Tempo Communications CableScout TV220E Instruction Manual
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Tempo Communications Manuals
  4. Measuring Instruments
  5. TV220E
  6. Instruction manual

Tempo Communications CableScout TV220E Instruction Manual

Metallic time-domain reflectometer
Hide thumbs Also See for CableScout TV220E:
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
TV220E and TV220EX CableScout™
Metallic Time-Domain Reflectometer for Cable TV
Read and understand all the instructions for use and safety information
before you use this tool. To receive updates about this product and its
software register at www.TempoCom.com.
TV220E-MAN Rev. 0
© Tempo Communications 2022
2023-01-30

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the CableScout TV220E and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Related Manuals for Tempo Communications CableScout TV220E

Summary of Contents for Tempo Communications CableScout TV220E

  • Page 1 Metallic Time-Domain Reflectometer for Cable TV Read and understand all the instructions for use and safety information before you use this tool. To receive updates about this product and its software register at www.TempoCom.com. TV220E-MAN Rev. 0 © Tempo Communications 2022 2023-01-30...
  • Page 2 BLANK PAGE 30 January 2023 TV220E Instruction...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents Preface ........................... 7 Description ........................7 Safety .......................... 7 Purpose of this Manual ....................7 Warranty ........................7 Important Safety Information .................... 8 Contact Details ......................9 How to Use this Manual ....................10 Chapter 1. TestWizard ....................13 Getting Started ......................
  • Page 4 Normal Working Range ................... 27 Time and Date ......................27 Product Information ....................28 Chapter 4. Testing a Cable ..................... 31 Connection ........................ 31 Cable Type ........................ 32 Testing ........................32 Auto TDR Mode ...................... 32 Automatic Event Detection ..................33 Manual TDR Mode ....................
  • Page 5 Chapter 10. Tips and Tricks for Effective TDR Testing ............72 Time Domain Reflectometry ..................72 Basic Trace Analysis ....................72 Cable Fundamentals ....................72 Conductors & Insulators ..................73 Velocity of Propagation ................... 74 Cable Impedance ....................74 Interpreting the Trace ..................... 75 Testing Other Cable Types ..................
  • Page 6 BLANK PAGE 30 January 2023 TV220E Instruction...

  • Page 7: Preface

    We aim to keep this manual up to date with software changes. Warranty Tempo Communications Inc. warrants to the original purchaser of these goods for use that these products will be free from defects in workmanship and material for one year. This warranty is subject to the same terms and conditions contained in Tempo Communications Inc.’s standard one-year limited warranty.

  • Page 8: Important Safety Information

    Important Safety Information SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL This symbol is used to call your attention to hazards or unsafe practices which could result in an injury or property damage. The signal word, defined below, indicates the severity of the hazard. The message after the signal word provides information for preventing or avoiding the hazard.

  • Page 9: Contact Details

    Contact Details  www.tempocom.com USA Headquarters Tempo Communications Inc. 1390 Aspen Way, Vista, 92081, California USA  +1 800 642 2155 e- support@tempocom.com EMEA Sales Office Tempo Europe Limited, Suite 8, Brecon House, William Brown Close, Cwmbran, NP44 3AB UK ...

  • Page 10: How To Use This Manual

    How to Use this Manual Note: The procedures mentioned in this manual apply to instruments running software available at the time of publication (30/01/2023). Tempo Communications operate a policy of continuous improvement, and you may notice small or large changes to some operations as a result of software updates or instrument options.
  • Page 11 TestWizard TV220E Instruction 30 January 2023...
  • Page 12 BLANK PAGE 30 January 2023 TV220E Instruction...

  • Page 13: Chapter 1. Testwizard

    Chapter 1. TestWizard TestWizard is the quickest and easiest way to test a cable and to find events. Set a few parameters and the TV220 then automatically tests the cable and displays a trace with the events marked. The automatic event detection system is optimised for use on cables with well controlled impedance, such as coaxial cables.

  • Page 14: Testing & Checking Event Details

    The event detector must be set to “on” or “auto” to operate. When “on” this will highlight events only on the visible window chosen by yourself. When set to “auto” this will highlight events on the entire length of cable (up to the limit chosen below). Now set the working range to a sensible distance for the cable you are testing;...
  • Page 15 Controls & Connections TV220E Instruction 30 January 2023...
  • Page 16 BLANK PAGE 30 January 2023 TV220E Instruction...

