I work as a computer technician on the side for some extra money, but basically because it is my hobby. I do network and telephone cabling and if needed some simple electrical stuff. My tools so far are a krone punch, a tone generator for finding cables, a continuity tester for ethernet cables, multimeter, various probes (some homemade) etc. I had all those tools before I started working as a tech.
Now I am looking for some more specialized tools, eg a fault finder for network cables. Problem is that even the cheapest are very expensive, for example a Fluke CIQ-100 is about $1000 and it has very basic functions.
Another tool I would like is a power quality tester for electrical cabling, eg a Fluke 345 which is even more expensive.
So I want some tools that are not going to break the bank and at the same time have as much functionality as possible.
You can pick up a simple ethernet cable tester for about $30. Link. This should do what you need.
I’ve got two Flukes (one Fluke cost 20,000 or so) and one unit like the one I linked to at work. The Flukes are great for certain things but for small stuff the little box does fine. If you want to check cable integrity and pin outs, it is perfect.
I have no idea about the electric stuff, that is what my engineers are for
I have the exact same cable tester, only in green color. Actually I bought it together with a high quality crimp tool back in 2005 and they were the very first tools of this kind I ever bought.
Got them because I thought a cable at my home was acting up, but it turned out it was a bad NIC.
Fluke is very high end for testing equipment, if you are only doing this as a hobby you could probably do with some lower quality equipment and simply cope with the frustration they sometimes bring.
If you are looking to sell yourself on small jobs far more basic tools are needed. Most residential work involves little to no actual instrument analysis. You show them what they forgot to plug in and snake cables. Hiding and organizing cables is very popular. Having a selection of snakes and some drywall tools is a far better investment then any meter you could buy.
