Data & Network Cabling
Cable fault finding, on site
A network point stopped working or is slow.
A network point stopped working or is slow.
Network cable faults show up in odd ways: a desk that only links at 100 Mbps, a camera that drops off at random, a point that works until someone moves a chair. We test the run with a cable tester to check wire map, continuity and length, and a toner if we need to locate where the cable actually goes. Often the culprit is a bad punch-down at the panel or a loose keystone at the wall.
What the technician does
- Test the cable and the point
- Find the break or bad termination
- Repair or re-run it
Many 'Wi-Fi' problems are actually a damaged cable to the router.
About cable fault finding
Other times the cable itself is damaged, crushed by a ceiling batten, chewed by rodents or nicked by a builder's screw. We decide with you whether re-terminating fixes it or the run needs replacing, and whether it is worth adding a second cable at the same time. Patch leads and switch ports get swapped during testing too, so we do not blame the wall for a faulty lead.
What usually causes it
- Network point dead after renovations or building work
- Connection speed stuck at 100 Mbps instead of gigabit
- Devices dropping off intermittently
- Rodent damage in the ceiling space
- Poor terminations from a previous installer
Before we arrive
- A floor plan marked with where you want network points
- Access to ceilings and the comms cupboard
- Your builder's or electrician's contact for fit-out jobs
- Any existing cable records, however rough
What a visit looks like
When you book cable fault finding, you tell us what's going on and we reply with a time that suits you and a price. Nothing starts until you're happy with both.
On the day, the technician arrives, looks at the problem in person and confirms the plan with you before starting. If something turns out different from what was expected - a part is needed, or the cause is somewhere else - we stop and agree the change with you first.
When the work is done we test it with you, show you what was changed, and leave the area tidy. For business jobs we note what we did, so there is a record for whoever looks after your IT next.
Pricing
Each cable fault finding job is priced before work starts. The price depends on what's involved - the size of the site, the equipment, and whether parts are needed - so the quickest way to a number is to tell us about the job on the booking form.
There is no contract and no monthly fee. You book the job you need and pay for that job.
Cable fault finding: questions
How do you know if it is the cable or the computer?
We test the cable on its own with a tester and also try a known-good laptop and patch lead. That separates cabling faults from network card, switch or settings problems.
Can you find a cable inside a wall?
Yes. A tone generator and probe let us trace a cable through walls and ceilings to find where it runs, which helps when locating a break or an unlabelled point.
Do you do cable fault finding on site?
Yes. We come to businesses and homes across Auckland and Hamilton and do the work where the equipment is.
How much does cable fault finding cost?
It depends on what's involved. Tell us about the job on the form and we'll confirm the price before any work starts.
Related data & network cabling jobs
- Ethernet cable installation
- Network point installation
- Patch panel installation
- Network cable tidy-up
- Structured cabling
- Cat6 cabling
- Cat6A cabling
- Data point relocation
- Cable testing and certification
- Cable tracing and toning
- Trunking and conduit installation
- Cabling for Wi-Fi access points
- Cabling for CCTV cameras
- Network cabinet build
- Patch lead tidy and replacement
- Data & Network Cabling - overview