Extension Cable Testing

Smith-Root Staff March 05, 2020
  1. Set your ohmmeter to its lowest setting. If you are unfamiliar with using test equipment, use a setting where you get a beep when the probes are touched together.
  2. You should get very low, near zero resistance readings (or a beep) when you measure from:
    1. Plug Pin A to the Socket Pin A
    2. Plug Pin B to the Socket Pin B
    3. Plug Pin C to the Socket Pin C

    3. You should get very high readings (over range) or (no beep) when measuring from the Plug Pin D to the Socket Pin D.

  3. Repeat step 2 above while an assistant wiggles the cable near both the Plug and the Socket. Your readings (or beep) should remain solid and remain unchanging. Any erratic readings could signify an intermittent problem that will require servicing,
  4. Connect one lead of your meter to Plug Pin A. Using the remaining lead; touch the Plug Pins B, C and D one at a time. There should be no connection between Pin A and any of the other Pins. The meter should read over-range (no beep). Any low readings (or beep) when performing this test indicates the need for service.
  5. Connect one lead of your meter to the plug connector shell, and with the other lead touch each of the Plug Pins one at a time. You should get very high resistance (over range) or (no beep) between any of the pins and the connector shell. Repeat this test on the Socket end of the cable, and you should get the same results.
  6. If any of the above tests fail, please call Smith-Root for a repair estimate.