  • Page 17: Chapter 2. Controls And Connections

    Chapter 2. Controls and Connections Connections TV220E USB Drive Dust cover 12V DC In (file transfer) Test Port Strap Ethernet* Attachment Micro Charge Points status LED USB* TV220EX Dust cover USB Drive (file transfer) Test Port Micro Ethernet* USB* TV220E Instruction 30 January 2023...

  • Page 18: Controls

    Charge status LED You charge TV220EX using the 12V dc port on the right- hand side of the unit. The status LED is alongside. Red 12V DC In for charging, green for full. This simplifies charging in a van with the unit closed. Controls 7”...

  • Page 19: Display

    Another press of about one second will return the unit to “standby” state. The power button illuminates blue during start up and shut down. Menu Button The “hamburger” menu button is active when in TDR mode and provides quick access to the following: •...

  • Page 20: Connectors

    Current cable type selected (or “custom”) USB drive status (connected or not) Measurement range limit or not Battery status In TDR mode, the upper trace area shows detail, whilst the lower trace shows an overview of the entire cable alongside four “parameter” buttons. The area highlighted in the “overview” trace represents the area shown in the “detail”...

  • Page 21: Getting Started

    Getting Started After charging the TV220E and then powering it up with a press of the power button, you will be presented with a screen like this: These four icons on the “Home” screen represent the main applications of the TV220E. Each can be directly tapped on the touchscreen, or you can use the cursor keys to select one then press the enter key: TDR: the main application of the unit.

  • Page 22: Accessories

    Accessories Straps Both TV220E and TV220EX are supplied with an optional shoulder strap. This can be attached to the two shackles on the back of the TV220EX or to the stainless pins either side of the rear connection plate of the TV220E. To remove the shoulder strap, squeeze the sprung barb of the hook and manipulate the hook off the pin or shackle.
  • Page 23 Setting Up the Instrument TV220E Instruction 30 January 2023...
  • Page 24 BLANK PAGE 30 January 2023 TV220E Instruction...

  • Page 25: Chapter 3. Setting Up

    Chapter 3. Setting Up After selecting “SETTINGS” from the home screen you can configure the TV220E as you would like. Use the f1 to f4 keys or the icons above them to choose which section you would like to configure, f5 exits the settings screens back to the home screen. General Settings Here you can set: •...

  • Page 26: Language

    Tip: To force the TV220E to fully power down, if you are not using it for some time, press and hold the power button, for over twenty seconds, until you see the blue backlight of the power button turn off. The unit is then fully powered off. Rebooting from fully powered off will take approximately two to three minutes, while restarting from standby takes approximately eight seconds.

  • Page 27: End Of Cable Detector

    build up a record of the cable over time, this is useful if there are conditions on the cable that change with time, perhaps a loose connection, these will be highlighted on the trace. End of Cable Detector This allows you to choose whether to allow TV220E to try to automatically find the end of a cable, up to a limit of approximately 2km (6kft) or not.

  • Page 28: Product Information

    Product Information This screen shows you: • Information about the unit including its model name and serial number, current software versions, the Wi-Fi SSID (name) and password (where enabled) and the most recent calibration date. • If you connect a USB drive that holds a valid software update file, then the “Update Software”...
  • Page 29 Testing a Cable TV220E Instruction 30 January 2023...
  • Page 30 BLANK PAGE 30 January 2023 TV220E Instruction...

  • Page 31: Chapter 4. Testing A Cable

    Chapter 4. Testing a Cable If you are a beginner or want to refresh your knowledge, or wish to gain more background on the fundamental principles of TDR please refer to chapter 10 Tips and Tricks for Effective TDR Test. In this chapter we will explain the user interface and how this relates to making TDR measurements.

  • Page 32: Cable Type

    Cable Type From the Home screen’s Cable Library or the Cable Library button within the TDR application you can choose the type of cable that you will be testing. Please see Chapter 5 for details on how to manipulate the cable library. Testing There are two main ways to test a cable Auto and Manual modes.

