Platinum Tools^® delivers powerful, easy-to-use testing equipment for the installation, troubleshooting and maintenance of low-voltage cables and networks. Whether you need to verify cable continuity and length, map network locations or troubleshoot PoE, Platinum Tools ensures the project installs quickly and performs flawlessly.

But with so many options, how do you know which tester is right for your next project? This article examines the most popular Platinum Tools testers, including a summary of features, testing capabilities, cable and connector compatibility, and intended applications. A complementary PDF is available for download in the Future Ready Solutions Literature Library.

Test Power over Ethernet and Power Supply Voltage

The Platinum Tools TPS200C is an easy-to-use, pocket-sized tester for DC power supplies and all varieties of PoE (including Type 3). It’s ideal for testing, monitoring and troubleshooting current to cameras, VOIP phones, access points and other PoE-based devices.

The TPS200C quickly detects PoE signal type and measures power consumption from both connected PoE devices and DC power supplies. It supports power signals up to 56 volts and 280 watts and is fully powered by the PoE circuit — no batteries required. It can be used inline to measure current without disrupting data flow or by itself in a Powered Device (PD) Simulation mode to determine the maximum power available from a PoE power source.

At a price under $100, the TPS200C is a vital and affordable tool that will save hours troubleshooting power draw and power supply related issues in the field.

Locate and Trace Hidden Cables

The Platinum Tools TDG310K1C is an easy-to-use digital tone and probe kit that locates, traces and tests individual and bundled low-voltage cables. Unlike analog tone and probe testers, the TDG310K1C is compatible with unpowered and active digital cables, including phone lines, twisted pair network cables and coaxial cables. It’s an essential tool for identifying and tracing modern cables within walls, plenum spaces, racks and other restricted, closed off or hard to reach spaces.

In addition to cable identification and tracing, the TDG310K1C also features built-in RJ45 connection testing that verifies proper RJ45 termination, including continuity, pinout and short circuits. Other user-friendly features include audible and visual signal strength indicators, a built-in high-intensity flashlight, a built-in headphone jack and an included carrying case.

At a price under $200, the TDG310K1C saves hours troubleshooting installations and cable paths, including those behind walls or buried in bundles, without the need to unplug connections or disable network traffic.

Quickly Test Twisted Pair Cables

The Platinum Tools TP500C LANSeeker is an easy-to-use, pocket-sized cable tester and tone generator designed for twisted pair network cables. It’s ideal for quickly identifying shorts, opens, miswires, reverse pairs and split pairs.

The TP500C includes a main testing unit with a conveniently attached remote. When connected to a cable, easy-to-read LEDs identify cabling issues within 2 seconds. When disconnected from a cable, the main tester and remote automatically power-off within 5 seconds.

In addition to identifying common cabling issues, the TP500C also generates audio tones for use with tone tracers on all pairs and features a built-in debug mode that displays faults one pair at a time.

At a price under $100, the TP500C LANSeeker is a vital and affordable tool for identifying cable and connector issues on a pair-by-pair basis, ensuring network and AV installations are up-and-running quickly and properly.

Test and Map Twisted Pair Cables

The Platinum Tools T109C MapMaster Mini is an easy-to-use, pocket-sized cable tester and tone generator designed for twisted pair cables. It’s ideal for installing, troubleshooting and servicing data networks, and includes five remotes that allow the location and identification of up to five simultaneous cable runs. It’s an ideal solution for identifying and troubleshooting cables terminated into patch panels and keystone wall jacks.

Unlike basic testers that rely on simple LED indicators, the T109C features an easy-to-read LCD display that provides cable and connector diagnostics, including signal pass and signal faults by location.  Testing modes include identifying shorts, opens, breaks, miswires, reverse pairs and split pairs. Additionally, a built-in tone generator with four unique tone combinations helps detect cable routing and end points.

At a price under $100, the T109C MapMaster Mini is an affordable tool for verifying proper twisted pair cabling and RJ45 connections, as well as mapping cable paths.

Test and Map Twisted Pair and Coax Cables

The Platinum Tools VDV MapMaster 3.0 is a powerful, easy-to-use twisted pair network cable tester that combines continuity testing, mapping, tone generation and length measurement into a single system. It’s ideal for installing, troubleshooting and maintaining voice, data and video infrastructures.

The VDV MapMaster combines powerful features with essential performance. Features include an easy-to-read backlit display, a built-in flashlight, glow-in-the-dark buttons and built-in master remote storage. When deployed, industry-leading capacitive testing technology tests and maps cables and connections up to 1000 feet (305m).

In addition to testing and mapping, the VDV MapMaster also features advanced network discovery which detects and activates device ports and connections.

The VDV MapMaster testing system is available in two models: the basic kit with a compact roll-up soft-style carrying case (part number T130K1) and the deluxe kit with a larger over-the-shoulder bag and additional accessories (part number T130K3). All models feature the same testing and mapping capabilities. Prices range from $230 and up depending on model and accessories.

Certify Network Speeds and Test Twisted Pair and Coax Cables

The Platinum Tools Net Chaser is a powerful, fully-loaded network and cable tester that certifies Ethernet speeds up to 1Gbps. The Net Chaser essentially combines three tools in one: it tests for noise in the network, detects faults in the cable wiring and ensures cables and connectivity equipment are able to support the speed capabilities of the active network electronics.

In addition to testing and speed certification, the Net Chaser also features advanced network discovery which detects device ports and connections while effectively mapping the network.

The Net Chaser testing system is available in two models: the basic kit with a soft-style carrying case (part number TNC950AR) and the deluxe kit with a hard-style case and additional accessories (part number TNC950DX). All models feature the same testing and certification capabilities, and prices range from $2,200 and up depending on model and accessories.

Certify Network Speeds and Test Twisted Pair and Fiber Optic Cables

The Platinum Tools PT-OTDR-100 is a powerful, easy-to-use multifunction tester for both twisted pair and fiber optic cables. It provides a variety of cable length, quality and mapping tests, including optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR), continuity, loss, event wiremap, IP and fault testing.

OTDR testing is particularly useful in fiber-based infrastructures because it measures overall cable length and length to fault through a short pulse of light. The PT-OTDR-100 allows these tests to be saved and exported, allowing a cable’s performance to be compared overtime. OTDR testing is supported for lengths from 3 meters up to 105 kilometers.

Additionally, the PT-OTDR-100 also features a built-in flashlight, 10mW visual fault locator (VFL), optical power meter (OPM) and optical light source (LS).

For added versatility, the PT-OTDR-100 also features RJ45 and twisted pair testing, including continuity verification and twisted pair TDR length measurement.

At a price under $1,000, the PT-OTDR-100 is an extremely affordable tool for identifying twisted pair and fiber optic cable and connector issues, as well as analyzing network signals. Its user-friendly touchscreen and rugged construction are perfect for field technicians and network engineers.