Peak Atlas IT User manual

Peak Atlas IT
RJ45 Network Cable Analyser
Model UTP05
Designed and manufactured with pride in the UK
User Guide
© Peak Electronic Design Limited 2001/201
In the interests of development, information in this guide is subject to change without notice - E&OE
GB05-7

Atlas IT User Guide July 201 – Rev 7
Page 1
PLEASE NOTE
This instrument is ONLY suitable
for RJ45 plugs. This is confirmed
on the front panel of your
instrument.
Under no circumstances must
any other type of connector be
used, even if it seems to fit.
In particular, use of telephone style RJ11 connectors WILL
damage the instrument socket and the terminator socket
permanently, leading to intermittent faulty readings that you can’t
rely on.
We are unable to provide warranty cover for misuse (by using
connectors other than RJ45 connectors). The damage to the socket
is easy for us to identify and cannot be caused in any other way.
We want you to have trouble-free use of your instrument, please
ensure you only test RJ45 connectors.
or your protection, please also read the important notices on
Page 4 of this user guide.

Atlas IT User Guide July 201 – Rev 7
Page 2
Want to use it now?
We understand that you want to use your Atlas IT right now. The unit
is ready to go and you should have little need to refer to this user
guide, but please make sure that you do at least read page 4!
Contents Page
Introduction .........................................................................
Important Notice..................................................................4
Background Information......................................................5
Straight Through Cables
Crossover Cables
Other Cable Configurations
Using Your Atlas IT ............................................................7
Analysis Results...................................................................9
Good Cables...................................................................9
Faulty Cables................................................................14
Optional Identified Terminators ........................................15
Display Cable-Making Instructions ...................................16
Taking care of your Atlas IT .............................................17
Appendix A - Accessories .................................................18
Appendix B - Technical Specifications .............................19
Appendix C - Error/Warning Messages.............................20
Appendix D - Warranty Information .................................21
Appendix E - Disposal Information...................................22

Atlas IT User Guide July 201 – Rev 7
Page
Introduction
The Atlas IT will quickly analyse your RJ45 network cables, sockets and patch
panels.
Summary eatures:
• Automatic identification of cable type, such as straight-
through patch cables, crossover cables, token-ring cables
and many more.
• Cable type can usually be identified even if it is faulty.
• Fault type identification for all supported cable types,
such as: swapped connections, broken connections, and
shorted lines.
• Displays the full connection pattern of the cable being
analysed.
• Compatible with optional Identified Terminators, allowing
multiple cable runs to be uniquely identified and analysed.
• Supplied with patch cables for easy testing of network
sockets and patch panels.
• Displays cable-making instructions when not testing cables.
• Supports cable lengths of up to 150m (500ft).
• Terminators are very small, ideal for use in tight spaces.
• Clear and user-friendly display.
• Auto power-on and power-off.


 The Atlas IT verifies the continuity pattern between the
two ends of a network cable. It does not verify that the cable is
suitable for the data speeds used on the network.

Atlas IT User Guide July 201 – Rev 7
Page 4
Important Notice
WARNING:
This instrument must NEVER be connected to cables or
equipment that carries voltages that may exceed 80V, even
for a short period. ailure to comply with this warning may
result in personal injury, damage to the equipment under
test, damage to the Atlas IT and invalidation of the
manufacturer's warranty.
Additionally, the absolute voltage limit of 80V (between any
pair of wires) is stated for a maximum duration of 15
seconds.
It is strongly advised to avoid testing cables that may carry
“Power Over Ethernet” (PoE).
“To prevent undesired operation, analysis of non-live systems
is recommended.”
Please also note: This instrument and the terminators must
NOT be used with connectors other than RJ45 connectors.

Atlas IT User Guide July 201 – Rev 7
Page 5
Background Information
Cat 5 (short for Category 5) network cables are typically used for 10 Base-T
Networks and 100 Base-T Networks operating at 10Mbps and 100Mbps
respectively. Many new networks are now being specified to operate at even
higher data rates, these are sometimes referred to as Cat 5e (e for enhanced)
and Cat 6 networks.
The cables themselves usually consist of 4 twisted pairs, a total of 8 lines. The
actual connection pattern from one end of the cable to the other end depends on
the network type and also the equipment type. Often, only 2 twisted pairs (4
wires) are actually used for data communication for many networks, however,
for universal compatibility all 8 connections are normally wired.
Straight-Through Patch Cables
The simplest network cables are
simply called Patch Cables or
traight-Through Cables. These are
normally wired with each of the 8
wires connected to the same
corresponding contact at each end of
the cable, 1 to 1, 2 to 2 and so on.
These are generally used for
connecting computers to
hubs (routers or switches) or
simply between a PC and a
wall socket (which
eventually connects to a
hub).
12345678
12345678
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1. Orange/White
2. Orange
3. Green/White
4. Blue
5. Blue/White
6. Green
7. Brown/White
8. Brown
PC
PC
Server
ub/Router
Straight-Through
Patch Cable
Straight-Through
Patch Cable
Straight-Through
Patch Cable
Printer
Typical Use for Straight-Through Patch Cables
Straight-Through
Patch Cable