  • Page 33: Automatic Event Detection

    Detail of Auto Mode Controls Pulse width Gain (manual mode only) Smoothing Vp adjustment (manual mode only) “Button” Navigation Controls The center button acts as an “enter” or “select” control for highlighted items on the screen but in the “TDR” test window toggles the “highlight” between the “detail” and “overview” traces.
  • Page 34 Next choose the event detector mode; this can be set to Off (no events are flagged), On (events are flagged in the active area), Auto (events are flagged in the trace out as far as the test limit set above or approximately 2km, 6kft if no user limit is set) Choose whether to display event scale in Return Loss (RL) or Event Return Loss (ERL).

  • Page 35: Manual Tdr Mode

    Manual TDR Mode If you want to fully control all aspects of the TDR including setting custom velocity of propagation or using different pulse widths, then choose “Manual TDR”. If you are in Auto mode, press f1 (labelled Auto) and you should see f2 becomes “A > M” representing switch from Auto to Manual mode.

  • Page 36: Returning To Auto Mode

    VoP Units The velocity of propagation can be expressed as a simple factor (0.300 to 1.000) of the speed of light in a vacuum. Or in feet per microsecond or metres per microsecond or as a percentage. However, VoP when entered directly must always be entered as a factor between 0.3 and 1.0 the speed of light.
  • Page 37 Test Types From the “quick menu” you can choose the test type being used within the TDR application: If you do not have any other traces loaded into memory then you will only see the options for “live trace” and “intermittent” mode as shown to the left.
  • Page 38 Saved Trace If you have selected a previously saved trace from the files menu or “results” mini application, then you will see additional options for the test type shown on the “quick menu”; these are: • Saved Trace. Static display of a saved trace.
  • Page 39 Cable Library TV220E Instruction 30 January 2023...
  • Page 40 BLANK PAGE 30 January 2023 TV220E Instruction...

  • Page 41: Chapter 5. Cable Library

    Chapter 5. Cable Library Your TV220E comes with a pre-installed cable library of typical cable TV coaxial cables. But these are not the only cable types that you can test. It is important to remember that time domain reflectometry can be applied to many different types of cables. Please see chapter 10 for lots of information on how to test cables other than coaxial.
  • Page 42 highlighted cable. The parameters of this cable will now be used for testing until another cable is chosen or parameters are adjusted manually in the “manual” mode. Save cable Delete Select Add cable Exit library cable cable 30 January 2023 TV220E Instruction...

  • Page 43: Adding A Cable

    Adding a Cable After tapping or clicking “Add a new cable” (f1): Tap on the “Name” box or highlight it using the cursor keys and enter, then you can enter the name of the cable: Press or tap on the “Save” icon (f1) to use the name entered. TV220E Instruction 30 January 2023...
  • Page 44 Enter the “velocity of propagation” Vp of the cable. This must be done in the form of a factor of the speed of light 0.xxx, you only need enter the digits xxx, the zero is implied. Select and enter or tap on “Save”. Enter the “loss per 100m at 500MHz”...
  • Page 45 Once all details are entered, you can choose to set the cable type, but this is optional and only for your reference. Once all details are entered, Select and enter or tap on the save icon. Notes It is not currently possible to edit an existing cable on the TV220E itself. You can export the cable library and then edit the library on a PC and re-import the library or simply delete the cable and re-create it which only takes a short time.
  • Page 46 BLANK PAGE 30 January 2023 TV220E Instruction...
  • Page 47 Saving and Loading Traces TV220E Instruction 30 January 2023...
  • Page 48 BLANK PAGE 30 January 2023 TV220E Instruction...

  • Page 49: Chapter 6. Saving And Loading Traces

    Chapter 6. Saving and Loading Traces One of the powerful features of the CableScout TV220E is that you can make comparative measurements between old and new traces. This may be because you record “as installed” traces when cables are new or were previously tested and comparing this to the current state of the cable could give a good sign of where a fault may have developed.
  • Page 50 that may be before or after the current visible trace on the screen. A “maximum” length saved trace can be further analysed “offline” later. To save or load a trace, first tap on the “floppy disc” icon (f5)… Save Trace You will then see the “files”...

