Demarc › Answers › Will the manufacturer reject results from a tester out of calibration or a 2-cord fiber reference?
In their own words
“All testers used for warranty performance submissions must be calibrated within 12-months prior to testing.”Panduit approved copper testers list, revised October 2025 · source
“Where the date of the results is outside the 1 year calibration period, the results will not be accepted”Ultima Communications warranty terms · source
“Many cabling vendors will reject any results carried out with a 2-cord reference, which could prevent you from acquiring a warranty.”Fluke Networks blog, top 10 cable testing mistakes · source
What it is
Three things get results refused on sight. Calibration: the tester must have been calibrated within the 12 months before the test date, not before the submission date. Fiber reference: Panduit and Belden name the one-jumper reference method (Belden allows three jumpers where the end connectors differ), so a 2-cord reference is outside their stated method. Test limit: Belden asks for channel limits and accepts a permanent link only with its approval for the project before testing; Panduit accepts either, as long as each report says which.
How Demarc does it
The Demarc kit checks every result against its tester's calibration on the test date. You record each tester's serial and calibration date once, under Settings, Equipment. A tester with no calibration date on file fails the check: Demarc does not assume a tester was in calibration.
For fiber it reads the reference method the export records and flags a 2-jumper reference for a program that names the one-jumper method. For copper it reads the test limit name and checks permanent link or channel against the program; for Belden it asks for the approval reference and date, and checks the approval is dated before the test.
The bar Demarc is held to
A calibration older than 365 days on the test date, a test before the calibration date, or no calibration date at all each fail the kit check with the tester serial and dates named. Every rule carries the manufacturer's sentence and URL in the code, and the tests for calibration and test type run on every deploy.
What the usual tools leave to you
These rules are published as mistakes the installer has to remember. Tester reporting software saves, organises and prints results; it does not check them against a manufacturer program's calibration and reference rules before you submit.
Questions
- How recent does tester calibration have to be for a Panduit warranty?
- Panduit's approved tester list says testers must be calibrated within 12 months prior to testing. Demarc checks the calibration date against each result's test date.
- Is a 2-cord fiber reference accepted?
- Panduit and Belden name the one-jumper reference. Fluke's own blog warns that many cabling vendors reject results carried out with a 2-cord reference.
- Permanent link or channel for a Belden warranty?
- Belden asks for channel limits; a permanent link needs Belden's approval for the project before testing. Demarc records the approval reference and date and checks it predates the test.
Related answers
Why does a cabling warranty submission get delayed or rejected? · Can I build a warranty package from a Softing or VIAVI tester, not a Fluke DSX? · How many days do I have to submit test results for a manufacturer cabling warranty? · All answers · Warranty programs · Free export checker