BI COMMUNICATIONS TX RANGER User manual
TDR Cable Fault Locator
Operating Instructions
4405200 issue 1
BI Communications
Innovation through Technology
TXTX
RangerRanger
Section 1 Receiving the TX Ranger
1.1 Safety notices.................................................4
1.2 Standards.......................................................5
Section 2 Introducing the TX Ranger
2.1 TX Ranger features........................................5
2.2 Specifications .................................................7
2.3 Accuracy ........................................................8
Section 3 First operations
3.0 Preparing the TX Ranger ...............................8
3.1 Setting Cable Parameters on Trace Display...9
3.2 Menu & screen displays .................................9
3.3 Set Unit of Measure .....................................10
3.4 Set Contrast .................................................10
3.5 Set Auto Shutdown ......................................10
3.6 Set Clock ......................................................11
3.7 Set Velocity of Propergation.........................11
3.8 Set Cable Impedance...................................12
3.9 Backlight.......................................................12
Section 4 Using the TX Ranger
4.0 Attaching Cable............................................13
4.1 Testing a cable .............................................15
4.2 Selecting range scales .................................15
4.3 Single shot and Continuous scan mode ......15
4.4 Gain Setting .................................................16
4.5 Trace Averaging ...........................................16
4.6 Tone generator .............................................17
4.7 Typical fault displays ....................................17
4.8 Typical Cable Vp & Impedance values.........18
4.9 How to determine Vp Settings......................18
Section 5 Memory Functions and Settings
5.1 Saving Traces ..............................................19
5.2 Recall Trace from Memory ...........................19
CONTENTS
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CONTENTS
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5.3 Trace Comparisons......................................19
5.4 Delete Saved Traces from Memory..............19
5.5 Download and Upload Functions .................20
Section 6 Maintenance
6.1 Battery replacement .....................................21
6.2 Cleaning .......................................................21
6.3 Storage.........................................................21
Section 7 Warranty & Repair
7.1 Contacting us ...............................................22
Section 1 - Receiving the TX Ranger
Upon delivery of the TX Ranger, ensure the contents are consistent with
the packing list, notify your supplier of any missing items.
If the equipment appears damaged, notify your carrier and supplier
immediately, giving a detailed description of any damage, save the
damaged packaging to substantiate your claim.
THE TX Ranger IS SUPPLIED WITH 15cm CONNECTION LEAD, SOFT
CASE, BATTERIES, USB CONNECTION LEAD, TraceXtra SOFTWARE
CD, USER MANUAL CDAND QUICK START GUIDE
1.1 Safety notices
Warning
?This instrument meets the safety requirements of IEC61010-1: 1995
?TheTX Ranger is designed for use on de-energized circuits only.
?Connection to line voltages will damage the instrument and could be
hazardous to the operator
?This instrument is protected against connection to telecom network
voltages according to EN61326-1.
?Safety is the responsibility of the operator
International Electrical Symbols
This symbol signifies that the instrument is protected by double
or reinforced insulation. Use only specified replacement parts
when servicing the instrument.
This symbol on the instrument indicates a WARNING, and that the
operator must refer to the user manual for instructions before
operating the instrument. In this manual, the symbol preceding
instructions indicates that if the instructions are not followed, bodily
injury, installation/sample and product damage may result.
Risk of electric shock. The voltage of the parts marked with this
symbol may be dangerous.
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1.2 Standards
The TX Ranger has been manufactured in accordance with and meets
the requirements of the following international standards:
SAFETY IEC 61010-1
EN 60950
EMC BS/EN 61326-1
Water/Dust Proof to IP54
Section 2 - Introducing the TX Ranger
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The TX Ranger is a hand held Time Domain Reflectometer (cable fault
locator) with a first range of 2.5 meters combined with a 1.3 nano second
pulse width gives a blind zone of only 5 cm, it makes this the ideal product
for fault location on short cable assemblies and harnesses. Small and
intermittent faults can be easily identified by using the selectable gain
control allowing trace amplification of up to 7 times and when set to scan
lock mode the advanced noise reduction software may be selected
allowing the user to select between 8,16 and 32 point trace averaging
further enhancing the clarity of the trace by reducing electrical and
environmental interference
With an onboard storage capacity of up to 50 traces including time/date,
impedance, Velocity of Propagation, cursor position, range and gain
value. These may be recalled and used for comparison with current
cables under test or downloaded to the PC via the USB link and
TRACEXTRA PC software provided. Historical data stored on the PC
may also be uploaded to the Ranger for comparison with current
measurements.
To enable the TX Ranger to test all metallic cables, 4 user selectable
impedance settings are provided, 25, 50, 75 and 100 ohms with Vp
settings of 1-99% or the equivalent in feet or meters per micro second.
Faulty cables may be traced using the warble tone feature, an oscillating
tone is injected into the power or transmission line and by using a
commercially available tone tracing probe, the suspect line can be
identified. The TX Ranger is CE approved and is housed in a rugged ABS
enclosure rated to IP54 and is suitable for outside use.
