Tracing CAT cables in conduits?

LandyMan

LandyMan

Honorary Master
Joined
Feb 28, 2005
Messages
13,358
Reaction score
3,185
Location
Centurion
Good day all .. not really sure where to post this :)

So I have 3 CAT5 cables going from my study:

For one I have the endpoint in one of the sparerooms (there is a CAT5 femaly connector), but for the other two I have no idea where they are going ... keep in mind double story house, so I can't just check in the ceiling ... anyone have ANY idea of how to be able to trace them?

Thanks
 
Remove one by one. You have a 33.3% then a 50% chance of removing the both that are not working.
 
LandyMan said:
Good day all .. not really sure where to post this :)

So I have 3 CAT5 cables going from my study:

For one I have the endpoint in one of the sparerooms (there is a CAT5 femaly connector), but for the other two I have no idea where they are going ... keep in mind double story house, so I can't just check in the ceiling ... anyone have ANY idea of how to be able to trace them?

Thanks
Click to expand...
So the other 2 cables just go into your roof or conduits and you do not know where they "come out" ?

Just to be sure I'm following here.
 
MightyQuin said:
So the other 2 cables just go into your roof or conduits and you do not know where they "come out" ?

Just to be sure I'm following here.
Click to expand...
Correct ... I see 3 cables coming out the box in the study, I have 1 other port in another room ... for one of them, but no idea where the other 2 are going
 
LandyMan said:
Correct ... I see 3 cables coming out the box in the study, I have 1 other port in another room ... for one of them, but no idea where the other 2 are going
Click to expand...
Look for blanked off wallboxes/faceplates on any other room. Cables may be pulled to just behind them and not be terminated. Or look for same with draw wires in them?

Is this new house you just bought/moved into?
 
who says they are even connected to anything?
maybe the 1 you found is the only one thats working
while the others are cut off and useless anyway.

agree with @Luke7777 , tone generator would help a lot here.
 
Since its double story, would it be more likely that the cables are in conduits in the wall?

If thats the case then, maybe use a fish tape/wire and feed it through the conduit and see where the other end comes out. If the cables are not in a conduit then that wont work.

Cant you just ask whoever installed it?
 
i know its for phone lines, but if the cables aren't connected to any devices, i've used a phone cable tracer in the past, can get them from places like regal security

1605081248169.png
 
MightyQuin said:
Look for blanked off wallboxes/faceplates on any other room. Cables may be pulled to just behind them and not be terminated. Or look for same with draw wires in them?

Is this new house you just bought/moved into?
Click to expand...

I was thinking of doing that ... couple of blanks or TV boxes where they might be hiding behind.
No, been here since 2013, but my Poweline adapters are acting up, so thought I might as well try and see where they are going :)
 
Eric said:
Strip the plaster around house and start again?
But seriously... do you see any cables anywhere else in the house? Are you saying you can't find the cables themselves (i.e. they're probably stuck in conduit somewhere behind the plaster? Have you tried removing the wall plates to see if they exit near plug points?
Click to expand...
The one is obvious, there is a CAT female port in the wall
For the other two, there are no ports, I don't know if they are behind blank plates, or just cut somewhere in a conduit
 
eg2505 said:
who says they are even connected to anything?
maybe the 1 you found is the only one thats working
while the others are cut off and useless anyway.

agree with @Luke7777 , tone generator would help a lot here.
Click to expand...
They might not be connected to anything, however I have 3 cables I can see, and only one endpoint I can see ... so whether they are connect to anything, I am trying to figure out ... hence having to trace
 
Midnights_Ghost said:
Since its double story, would it be more likely that the cables are in conduits in the wall?

If thats the case then, maybe use a fish tape/wire and feed it through the conduit and see where the other end comes out. If the cables are not in a conduit then that wont work.

Cant you just ask whoever installed it?
Click to expand...
Conduits definitely in play here ... but to tape thought them is a pain
It was installed during build in 2011 ... everyone has amnesia :)
 
Toner and probe, costs a bit of dosh, not really worth a once off use. Maybe you can borrow one from someone here or on carb.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X