Ethernet Cable Testers and Cable Mappers
Wiremap, continuity, and throughput qualification testers for structured cabling installations.
CableTestShop stocks two cable testers for field verification: the LanSeeker Cable Tester (TP500C, $80.08) for basic continuity and wiremap testing, and the VDV MapMaster 3.0 (T130, $168.14) for wiremap testing up to 16 runs using remote ID pods. Both test Cat5e through Cat6a and identify opens, shorts, and miswires.
Cable testers are the first-check tool for every terminated run. They do not certify to a speed or bandwidth standard, but they confirm that the cable is correctly terminated, continuous, and free from opens, shorts, and miswires before you move on to higher-level testing.
The LanSeeker Cable Tester (TP500C, $80.08) provides basic continuity and wiremap verification with a remote end unit. It identifies all eight conductors in an RJ45 run and reports opens, shorts, reversed pairs, and split pairs. It is the minimum testing tool every installer should carry.
The VDV MapMaster 3.0 (T130, $168.14) steps up to multi-run mapping. Using up to 16 remote ID pod units, a single technician can test and identify multiple cable runs without a helper. It also includes basic length measurement, which speeds up the documentation step on structured cabling installations.
Neither tester generates pass/fail certification reports against TIA-568 performance standards. For certification, see the Cable Certifiers category.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a cable tester and a cable certifier?
A cable tester checks whether a cable is correctly wired with no faults (continuity and wiremap). A cable certifier runs a parametric test suite measuring RF performance (insertion loss, NEXT, return loss) against a TIA-568 limit and generates a documented pass/fail report. For projects requiring owner acceptance or manufacturer warranty documentation, a certifier is required.
Can the VDV MapMaster test coaxial cable?
The VDV MapMaster 3.0 (T130) is a VDV (Voice Data Video) tester with coax testing capability in addition to RJ45. It can test coaxial cable runs alongside Cat5e and Cat6 runs, which makes it useful for contractors who work on both structured data cabling and CATV/satellite installations.
How many remote IDs does the VDV MapMaster 3.0 include?
The VDV MapMaster 3.0 (T130) works with up to 16 remote ID units. The exact number of included remote IDs is listed on the product page. Additional remote IDs can be purchased separately if your job requires testing more runs simultaneously.