FAQs
There are two types of metallic cable tester TDRs:
Digital TDR: A digital TDR analyses the readings internally and only displays the length to the fault in meters or feet. A digital TDR is popular amongst cable inventory applications. Please refer to our Faultcaster page for more information.
Graphical TDR: A TDR analyses the readings internally and plots a trace on X, Y coordinates where X corresponds to the cable length. The user can see the variations on the projected plot to determine the cable discontinuity at various lengths.
Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) is an electronic device, which can be of thought of as a digital sampling oscilloscope, which contains both a sampling device and a pulse generator.
A TDR can be used for measuring electrical properties of metallic cables, as well as the location of cable faults e.g. opens and shorts and other impedance irregularities depending on the complexity of TDR.
The instrument is generally referred to by its abbreviated title of TDR. Other countries have adopted names such as cable radar and Pulse Echo Meter.
Click here for detailed introduction to TDRs.
NOTE: There are other types of TDR e.g. Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR), BI Communications only manufacture metallic cable TDR testers.
Typical cable VoP values can be found in most of our user manuals. However, it is recommended to obtain the up to date figures from the cable supplier/manufacturer directly.
Although our TX Range TDRs come with internal built-in protection up to a certain level, it is recommended that the TDR should only be connected to a de-energised cable. However, the TDR can be connected to an energised cable using a Blocking Filter. Please refer to the relevant product page for further information.
Up to 50 traces can be saved on our TX6000 & TX Ranger TDRs.
Please refer to the relevant product page on our web site. If you have further queries, please get in touch with us by sending an online enquiry.
The minimum cable length that can be measured depends on the selected range “Dead Zone” (See above). Some of our TDRs can measure a minimum cable length of 0.2 meters when the lowest range is selected. Again, the user can turn the dead zone to 0 meters by using a long enough patch lead that bypasses the masked area of the trace.
Dead Zone also known as “Blind spot” is created by the width of the TDR launch pulse, which prevents events very close to the TDR near end from being detected. The user can overcome the dead zone by using a patch lead. The TDR dead zone depends on the selected range setting.
Our TX range TDRs can measure cable lengths up to 6km. Please refer to our products page for product specific capabilities.
When two metallic conductors are placed in close proximity to each other, cable impedance is formed, determined by the spacing between the two conductors separated by insulation (dielectric) material in the manufacture of the cable. If the cable is manufactured with constant spacing between the conductors as in the case of coaxial cable (the screen of the cable being taken as a conductor) then the impedance value for the cable will be constant along the cable length, if the conductor spacing is not constant the impedance value will vary along the cable length.
When we say that the characteristic impedance of a cable is 50 ohms, it means that if we connect a load of the 50 ohms impedance to the other end of the cable, it will look like the load is connected to the source, as if they are next to one another (regardless of the length of the connecting cable between the source and load).
The velocity of propagation of a cable is the speed at which a electrical signal is transmitted through a cable, this is normally defined in terms of a % of the speed of light in a vacuum (186,000 miles per second or 299,792458 meters/second) or it can be defined as the speed in feet or meters per micro second.
For example a cable with a VoP of 75% would transmit a electrical signal at 75% of the speed of light in the vacuum (e.g. 139500 miles/sec)
A digital TDR is a useful tool in cable inventory applications. A digital TDR simply gives the digital reading of either open or short cable fault.
The basic operating principle of the TDR is similar to that of RADAR, pulses of energy are sent out upon hitting the target the pulse is reflected back, the time taken for the return is measured and the distance, size and direction of the target is calculated. The TDR works on the same principle, but the TDR requires the input of relevant characteristics/properties e.g. characteristic impedance and the Velocity of Propagation (VoP) of the cable being tested.
The leads are supplied with detachable crocodile clips. Only the crocodile clips are fused. The leads are not fused.
Our Blocking Filter is rated to 600V CAT IV.
A blocking filter is an electrical device, which enables high voltage power cables to be tested without the need of disconnecting the power cable from its source. For further information, please refer to our Blocking Filter product page.
