This network cable tester is designed for testing network cable with CAT 5 connectors, RJ-45. It can be modified to test any 8 conductor cable by replacing the RJ-45 jacks with the mating connectors ...

Ever wondered why your Arduino wasn’t programming, only to find out that the cable doesn’t have any data conductors? Worry not, [Spencer Maroukis] has got you covered with the USB Sleuth Cable Tester!

Microcontroller-based circuits for testing cables, sometimes in conjunction with a PC, are easy to use and very flexible. For the hobbyist, however, the complication of such devices is not justified.