What Does "Fluke Tested" Actually Mean?
You see the "Fluke Tested" sticker on a bag of patch cords, but what does it actually guarantee? Not all tests are created equal.
A standard continuity tester can tell you if the wires are connected (Pin 1 to Pin 1). But to know if a cable can actually carry Gigabit speeds without data loss, labs use "Certification Testers" that measure physics, not just connectivity.
This guide explains the three levels of testing and why "Component Tested" is the gold standard for patch leads.
1. The "Component" Test (Patch Cord Test)
Strictness Level: Extreme
This is the hardest test to pass and the only one that guarantees the quality of a patch cord in isolation. It tests the cable by itself against the strict TIA-568.2-D standard.
To perform this test, labs use special "Patch Cord Adapters" on the Fluke unit. These adapters are expensive and have ultra-low mating cycles, which is why most cheap manufacturers skip this step.
Why you want this:
If you buy a "Component Rated" Cat6 patch lead, you know it meets the spec 100%. You can plug it into any compliant network, and it will perform perfectly. All Access Communications Datamaster leads are tested to this standard.
2. The "Permanent Link" Test
Strictness Level: High
This is the standard test for installers certifying a building. It measures the fixed cabling in the wall, from the patch panel at the rack to the wall plate at the desk. It excludes the patch cords at either end.
3. The "Channel" Test
Strictness Level: Low
The Channel Test measures the entire link: The patch cord at the switch + The wall cabling + The patch cord at the PC.
The Trap: The Channel standard is much looser than the Component standard. A manufacturer can take a low-quality patch cord that fails a Component test, plug it into a high-quality Permanent Link, and the whole system might still pass a Channel test.
How to Read the Graph (Headroom)
When looking at a test report, the most important number is the Headroom (measured in dB). This represents how much the cable exceeded the minimum standard.
- Positive Margin (+3.5 dB): The cable performed better than the standard required. This is a PASS.
- Negative Margin (-1.2 dB): The cable performed worse than the standard. This is a FAIL.
High-quality copper and precision-twisted pairs result in higher headroom, giving your network better protection against interference and packet loss.
Need a reliable tester for your daily installs?
While certification units are for the lab, our professional LCD testers (T0046) allow you to verify wiremaps, length, and split pairs instantly on site.
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