Coaxial cables are ubiquitous nowadays, and one can spot them in almost every nook and corner. Tracing coaxial cable within your own home can be an incredibly daunting task. It’s not uncommon for a cable to run from the rooftop, traverse through various rooms, and eventually reach its intended destination. Such cables are commonly utilized with televisions and other entertainment systems. The tracing coax cable process may take some time, but luckily there are various solutions provided by companies that can facilitate the whole process and make it a lot easier.
The tracing tools
Best coax cable tracer
Preview
Title
Klein Tools VDV512-101 Explorer 2
Jonard Tools PT-100
THE CIMPLE CO
Klein Tools VDV512-007
STEREN 203-550
Compatible Material
Aluminum
Aluminum
Aluminum
Aluminum and Rubber
Aluminum
Included Components
Batteries, 4 Colored Push-on Remotes, F-adapter, Snap-on Remote Holder
Pocket Toner, one AAA 1.5V battery, and a pocket clip
Pocket Toner (Right Angle Sender and Toner Pieces), Battery, and Barrel Connector
F-adapter, Pocket Clip, Battery
Pocket Toner (Right Angle Sender and Toner Pieces), Battery, and Barrel Connector
Power Source
Battery Powered
Battery Powered
Battery Powered
Battery Powered
Battery Powered
LED
Item Weight
4.8 ounces
3.52 ounces
0.8 ounces
3.52 ounces
3.2 ounces
Dimensions
5.75 x 2.38 x 1 inches
8.27 x 2.91 x 0.71 inches
4 x 0.5 x 0.5 inches
5 x 0.75 x 1.25 inches
5 x 2.5 x 0.75 inches
Price
$34.97
$17.95
$22.97
$49.00
$11.73
Checkout
Preview
Title
Klein Tools VDV512-101 Explorer 2
Compatible Material
Aluminum
Included Components
Batteries, 4 Colored Push-on Remotes, F-adapter, Snap-on Remote Holder
Power Source
Battery Powered
LED
Item Weight
4.8 ounces
Dimensions
5.75 x 2.38 x 1 inches
Price
$34.97
Checkout
Preview
Title
Jonard Tools PT-100
Compatible Material
Aluminum
Included Components
Pocket Toner, one AAA 1.5V battery, and a pocket clip
Power Source
Battery Powered
LED
Item Weight
3.52 ounces
Dimensions
8.27 x 2.91 x 0.71 inches
Price
$17.95
Checkout
Preview
Title
THE CIMPLE CO
Compatible Material
Aluminum
Included Components
Pocket Toner (Right Angle Sender and Toner Pieces), Battery, and Barrel Connector
Power Source
Battery Powered
LED
Item Weight
0.8 ounces
Dimensions
4 x 0.5 x 0.5 inches
Price
$22.97
Checkout
Preview
Title
Klein Tools VDV512-007
Compatible Material
Aluminum and Rubber
Included Components
F-adapter, Pocket Clip, Battery
Power Source
Battery Powered
LED
Item Weight
3.52 ounces
Dimensions
5 x 0.75 x 1.25 inches
Price
$49.00
Checkout
Before you start the tracing process, you need to prepare the necessary tools. A coax cable tracer typically refers to a compact device with multiple functions. Some models can even map out several locations and provide valuable information. Such devices may be marketed under different names as well.
To trace the cable you need a probe device and a toner, although the specific tools needed may vary depending on the type of cable. For those with numerous cables to trace who want to avoid confusion, using colored tape is a helpful solution.
Various cable tracing solutions are not expensive. Different models may come with different accessories and have various additional features that make the whole process easier and faster.
Numerous cables
If you have multiple cables that are connected to different devices and run to various locations throughout your home, using a cable tester can be very helpful. This tool can accurately determine where each cable goes and ensure proper connectivity. Such devices have a “sending” function that emits a special signal that goes through the cable. The process is quite simple:
- Connect the sender device with a jack
- Test each cable using a speaker module
- Having connected the right cable, you will hear a tone. That is how simple it is.
If you have numerous cables that send signals to numerous devices and you need to find the necessary cable you need to perform a simple process. In this case, you need to use a multimeter and foil:
- Put some foil in a jack of a cable
- Test all the cables with the multimeter (it reads ohms)
- The cable that was shorted out by the piece of foil will be read as “0”. However, experts claim that it may show different results but there is will be one that stands out from other readings and that is the cable you need
Therefore, you do not need to detach the cables and use a tester to find the one you need.
How to find other end of coaxial cable
Sometimes, you need to trace cable wire when you only have access to one end or a jack and cannot reach the other end. To locate the cable that runs behind the walls throughout your home and determine its endpoint, a toner is the appropriate tool to use. How to trace coax cable in walls involves the following process:
- Connect a tone generator device to the reachable end of the cable
- A toner registers the signal emitted by the generator and produces a sound, which helps you find the cable
How to trace coax cable with multimeter
Tracing a coax cable with a multimeter can be done in a few steps:
- Turn off all power sources that run through the cable.
- Disconnect the cable from any devices it may be connected to.
- Set the multimeter to the continuity test mode.
- Touch one probe of the multimeter to the center conductor of the coaxial cable and the other probe to the outer metal shield of the cable.
- If the multimeter beeps or shows a continuity reading, it indicates that the probes are touching the two ends of the same cable.
- If the multimeter does not beep or show continuity, move to the next section of the cable and repeat the process until you find a section that does show continuity.
- Continue this process until you reach the end of the cable, tracing it through walls or other structures as necessary.
Note that this method may not work if there is a break in the cable or if the cable is damaged. A cable tracer or toner is often more effective for tracing cables, especially in complex networks or long cable runs.
Tracing challenges
The tracing may be quite challenging. First, you need to determine the case, and then you get the necessary tools to trace the cable. There are various tracing solutions available to you. Understanding your case, you will clearly know how to trace coax cable without spending much time.
Hi everyone! I’m Thomas Moody, also known as Guitarzan.