Abstract: A test system employing a plurality of disconnect devices is provided. Each load, such as a lamp, has a local disconnect device which temporarily disconnects the load in order to protect it from high voltage during the test.

Abstract: An alien cross-talking testing system employs a plurality of alien cross-talk test signal units, an alien cross-talk measurement unit and an interconnection base unit. Each alien cross-talk test signal unit is in electrical communication with a different disturber cable to participate in a transmission of a RF test signal thereon. The alien cross-talk measurement unit is in electrical communication with a victim cable to measure an alien cross-talk signal generated on the victim cable in response to any alien cross-talk coupling between the victim cable and one or more of the disturber cables. The interconnection base unit is in electrical communication with the alien cross-talk measurement unit and the plurality of alien cross-talk test signals units to control non-simultaneous transmissions by the plurality of alien cross-talk test signal units of the RF test signals at a same frequency on the disturber cables as commanded by the alien cross-talk measurement unit.

Abstract: An alien cross-talk method involves a victim cable and one or more disturber cables. The method encompasses a transmission of a RF test signal on each disturber cable between an alien cross-talk test signal unit connected to one end of a disturber cable and another alien cross-talk test signal unit connected to the other end of the disturber cable. The method further involves a measurement of an alien cross-talk signal generated on the victim cable in response to each cross-talk coupling of the victim cable and the disturber cable(s) based on the transmission of the RF test signal(s) on the disturber cable(s). The RF test signal(s) can be in the form of a RF frequency sweep and the measurement of the alien cross-talk signal can involve an execution of a RF frequency measurement sweep for acquiring samples of the alien cross-talk signal generated on the victim cable.

Abstract: A fluid detection cable is described for use in detecting the presence of leaks in areas where a particular fluid is not desired. Sensing leads in the fluid detection cable have a center conductor that may be surrounded with a non-porous conductive polymer coating that protects the conductors from corrosive fluids. A non-conductive polymer at least partially surrounds the sensing leads so that a fluid transmission pat allows fluid to contact the conductive polymer. The non-conductive polymer may be porous to provide a fluid transmission path. Fluid transmission paths may also be structurally formed in the non-conductive polymer. The non-conductive polymer protects the sensing leads from false alarms that would occur if the conductive polymer were to be in contact with non-fluid conductive surfaces. The cable may also include monitor leads that are conductors coated with, or embedded in, non-conductive non-porous polymers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pre-qualifying lines with respect to estimating the insertion loss of the line is presented. End-to-end insertion loss at high frequencies is estimated from measurements made at low frequencies through the voice switch at the central office of a telephone company. An AC voltage waveform is applied to the telephone line being tested. Real and imaginary components of the resultant waveform are measured. These measurements are captured and used to estimate the insertion loss of the telephone line at frequencies in the range of 40 kHz to 300 kHz.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the integrity of a wire is provided, which includes a TDR instrument for generating a pulse waveform for transmission through the wire. The apparatus also includes a function generator for generating an electrical or non-electrical forcing waveform for transmission through the wire. The pulse waveform is transmitted through the wire in combination with the forcing waveform and a detector measures a change in dissipation factor values along the wire.

Abstract: A method of testing a cable is provided. The method includes measuring at least one inductive ratio for the cable, determining an inductive gap from the at least one inductive ratio, measuring a parallel impedance of the cable, and determining a resistance of the cable based on the inductive gap and the parallel impedance.

Abstract: A cable tester includes a pretest module that senses activity on a cable and selectively enables testing depending upon the sensed activity. A test module is enabled by the pretest module, transmits test pulses on the cable, measures a refelction amplitude, calculates a cable length, and determines a cable status based on the measures amplitude and the calculated cable length. A polarity detector communicates with the cable tester and detects a polarity of at least one pair of the cable. The test module senses activity on a first pair of the cable, enables testing if activity is not detected for a first period, and enables testing of the first pair if, during the first period, activity is detected on the first pair and is subsequently not detected on the first pair for a second period after the activity is detected.

