The rapid development of various information technologies, no doubt about the local area, the number of central locations is the industrial automation system, etc. Depends on the level of uniformity of each line (as in the same line, same machine, electric power, etc.). When the wire is printed, the signal can be given to the vehicle, its performance can be determined directly, and its efficiency can be determined directly. In this case, we will make sure that the line is running properly, that it is highly effective, and that the power system is safe and healthy.
During the current process, the machine has different types of wires for testing purposes, and the test equipment is used for multiple types of production. SISCO online store has a wide range of test instruments for you to choose from. Among them, it is the most representative, but also the easiest to mix and match. The former is mainly used in the communication field, depending on the performance of the connection; the latter is the physical failure point of the fast localization connection. It is important to distinguish between the two, to select the correct tool, to increase the working efficiency, to lower the operating efficiency.
Difference in Ability Orientation
The main position is the connection between the wires and the wires. Its core function comprehensive line order test, a basic communication test, a simple failure test, etc. Typical network failures, such as wire order arrangement, separate openings, short routes, etc., and the ability to distinguish between wires and short routes. This type of equipment usually has a deep fault diagnosis ability, but it is easy to operate, and the initial basic quality test is easy to use.
Under the conditions, please check the battery failure and the exact location of the battery failure. This equipment has high-quality testing technology according to the time-domain reflex counting (TDR) principle, which has the ability to localize breakpoints, short paths, and specific locations where obstacles can occur. This item usually has additional industrial failure analysis functions and can be used to eliminate failures in different stages.
Technical Principles and Functional Differences
Technical Principles of Network Cable Testers
Network cable checkers typically use multiple technologies for comprehensive evaluation:
- Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) (Basic): This technology sends a pulse signal into a cable pair and measures the time it takes for the signal to reflect back from impedance discontinuities (such as breaks and shorts) to calculate the approximate distance to the fault. This function is often used to locate simple opens and shorts or severe impedance mismatches.
- Frequency Domain Analysis: This technology measures the frequency response of the cable by sending a series of test signals at different frequencies, thereby calculating a series of key performance parameters, including:
- Wiremap: Verifies the correctness of the cable sequence.
- Length: Calculated based on propagation delay and nominal transmission speed (NVP).
Insertion Loss: The energy attenuation of the signal during transmission. - Near-End Crosstalk, Return Loss, etc.: Evaluate signal interference between cable pairs and within the cable pair.
- Digital Signal Processing: High-end certification-grade testers use DSP technology to provide more accurate and stable measurement results.
Technical Principles of Cable Fault Testers
The core technology of cable fault detectors is the higher-power and higher-precision TDR and its derivative technologies, typically used in conjunction with a high-voltage unit:
- High-voltage Pulse (flashover) Method: Conventional TDR is difficult to locate for high-resistance faults (such as poor insulation). This technique uses a high-voltage generator to apply a high-voltage pulse to the faulty cable, causing a momentary short circuit (flashover) at the fault point. This flashover produces a very distinct downward step on the TDR waveform, allowing precise location.
- Arc Reflection Method: An improvement on the above method, it synchronizes high-voltage pulse measurement with TDR reflection wave measurement, enabling clearer capture of the reflected signal from high-resistance faults.
- Secondary Pulse Method: One of the most advanced locating technologies currently available. By comparing the reflected waveform differences between a faulty cable and a healthy cable, it can transform the reflected waveform of a high-resistance fault into an easily recognizable waveform similar to a low-resistance fault, greatly improving locating accuracy and convenience.
- Acousto-magnetic Synchronization Method: When a discharge occurs at the fault point, both acoustic and electromagnetic signals are generated. By using a receiver to capture these two signals and calculating the time difference between them, the buried fault point can be precisely located above ground.
Specialized Differentiation in Application Scenarios
From an application perspective, the two types of test instruments serve different stages of the cable lifecycle.
Network & cable testers are primarily used during the acceptance phase of network infrastructure construction and for basic inspections during routine maintenance. After new network cabling is completed, technicians use network cable tracers to quickly verify cable sequence correctness and basic connectivity, ensuring that the installation complies with standard requirements. They are widely used for verifying standard network cabling in commercial buildings, data centers, and other locations.
Cable fault finders, on the other hand, are primarily used for troubleshooting and resolving complex issues during network operations and maintenance. When network performance degrades or connectivity is interrupted, maintenance personnel use cable fault locating equipment for in-depth diagnosis. They are particularly suitable for environments such as telecommunications networks and backbone networks, where extremely high fault location accuracy is required, and for complex fault scenarios such as short circuits of two or more cables (including three).
In summary, although both network cable analyzers and cable fault detector machines are used for testing cables, there are fundamental differences in their design concepts, core functions, technical principles, and application areas. A net cable tester is a performance certifier. Through precise frequency domain measurements, it comprehensively evaluates the electrical performance of communication cables for compliance with international and industry standards, ensuring they can carry high-speed, stable data transmission. Its application scenarios focus on the deployment, certification, and maintenance of high-performance networks.
A cable fault locating equipment is a fault detector. Using time-domain reflectometry, it quickly diagnoses and precisely locates physical fault points (such as opens and shorts) in cables. Its core value lies in improving troubleshooting efficiency and shortening system downtime. Its application scenarios cover a wide range of sectors, including power and telecommunications, where ensuring the physical connectivity of lines is crucial.
Properly understanding and distinguishing these two types of instruments means choosing the most appropriate tool for the distinct tasks of "inspecting a newly wired network" and "locating a dug-up cable." This not only demonstrates engineering expertise but also serves as the foundation for ensuring project quality, improving operational efficiency, and achieving cost optimization. In the future, as network speeds continue to increase and smart grids develop, these two types of instruments will evolve toward higher precision, greater intelligence, and more integrated functions. However, their respective core roles and divisions of labor will remain clear.
