Abstract: A portable hand-held apparatus for testing the presence of individual conductors in multi-conductor cables of varying types and sizes. The apparatus includes a variable-frequency scanning transmitter for connection to one end of a cable under test, and a local or remote receiver connected to the opposite end of the cable. The transmitter generates sequential frequencies to transmit signals sequentially through each of the conductors to the receiver. The transmitted frequencies contain embedded codes that are directed to each conductor containing the same position in the cable as that of the embedded code. A Lock Detection Marker pulse is generated that synchronizes the remote elements of the receiver with the sequential function of the transmitter, identifies which conductor in sequence the receiver is monitoring for cable faults, and records the test results on visual displays, affording a high degree of speed and accuracy over long transmission distances.