how to trace a cable from attic to living room

Dony · 09-09-2011 8:18pm #1

Doin a freesat install in a mates house.
It's a brand new house so no other work has been done except all the coax cabling by the electrician.
When you go up into attic there's 10 coax cables taped together.
In the living room there's 3 cables coming out of the plaster.
Is there a way of testing the cable in the attic to find the corresponding end in living room before I start doing any other work.
Ta

excollier · 09-09-2011 8:39pm

you could try twisting the braid of one of the cables onto the centre core of itself and use a cheap multi meter to do a continuity test until you get a positive result, and there is your cable.
Repeat for each cable remembering to mark them as you go.

kbell · 09-09-2011 9:27pm

+ 1 on the continuity test.
If you cant get your hands on a multi meter, or continuity tester, have a look at the direction that the cables are running in the attic.
If its obvious that 3 are running in the direction of the living room, then connect your satellite cable to one of these.
Then downstairs its a process of elimination to find the one you need.

pelisor2000 · 09-09-2011 10:32pm

I use this...
http://cgi.ebay.ie/MASTECH-Network-Cable-Tester-Line-Tracker-Telephone-/280700910390?pt=UK_Computing_NetworkingTools_Accessories_SM&hash=item415b13fb36

John mac · 10-09-2011 12:11pm

battery and bulb would do too ..

Neworder79 · 10-09-2011 2:17pm

Be thankful you have 3, my gaff has 1 coax coming down the same pipe as electric, so no space left to get sat down, and all the cables concreted in at the bottom to top it off!

Liameter · 10-09-2011 3:13pm

Before you even bother, make sure the cables are double-screened and preferably WF100 or similar. The type of cable that electricians normally use won't do.

Cantona's Collars · 10-09-2011 6:59pm

Liameter wrote: »

Before you even bother, make sure the cables are double-screened and preferably WF100 or similar. The type of cable that electricians normally use won't do.

Doubt the op is going to rip out all the cables prewired through the house and replace them,what he has will suffice for his needs.

Liameter · 10-09-2011 7:11pm

He may have no choice. LNB signals will be severely attenuated if cheap "low loss" coaxial cable has been installed. The highest frequencies probably won't be strong enough. That's why I urge him to check before possibly wasting time and money. If the cable is the correct type and undamaged, then go ahead.

eamonnq · 12-09-2011 9:12am

Neworder79 wrote: »

Be thankful you have 3, my gaff has 1 coax coming down the same pipe as electric, so no space left to get sat down, and all the cables concreted in at the bottom to top it off!

You can get a splitter/combiner thing that will allow you send both down the one cable. Use this myself and works a treat.

Neworder79 · 13-09-2011 9:35am

Really, know what they're called? I thought that wasn't possible with satellite and terrestrial, something to do with power level on Sat? Also have a powered booster box on the terrestrial cable which could add to the problems.

Liameter · 13-09-2011 9:44am

Sat/UHF diplexers can be used PROVIDED that the cable is suitable for the LNB signal.
See http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/satindex.htm
"9. How to combine aerials/LNB into one cable?"

Dony · 13-09-2011 12:58pm

Liameter wrote: »

Before you even bother, make sure the cables are double-screened and preferably WF100 or similar. The type of cable that electricians normally use won't do.

Got this job done anyway.
Used excollier's method at top of page. Worked a treat if you use the bleeper on a multimeter. Would never have thought of this.

Wouldn't have known to check type of cable. What exactly is double screened? Is it the coax that has the foil wrapping between the cores?
How would you know if it was WF100? Is it stamped on side of coax?

Liameter · 13-09-2011 2:48pm

Good cable will have its number printed every metre or so.
See http://www.glodark.com/cable.htm

Neworder79 · 19-09-2011 3:30pm

Liameter wrote: »

Sat/UHF diplexers can be used PROVIDED that the cable is suitable for the LNB signal.
See http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/satindex.htm
"9. How to combine aerials/LNB into one cable?"

Thanks, so simple when you know how! Will give it a try. Found a handy video also from tvtrade:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vgePlGKvE0

horse10 · 13-02-2013 11:25pm

excollier wrote: »

you could try twisting the braid of one of the cables onto the centre core of itself and use a cheap multi meter to do a continuity test until you get a positive result, and there is your cable .
Repeat for each cable remembering to mark them as you go.

Hi I have 3 coax cables taped together in attic and I have a sky dish and a old UPC Arial , what's the best way to get the coax cable up and running thanks

kbell · 13-02-2013 11:58pm

Can you elaborate/ be a bit more specific in what you're trying to achieve?

darth_maul · 14-02-2013 7:15am

Might want to get your friend to get a professional installer in as it doesn't sound as you have the tools or knowledge to do a competent job here, if you can't figure out how to distinguish which cable is which I would worry about the rest of it. I know you may be doing it as a favour, but if you don't know what your doing it might be kinder to pass.

Cerco · 16-02-2013 12:20pm

Neworder79 wrote: »

Be thankful you have 3, my gaff has 1 coax coming down the same pipe as electric, so no space left to get sat down, and all the cables concreted in at the bottom to top it off!

Use a pair of diplexers to get a sat feed down on the same cable as the terrestrial.

how to trace a cable from attic to living room

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