Network Tester Can Harm Router/Switch?

[Imminent]

I recently tried to test a cable that I Crimped (Cat5e) where I Inserted one end of the cable into our switch/hub/router thingy and then I went onto the roof and plugged in the tester on the other end..

Our techy at work told me I could have blown the Router/hub/switch since the tester works on higher voltage than the hub etc..

Luckily I crimped the one part of the cable like an imbicile and it didn't make any contact to the router at all, but say if it did make contact, would u say its possible to harm another component with using a Pinout tester device?

Cheers

 

[stevovo]

I'm not sure about the usual home routers and stuff, but when I worked at the mines, we used a network tester all the time, even when there were routers and stuff (more expensive routers like big cisco ones though) and nothing ever broke.

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

Any descent network tester will come with a terminating point that you plug into the one end and then your tester in the other. Its usually a detachable block fitted to the tester.

I cannot comment that it will damage your router/hub but I would rather err on the side of this techie. I've worked with the most expensive testers (Fluke) and the cheapest (Who-Flung-Dung) and can say there is a massive difference in them in how they operate and at what voltage. I would also say you run the risk of causing issues on a live network as being more of a problem.

 

[Ivork]

It shouldn't. Not that it is impossible, but a decent one won't harm anything.
None of the ones we use do.

And the number of times a tester gets plugged into an incorrectly marked wallbox & patch panel in a live environment, landing up in it been connected to a switch or pc ..............

 

[mhmayet]

Only time you would need to be careful is when you are working with POE switches/ports.

 

[Imminent]

Thanks for all info's guise