Abstract: A short circuit detector for a fieldbus network which includes power/data wires that are typically positive and negative, respectively, and a shield conductor connected to a ground includes first and second high-impedance semiconductor circuits coupled between each of the leads and the shield conductors. Both circuits may either have a dedicated alarm indicator which indicates the presence of a short circuit between that conductor and the shield and/or may be coupled together to an alarm circuit which activates an alarm whenever a short circuit exists between either of the power/data leads and the shield conductor. The alarm circuit may have a ground which is isolated from the shield ground and may thus employ an isolation device such as an opto-isolator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the insertion loss of a conductor. The method includes introducing a test signal into a first signal transmission path and a second signal transmission path. The conductor is included in the first path but at least partially excluded from the second path. The method includes measuring the strength of the test signal from the two paths and obtaining the insertion loss of the conductor from the two measured values.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a system for determining wear of an electrical element. The system includes a current source, a voltmeter and a control unit. The control unit is operable to couple the current source and the voltmeter to a first spare electrical element in a device under test, determine a characteristic physical property of the first spare electrical element and determine a wear characteristic for a primary electrical element in the device under test based upon the characteristic physical property of the first spare electrical element.

Abstract: A procedure and a system for the evaluation of the quality and/or efficiency of a cable or a cable segment by a current measurement is disclosed. This is achieved by supplying between the core and the screen of a cable a voltage with alternating polarity and rectangular shape. The periodic duration' of this voltage is selected in a way so as to permit the current measurement of the charge current shortly before a polarity reversal, providing a current value equal to the leakage current.

Abstract: A physical layer device is adapted to communicate with a cable medium and communicates with an indicator. The physical layer device includes a first input/output terminal, a first transceiver that communicates with the first input/output terminal that is adapted to be connected to a cable medium, and a cable tester that tests the cable medium and determines a cable status using a pretest module. The pretest module senses activity on the cable medium and enables testing if activity is not detected for a first period, and a test module that is enabled by said pretest module, transmits a test pilse on the cable medium, measures a reflection amplitude and calculates a cable length. The cable tester determines the cable status based on the measured amplitude and the calculated cable length, and the indicator indicates at least one of cable testing status during the test and the cable status after the trst.

Abstract: A physical layer device is provided that includes an autonegotiation circuit that negotiates a link with a link partner at first and second link speeds. The physical layer device also includes a cable tester that tests a cable and that determines a cable status of the cable before autonegotiation circuit negotiates the link at the first and second link speeds.

Abstract: A LAN tester has display and remote units each having a connector jack attached to an adapter board for connection to the plug of a patch cord. Both the display and remote units have circuits which are capable of measuring the phase between a drive signal voltage and the corresponding coupled or reflected signal due to the drive signal. Scattering parameters for the mated connector pairs and the patch cord itself are measured during a field calibration. A computer in one or both of the tester units stores the measured scattering parameters and uses the scattering parameters to move the reference plane to any desired location along the patch cord. The length of the patch cord can be determined through the use of phase by measuring the frequency difference between adjacent maxima of a plot of input impedance versus frequency.

Abstract: To provide protection for power supplies in which a plurality of paralleled identical DC power cables are provided between a source and a load, one aspect of the present invention provides a method for detecting conditions in parallel DC power cables. The method includes supplying current from a power supply to each of a plurality of DC power cables, determining an average current per cable flowing in the plurality of parallel DC power cables, comparing currents in each of the DC power cables with the determined average current, and signaling the existence of a condition in response to the comparison.

Abstract: Initialization of a bidirectional, self-timed parallel interface with capacitive coupling is provided. The self-timed interface includes master and slave nodes connected by a parallel bus comprising multiple AC differential wire pairs. The initialization includes automatically testing at least one wire pair of the multiple AC differential wire pairs for conductivity failure, wherein the testing is responsive to a link reset signal of a first frequency. The automatically testing includes employing a link test signal of a second frequency to test the at least one wire pair of the multiple AC differential wire pairs. The second frequency is a lower frequency than a third, operational signal frequency of the self-timed parallel interface, and the first frequency and the second frequency comprise different frequencies. An initialization testing and handshake approach between the master node and slave node is also provided.

