The XQ-350 Cable Tester & Wire Tracker is a multi-function handheld networking diagnostic kit consisting of an emitter (transmitter) and a receiver probe. Engineered for network technicians, telecom installers, and system administrators, it simplifies line tracing, continuity testing, wiremap verification, and cable fault identification across twisted-pair (RJ45 CAT5/CAT5e/CAT6/CAT6A) and telephone (RJ11) lines. It supports both shielded (STP) and unshielded (UTP) cabling configurations.

Specifications

• Model: XQ-350
• Supported Cable Connectors: RJ45 (Ethernet network cables) & RJ11 (Telephone lines)
• Supported Cable Types: UTP / STP (CAT3, CAT5, CAT5e, CAT6, CAT6A)
• Signal Transmission Distance: >= 3km (3000 meters) line tracing range
• Signal Output Level: 8V Peak-to-Peak (Vp-p)
• Receiver Probe Sensitivity: Adjustable volume sensitivity control
• Power Supply: 2x 9V 6F22 batteries (1x for Emitter, 1x for Receiver)
• Status Indicators: LED wiremap indicators (1 through 8 + Ground), audio speaker, and signal status LEDs
• Headphone Jack: Standard 3.5mm audio port on the receiver for noisy environments

Operating Modes & Interface Guide

• Emitter Interfaces:
  • RJ45 Port: For tracing and testing Ethernet cables.
  • RJ11 Port: For tracing telephone lines and checking line polarity.
  • Function Selector Switch: Off / Test (Wiremap continuity) / Scan (Audio line tracing).
• Receiver Interfaces:
  • Inductive Sensor Tip: Non-contact probe used to trace signals through drywall, conduits, or wire bundles.
  • Sensitivity Dial: Controls receiver gain to isolate a specific cable in dense patch panels.
  • Scan Button: Press and hold to activate signal reception.
  • Audio Output & LED: Built-in speaker, headphone jack, and signal intensity indicator LED.

Key Features

• Non-Contact Wire Tracing: Emits a distinct tone along the target cable, allowing quick tracing through walls, under floors, or inside crowded server rack bundles without stripping insulation.
• Pin-by-Pin Continuity Verification: Sequentially tests all 8 wires plus ground shielding (G) to identify open circuits, short circuits, crossed pairs, or split pairs.
• Telephone Line Status Checking: Directly measures telephone line polarity, positive/negative voltage identification, and tip/ring line status (Idle, Ringing, Off-hook).
• Audio-Visual Fault Diagnostics: Combines clear variable-pitch audio tones with precise LED sequence indicators for fast field troubleshooting.

Common Applications

• Structured Cabling Installations: Verifying new Ethernet terminations (TIA/EIA-568A and 568B standards) before certifying network drops.
• Data Center & Server Rack Maintenance: Tracing patch cables through high-density cable organizers and network switches.
• Telecommunications Maintenance: Troubleshooting analog/digital telephone wiring, intercom lines, and security sensor loops.
• Field Electrical & AV Tracing: Locating hidden low-voltage cables behind drywalls and inside conduit runs.

Usage Tips

• Live Line Precaution: Never connect the XQ-350 tester directly to live Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) ports or powered network switches without verifying POE is disabled, as high voltage lines can damage the internal sensing circuitry.
• Isolating Cables in Dense Bundles: When tone tracing in crowded patch panels, turn down the sensitivity dial on the receiver probe to isolate the exact cable rather than picking up bleed-over signals from adjacent wires.
• Testing Shielded Cables (STP): Ensure the "G" (Ground) LED lights up in sequence alongside pins 1-8 when validating fully shielded RJ45 cable assemblies.