future reference in case more work needs doing on-site quickly later because this information has everything needed at once already organized by type plus cross-references between both ends.

Continue reading to learn more!

How to Trace Coaxial Cable

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HOW TO TRACE COAXIAL CABLE?

Are you looking for a way to trace coaxial cable? Such cables are widely used nowadays and can be found nearly everywhere. Even in your own home, tracing a cable may be difficult.

A cable may go from the roof and then through your rooms before arriving at its destination. These cables are often used in conjunction with televisions or other entertainment devices.

The process of tracing coax cable may take some time, but fortunately, there are a variety of options available from businesses that may help to expedite and simplify the process.

THE TRACING INSTRUMENTS

Before you begin the tracing procedure, you must first gather all of the required instruments and equipment. Coaxial cable tracers are typically tiny devices with a variety of capabilities; some versions can map to several places and give you a variety of valuable information.

This kind of gadget may be referred to by a variety of names. A probing instrument and a toner are required in order to trace the cable. The list of required tools is determined by the kind of cable being used.

If you have a large number of wires to trace and you do not want to get disoriented, you should try utilizing colored tape. Various cable tracing systems are available at a low cost.

It is possible that different versions will come with a variety of attachments and have a variety of extra features that will make the whole procedure simpler and faster.

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A LARGE NUMBER OF CABLES

Using a cable tester, which can tell you where the cable travels if you have a few cables that are linked to different devices and run to several places around your house, will save you time and money in the long run.

Such devices include a “sending” function, which allows them to transmit a specific signal that travels via the cable to the recipient. The procedure is very straightforward:

• Connect the transmitter device to a jack on the receiver device.
• Each cable should be tested using a speaker module.
• After you have connected the correct cable, you will hear a tone. That is how simple it is.
• Locate the cable and determine when the other end is accessible.

If you have a large number of cables that transmit signals to a large number of devices and you need to locate the appropriate cable, you must follow a straightforward procedure.

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The following tools will be required: a multimeter and aluminum foil.

• Insert a piece of foil into the jack of a cable.
• With the multimeter, check all of the cables (it reads ohms)

The “0” will be shown on the cable that was shorted out by the piece of aluminum foil.

Experts, on the other hand, say that although various results may be obtained, there will be one that sticks out from the rest, and that is the cable that you need to use.

Because of this, you do not have to disassemble the wires and use a tester to identify the one you need.

LOCATING THE MISPLACED WIRES

When you just have one end of a cable wire or a jack and no way to get to the other end, you may need to trace the wire to find out where it goes.

In this instance, you must locate the wire that runs behind the walls of your home and trace it to its terminus to complete the task. In this situation, you will need to apply toner. The whole procedure is as follows:

Connect a tone generating device to the end of the cord that can be reached. This device records the signal from the generator and generates a sound, which aids in the identification of the cable.

Identifying and tracing difficulties

It is possible that the tracing will be difficult. First, you must identify the location of the case, after which you may get the required equipment to trace the cable.

There are a number of different tracing options that you may choose from. Once you have a comprehensive understanding of your situation, you will be able to trace coax cables without wasting much time.

How to Select the Most Appropriate Coaxial Cable Tester/Tracer?

Coaxial cables are sometimes required for the transmission of a number of different signals. Radio transmissions, high-definition television broadcasts, internet communications, and so forth. You’ll find coax cables in both residential and business locations since copper cabling is so widely used and widely available.

As a result, when issues begin to manifest themselves in your cable network, it is critical that you be able to locate, identify, and address them as quickly as possible. If and when that time comes, having a reliable coaxial cable tester on hand may be very beneficial.

But how do you go about selecting a reliable coaxial cable tester tracer?

Selecting the Most Appropriate Coaxial Cable Tester/Tracer

If you have a clear understanding of what you’re doing, finding the appropriate instrument shouldn’t be too difficult.

All you have to do is consider the overall length of the cables that you may be evaluating, as well as the kinds of cables that you might be interested in testing. From then, all you have to do is run the instrument through a few simple quality tests.

Cabling Types There are many types of cabling.

As you may be aware, there are a number of different kinds of coax cables available for purchase. Due to the fact that various cables are designed for different kinds of applications.

Some individuals use coax cables to transmit internet video, while others use them to link CCTV networks or radio antennas to their computers. Coax cable comes in a variety of sizes and kinds, the most popular of which are RG59, RG11, and RG6.

What’s the difference between the two?

While the small physical variation in these cables allows for more adaptability to a wider range of installation styles, it also causes them to behave differently when tested or traced using a coaxial cable tester/tracer.

You may wish to look for a cable tester that can handle these basic cable kinds in order to save time.

If you’re searching for one of the more exotic cable kinds, you may find yourself needing to choose a tester that is only compatible with that format.

