Ideal Networks Australia has announced it has been researching what installers are doing with certifiers and says most data installers are overestimating their usage requirements for cable certifiers. This may be generating extra costs for contractors and installation companies.

In its research, Ideal Networks found that despite the challenge that investing in certifiers can potentially pose to cash flow, installers frequently stated that having more certifiers would make their lives easier. Ideal Networks says this is based on a misconception that cable certifiers are needed for the majority of customers’ installation needs.

However, a cable certifier is only an essential test tool on jobs where is has been specified that a certifier or a cable manufacturer warranty is required.

Based on analysis of the work typically carried out by data cable installers, Ideal Networks says manufacturer warranties are typically required in only 25% of jobs.

If a contractor is only testing for certain activities on Layer 1 of a network, a transmission tester will provide the data required. Where a warranty is not needed or the job specification does not require a certifier, a cable and network transmission tester can be used to create comprehensive proof of performance reports to industry recognised standards.

Easy to use, this type of tester allows installers to gather data that is sufficient for their own records, and that can be shared as professional reports with clients.

Ideal Networks says businesses can reduce capital expenditure on testers by up to 57% by combining a greater amount of transmission testers, alongside a smaller number of certifiers.