CompTIA Network+ (N10-009)Network TroubleshootingEasy
A technician uses a cable certifier to test a newly terminated Cat 6 patch cable. The tester reports that pins 1-2 and 3-6 are reversed at one end compared to the other. Which term best describes this wiring fault?
- ASplit pair
- BOpen circuit
- CReversed pair
- DCrosstalk
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Reversed pair
A reversed pair occurs when the same pair of wires is connected to different pin positions at each end (e.g., pins 1-2 swapped with 3-6), which a cable tester reports as a wire-map fault. This differs from a split pair, where wires from two different pairs are incorrectly combined into one pair.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Split pair involves wires from two different pairs, not a straight pin swap at one end.
- B. An open circuit means no continuity at all, not a pin transposition.
- D. Crosstalk is signal interference between pairs, not a wiring fault detected by pin mapping.
Reversed Pair
A wiring fault where the two wires of a single pair are connected to swapped pin positions on one end of the cable.
- Detected by cable testers via wire-map test
- Different from split pairs, which mix wires from separate pairs
- Causes connectivity or performance issues even though continuity exists
Memory trick: Reversed = same pair, swapped ends; Split = different pairs, mixed up.