Electrical Resistance is a term used to describe the resistance of an electrical circuit.

Coaxial cables offer a broad range of impedance values as well, allowing for a variety of applications. Its resistance may usually be found somewhere between 50 and 92 ohms.

You will often discover lower impedance for radio transmitters and greater impedance for high-definition televisions if you are not positive about the lines you are testing. More impedance usually equates to a stronger signal, although the majority of applications nowadays do not surpass 75 ohms in impedance.

If you’re searching for a tool but aren’t sure how much resistance you’ll encounter when testing, you’ll generally want a tester/tracer that can take at least 75 ohms of resistance.

When the tester/tracer does not clearly state what its limit is, it is generally fair to presume that the limit is likewise about 75 ohms since this is sufficient to handle almost all residential applications without causing damage.

Utilization Ease

A good piece of testing equipment should not be too complex. The vast majority of the time, utilizing a coaxial cable tester/tracer should consist of little more than plugging in a cable and pressing a button.

Some instruments, on the other hand, have a more straightforward user interface than others. If you are unsure about your own level of expertise, it may be beneficial to look for an entry-level tester/tracer rather than more expensive equipment.

The length of the cable

There will be distance restrictions for testers in addition to a resistance limit for the cable used for testing. Some of the most powerful tests have the capability of reaching distances of up to 5000′ and beyond.

However, if you don’t really need to test cables that are a mile in length, you’ll wind up saving a lot of money by choosing an instrument that is better suitable for your specific use case.

As a result, if you wish to use the proper equipment for the job, you must first understand the kind of cable you want to examine.

Here’s are our Recommended Kits When Tracing Coaxial Cable

1. Klein Tools Coax Tester Tracer Mapper with Remote Kit (Coax Tester Tracer Mapper with Remote Kit)

The Klein Tools Coax Kit was created with one purpose in mind: to assist you in verifying the continuity of an F-connector coaxial connection and then assisting you in mapping out the position of the connections.

If you’re doing regular maintenance on a network or attempting to figure out what’s wrong with a line, that’s a really helpful design.

Klein Tools Coax Tester Tracer Mapper

The Klein Tools Tester makes use of a color-coded design for each testing remote in order to make the multi-testing procedure a bit simpler to manage.

This tester is designed to be as basic as possible, with just one button to press. You simply just need to connect the wire you wish to test and push a button to complete the process. It’s really difficult to make a mistake.

Design and construction  

This tester, like many other Klein Tools instruments, was constructed on a chassis that had a brilliant yellow color.

Although it is unlikely to win any beauty competitions, it is simple to distinguish from other instruments when they are in the same room.

The tester’s dimensions are 5.75 x 2.38 x 1 inch, which makes it fairly portable and suitable for use in the field. The chassis is mainly constructed of ABS plastic, which contributes to the instrument’s ability to withstand at least some impact.

Because of the instrument’s very low weight, it is unlikely that it will sustain significant harm if it is dropped. There was just light scratching and nothing more.

In order to use the Klein Tools Coax Tester Tracer, you’ll need to attach the test remotes and F-adapter to the remote, which may be found on the packaging.

That’s because of the inclusion of a clip on the tester itself, which allows for convenient storage as well as quick access when it comes time to utilize the remote controls. The front of the device is equipped with an extremely readable LED panel.

It shows whether the trace is set to pass, open, or short conditions for the cable that you’re measuring, depending on the configuration.

Color-coded push-on design enables the testing and organization of four wires with the least amount of work and the least amount of potential for misunderstanding. One end is red, while the other is a combination of blue, green, and black.

2. CM-8 Coax Cable Mapper from Jonard

The Jonard CM-8 is an eight-way cable mapping system that goes considerably further than the Klein Tools instrument in terms of coverage and support.

It has the capability of operating maps for many coaxial cable systems from a single central location, making it suitable for a wide range of coaxial cable installations of varying complexity. Installations for satellite television, closed-circuit television, alarm systems, and other similar systems fall under this category.

But, in addition to being capable of managing more across longer distances, this tester is also capable of handling higher resistance cables.

CM-8 Coax Cable Mapper from Jonard

This includes the capacity to search for shorts on cables as long as 4000 feet in length and on lines with resistances as high as 100 ohms.

A more powerful instrument than this is unlikely to be required unless you’re engaged in some kind of industrial cable arrangement project, which is unlikely.

Design and construction are two different things

CM-8 Coax Cable Mapper from Jonard Design

The CM-8 is small and lightweight, measuring 2 x 1 x 2.8 inches and weighing little under one pound. The blue chassis isn’t very beautiful, but it’s just as durable and protective as the instrument from Klein Tools terms of protection.

This is due to the fact that it is constructed of basically the same materials and is manufactured to essentially the same physical specifications.

