With the exception of wireless systems, networks rely on cable to conduct data from one point to another. Because these signals are essentially bursts of electricity, the electrical characteristics of the cable itself greatly affect the integrity of the signal being transmitted. A bad length of cable or a poor cable installation can result in signal loss or distortion, and consequently, network failure. To minimize such occurrences, cable vendors test their cables to guarantee performance. In some cases, the error lies in improper cable installation.
Network managers can use cable testers to ensure that a cable can conduct signals correctly.
They can also use cable testers to verify if a cable is properly installed and to troubleshoot faulty cable. A solid grounding in the electrical properties of UTP is a good way to learn how cable can affect the performance of a network. In this case, a network essentially comprises energy sources, conductors, and loads. The conductors are the wires that the signal travels over to reach its destination, which is usually another network device. The receiving device is known as the load.