Article
Network Cable Tester
For Gigabit / 10BASE-T / 100BASE-T
Help! The network is down! What’s wrong? Is it the cable? The NIC? The patches? The plugs? A gremlin in the patch bay? Cable and connector faults are relatively common and this simple tester will help you find the culprit in no time. The tester is suitable for Gigabit, 10BASE-T and 100BASE-T cables, with the ability to check Gigabit crosswire cables, too.
Materials
Gerber file
CAM/CAD data for the PCB referred to in this article is available as a Gerber file. Elektor GREEN and GOLD members can exclusively download these files for free as part of their membership. Gerber files allow a PCB to be produced on an appropriate device available locally, or through an online PCB manufacturing service.
Elektor recommends the Elektor PCB Service service from its business partner Eurocircuits or AISLER as the best services for its own prototypes and volume production.
The use of our Gerber files is provided under a modified Creative Commons license. Creative Commons offers authors, scientists, educators and other creatives the freedom to handle their copyright in a more free way without losing their ownership.
PCB
Component list
Resistors
R1,R2,R3,R4,R9,R10 = 10k
R5,R6,R7,R8 = 1k
Capacitors
C1 = 10µF 63V radial
C2 = 1µF MKT lead pitch5 or 7.5mm
C3 = 100nF
Semiconductors
D1 =1N4001
D2,D3,D4,D5 = LED, red, low current
IC1 = PIC16F874-20/P, programmed, order code 050302-41*
IC2 = 7805
Miscellaneous
X1 = 4MHz 3-pin ceramic resonator
K1,K2 = PCB mount RJ-45 socket, Molex # 95009-2881 (Farnell # 257102)
S1 = 4-way DIP switch
S2 = pushbutton with tactile feedback, 1 make contact, footprint 6x6mm
S3 = switch, on/off, 1 make contact, chassis mount
BT1 = 9V battery with holder (and optionally an on/off switch)
4 wire links
PCB, order code 050302-1
R1,R2,R3,R4,R9,R10 = 10k
R5,R6,R7,R8 = 1k
Capacitors
C1 = 10µF 63V radial
C2 = 1µF MKT lead pitch5 or 7.5mm
C3 = 100nF
Semiconductors
D1 =1N4001
D2,D3,D4,D5 = LED, red, low current
IC1 = PIC16F874-20/P, programmed, order code 050302-41*
IC2 = 7805
Miscellaneous
X1 = 4MHz 3-pin ceramic resonator
K1,K2 = PCB mount RJ-45 socket, Molex # 95009-2881 (Farnell # 257102)
S1 = 4-way DIP switch
S2 = pushbutton with tactile feedback, 1 make contact, footprint 6x6mm
S3 = switch, on/off, 1 make contact, chassis mount
BT1 = 9V battery with holder (and optionally an on/off switch)
4 wire links
PCB, order code 050302-1
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