Spyke
nostupidquestions·No Stupid QuestionsbyCabbage

Are there any devices for telling what HDMI or copper cables go together when running them through a wall?

I know I can use an HDMI source like a Raspberry Pi and a small screen for HDMI and could twist copper cable together and measure continuity through them to narrow down which is which but I'm wondering if there is an easier way. Maybe something I connect to either end?

View original on lemmy.ca
lemmy.world

Yes, it's called a toner. You put one piece on one end of the wire, then go put the other piece on the wires at the other end until you hear an audible tone. That's how you match them up. Label them after you tone them!

10

Very true if you are doing a lot of work like that. I was only suggesting the easiest method for what I assume would be a one time thing.

1

Maybe not easier, but network cable testers can send a tone through allowing you to plug the sender at a wall jack and use a wand at the terminal end to see which plug is which. The wand picks up an audio tone through the cable.

You’d need one with alligator clips or something rather than just network connections though.

Alternatively a multimeter and just measure for resistance on the cable itself, like at the outer shielding? Never tried, but I think it would work.

3

I just stick a 9v battery on two wires on one end and then test for the voltage with a voltmeter on the other end. If I need to sort out multiple wires, I just feed different low voltages over different wires and test at the other end.

It’s always worked for me :). Wire is wire, as long as you don’t try to run higher wattage over it than it can handle.

2

You reached the end

Are there any devices for telling what HDMI or copper cables go together when running them through a wall? | Spyke