  • Page 51: Copying Files From Tv220E To Usb

    To load an existing trace into memory of the TV220E, perhaps to make a comparison of an old trace to the live then you highlight the chosen trace in the list and press the “load” button (f2). If you then choose to show the saved trace, or live trace & saved trace etc. in the TDR then this trace will be used.
  • Page 52 When the “results” screen is chosen you will see a screen that lists the files currently visible on the “local” and “USB” drives: From here you can highlight a file to work with, either using the cursor keys (up and down) or by tapping directly on the screen.
  • Page 53 Maintenance TV220E Instruction 30 January 2023...
  • Page 54 BLANK PAGE 30 January 2023 TV220E Instruction...

  • Page 55: Chapter 7. Maintenance

    Chapter 7. Maintenance For information about using your TV220E, questions on particular applications, or to send your instrument in for service, refer to the telephone numbers listed under “Warranty” in the Preface section of the manual. Error Messages Most error messages are the result of an internal failure, either hardware or software. If any error message is displayed, write down the error message and include it when you call or send the instrument in for service.
  • Page 56 BLANK PAGE 30 January 2023 TV220E Instruction...
  • Page 57 Specifications TV220E Instruction 30 January 2023...
  • Page 58 BLANK PAGE 30 January 2023 TV220E Instruction...

  • Page 59: Chapter 8. Specifications

    Chapter 8. Specifications Maximum range: 5.58 km (when Vp=0.93) Trace buffer: 0 to 20,000ns Basic Accuracy: ±0.01% ±300ps Horizontal Resolution (ns): 0.05 to 20 ns (varies with range) Gain 3 to 90dB in 3dB steps Pulse Widths: 1, 5, 25, 125, 250, 500 ns. Pulse Shapes: Raised Cosine (1, 5, 25 ns), Smooth Square (125, 250, 500 ns) Velocity Factor (Vp) Range:...
  • Page 60 Battery Maintenance: The battery is managed by an internal battery management system and designed to supply many years of service. Power Input: 12V dc (11 to 15V) at up to 2.5A. 5.5/2.1 Barrel connector, centre positive Environment Storage Temperature: -20 to +60 C Operating Temperature -10 to +50 C Battery charging...

  • Page 61: Kit Content

    Kit Content Note that kits for some customers may differ. Check with your supervisor if you believe that something is missing. Here we describe the standard kits available from Tempo Communications under the model names TV220E and TV220EX. TV220E Kit Description Quantity Spare...

  • Page 62: Tv220Ex Kit

    12V DC ???* Power Cord for Vehicle Quick Reference Guide TV220EX Kit Description Quantity TV220EX Main Unit Shoulder strap for TV220E Accessory Pouch 601C Universal AC to 12V adaptor RG6U Quick Connect test cord F-F “barrel” connectors F-BNC Adaptor BNC-Alligator Clips Adaptor CommScope SV-03 Test Port Adaptor 12V DC Power Cord for Vehicle Quick Reference Guide...
  • Page 63 BLANK PAGE TV220E Instruction 30 January 2023...
  • Page 64 Glossary 30 January 2023 TV220E Instruction...
  • Page 65 BLANK PAGE TV220E Instruction 30 January 2023...

  • Page 66: Chapter 9. Glossary

    Chapter 9. Glossary Alternating Current: a method of delivering electrical energy by periodically changing the direction of the flow of electric current in the circuit or cable. Even electrical signals designed to deliver direct current (DC) usually fluctuate enough to have an AC component. Cable Attenuation See “Line Loss.”...
  • Page 67 Incident Pulse The pulse of electrical energy sent out by the TDR. The waveform shown by the TDR consists of this pulse and the reflections of it coming back from the cable under test. Insulation A protective coating on an electrical conductor that will not readily allow electrical energy to flow away from the conductive part of the cable or circuit.
  • Page 68 Time-Domain Reflectometer: an instrument that sends out pulses of energy and times the interval to reflections (also called cable radar). If the velocity of the energy through the cable is known, distances to faults in the cable can be computed and displayed. Conversely, the speed that energy travels through a cable of known length can also be computed.
  • Page 69 BLANK PAGE TV220E Instruction 30 January 2023...
  • Page 70 Tips and Tricks for Effective TDR Testing 30 January 2023 TV220E Instruction...
  • Page 71 BLANK PAGE TV220E Instruction 30 January 2023...