Abstract: A physical layer device according to some implementations includes a cable tester that generates a test pulse on a cable and that determines a cable status including an open status, a short status, and a normal status. A cable impedance estimator communicates with the cable tester and estimates an impedance of the cable based on a reflection amplitude of the test pulse.

Abstract: A measurement connector for connecting a device to testing network cabling is provided. The device includes a device housing having a coupling portion and a test module retained by the device housing and having circuitry to promote testing of a channel of the network cabling. A biased connector extends from the device housing and communicates with the circuitry of the test module. An adapter housing is configured to couple with the coupling portion of the device housing. A mating portion promotes connection to the network cabling and is coupled to the adapter housing. A contact communicates with the mating portion and is coupled to the adapter housing such that the biased connector contacts the contact when the adapter housing is coupled to the device housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method to passively monitor the performance of an electrical circuit designed to drive to a remote electric motor, including faults that occur intermittently. The invention is capable of identifying the location and type of malfunction in the event of the fault, using a fault verification operation. This includes implementing a predetermined operating mode using electrical circuits to the remote-drive electric motor, and monitoring continuously each of the inputs of the remote-drive electric motor, and communicating this information to an external controller.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided that can facilitate providing test data for communications cables to remotely located customers. A customer accesses a server of a cable manufacturer via a client program executing on a client device. The server accepts entry of identification information for a communications cable (e.g., a unique identifier printed on the cable at predetermined intervals) via the remotely located client device. The server retrieves test data for the communications cable based on the entered information and provides the retrieved test data to the client device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for detection of a shielding fault in a multiwire cable forming part of a communication network, during functional operation of the said network, the said cable (10) transferring a multiframe signal S(t), which comprises the following steps: a disturbing signal I(t) is injected into the said cable through an injection clamp (14) for a determined time T, when an item of equipment (12) receives the signal S(t), the number N of frames in fault during the injection period of the disturbing signal I(t) is counted, it is decided that there is a shielding fault in this cable if N/T?TEPmax, where TEPmax is the maximum packet error rate to be guaranteed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are employed for individually monitoring the connectivity status of cables connected at a cable modem termination system (CMTS), where the cables conduct upstream and downstream RF communication signals. The monitoring is self-contained within the CMTS. The monitoring is achieved by producing a reference signal having a frequency outside the frequency range of the RF communication signals. The reference signal is injected onto the RF communication signal. The power level of the reference signal is detected within the CMTS, whereby the power level correlates with an expected cable load impedance. A DC control voltage based on the detected power level of the reference signal is generated, which allows a controller to determine the connectivity statuses of the connected cables.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pre-qualifying lines with respect to estimating the insertion loss of the line is presented. End-to-end insertion loss at high frequencies is estimated from measurements made at low frequencies through the voice switch at the central office of a telephone company. An AC voltage waveform is applied to the telephone line being tested. Real and imaginary components of the resultant waveform are measured. These measurements are captured and used to estimate the insertion loss of the telephone line at frequencies in the range of 40 kHz to 300 kHz.

Abstract: An interface for a bus test instrument is readily adaptable for testing a wide range of bus types. The interface includes a pair of transmit lines and a pair of receive lines. A transmitting circuit is adaptable for transmitting either single-ended or differential signals over the transmit lines, and at least one receiving circuit is adaptable for receiving either single-ended or differential signals from either the receive lines or the transmit lines. The flexible interface allows the testing of single-ended and differential busses, as well as busses that support both unidirectional and bidirectional communication.

Abstract: A wiring harness is provided for conveying signals representing measurements made at a first location to a measuring instrument remotely located from the first location. The harness includes a first cable having an outer sheath with a first diameter and a plurality of coaxial cables arranged within the outer sheath of the first cable. A plurality of contacts is arranged on the outer sheath of the first cable. Each of the contacts is electrically connected to a respective inner conductor of one of the plurality of coaxial cables.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for electrical cable identification that is both expeditiously and easily deployed, lightweight to facilitate on-person portability, and provides quick on-site identification of both primary and secondary cables, including grounded secondary cables/conductors.

