Whitepaper advises on pitfalls of MPTL testing

“Although an MPTL is essentially just an Ethernet cable with a female socket (jack) on one side and a male plug on the other, testing is not simple and not the same as a Permanent Link (PL),” explains Tim Widdershoven, Global Marketing Manager for IDEAL Networks. “A PL has a female socket at each end and can be tested with approved certifier test leads using qualified male RJ45 plugs. However, because an MPTL has a male plug at one end, the certifier must be equipped with a female socket to test the plug performance.” 

“You might assume that all you need to do to test MPTLs is change the adapters on the certifier but it’s not that simple - measuring the performance of the plug at the end of the MPTL takes special care,” he adds. “That’s where our new White Paper can help.” 

The White Paper “The Rise of Modular Plug Terminated Links” from IDEAL Networks provides in-depth information about how MPTLs work.

It also covers the pitfalls to be avoided during installation and testing, as well as looking at Permanent Links, LAN Cable Standardisation and Testing Channels.

The handy guide also highlights upcoming changes to the TIA-568.2-D Standard (part of the TIA-568 series), which will include MPTL as a recognised cabling topology. 

For accurate MPTL testing, installers need to use a channel adapter which uses the specific ‘centred’ socket required for the certification of plugs.

While some certifiers require the user to purchase an expensive patch cord test adapter or test cord, the IDEAL Networks standard cat.6A channel adapter already uses the centred socket with no special components. 

And to support installers and technicians with the certification of MPTL, IDEAL Networks has developed a software update for the LanTEK III cable certifier, which is available to download for free from the company website. 

“We simply want to provide the simplest and most cost-effective solution to help installers and certifiers overcome the challenges associated with MPTL testing,” says Widdershoven.