Which test best determines if a cable pair is physically broken?

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Revealing a break means checking for an open in the conductor path. A wiremap test verifies end-to-end continuity for each pair and shows which pins are connected, so when a cable pair is physically broken the continuity on that pair fails and the wiremap clearly displays an open. This makes it the most direct and reliable way to confirm a break. Time-domain reflectometry can locate the exact spot of a fault by sending a pulse and analyzing reflections, which is powerful for pinpointing where the break is but involves more setup and interpretation. A simple continuity check will also show an open, but it doesn’t always provide the full pin-to-pin mapping and network detail that a wiremap offers. Attenuation tests measure signal loss along a good link and don’t directly identify a physical break unless the fault is extreme, so they’re not the best choice for confirming a break.