1G Troubleshooting
The Pasif 1G is a passive filter with no power, no electronics, and no software. There isn't much that can go wrong with it. Most calls about a Pasif 1G that "stopped working" turn out to be a non-standard installation, a damaged cable connector, or a problem with the cable, network, or connected device rather than the filter itself. The steps below walk through each in order.
The Pasif 1G is a passive filter that passes Ethernet (TCP/IP) up to 1Gbps reliably. Higher speeds (2.5G, 5G, 10G) can sometimes negotiate through the filter, but the link may be unstable at those rates because the filter is operating near its electrical limits. If you're seeing intermittent issues at higher speeds, the simplest fix is to force both ends of the link to 1Gbps. For sustained performance above 1Gbps, the ACTIV 10G is a better fit.
The Pasif 1G does pass Power over Ethernet (PoE), and it can also pass simple low-voltage signaling like RS-232 on the same 8-line cable. It should also pass cable tester signals, non-Ethernet based phone systems, and other protocols that are not based on standard Ethernet. If your installation uses anything more complex than standard Ethernet over CAT cable, see Step 1 below.
Step-by-step diagnosis
Try these in order. Step 1 catches most issues.
Confirm a standard installation.
This step makes sure the troubleshooting flow below applies to your setup. The Pasif 1G is flexible and can pass more than Ethernet, but the easy troubleshooting only works for standard installations.
The steps below assume you're running standard Ethernet (TCP/IP), or a simple low-voltage signal like RS-232 or low-voltage DC power, over standard CAT cable. CAT cable has 100-ohm line-to-line impedance, which is what the filter is designed for.
The diagnosis gets more complicated in any of these situations:
- You're using our RJ-45 to terminal block adapter. The adapter adds another connection point in the chain, which is another potential failure node.
- You're running cable other than standard CAT (paired audio cable, flat ribbon, or anything else). Non-CAT cable usually has a different impedance than 100 ohms, and the impedance mismatch can cause signaling issues that look like a faulty filter.
- You're passing a complex or proprietary protocol over the cable that depends on tight signal timing or specific impedance.
In any of those cases, contact us. We'll work through it with you and figure out whether the filter is the issue or whether it's something else in the installation.
Check the cable connectors for bent or crushed pins.
This step rules out physical damage at the cable connectors before testing for cable or filter failure.
Look at both RJ-45 jacks on the filter and at the connectors on each cable. Make sure the metal pins are straight and even with no obstructions. If any look bent or crushed, the cable plug or the filter jack may be damaged. Reseat both cables firmly. If you suspect a cable, swap it for one you know works.
Verify each cable, the network, and the connected device individually.
This step verifies that the cables, the network, and the connected device all work on their own. Once each is confirmed, anything still wrong has to be the filter.
Pull the filter out of the chain. Then test each piece independently:
- Test the cable from the network to the filter. Connect the network directly to the connected device using only that cable. If the device reaches the network, that cable is fine.
- Test the cable from the filter to the connected device. Connect the network directly to the connected device using only that cable. If the device reaches the network, that cable is fine.
- Test the connected device. Connect the network to the connected device with any known-good cable (a longer cable is fine for this test, since we're verifying the device, not the original cable). If the device reaches the network, the device is fine.
If all three tests pass and the system fails when reassembled with the filter in place, the filter is the cause.
If your installation is mounted through a shielded enclosure penetration, you may need to move equipment temporarily or set up a bench test outside the chamber to perform these tests. The verification has to happen; the test is the only way to know.
Contact us.
If Steps 1 through 3 indicate the filter has failed, contact us. Pasif filters cannot be repaired in the field, but they're rarely the failure point. We'll work through it with you and arrange warranty service if the filter is faulty. The Pasif 1G carries a two-year warranty from the date of first sale.
Common questions
The Pasif 1G ships with a short cable extension. The extension is an ergonomic accessory to make connecting cables easier when the filter is mounted through a threaded penetration where the jack can be hard to reach. If you use it, treat it as part of the run on that side: shielded extension with shielded cable, unshielded extension with unshielded cable.
Need additional help?
Contact our engineering team for installation support, troubleshooting, or warranty service.