Please refer to the relevant product page.
Lancaster PRO ST comes with capability to save up to 999 test results.
Lancaster PRO ST comes with capability to save up to 999 test results. The results can be categorised to at the point of saving. i.e. to building/area/office.
Our Lancaster PRO ST tester comes with a USB interface facility to download traces to a Windows PC using proprietary software installed on MS Windows computers.
Our Lancaster tester range has a built-in cable library containing most commonly used metallic cables used in Ethernet physical layer.
Our Lancaster range support following languages – English (UK USA) German, French Spanish, Portuguese, Italian. For product specific information, please refer to our Network Testing page of the web site.
The standards do not recommend the length of a Ethernet cable to be over 100 meters.
You may send us an online sales enquiry. Alternatively give us a call.
Lancaster Structure Cable Testers can identify up to 16 individually addressed remote units. Quintest Structure Cable Tester can identify only one remote. For further information about additional remotes please refer to our Accessories page on our web site.
Quintest Structure Cable Tester comes with a pair of devices where one can be used as a remote.
Lancaster Structure Cable Testers are sold with one remote. There is an option to purchase up to 16 individually addressed remotes. For further information about additional remotes please refer to our Accessories page on our web site.
The remote units are required to perform the cable map tests. The tests are performed, by connecting a Structure Cable Tester at near end of the cable and a simple complementary device at the other (remote) end of the cable.
Our Lancaster product range can indicate Telephone, 10BaseT, 100Mbit+, Token Ring. Individual product capabilities may vary. For further information, please refer to our Network Testing page of the web site.
Our product range can identify faults the following types:
Short Circuit Pair, Open Circuit Wire, Short Between Pairs, Split / Cross Pairs, Pair Reversals, Shorts to Screen if(screened cable is used).
Lancaster range testers can measure cable lengths up to 150m (500 feet). Individual product capabilities may vary. For further information, please refer to our Network Testing page of the web site.
Our Lancaster range of structure testers supports the TIA568A/B, USOC & ISDN wiring schemes.
Our Quintest range of structure testers supports the TIA568A/B and USOC wiring schemes.
Structure cable tester is used to verify correct wiring configuration of the cables used in the Ethernet local area network installations. For further information, please refer to our Network Testing page of the web site.
Yes. This facility is available on our Faultcaster.
Our Faultcaster TDR has a built-in cable library containing most commonly used metallic cables.
Similar to a graphical TDR, a digital TDR can also measure faults on metallic cables such as CW1308, RG58 etc.
Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) is an electronic device, which can be of thought of as a digital sampling oscilloscope, which contains both a sampling device and a pulse generator.
A TDR can be used for measuring electrical properties of metallic cables, as well as the location of cable faults e.g. opens and shorts and other impedance irregularities depending on the complexity of TDR.
The instrument is generally referred to by its abbreviated title of TDR. Other countries have adopted names such as cable radar and Pulse Echo Meter.
Click here for detailed introduction to TDRs.
NOTE: There are other types of TDR e.g. Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR), BI Communications only manufacture metallic cable TDR testers.
Please refer to our returns policy section.
Delivery charges will be advised at the time of purchase due to fluctuating pricing from our couriers.
All taxes & duties to be paid by the customer.
Contact Sales or Email: sales@bicommunications.co.uk
Overseas payments by Bank transfer only.
UK Bank transfer or credit/debit card facility available.
It is possible to recycle your tester, you should contact the office on (0) 1268 729393 for advice on this.
We can issue calibration e-certificates. Please send us an online enquiry.
Usually 2-3 days at the cost of 25£.
Calibration is undertaken upon completion of the repair process.
If a calibration certificate is required the addition cost of £25 will be charged.
We recommend calibration at regular intervals to make sure the device function within the accuracy.
All our testers are calibrated during the production.
In the first instance email to sales@bicommunications.co.uk If your complaint has not been resolved to your satisfaction please email to the Managing Director Alan Bannister alan@bicommunications.co.uk
