How can a technician determine if a coaxial cable is damaged?

A technician can determine if a coaxial cable is damaged through a combination of visually checking for physical damages and using a cable meter. Visually inspecting the cable allows the technician to identify any obvious signs of wear or damage, such as cuts, kinks, or corrosion on the connectors. However, visual inspection alone may not reveal internal faults.

Using a cable meter, which can test the cable for continuity, signal loss, and other electrical characteristics, provides a more comprehensive assessment of the cable's integrity. This method enables the technician to detect issues such as breakage within the cable, impedance mismatches, or excessive attenuation of the signal. Therefore, combining visual inspection and the use of a cable meter is the most effective approach to determining the condition of coaxial cables and ensuring reliable performance in communication systems.

The other methods—replacing the cable outright, only checking the connector, or testing with audio equipment—do not provide a thorough assessment of the cable's condition and could lead to unnecessary replacements or unresolved connectivity issues.