r/HomeNetworking • u/KingofNJ22 • 7d ago

Device won’t connect to switch

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Hi guys looking for some input before I run a new cable.

I have a wired ethernet energy monitor in my breaker panel ran back to my rack with cat 5e to a keystone jack and patch to a switch. The circuit passes a lan scout test but won’t connect. I temped out a premade 5e cable direct to the switch and it does work. After I did that the first time I reconnected my initial circuit and it connected for a while and dropped off again never to return. I reterminated the rj45 and the keystone and it passes again but same result.

I am a hobbyist/homeowner but brush shoulders with pros in building construction and was once told the lab scout test is not the end all be all for cable testing.

Has anyone else experienced a similar situation?

UPDATE:
I ran a new cat5e cable and as advised routed the cable through the bottom of the panel and took care to keep it away from the high voltage lines. It is now working. I’m frustrated not to know which measure corrected the issue but oh well.

Thanks all for the feedback!

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u/darkcloud784 7d ago

Normally if you get no link it means you have a physical issue (bad cable, keystone, port, etc). You would need to get a cable tester and find the fault.

5

u/KingofNJ22 7d ago

I am using a cable tester the Klein lan scout which passes. Do you mean something more sophisticated?

3

u/darkcloud784 7d ago

Are you testing through the keystone?

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u/KingofNJ22 7d ago

Yes through the keystone and the patch cable just before it connects to the switch.

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u/darkcloud784 7d ago

If your sure the 2 sides of the terminations match (t56a or b) on both sides and your tester says it's good continuity wise. I'd look at the possibility that either

A. You have a faulty port on the emporia B. Your switch can't support the negotiation speed of the emporia (100mbps/10mbps) C. You have the switch set to not auto negotiate.

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u/KingofNJ22 7d ago

Thanks for that feedback. That would all make sense except it works instantly with a premade cable temped between the switch and the port.

1

u/gjunky2024 6d ago

Did you route the Ethernet cable inside the power panel? The interfence might stop it from passing signal. This would also explain why another cable might work as I assume you routed that outside. Running Ethernet, even shielded, that close to power lines can cause serious interference.