- A
The cable is too long for the network speed.
Why wrong: Cable length affects signal strength, but intermittent issues are more likely due to physical damage.
- B
The cable is not properly terminated at the patch panel.
Why wrong: Poor termination can cause issues, but the recent ceiling work suggests physical damage is more likely.
- C
The cable is pinched or kinked by the new ceiling installation.
New construction can pinch cables, causing intermittent breaks or shorts. This is a common issue after ceiling work.
- D
The network switch port is faulty.
Why wrong: A faulty port would affect all connections on that port, but the timing with the ceiling work points to cable damage.
Question 166 of 1,020
Troubleshooting Intermittent Connectivity from Pinched Cable in Ceiling
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of cabling. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 user reports intermittent network connectivity in an office that recently had a new ceiling installed. The network drop runs through the ceiling and is not in a conduit. What is the most likely cause of the intermittent connection?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Quick Answer
The answer is a pinched or kinked cable caused by the new ceiling installation. This is correct because intermittent connectivity in a recently disturbed ceiling environment almost always points to a physical layer issue, where the cable’s internal conductors are partially crushed or bent beyond their bend radius, creating a high-resistance point that fails only when vibration or temperature shifts occur. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to differentiate physical damage from logical faults—a common trap is assuming a software or configuration problem when the real culprit is a hidden pinch in a plenum space. Remember that cables run through ceilings without conduit are especially vulnerable to being pinched by ceiling tiles or support wires, so always inspect the cable path first. A useful memory tip: “Pinch equals intermittent, cut equals dead”—if the connection comes and goes, think physical stress, not a full break.
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
✓
The cable is pinched or kinked by the new ceiling installation.
The new ceiling installation is the most likely cause because the network cable, running without conduit, can easily be pinched or kinked by ceiling tiles, support wires, or other hardware. Physical damage like a pinch or kink can cause impedance mismatches, signal reflection, or even a short, leading to intermittent connectivity. This is a classic physical-layer issue where the cable's integrity is compromised by environmental changes.
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.
- ✗
The cable is too long for the network speed.
Why it's wrong here
Cable length affects signal strength, but intermittent issues are more likely due to physical damage.
- ✗
The cable is not properly terminated at the patch panel.
Why it's wrong here
Poor termination can cause issues, but the recent ceiling work suggests physical damage is more likely.
- ✓
The cable is pinched or kinked by the new ceiling installation.
Why this is correct
New construction can pinch cables, causing intermittent breaks or shorts. This is a common issue after ceiling work.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The network switch port is faulty.
Why it's wrong here
A faulty port would affect all connections on that port, but the timing with the ceiling work points to cable damage.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA A+ emphasizes the importance of physical layer issues. The new ceiling installation can easily pinch or kink the cable, causing impedance mismatches and intermittent connectivity. Candidates may overlook environmental changes and instead incorrectly blame termination or switch hardware.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When a twisted-pair cable is pinched or kinked, the physical geometry of the pairs is altered, which can change the characteristic impedance (typically 100 ohms for Cat5e/6) and cause signal reflections (return loss). This can lead to excessive crosstalk or packet loss that appears intermittent as the cable moves slightly with vibrations or temperature changes. In real-world scenarios, such damage may not be visible without a cable certifier that measures parameters like NEXT (Near-End Crosstalk) or TDR (Time Domain Reflectometer) results.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Cabling — This question tests Cabling — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The cable is pinched or kinked by the new ceiling installation. — The new ceiling installation is the most likely cause because the network cable, running without conduit, can easily be pinched or kinked by ceiling tiles, support wires, or other hardware. Physical damage like a pinch or kink can cause impedance mismatches, signal reflection, or even a short, leading to intermittent connectivity. This is a classic physical-layer issue where the cable's integrity is compromised by environmental changes.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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