Abstract: A device for measuring the AC voltage drop across a series of connections under load with no direct electrical contact to the conductors. The presence of a substantial resistance at series contacts is indicative of a series arcing fault. The device comprises a capacitive probe for clamping to the outer insulation layer of the wire to sense a first voltage at a first node. The device further comprises a floating high-impedance meter having a ground reference coupled to the source of common-mode voltage at a second node, the floating high-impedance meter being adapted to measure a voltage difference between the two nodes and being further adapted to indicate the presence of the series fault when the measured voltage exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: A method for calibrating cables attached to a time measurement device is disclosed. Such a method may utilize a system including a calibration device that generates a plurality of synchronized measurement signals that are communicated to a time measurement device by a set of cables. By determining the relative arrival time of a common reference event of each of the measurement signals, the time measurement device can determine any skew that exists between each of the cables that input the measurement signals. The skew can then be used to compensate for varying cable skew in future time measurements. In one embodiment, the method can also be used to determine the arming latency of the time measurement device and by delaying the measurement signals in relation to the arming signals and observing the delay which causes complete synchronization of the measurement signals.

Abstract: A computer-executable method for diagnosing trouble causes in telephone cable segments when trouble data are available only for entire cables is presented. This method diagnoses problems in the components of processes when the component location of process problems is not known. It gives a statistical relationship between component attributes and process problem rates, to facilitate assessment and improvement of policies about the process. This method may be used for diagnosing systematic problems in segments of telephone cable connections of given central offices.

Abstract: A method and architecture that uses a ground-fault-circuit-interrupter (“GFCI”) proximate the tap to provide fault protection along a Low Power Network drop cable. The solution is single-ended and effective regardless of the input, impedance and type of termination equipment, such as an NIU, connected thereto. The GFCI may be incorporated into a single enclosure that includes a power passing tap and filter device, such as a low pass filter and a splitter. Application will typically be in a CATV network employing center core powering or Siamese powering. Ground fault protection is provided to personnel that contact an energized conductor of the drop cable who would therefore otherwise become an electrical path between the energized conductor and ground. A device providing this protection is typically mounted along a network cable proximate a tap point reasonably is inaccessible, except to service personnel.

Abstract: A cable-testing arrangement for rapidly testing a plurality of telecommunications cables includes a cable-testing adapter by which test signals can be directed along the plurality of cables from a patch panel at once. A technician completes the tests by making appropriate measurements at the terminations of the cables without having to return to the patch panel until all measurements have been taken.

Abstract: A device and method for imparting movement to a selected line are disclosed. A device incorporating teachings of the present invention may include a motion arm extending through an opening in the housing of the device. The arm may be coupled to a connection clip that can grip a selected line. The selected line may include, for example, twisted pair, coaxial cable, optical cable, shielded high-gauge wire, etc. In some embodiments, the arm of the device is coupled to a motion generator that imparts movement to the motion arm in at least one direction. In operation, the imparted movement may be conveyed through the motion arm and the connection clip to the selected wire.

Abstract: A capacitance monitoring system includes a capacitance gauge head for monitoring the capacitance between a measuring electrode and an electric cable travelling along a path parallel to the measuring electrode. The output from the capacitor gauge head is fed to a Fast Fourier Transform device (40) to produce, to indicate discrete cyclical faults in the cable and the frequencies to which they would be relevant. A cable speed detector (44) feeds a reference table device which stores different correction factors to correct the amplitude of the cyclical faults detected due to the attenuation imposed on the measured signal because of the specific length of the electrode. A multiplier (46) multiplies the cyclical fault signals detected by the relevant factors from the reference table device (42).

