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    Time Domain Reflectometer

    Time domain reflectometers (TDR) are electronic instruments used to determine the characteristics of electrical lines by using a pulse echo and observing the reflected waveform as a way to determine the characteristics of electrical wires. Faults, including the type and location, can be identified by irregularities in the reflected waveform. TDR technology avoids the need to rip into walls and floors to locate faults.

    Learn more about Time Domain Reflectometer
    More About Time Domain Reflectometer

    Our increasingly automated society has resulted in factories, offices, institutions, and even homes being filled with more and more wires and cables. Network cables, telephones wires, power cables, CATV cables, etc. all compete for space in cramped conditions with runs that can span impressive distances. With so much wire and cable hidden underground or inside walls, it's difficult to identify issues and pinpoint the area when problems arise. Cable fault testers / TDR meters are electronic devices designed to test electrical connections and identify the location of cable faults.

    Cable Faults

    Cable faults are issues which effect the performance of cables and wires. Faults can be caused by open circuits, shorts, kinks, taps, shield damage, thermal damage, UV damage, water ingress, loosened or corroded interconnects, poor-quality cables and connectors, and anything else that affects system performance. If faults are not identified and repaired, a costly voltage breakdown can occur.

    There are different types of cable faults, which must first be classified before they can be located.

    Ground or Earth Faults are caused by damage to-- or a breakdown of-- cable insulation which allows current to come in contact with an ungrounded conductor.

    Short Circuit Faults occur when insulation between two cables is damaged or degrades and allows current to pass from one cable to the next without passing through the load.

    Open Circuit Faults are when there is a break in the conductor of a cable thus interrupting the circuit.

    Cable Fault Tester / TDR Meter Technology

    Though cable fault testers vary in the features they possess, most are based on Time Domain Reflectometry or TDR technology. Time-domain reflectometry uses a pulse echo range-finding technique, similar to that used by sonar systems, and observes the reflected waveform as a way to determine the characteristics of electrical lines.

    A short-duration, low-voltage pulse is transmitted into the cable at a high-repetition rate. If there are no faults and the cable is properly terminated, no signal will be reflected back. Any type of fault will cause irregularities in impedance and the signal will be reflected back. The amplitude of the reflected signal will provide characteristics of the impedance. The distance to the fault is also calculated by the time it takes for the pulse to return, thus avoiding the need to rip into walls and floors to locate the fault. TDR technology can pinpoint a fault to within centimeters.

    Because of the sensitivity to impedance variations found in cable fault testers with TDR technology, they can be used to verify cable impedance characteristics, splice and connector locations and associated losses, and estimate cable lengths. Cable fault testers with TDR technology are used for testing very long cable runs or other instances where it is impractical to disturb cables for testing. They are also important preventive maintenance tools for telecommunication lines as they will identify, well before catastrophic failure occurs, increasing resistance levels on joints and connectors caused by corrosion, as well as insulation leakage as it degrades and absorbs moisture.

    Applications for Cable Fault Testers / TDR Meters

    • Identify wiring faults
    • Find distances to opens and shorts
    • Test patch cords
    • Trace cable locations
    • Measure cable length (in location or on a reel, coil, etc.)
    • Map network layout

    If you have any questions regarding cable fault testers / TDR meters please don't hesitate to speak with one of our engineers by e-mailing us at sales@instrumart.com or calling 1-800-884-4967.

    FPO-engineer
    Questions? Call one of our engineers at 1-800-884-4967.

    Sort and Filter Time Domain Reflectometer

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    Megger TDR2050 Time Domain Reflectometer
    Megger TDR2050 Time Domain Reflectometer
    Two channel cable fault locator for power applications, CAT IV 600V input protection, step and pulse TDR selections.
    $4,800.00
    Megger CFL535G Time Domain Reflectometer
    Megger CFL535G Time Domain Reflectometer
    Advanced dual channel TDR, range up to 20000m, backlit color LCD (800x480) display, designed for use on all metallic paired cables.
    $3,500.00
    Megger TDR500/3 Time Domain Reflectometer
    Megger TDR500/3 Time Domain Reflectometer
    Ranges from 30 to 15,000ft; ±1% accuracy; test leads included.
    $980.00
    AEMC Fault Mapper CA7024 Cable Tester
    AEMC Fault Mapper CA7024 Cable Tester
    0 to 6000 ft range; ±2% reading.
    $599.00 $569.05
    AEMC Fault Meter Pro CA7027 Cable Tester
    AEMC Fault Meter Pro CA7027 Cable Tester
    11 range scales indicating cable faults and terminations up to 19,000ft.
    $999.00 $949.05
    Megger CFL510G Time Domain Reflectometer
    Megger CFL510G Time Domain Reflectometer
    Hand held, 30ft to 15,000ft range, ±1% accuracy, test leads included.
    $2,085.00
    Megger TDR2010 Time Domain Reflectometer
    Megger TDR2010 Time Domain Reflectometer
    Dual Channel capability with dual aspect display, range up to 20000m with a minimum resolution of 0.1m.
    $3,810.00
    AEMC Wire Mapper Pro CA7028 Cable Tester
    AEMC Wire Mapper Pro CA7028 Cable Tester
    0 to 500 ft range; ±5% accuracy; graphical and digital display of fault type and location.
    $599.00 $569.05

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