  • Page 72: Chapter 10. Tips And Tricks For Effective Tdr Testing

    Chapter 10. Tips and Tricks for Effective TDR Testing Time Domain Reflectometry A time domain reflectometer (TDR) is a device that uses a principle like RADAR to measure the time taken for a reflection to travel along a cable. The TDR sends our energy into the cable and records the reflected energy coming back to the source from “events”...

  • Page 73: Conductors & Insulators

    Conductors & Insulators Cables are made up of parts which are generally metallic often called “conductors” which are then separated from each other and “ground” by “insulators”. When we were in school, we were told that electrons in the conductors carry the electricity from one end to the other. Well, at the “macro”...

  • Page 74: Velocity Of Propagation

    symmetry axes align to the field (a good example of a molecule that can do this is water – hence why a microwave oven works). More on water later. Electric Susceptibility This is called �� and is a measure of how easily the dielectric can be polarized by an electric ��...

  • Page 75: Interpreting The Trace

    Interpreting the Trace Low impedance event High impedance event Leading edge = start of event The leading edge of any event indicates where the event is located. The left edge is the precise point where the waveform breaks the plane above or below the pulse reference line, such as shown by the red dot above.

  • Page 76: Testing Other Cable Types

    Deviations from a straight line on the trace indicate a change of impedance of the cable. Below the line where an event is of “lower impedance” than the surrounding cable. Above the line for events of “higher impedance” than the cable. The amplitude (height) of the wiggle above or below the line is directly proportional to the difference in impedance (see “reflection co-efficient”...

  • Page 77: Fundamentals

    Fundamentals Cables and Velocities of Propagation Cable Construction The metals used, “shape” and general makeup of the cable have negligible effect on “speed”. Twisted pairs or coax made with similar materials have the same “speed” – but different frequency responses. Dielectric Interaction Cables conduct electric fields from A to B.

  • Page 78: Cable Impedance

    Cable Impedance You probably already know about “resistance” which can be expressed in ohms; this is the ability or perhaps inability for a conductor to carry current; when some “electrical potential” (field) is applied to a conductor then a current (I) will flow and voltage (V) (assuming a “non- zero”...

  • Page 79: Reflection

    At higher frequencies: = √ �� �� �� ⁄ With some re-arranging: �� �� 59.9Ω �� √ �� ≈ 2�� �� �� �� √ �� �� Foam Dielectrics When working with “foam” dielectrics the proportion of “air” to “dielectric” determines the effective relative permittivity.

  • Page 80: Event Return Loss

    When �� then reflection is zero. When �� is less than �� then the co-efficient is = �� �� �� negative and with �� greater than �� then the co-efficient is positive. This is sometimes �� expressed as a percentage “loss”: Γ...
  • Page 81 Percentage Return Loss Some people like the simplicity of expressing the return loss as a percentage. When simply working with the reflection co-efficient in this way, rather than in decibel form allows for simpler “fault arithmetic” (adding up of reflections). The following table shows the calculated reflection co-efficient based upon the mismatch between source and load impedance.
  • Page 82 Decibel Return Loss Remember that when working in decibels, the “log” function returns an “indeterminate” result for zero. Therefore, where the impedances match, the “ERL” is a “big number”. Faults need repair when return loss is less than about 40 dB or so (you company’s threshold may differ). Adding event losses in decibels is tricky;...
  • Page 83 BLANK PAGE TV220E Instruction 30 January 2023...

  • Page 84: Index

    Index amplitude, 59, 62, 63, 66 reflection, 14, 54, 59, 61, 63, 66, 67 capacitance, 61 Return Loss, 5, 14, 47, 53, 55, 64, 66, 67, Coaxial, 5, 53, 65 Conductors, 4, 60 speed of light, 26, 37, 55, 60, 61 Dielectric, 53, 64 Susceptibility, 60 electromagnetic fields, 61...
  • Page 85 TV220E Instruction Manual USA Headquarters Tempo Communications Inc. 1390 Aspen Way, Vista, 92081 California USA  +1 800 642 2155 e- support@tempocom.com EMEA Sales Office Tempo Europe Limited, Suite 8, Brecon House, William Brown Close, Cwmbran, NP44 3AB  +44 1633 927 050 e-...

This manual is also suitable for:

Cablescout tv220ex

Table of Contents