11 x BNC Output Connector
2 128 x 64 graphics display
3 Cursor left/decrease setting
4 Cursor right/increase setting
5 Store trace/select
6 Scan/lock Cursor down
7 Range/Return
8 Back Light On/Off
9 Power on/off
10 Gain/Navigation Key
11 USB Socket
2.1 FeaturesTX Ranger
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V1.0
TX Ranger
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SCAN/LOCK RANGE
TXTX
BI Communications
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Graphical TDR
SELECT
RangerRanger
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2.2 Specifications
Ranges Meters 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160,320, 640
Feet 7, 15, 30, 60, 120, 240, 500, 1000, 2000
Range Selection Manual range control
Accuracy 1% of selected range*
Resolution Approx 1% of range
Sensitivity Min 10 pixel return at 640m on 0.6mm Ø, PE, TP
Gain Preset for Range Scale selected, but with
adjustable settings to 7x magnification.
Velocity Factor Adjustable from 1% to 99% or Feet Meters /
Micro Second
Output Pulse 5 volts peak to peak. Into open circuit
Output Impedance Selectable 25, 50, 75 & 100 ohms
Output Pulse Width 1.3ns, Automatic with range
Scan Rate 2 scans / second or scan held
TraceAveraging User selectable, Disabled, 8, 16 or 32 point trace.
Memory Capacity 50 Traces
Tone Generator 810 – 1100Hz
Battery Life 20 hours continuous scanning (subject to use
of backlight)
Power Supply 6 volts 4 x 1.5AAAlkaline cells
Power Down Selectable 1, 2, 3 minutes or disabled
Back Lit Display 128 x 64 pixel
Voltage Protection 250 voltsAC
Operating Temp -10º / 50ºC
Storage Temp -20º / 70ºC
Dimensions 165 x 90 x 37 (6.5 x 3.5 x 1.5 ins)
Weight 350 gms (12oz)
Safety IEC 61010-1
EN 60950
EMC BS/EN 61326-1
Water/Dust Proof IP54
* Measurement accuracy of <+/- 1% assumes the instrument setting for
velocity of propergation (Vp) of the cable under test to be accurately set,
homogeneity of the Vp along the cable length, and accurate cursor
positioning. See section 2.3Accuracy.
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2.3 Accuracy
The TX Ranger is able to measure distances to faults and cable
lengths to an accuracy of +/- 1%.
This measurement accuracy is based on the correct value of Vp being
used for the cable under test, and homogeneity of the Vp along the
cable length and accurate positioning of the cursor (see section 4.1).
If the Vp is set incorrectly by the operator, or the Vp varies along the
length of the cable, then additional errors will be incurred and the
measurement accuracy will be affected.
Note:- The Vp is less well defined with unshielded multicore cable,
including power cable, and is lower when a cable is tightly wound on a
drum than when installed.
Section 3 - First Operation
3.0 Preparing the TX Ranger for use
Press button to power the tester, the following screen will be displayed:
1 Model
2 Software version programmed into tester
3 Time & Date
4 Battery condition indicator (all black battery, fully charged, as charge
decreases symbol changes to white)
Prior to use the following parameters will need to be set - Refer to section
3.2 to select menu.
1 Select unit of measure section 3.3
2 Set contrast section 3.4
3 Set Auto-Shutdown section 3.5
4 Clock Settings section 3.6
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V2.18
TX Ranger
COMMUNICATIONS
TDR MENU
19:03 15/03/2009
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3.1 Setting Cable Parameters on Trace Display
Velocity of Propergation (Vp)
Impedance Value (Z)
These values may also be set from main menu; see sections 3.7 and 3.8
Use navigation keys to scroll to select parameter, when parameter is
highlighted, use or to change values. Press navigation key to move
to next parameter, when set up is complete press to store settings. If
cable Vp is unknown, refer to section 4.7 upon start up. The TX Ranger
will display the values last used.
3.2 Menu and Screen Displays
Level 1. Start up screen
To access level 2 main menu
press key . To access trace
display press key .
Trace Display
V2.18
TX Ranger
COMMUNICATIONS
TDR MENU
19:03 15/03/2009
Vp=67% Coax 50 7m
0.7m
Ω
Metres
Averager
Contrast
Shutdown: 3 minutes
Clock Settings
Delete All Saved
TDR - Press KEY
Level 2 Main Menu
Level 3 Sub Menu
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3.3 Set Unit of Measure (Level 3 Sub Menu)
Press to move to unit of
measure (feet or meters).
Press or to scroll between feet
and meters. Press button to exit,
selected value will be automatically
stored.
Note:- When unit of measure has been selected, this will automatically
change the V/2 figure, which will also be displayed in the selected unit
of measure i.e FEET or METERS.
Averager refer to Section 4.5
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Metres
Averager
Contrast
Shutdown: 3 minutes
Clock Settings
Delete All Saved
Press to move to contrast. Press
to decrease contrast, press to
increase contrast.
Press TDR button to exit.
Contrast may also be set from level 2
menu select icon Press to
return to menu settings will be
automatically saved.
3.4 Set Contrast (Level 3 Sub Menu)
3.5 Set Auto Shutdown (Level 3 Sub Menu)
To preserve battery life, the TX Ranger
is fitted with an auto shutdown feature.
Shutdown time is selectable between
disabled 1 minute, 2 minutes and 3
minutes.
To change settings press to move
to shutdown, use or to select
setting. Press to return to menu.
Metres
Averager
Contrast
Shutdown: 3 minutes
Clock Settings
Delete All Saved
Metres
Averager
Contrast
Shutdown: 3 minutes
Clock Settings
Delete All Saved
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