The display shows the pairing of each of the wires, and in case of any connection failure it indicates which wire was connected in the wrong position.
If the wires are not connected, there is a short circuit, they are reversed, etc., the CM500 will indicate the type of error found:
- Open
- Mis-Wire
- Short
- Rev
- Split
It also indicates if the cable is crossover: X-over
It also indicates the total length of the cable under test based on the measurement of its mutual capacitance. Since cables have different capacitances, it is possible to change the nominal capacitance value to obtain a more accurate result for the total length.
The CM500 also allows you to generate tone sequences to identify the cable being tested at the opposite end. These tones can be sent along all the wires of the cable, either in pairs or wire by wire. Using a standard wire finder (not included), you can listen to the tone sequences (high and low frequencies), which are also user-selectable.
Of course, the CM500 warns if there is voltage in the cable, thus protecting the user from shocks.
Another useful feature is the ability to generate a blinking signal that can be seen on the RJ-45 connector where the cable under test is plugged in (provided the connector has a monitoring LED). This performs a functional test, indicating to the technician that the cable is reaching the device (switch or PC) to which it is connected.
Finally, it is worth noting that the CM500 has a high-power LED that acts as a flashlight, which is very helpful when working in a dark place.