Despite the fact that there is still no lanyard strap or carrying cord, the gadget is lightweight and robust enough that losing it on occasion should not be a major worry.

The interface is mostly comprised of a number of LEDs, which enable the user to assist in determining whether or not there is a problem with the wire that is being tested.

The one-button mechanism is similar to that of the Klein Tools instrument, making this a fairly foolproof design. If you’re impatient, you’ll enjoy the fact that the CM-8 has a testing button that will let you know whether or not it is operational.

As a result, you won’t have to worry about interrupting the instrument while it’s testing.

The CM-8 is powered by two CR2 batteries, which are supplied in the package with the instrument. The supplied batteries seem to be of good quality, so you won’t have to worry about putting them in right away.

In addition, you should be able to get many months of regular usage out of the CM-8 before you have to start thinking about replacing the battery with a new one. An indicator for low battery power will appear on the screen to alert you when the time has come.

It’s also worth mentioning that CR2 cells are very simple to replace, are nearly as readily available as AA batteries, and are reasonably cheap compared to other battery types.

3. Southwire Tools & Equipment M500CX4 Coax Continuity Tester/Mapper (Southwire Tools & Equipment M500CX4)

It is not always necessary to have a coax cable that can perform several functions. Sometimes all you need is a straightforward tester to assist you in your work. The Southwire M500CX4 was created to make an attempt at becoming such a tester.

A simple LED display is used for the interface, which makes this instrument extremely accessible due to its ease of understanding.

Southwire Tools & Equipment M500CX4

Despite the fact that it is very user-friendly, it is also capable of providing a broad range of compatible for checking installed cables or testing patch cables.

It can detect four coaxes cable remote locations and comes with four color-coded infrared remotes, enabling it to operate on par with the Klein Tools tester in terms of functionality.

Design and construction are two different things.

Southwire Design

The M500CX4 is a small, lightweight device that measures 5.5 x 1.25 x 0.5 inches and weighs just a few ounces. It is powered by four LR44 batteries, which are supplied with the package. The device was built with a double-molded casing, which increases both the longevity of the unit and the user’s grasp on it.

Although, as previously said, robustness is not the greatest concern for an instrument of this kind, it is fair to say that the M500CX4 is very durable.

In a similar vein to the CM-8, you’re looking at a one-button design that is quite difficult to do wrong. The interface, on the other hand, is much more accessible and pleasant than the CM-8 interface.

The gadget has been designed in such a way that even a complete beginner could get started using it without having to even look at the user manual.

Other Points to Consider

There aren’t many extras or special features available with the MC500CX4 in terms of extras or special features. The fact that this is the case is probably a positive thing since it reflects in the pricing.

However, there are certain elements that are common sense that have been added. For example, you’ll discover that this instrument will automatically shut itself down when you’re not using the gadget anymore.

The Best Coaxial Cable Tester/Tracer: Choosing From Three Excellent Options

For those attempting to test high-resistance lines or cables that must be run over very long distances, the Klein Tools Coax Tester Tracer Mapper with Remote Kit is not the most appropriate tool for the job.

However, this kit will work admirably in the vast majority of household situations, according to the manufacturer. It’s easy to use, straightforward, and provides you with all of the tools you need to complete the task at hand.

If you’re searching for a more affordable instrument that will be used mainly for domestic purposes, you might choose the Klein Tools tester. The Jonard CM-8 Coax Cable Mapper was designed to accommodate longer cables as well as cables that have a higher impedance to current flow.

The instrument itself is still very straightforward and simple to use, but the hardware is simply capable of doing more demanding tasks than devices such as the Klein Tools Coax Tester.

As a result, the CM-8 is an excellent option for anybody who has to test high resistance lines that are operating at 100 ohms. In conclusion, the Southwire Tools & Equipment M500CX4 Coax Continuity Tester/Mapper is comparable to the Klein Tools Coax Tester in terms of features and functionality.

It is not capable of taking on very long cables or cables with extremely high resistance, such as the CM-8, because of its design. However, it is every bit as user-friendly as the Klein Tools instrument, and it is intended to handle somewhat greater throughput than the Klein Tools instrument.

The M500CX4 coaxial cable tester tracer may be a good investment for someone who intends to use their coaxial cable tester tracer for more than just occasional measurements.

CONCLUSION On Tracing Coaxial Cables

Large amounts of information, such as cable television signals and high-bandwidth Internet data, are sent via coaxial cables from a cable operator or Internet service provider to the end customer.

These cables and connections are already placed on the walls of most houses and apartment buildings, just as electrical outlets are already put on the walls of most homes and apartment buildings.

However, these wires may get dislodged and lost beneath the drywall, particularly if the site has been under development. In order to locate these cables, certain equipment must be used.

FAQs About Tracing Coaxial Cables