What testing is primarily required for voice grade unshielded twisted pair cables intended for POTS?

The correct answer is wiremap, which is crucial for ensuring that the individual conductors within the voice grade unshielded twisted pair cables are correctly connected and functioning. For Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS), the integrity of the connections is paramount because any miswiring can lead to service issues, like inability to dial or poor call quality.

Wiremap testing verifies that each wire within the cable is connected to the correct pin at both ends, ensuring that the signal path is continuous and free from faults such as shorts, opens, or miswires. Since POTS operates within a frequency range that doesn’t require advanced parameters, verifying the pin configuration through wiremap is sufficient for voice applications.

Other testing, such as length and attenuation, though important, are less critical for POTS as the service is relatively tolerant of these factors within typical installation limits. Crosstalk and interference testing may be relevant in a broader telecommunications context but typically do not focus on the basic functioning of voice-grade cables intended for standard telephone service. Frequency response is more relevant for higher bandwidth applications and isn't a primary concern for the basic operation of POTS lines.