Topic 2: Tools of the Trade

Safety in the workplace is everyone's responsibility. You are much less likely to injure yourself
or damage components when using the proper tool for the job. Installing a network requires
the proper tool! Make and test a wide variety of network cables with this kit.

With the correct use of each tool and that the right tool is used for the current task. Skilled use
of tools and software makes the job less difficult and ensures that tasks are performed properly
and safely.

Software tools are available that help diagnose problems. Use these tools to determine which
computer device is not functioning correctly on the network.

Network Hardware Tools

Stripping and Cutting Tools

UTP Cable Stripping Tool Electrician Scissors and Cable Knife

Stripping tools are used to cut cable jackets and wire insulation. The Panduit UTP cable-
stripping tool, which is shown in the Figure (left), is used to remove the outer jacket from four-
pair cables. It can also be used for most coaxial cable. The tool features an adjustable cutting
blade to accommodate cables with different jacket thickness. The cable is inserted into the tool.
Then the tool is twisted around the cable. The blade cuts through the outer jacket only,
allowing the installer to pull the jacket off of the cable to expose the twisted pairs. The
electrician scissors and cable knife set, shown in the Figure (right), can also be used to remove
cable jackets. The knife is used for large cables such as those that enter the building from the
telco or ISP. This knife is very sharp so gloves should be worn when working with it. The gloves
should be able to protect the hand from injury if the knife slips. The scissors can be used to cut
individual wires, remove the outer jacket of smaller cables, and remove the insulation on
individual wires. The scissors have two different size notches on the back of the blade that will
strip insulation on 22-gauge to 26-gauge wires.

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Termination Tools

Multi-Pair Impact Tool Panduit Impact Tool

Termination tools are designed to cut and terminate specific types of cable. The multi-pair
termination tool, which is shown in the Figure (left), is designed to terminate and cut UTP cable
and seat connecting blocks. This tool features an ergonomically designed handle, which helps
reduce fatigue when trimming wire or seating connecting blocks to the wiring base. It also has
the following features:

 Five pairs can be terminated at a time.

 Wires on both the cable side and the cross-connect side of connecting blocks can be
terminated.
 Replacement cutting blades are available.
 It can be used in the cut or non-cut position.
 The cut designation is clearly displayed for proper orientation during termination.
 The impact mechanism is reliable.
 The ergonomically designed rubber handle has a ribbed edge, which provides a no-slip
grip.

The impact punch down tool, which is shown in the Figure (right), has interchangeable blades.
This tool can terminate wires on 66 and 110 hardware. Unlike the multi-pair termination tool,
this tool terminates one wire at a time. The reversible blades have a punch and cut function on
one side and a punch only function on the other.

The crimper

Crimper is held open by a spring and keep in mind that the sharp cutting blades will be exposed.
So consider storing your crimper in the original packaging, put a rubber band around the
handles when not in use, or get yourself a nice carrying case of some sort, that you can keep
the crimper in its closed position. The stripping and cutting blades are very sharp. They are even
replaceable. Some technicians don't use the wire stripper part, nor the cutting part. A scissor is
easier to work with, and generally won't cut the insulation of the inner wire pairs. That is one
thing you don't want...A wiring short. Lastly, the back of the crimper packaging briefly walks you
though. A closer look at the crimper in the picture, you can see the crimper out of the
packaging.

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Anyway, near the top of the crimper is the stripping tool. It is a bit hard to use. For one, it's hard
to get the wire past the blades. Two, it's very easy to cut the internal wires as well with any
pressure. Just below that, is where you insert your cable, with the RJ-45 end into for crimping.

Moving lower, a handy feature is the cutter. Insert your paired wires into that, and a squeeze
on the handles cuts all 8 of your wires with ease. The teeth are what pushes your connectors
into the wires in your RJ-45 end. Those of course make contact with your network card, or
other network device.

Diagnostic Tools

The modular adapter, or banjo, is used to provide access to individual wires inside a
telecommunications outlet or jack. This tool is shown in the Figure. A common line cord is
plugged into the adapters and then into the jack. Technicians can use ohmmeters or other test
devices without having to disassemble the jack. Banjos come in 3-pair and 4-pair configurations.