Abstract: A signal testing implementation provides significant advantages over conventional signal testing techniques. According to an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for enabling signal testing such as SCSI signal testing in a test configuration includes a portable cable environment having a plurality of cables exhibiting a plurality of lengths and impedances. A user can selectively connect any one of the cables between a host device such as a server and a target device such as a disk subsystem. Signal measurement connectors which are connectable to the portable cable environment may be provided. According to an embodiment, each of the signal measurement connectors includes one or more test measurement points to enable collection of signal testing results.

Abstract: A device (32) determines the location of a fault in an underground cable causing an earth leakage path from an internal conductor to earth at the location of the fault, such that when a signal is applied to the conductor, an earth leakage signal flows between the earth and conductor at the location of the fault. A multi-frequency signal is applied to the cable, this having at least two frequency components. Probes (24a, 24b) are positionable to receive the earth leakage signal. A processor (50) rectifies a first component of the earth leakage signal, corresponding to one frequency component of the applied signal, multiplies the rectified first component of the earth leakage signal with a second component of the earth linkage signal, corresponding to another frequency component of the applied signal, and from the result of that multiplication indicates the direction from the device to the fault.

Abstract: In an electrical apparatus wherein electrical devices are interconnected by coupling connectors and a desired interconnection of devices is achieved by an intended interconnection of mating components of coupling connectors, identification elements in one mating component of each connector produce identification signals representing identity of the mating component. Decoding means responsive to the identification signals produce an error signal representing an interconnection of connector components differing from the intended interconnection and, means responsive to the error signal effects a response when the actual interconnection of components differs from the intended interconnection of components. Responses are, advantageously, activation of an error indicator, inhibition of application of power to affected devices, or, with program controlled systems, display of a text error message, facilitation of user intervention for error correction, or automated re-programming to overcome interconnection errors.

Abstract: A cable continuity test system, comprising a terminator unit electrically connected to a first side of a cable to be tested, and a test set unit electrically connected to a first side of the cable. The test set unit includes a display and further includes a microprocessor adapted for performing standard continuity tests. The test unit stores records for each site tested with a time and date stamp. The terminator unit is a programmable unit, and preferably is capable of being programmed with a unique terminator ID between the numbers of 00 and 99.

Abstract: A tester for testing multiconductor cable having a first tester is connectable to a first end of the multiconductor cable. The first tester produces one or more test signals individually on each conductor of the cable. A second tester is connectable to the second end of the cable at a remote location. The second tester monitors each of the plurality of separate conductors to detect the test signals produced by the first tester. Preferably, a first wireless transceiver is provided for the first tester that wirelessly transmits control signals to automatically coordinate testing procedure control. A second wireless transceiver joined to the second tester wirelessly transmits test result data.

Abstract: The present invention is a apparatus and method for accurately finding a location of a fault in a fiber cable where a cable locating current is leaking to ground. The system includes a sensor body, voltage probes mounted in the body to face the cable, a reference voltage input and a voltage comparator that compares the reference voltage to a measured voltage at the probes. Use of the system may include applying a conductive medium such as a conductive gel between the probes and the cable.

Abstract: A portable and easy to use tester for validating the accuracy of wiring diagram manuals and for testing modifications and new installations for proper wiring. The invention also provides an easy way to create a wire list describing all the interconnections between attached connectors. The tester can also be used as a troubleshooting tool without having a previously learned cable reference. The invention further tests wiring insulation in a wiring harness and identifies poor wire to wire and wire to ground insulation. Finally the present invention provides a system for generating a wiring diagram based upon the results of a wiring validation series of checks/tests.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) and method (300) for determining the status of a electric cable (20) is provided. The apparatus (100) rigidly includes a probe (104) having coaxial contacts (150, 152) and including a melt unit (102) configured to melt an insulating jacket (32) of the cable (20), an instrumentation unit (106) coupled to the probe (104) and housing a cable analysis circuit (186), a status display unit (188) coupled to the instrumentation unit (106), an insulated shank (108) coupled to the instrumentation unit (106), and a hotstick adapter (110) coupled to the insulated shank (108). The cable analysis circuit (186) includes a connection determination circuit (200) configured to determine if an electrical connection between the probe (104) and the cable (20) is a valid connection, and a status determination circuit (222) configured to determine the status of the cable (20) while the electrical connection is a valid connection.

