6
English
7
English
POWER DOWn SEtUP
The CableTool will automatically turn off af-
ter the time selected in the Power Down Setup
screen. Settings available are five minutes,
fifteen minutes, thirty minutes and on (must be
turned off manually). Press the Save function key to store the selected setting.
POWER
Duration
–
The CableTool will typically provide 10-12 hours of operation from a
set of four AA alkaline batteries.
Auto Power Down
–
The CableTool will automatically turn off after the time
selected in the Power Down Setup screen or will run continuously until manually
turned off when “ON” is selected for Power Down.
Low Battery
–
When the batteries are below the level required for the CableTool
to operate properly, a “LO BATT” message appears in the upper right hand corner
of the display.
SaFEtY
Always disconnect the test leads from any cable before opening the battery
compartment cover.
UnDERStanDInG nVP
The CableTool makes a very precise measurement of the time it takes for
an electrical signal to travel down a cable, hit a short or open and travel back to
the unit. The time is converted into length based on the speed that the electrical
signal travels along the cable being tested. Different cables have different electri-
cal properties and the speed that the electrical signal travels will vary based on
the NVP of the cable.
NVP (Nominal Velocity of Propagation) is the relative speed that an electrical
signal will travel through a media. A vacuum is a perfect media with an NVP of
100. All cables have an NVP less than 100 and typically in the range of 50 to
80. Using the most accurate NVP available will provide the most accurate length
measurements.
The NVP for electrical service cables (such as Romex, BX, UF-B) varies
significantly between manufacturers and even between production lots from the
same manufacturer. Data cables have special manufacturing processes that
produce fairly consistent NVP values. The NVP of a cable can also be different if
it is wound on a spool or laying flat (installed). Data cables have the least variation
between wound and flat and some coaxial cables show significant variation.
NVP is specified for many types of cable and may be printed on the cable spool
or box. Contacting the manufacturer or checking their website can also be a
good source of accurate NVP information. Using the Custom Cable Setup to
determine the NVP of a known cable length provides accurate results. The NVP
values prestored in the CableTool provide typical values for cable types from all
manufacturers.
cablE tYPE lISt abbREVIatIOnS
The prestored Cable Type List uses the following abbreviations:
NM – Non-Metallic (Romex)
BX – Aluminum Armored Cable with Aluminum Ground
MC – Aluminum Armored Cable with Copper Ground
HC – Aluminum Armored Cable for Health Care Applications
UF – Underground Feeder (Direct Burial Cable)
SOOW – 600V Rubber Jacketed Portable Cord
EXTEN – Outdoor Extension Cable (Typically Orange Color)
W/G – With Ground Wire
ZIP – Lamp Cord
THHN xCDT – THHN Wire in Conduit
CAT – Category
PLNM – Plenum Grade
UTP – Unshielded Twisted Pair
STP – Shielded Twisted Pair
COAX – Coaxial Cable
SPKR – Speaker Wire
TEL – Telephone Twisted Pair
PIC – Plastic Insulated Conductor (Aerial TelephoneCable)
THERM – Thermostat Wire
aPPlIcatIOnS
Installation – Measure the length of a cable remaining on a spool or in a box
prior to pulling a new run.
Trouble Calls – Identify the type of fault in a cable (short or open) and the loca-
tion by measuring the distance to the fault.
Moves, Adds and Changes – Verify cable lengths are less than the maximum
100 meters allowed prior to connecting computers or network equipment.
Job Costing – Measure the actual length of cables being replaced or upgraded.
Cabling Management – Identify a wire pair on a punchdown block by locating
the transmitted tone.
