Cable Tester FAQ
What does a cable tester do?
It checks continuity on every conductor in a cable and shows which pin is open, shorted or miswired. That turns "something in this signal chain is broken" into "this one cable is bad" in about five seconds.
Can I test DMX cables with an audio cable tester?
Yes, if it handles 3-pin and 5-pin XLR, because DMX runs on the same connectors. The Blizzard Cable Guy covers both; most audio-only testers handle 3-pin only.
What is the difference between a cable tester and a line tester?
A cable tester checks the cable on a bench with nothing connected. A line tester also sends and listens for signal, so it can check a live line from one end of a venue.
Do I need separate sender and receiver units?
Only if you test cables already installed in walls, conduit or long venue runs. For loose cables at a bench or in a road case, a single-unit tester is faster and cheaper.
Can one tester handle XLR, TRS and RJ45?
Yes - multi-format testers cover audio, video, network and power connectors in one box. The Blizzard Cable Guy handles ten formats including RJ45 for EtherCON and Dante.