Abstract: A method of detecting for a fault on one of a plurality of adjacent, alternating current carrying conductors; the method comprising the steps of detecting the waveform of a first component of a magnetic field vector representative of the magnetic field around the plurality of conductors at a location along the conductors; detecting the waveform of a second component of the magnetic field vector; monitoring, at the location, the two waveforms for any change in the waveforms; and detecting for a fault on one of the plurality of the conductors as indicated by a change in either one or both of the waveforms.

Abstract: A system for testing a bus connector comprising an electronically controlled switch operatively coupled to be controlled by a microprocessor, the system having a first input operatively coupled to receive power from an internal power supply and a second input operatively coupled to receive power from a power supply connector, and an output operatively coupled to power an output display selectively from either power supplies.

Abstract: The measuring precision of an electric power measuring apparatus is improved. A voltage measuring apparatus for sheathed power cable is disclosed as including; a first conductive member arranged to contact the sheathing material for sheathing a power cable conductor, a second conductive member for forming a capacitance between the ground and itself, current voltage converting operation for converting a current signal flowing between the first conductive member and the second conductive member into a voltage signal having a waveform proportional to the current signal, and a voltage value calculating operation for calculating the voltage value applied to the power cable from the signal converted by the current voltage converting operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to quickly electrically test an electrical wiring system that has a large number of contacts by maximally reducing the number of electrical tests. A plurality of contacts forming a network of an electrical wiring system is divided into a plurality of groups. The respective groups are insulated from each other. The insulated states of these groups are discriminated, and the insulated states of the respective contacts in the respective groups are discriminated if the insulated states of the respective groups are judged to be satisfactory.

Abstract: The present invention is a non-invasive cable tester. The cable tester comprises a sensor for detecting an electric field emitted by a live electric cable. The resulting signal from the sensor is then filtered, amplified, and compared to a threshold value to determine the energization status of the electric cable. A meter can be provided to get a reading of the amplified signal that can be compared to a predetermined threshold value. Also, a detector circuit can be provided that includes a comparator in electrical communication with a light-emitting device such as a light-emitting diode. The detector circuit processes the amplified signal and compares it to a predetermined threshold value. If the electric cable is energized, the output of the comparator either causes the light-emitting device to emit light or not emit light, as desired. This enables an operator to determine the status of the electric cable simply by determining whether the light-emitting device is lit.

Abstract: A sensor for a power distribution system includes: a conductor; a core proximate the conductor; and a reed switch adjacent the core, the reed switch in electrical communication with an electronic trip unit. A power distribution system includes: an upstream circuit breaker including an electronic trip unit; a downstream circuit breaker in electrical communication with the upstream circuit breaker; a first sensor positioned downstream from the downstream circuit breaker, the first sensor includes: a conductor in electrical communication with the downstream circuit breaker; a core located proximate the conductor; and a reed switch adjacent the core, the reed switch in electrical communication with the electronic trip unit.

Abstract: A voltage testing apparatus for electrical railways is disclosed consisting in one embodiment of a transportable pole-mounted electrical power indicator, electrically conducting wire-engaging means such as a hook attached to one end of the pole and electrically connected to the indicator, and a ground-connecting device such as an electrically conducting magnet also electrically connected to the indicator. An electrical circuit is completed between the cable, the indicator and the rail by placing the hook on an overhead railway cable and attaching the magnet to a roadbed rail. An LED array and voltmeter configuration constituting the indicator illuminate and show whether voltage is present.

Abstract: A procedure and a system for the evaluation of the quality and/or efficiency of a cable or a cable segment by a current measurement is disclosed. This is achieved by supplying between the core and the screen of a cable a voltage with alternating polarity and rectangular shape. The periodic duration' of this voltage is selected in a way so as to permit the current measurement of the charge current shortly before a polarity reversal, providing a current value equal to the leakage current.