Modular Adapter (Banjo)

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 Wood and metal sensors are used to locate metal pipes, wood
studs or joists, or other infrastructure behind a wall or under a
floor. Sensors should be used before drilling for any cabling project.
A deep 48 scanning metal sensor can find metal studs, conduit,
copper piping, electrical lines, rebar, telephone lines, cable lines,
nails, and other metal objects. This tool can usually scan through up
to 15 cm (6 inches) of a nonmetallic surface like concrete, stucco,
wood, or vinyl siding. It identifies both the location and depth of
piping or rebar. Another type of sensor is a stud sensor, which is
shown in the Figure. This sensor locates wooden studs and joists
behind walls. This tool helps installers determine the best locations
to drill or saw when installing outlets or raceways. The stud and
rebar sensor also detects metal and can find rebar embedded in up
to 100 cm (39.4 inches) of concrete. All the modes detect AC wires
to prevent installers from drilling or nailing into a live electrical
wire.

Network Cable Tester

The main part of the tester has a wiring scheme, which is hard to
decipher if you didn't already know how to wire the total of 8, (4
twisted pair) wires. The receiver (remote) part of the unit does
come off the tester for testing cables, well, remotely. It also
supports BNC cable which is what those cylindrical shaped
receptors on both the (sender) main unit, and remote are.

The back of the main unit houses your 9 Volt battery. As long as
you didn't leave your unit on, your battery should last a long time.
If you look at the main unit, on the left side, is a small switch. You
turn it on, and it stays on. Turn it off, and yeah...It's off. That
would be very handy if you were trying to trace a wire. Just leave
your main unit on the wire, and go to where your other end is.
The lights will not light up if the main, and the receiver, (remote) are not hooked up to the
same wire.

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Installation Support Tools

Cable installers often use measuring wheels to

estimate the length of a cable run. The wheel,
which is shown in the Figure, has a counter
mounted on the side. An installer rolls the
wheel down the intended cable path. At the
end of the path, the counter will display the
distance. Cable installers also need tools and
materials for cleaning up job sites. Brooms,
dustpans, and vacuums simplify the cleanup
process. Cleanup is one of the final and most
important steps in completing a cabling
project. A shop vacuum is designed for
industrial jobs.

Fish tapes are designed to simplify the retrieval of

wires inside a wall. A fish tape, which is shown in
Figure 1, can be passed through walls or conduits.
First the fish tape is run to its intended destination or
some convenient partway point. Then the cable is
secured to the end of the fish tape. Pulling the fish
tape, winding it onto its reel for storage, retrieves the
desired cable. For cabling work, fiberglass fish tape is
safer than steel fish tape. Most cable installers pull a
string with their cables. This provides a convenient

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way to pull extra cables later on. The cable can be tied to the pull string and pulled through the
path rather than having to use the fish tape once more.

During the rough-in phase, cable trees, jacks,

and rollers are used to support cable reels.
This simplifies the process of laying cables and
helps prevent injuries. A cable tree, which is
shown in the Figure, supports several small
reels of cable. This allows the cable installer to
pull multiple runs of cable simultaneously.
Since all cables terminate at the TR, a cable
tree is set up in the staging area. After cable is
pulled to a jack location, the other end is cut
from the reel and pulled into the TR. Cable
jacks and reel rollers are designed for the
large reels that hold backbone cabling. Since
many large reels are too heavy to lift, cable
jacks provide enough leverage to allow two people to raise them. Once raised, the jacks allow
the reel to rotate freely and safely during the pulling process. Reel rollers are also used to
support large cable reels. Rollers come in sets of two. Each roller is used to support one side of
the reel. Rollers mounted on bearings allow the reel to be turned easily. When pulling from a
reel roller, one installer is generally stationed at the reel to
assist with the turning.

Bullwheels and Pulleys

Bullwheels are normally used for the first or last turn in a path. They can also be used for an
offset or turn in the center of a run. A bullwheel is a large pulley that is used in a mechanical
cable pulling process. Bullwheels are seldom used to pull a cable by hand. A bullwheel is
generally made of aluminum, is at least 30 cm (12 inches) in diameter, and is supported on a
bearing on its frame. Unlike a pulley, a bullwheel often has two shackles for attachment to fixed
points. It can also be removed from its frame and put in a cable run from the middle of the
cable.