Atlas IT User Guide July 201 – Rev 7
Page 6
Crossover Cables
Another common cable type is the crossover
cable. The connection pattern for these cables is
less intuitive than the straight-through type as can
be seen here.
These cables are often used when connecting two
computers directly together or for connecting an
Ethernet enabled printer directly to a computer.
They can also be used for expanding a hub or
switch with another hub or switch.
Please note, there are
actually a number of wiring
configurations that can be
used to produce a crossover
cable. The cable connection
pattern shown above is the
most common.
However, the Atlas IT will
recognise all variations.
Other Cable Configurations
There are many different connection patterns that are used for various
applications, most of which are automatically recognised by the Atlas IT.
Please refer to the Ethernet Connection Chart in the middle of this booklet for
further details.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
3
6
1
4
5
2
7
8
PC
PC
Server
ub/Router
Printer
Typical Uses for Crossover Cables
Crossover
Cable
PC
Crossover
Cable
Crossover
Cable
ub/Router

Atlas IT User Guide July 201 – Rev 7
Page 7
Using your Atlas IT
The Atlas IT can be used for
many types of network
installation or simply for testing
a length of network cable.
The diagram (shown right)
illustrates the simplest case, the
Atlas IT Terminator is connected
at one end of a cable and the
Atlas IT instrument at the other.
The Atlas IT is supplied with two short patch cables to allow for the testing of
network cabling that is accessible only by sockets (or a patch panel). This is
illustrated here:
Ideally, the total cable
length should not exceed
150 metres (500 feet).
Longer lengths may be
analysed without problem
but the overall supported
length is dependant on
factors such as cable
quality, connector quality
and external interference
sources.
Atlas IT
Network Cable
Terminator
Upto 150m (500 feet)
Atlas IT
Network Cable
Terminator
Upto 150m (500 feet)
Atlas IT Patch Lead
Atlas IT Patch Lead
Wall Socket
Patch Panel

Atlas IT User Guide July 201 – Rev 7
Page 8
The Atlas IT can only provide useful information if the cabling being tested is
not connected to other active equipment (such as computers, hubs and routers).
Only the Atlas IT and the Atlas IT Terminator should be connected to the
cabling.


 Please note that some combined Voice and Data installations can
carry high “ringer” voltages. The Atlas IT can cope with
short durations of 80V, but no higher.
When the distant end of the cabling has been connected to the Atlas IT
Terminator and the local end has been connected to the Atlas IT instrument,
you are ready to perform a test.
Simply press the on-test button.
The Atlas IT will first perform a short search procedure to determine if it can
detect an Atlas IT Terminator. When this has been detected, it will then
proceed to a full analysis of the cable.
After a few seconds, the unit will display the analysis results.
Results are display a page at a time, simply press the scroll-off button briefly
to proceed to the next page when you’re ready. Pressing the button repeatedly
will eventually get you back to the first page again.
To turn off the Atlas IT, you can hold down the scroll-off button, or simply
wait for it to switch off automatically.

Atlas IT User Guide July 201 – Rev 7
Page 9
Analysis Results
Good Cables
If the cable being tested is good, the Atlas IT will display a message similar to
this:
The first page to be displayed tells you the
type of connection configuration for the
cable you’re testing, in this case a simple 8-
wire patch cable (straight-through).
The arrow on the bottom-right of the display reminds you that more
information is available on the next page, briefly press scroll-off when you’re
ready.
The next information to be displayed is the confirmation of the full connection
pattern between the terminator “Term” and the Atlas IT “Atlas”:
As can be seen from the display here, the
connections are verified as being those
relating to a normal straight through patch
cable. The connections between the Atlas
IT Terminator end of the cable are shown
together with the corresponding
connections on the Atlas IT end of the network cable.
The displayed cable type and connection
pattern depends on the type of cable being
analysed of course, as a further example
the following would be displayed for a
good 8-wire crossover cable: