|  | 9.7 | Range of Equipment for Testing Structured Cabling Projects
| 9.7.8 | Split pairs

Visual inspection and crosstalk measurements are the only ways to detect a condition known as split pairs. As you know, the twisting in wire pairs shields them from external interference from signals that pass near other wire pairs. However, this shielding effect can only occur if the wires in the pair are part of the same circuit. When wires split, they are no longer part of the same circuit. Although current can flow in the circuit, making the system appear to work, no shielding is in effect. Consequently, the signals are not protected. Eventually, near-end crosstalk will become a problem. A wire map cannot detect a split pair condition, because in split pairs, a circuit is still present.

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