- A
Multimeter
Why wrong: A multimeter can measure voltage on the Ethernet pins, but it requires knowledge of which pins carry PoE and careful probing, making it less straightforward than a dedicated PoE tester.
- B
PoE tester
A PoE tester is designed to verify the presence and type of PoE on a cable, providing clear indication of power delivery.
- C
Cable tester
Why wrong: A standard cable tester checks wiring continuity and pinout, not the presence of power.
- D
Loopback plug
Why wrong: A loopback plug is used to test the network interface card, not to detect PoE.
Question 629 of 1,020
PoE Tester: Check if Power is Delivered Over Ethernet
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of networking tools. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A technician is deploying a new VoIP phone and needs to ensure the Ethernet cable connecting the phone to the wall jack provides sufficient power for the phone to operate. The network switch supports Power over Ethernet (PoE). Which tool can verify that PoE is active on the cable?
Quick Answer
The answer is a PoE tester, because it is the dedicated tool designed to verify that power is being delivered over an Ethernet cable. Unlike a standard cable tester, which only checks for continuity and wiring faults, a PoE tester actively detects the presence of voltage on the pairs used for Power over Ethernet and can report the power class and voltage level, ensuring the VoIP phone will receive sufficient power to operate. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your ability to select the correct tool for a specific networking task, and a common trap is confusing a PoE tester with a multimeter—while a multimeter can measure voltage if you know the correct pins, it is less safe and more complex for this job. Remember the memory tip: “PoE tester for power, cable tester for pairs.”
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
PoE tester
A PoE tester is specifically designed to detect the presence and voltage of Power over Ethernet on a cable, confirming that the switch is delivering power. Unlike a standard cable tester, it checks for the DC voltage (typically 48V) that powers the VoIP phone, ensuring the phone will operate without needing a separate power adapter.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Multimeter
Why it's wrong here
A multimeter can measure voltage on the Ethernet pins, but it requires knowledge of which pins carry PoE and careful probing, making it less straightforward than a dedicated PoE tester.
- ✓
PoE tester
Why this is correct
A PoE tester is designed to verify the presence and type of PoE on a cable, providing clear indication of power delivery.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Cable tester
Why it's wrong here
A standard cable tester checks wiring continuity and pinout, not the presence of power.
- ✗
Loopback plug
Why it's wrong here
A loopback plug is used to test the network interface card, not to detect PoE.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse a cable tester (which checks wiring) with a PoE tester (which checks power), leading them to select Option C because they think any 'tester' for cables will verify PoE, but only a dedicated PoE tester can confirm active power delivery.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
PoE operates by injecting DC voltage onto specific wire pairs (e.g., spare pairs 4-5 and 7-8 for 10/100BASE-T, or data pairs 1-2 and 3-6 for 802.3af Mode A) after a low-voltage detection handshake (2.8V to 10V) to ensure a compliant powered device is connected. A PoE tester simulates this handshake and measures the available power, including the class (0-8) and voltage, which is critical because some switches may support PoE but have it disabled per port or may be power-budget constrained. In real-world scenarios, a technician might use a PoE tester to troubleshoot a phone that powers on but intermittently reboots, revealing insufficient power due to cable length or a faulty injector.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Networking Tools — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Networking Tools practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All 220-1201 questions
1,020 questions across all exam domains
- →
CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
220-1201 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related 220-1201 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Mobile Device Hardware Servicing practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Hardware Servicing.
Mobile Device Connection Methods practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Connection Methods.
Mobile Device Accessories practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Accessories.
Mobile Device Network Connectivity practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Network Connectivity.
Mobile Device Application Support practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Application Support.
Network Protocols practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Protocols.
TCP & UDP Ports practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to TCP & UDP Ports.
Wireless Networking Technologies practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Wireless Networking Technologies.
Network Services practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Services.
Network Configuration Concepts practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Configuration Concepts.
Common Networking Hardware practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Common Networking Hardware.
IP Addressing practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to IP Addressing.
Practice this exam
Start a free 220-1201 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Networking Tools — This question tests Networking Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: PoE tester — A PoE tester is specifically designed to detect the presence and voltage of Power over Ethernet on a cable, confirming that the switch is delivering power. Unlike a standard cable tester, it checks for the DC voltage (typically 48V) that powers the VoIP phone, ensuring the phone will operate without needing a separate power adapter.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More 220-1201 practice questions
- During a network cable installation, a technician needs to verify that a newly run Cat6 cable is properly terminated and…
- A user connects a 4K monitor to their laptop using a USB-C port. The monitor is detected, but the resolution is stuck at…
- A technician is troubleshooting a laptop that will not charge. The battery is removable, and the power adapter works on…
- A customer brings in a smartphone with a broken charging port. They want the port replaced. During disassembly, the tech…
- A user reports that their laptop's keyboard types random characters when certain keys are pressed. The laptop has not be…
- A technician is troubleshooting a laptop that shuts down randomly after a few minutes of use. The fan is spinning, and t…
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.