Pulleys are used on long, open cable

runs to support cables and prevent
them from dragging on surfaces that
could damage the cable sheath.
They are also used on surfaces that
could be damaged by a cable being
pulled across it. Pulleys are used in
straight cable runs to support the
weight of the cable and reduce
pulling friction. Pulleys can also
assist with minor offsets in the cable
run. A cable run using pulleys is
shown in the Figure. Pulleys are used when pulling by hand or when using a cable puller or
winch. When turns in the run exceed 45 degrees, bullwheels are used instead. Pulleys are used
for multiple network cable runs and heavy backbone cable runs. Lightweight pulleys can be
used for network cable runs, while heavy-duty pulleys should be used for backbone cables.
Backbone cable pulleys have a larger frame and the pulley wheel is a larger diameter.

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Wire mesh or Kellem grips

Wire mesh or Kellem grips allow pulling

ropes to be tied to the end of a cable.
The grip is slid over the end of the
cable, and the last 15 cm (6 inches) are
taped tightly with a good quality vinyl
electrical tape. As tension is placed on
the cable, the grip draws tighter around
the sheath of the cable. These grips are
generally designed for single cable use
and should not be used with a bundle
of network distribution cables. These
grips come in various sizes to accommodate different cable sizes. A Kellem grip is shown in the
Figure. Kellem grips are also available in a split version, if the end of the cable is not accessible.
Split versions are used to pull additional slack in the middle of a cable run. Split grips are also
used to support large backbone cables in riser installations, when cables are pulled between
floors. To attach split Kellem grips, the grip is opened and placed around the cable. A special
rod is then threaded through the wire mesh.

Network Software Tools

A number of software utility programs are available that can help identify network problems.
Most of these utilities are provided by the operating system as command line interface (CLI)
commands. The syntax for the commands may vary between operating systems.

Some of the available utilities include:

ipconfig - Displays IP configuration information

ping - Tests connections to other IP hosts
tracert - Displays route taken to destination
netstat - Displays network connections
nslookup - Directly queries the name server for information on a destination domain

Organizational Tools

It is important that a technician document all services and repairs. These documents need to be
stored centrally and made available to all other technicians. The documentation can then be
used as reference material for similar problems that are encountered in the future. Good
customer service includes providing the customer with a detailed description of the problem
and the solution.

Personal Reference Tools

Personal Reference tools include troubleshooting guides, manufacturer manuals, quick
reference guides, and a repair journal. In addition to an invoice, a technician keeps a journal of
upgrades and repairs. The documentation in the journal should include descriptions of the
problem, possible solutions that have been tried in order to correct the problem, and the steps
taken to repair the problem. Be sure to note any configuration changes made to the equipment
and any replacement parts used in the repair. This documentation will be valuable when you
encounter similar situations in the future.

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  Notes – Make notes as you go through the investigation and repair process. Refer to
these notes to avoid repeating previous steps and to determine what steps to take next.
 Journal – Document the upgrades and repairs that you perform. The documentation
should include descriptions of the problem, possible solutions that have been tried in
order to correct the problem, and the steps taken to repair the problem. Be sure to note
any configuration changes made to the equipment and any replacement parts used in
the repair. Your journal, along with your notes, can be valuable when you encounter
similar situations in the future.
 History of repairs – Make a detailed list of problems and repairs, including the date,
replacement parts, and customer information. The history allows a technician to
determine what work has been performed on a computer in the past.

Internet Reference Tools

The Internet is an excellent source of information about specific problems and possible
solutions:

 Internet search engines

 News groups
 Manufacturer FAQs
 Online computer manuals
 Online forums and chat
 Technical websites

Adapted and Compiled from:

CCNA IT Essential, “PC Hardware and Software” version 4.0, Cisco Networking Academy
CCNA Discovery 1, “Networking for Home and Small Businesses”, Cisco Networking Academy
CCNA Discovery 2, “Working at a Small-to-Medium Business of ISP”, Cisco Networking Academy
CCNA Exploration 1, “Network Fundamentals”, Cisco Networking Academy
Cisco Networking Academy Program, CCNA 1 and 2 Companion Guide, Cisco Press

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