How to Measure Network Cable Length with FNIRSI LPM-10A Malaysia
How to Measure Network Cable Length with FNIRSI LPM-10A Malaysia
How long is the network cable inside the wall?
If the cable is already installed above a ceiling, inside a conduit or through a building, measuring it with a normal measuring tape is almost impossible.
This is where the cable length measurement function of the FNIRSI LPM-10A Network Cable Tester becomes useful.
For network technicians, CCTV installers and maintenance teams in Malaysia, cable length measurement can provide useful information when installing or troubleshooting Ethernet cabling.
Why Measure Network Cable Length?
Network cable length is useful for more than preparing a quotation.
During troubleshooting, technicians may need to know:
How long is this cable run?
Does the measured length approximately match the expected route?
Is the cable unusually long?
Could there be a problem somewhere along the installed cable?
This becomes especially useful when no accurate cable drawings are available.
Where Is Cable Length Measurement Useful?
Typical applications include:
Office network cabling
IP CCTV installations
Server rooms
Data centres
Factories
Warehouses
Commercial buildings
Schools
Retail outlets
Structured cabling installations
The function becomes particularly valuable when inspecting an existing installation completed by another contractor.
Example: Unknown Cable Above the Ceiling
Suppose a network point in an office is not working.
The RJ45 outlet is approximately 20 metres from the network cabinet in a straight line.
However, the actual cable does not travel directly between the two locations.
It may run:
Up the wall
↓
Across the ceiling
↓
Around structural obstacles
↓
Through a cable tray
↓
Down into the server room
The actual installed cable could therefore be considerably longer than the visible distance between the two points.
A cable length tester provides a much more useful estimate than simply measuring the room.
Step 1: Identify the Correct Cable
Before measuring anything, make sure you are testing the correct cable.
This sounds obvious, but it is a common problem in network cabinets containing dozens of Ethernet cables.
If the cable is not clearly labelled, the cable tracing function of the FNIRSI LPM-10A can help identify it first.
Do not base a troubleshooting decision on a cable that has not been positively identified.
Step 2: Inspect the Cable and Connector
Before performing the measurement, inspect the accessible sections of the cable.
Look for:
Damaged RJ45 connectors
Poor termination
Crushed cable
Sharp bends
Loose connections
Corrosion
Visible cable damage
If the connector itself is defective, correct that problem before drawing conclusions from additional tests.
Step 3: Use the Cable Length Measurement Function
Connect the FNIRSI LPM-10A according to the required testing arrangement and select the appropriate cable length measurement function.
The tester can then provide cable-length information to assist with evaluating the installed run.
The result should be treated together with what you know about the installation.
For example, ask:
Does this result make sense for the physical route of the cable?
That question is often more useful than looking at the number alone.
Example: Expected 70 m but Result Appears Much Shorter
Suppose building drawings suggest that a network cable should be approximately 70 metres long.
Your test indicates a substantially shorter distance.
That does not automatically tell you exactly what has failed.
However, it gives you a reason to investigate further.
Possible areas to inspect include:
Cable termination
Intermediate connection
Cable damage
Incorrect cable identification
Changes made to the original installation
A length measurement is therefore a troubleshooting clue—not a complete diagnosis by itself.
Can Cable Length Testing Find the Exact Fault?
Not necessarily.
This distinction is important.
A cable tester can provide useful information about a cable and help technicians narrow down a problem, but technicians should not assume that every abnormal reading identifies an exact physical fault location.
The result should be combined with:
Wire-map testing
Cable tracing
Visual inspection
Known cable routing
Switch-port checking
Network testing
A systematic combination of tests is more reliable than depending on one measurement.
Cable Length Testing for CCTV
Cable length measurement is particularly useful for IP CCTV installations.
Cameras are often located far from the network cabinet.
Examples include:
Building entrances
Car parks
Guard houses
Warehouse corners
Loading bays
Factory production areas
Building perimeters
When an IP camera becomes unstable or goes offline, technicians may need to investigate both the Ethernet connection and the PoE installation.
Knowing the approximate cable length adds another piece of information to the troubleshooting process.
Long Cable Run and PoE Troubleshooting
If a device uses Power over Ethernet, cable condition becomes especially important.
An IP camera may depend on the same Ethernet cable for both:
Data
and
Power
Therefore, when troubleshooting a distant PoE device, technicians may need to consider:
Cable length
Cable quality
Connector condition
PoE source
Switch port
Installation condition
The LPM-10A combines cable-length testing with other useful network troubleshooting functions, including PoE detection.
Measuring Cable Length During Installation
Cable length measurement is not only for troubleshooting.
It can also be useful during installation.
For example, a contractor may have several pre-installed cables waiting for termination.
Checking their approximate lengths can help with:
Cable identification
Installation documentation
Material checking
Commissioning
Troubleshooting before handover
This can be particularly useful when multiple cable runs look identical.
Measuring Existing Office Network Cabling
Older office installations frequently have incomplete documentation.
A new IT contractor may inherit a cabinet containing:
Unlabelled cables
Old patch panels
Unused network points
Modified connections
Unknown cable routes
In this situation, the technician can combine several LPM-10A functions.
First:
Trace the cable.
Then:
Confirm the wiring.
Next:
Measure the approximate cable length.
Then:
Identify the associated network port if required.
This builds a much clearer picture of the existing installation.
Cable Length Is Only One Part of Network Testing
A common mistake is assuming:
Correct cable length = good network cable
That is not necessarily true.
A cable may have a reasonable length but still contain:
Poor termination
Damaged conductors
Connector problems
Installation damage
Network-related issues
Likewise, an unexpected length result does not automatically prove that the entire cable must be replaced.
Use the result as part of the overall diagnosis.
Why FNIRSI LPM-10A Instead of a Simple RJ45 Tester?
A simple RJ45 tester is useful when the main question is:
“Are the wires connected?”
The FNIRSI LPM-10A is intended for broader field troubleshooting.
Depending on the job, technicians can use functions for:
Cable tracing
Wire-map testing
Cable length measurement
PoE detection
Switch-port identification
Network-related testing
For technicians regularly servicing existing installations, these additional functions can save time.
Who Needs a Network Cable Length Tester?
The FNIRSI LPM-10A may be useful for:
Network contractors
CCTV installers
IT technicians
Structured cabling installers
Building maintenance teams
Security system installers
Data centre technicians
Factory maintenance personnel
It is particularly relevant when the network cable is already installed and cannot simply be removed and measured manually.
FNIRSI LPM-10A Network Cable Tester Malaysia
The FNIRSI LPM-10A provides cable length measurement together with multiple network installation and troubleshooting functions in one handheld instrument.
For technicians in Malaysia, this makes it useful for both new network installation and existing cable troubleshooting.
For FNIRSI LPM-10A availability, technical enquiries or help selecting a suitable network cable tester, contact MTM Precision Sdn Bhd.
MTM Precision Sdn Bhd
Showroom & Service Centre:
No. 29-1 & 29-2, Jalan Bandar 18,
Pusat Bandar Puchong,
47160 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia.
Tel: 03-8080 7172
WhatsApp: +6016-660 7346
Email: mtmpre@yahoo.com
Website: www.mtmpre.com.my
You may WhatsApp us a photo of your RJ45 cable, network outlet, patch panel, server rack or CCTV installation and explain what you need to test.
Supply and enquiries throughout Malaysia, including Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Penang, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Pahang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Perlis, Sabah and Sarawak.
06 Oct 2026
