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Radiodetection 3300 Operation Manual

Manual is about: Twisted Pair/Metallic Time Domain Reflectometer

Summary of 3300

  • Page 1

    Model 3300 twisted pair/metallic time domain reflectometer operation manual 250-0023-03.

  • Page 2

    Thank you for purchasing radiodetection's model 3300 metallic time domain reflectometer. Our goal is to provide you with a high quality troubleshooting tool which is both powerful and easy to use. We all share a commitment to quality and excellence and will do our best to continue to provide you wit...

  • Page 3: Table of Contents

    Section 1: general information..................4 1.1 safety information...........................................4 1.2 introduction ........................................................5 1.3 general features.................................................6 section 2: operating procedures.........

  • Page 4

    Section 1: general information 1.1 safety information symbols: ! Caution: refer to accompanying documents warning any warning sign identifies a procedure or process, which if not correctly followed, may result in personal injury. Caution any caution sign identifies a procedure or process, which if n...

  • Page 5

    Caution: as with most electronic equipment, care should be taken not to expose the equipment to extreme tempera- tures. To ensure that your model 3300 will be ready to use, store the instrument indoors during extreme hot or cold temperatures. If the instrument is stored overnight in a ser- vice vehi...

  • Page 6

    1.3 general features locates cable and connector faults in all types of twisted pair telephone cables. Compact, lightweight, portable. Rugged packaging for testing in all types of weather con- ditions. Pre-set ranges for quick testing. Exclusive super-store waveform storage. Rs-232 port. Automatic a...

  • Page 7

    In either case, a substantial amount of energy will be re- flected. If it were possible to have a cable with no loss, all of the signal energy would be reflected. The incident and the reflected signals would look identical. Reflections from an impedance higher than the character- istic impedance of ...

  • Page 8

    2.2 front panel description o i model 3300 * l i n e 1 p u l s e = 1 0 0 n s e c v o p v g a i n= 4 x v o p = 6 5 % l 1 : 1 5 d b r l t t a b e c n a l a b p r e s s * f o r m e n u . ▲ ▼ 1 3 1 f t 200 1 0 2 back light contrast contrast zoom out zoom in v gain v gain range range cursor cursor wavefo...

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    Keypad i/o use the i/o key to turn the instrument on and off. Backlight use the backlight key to turn the electrolumi- nescent backlight on or off. Contrast use the two arrow keys to change the contrast of the lcd. Zoom in, zoom out use the two zoom keys to “zoom” in or out on an area of interest on...

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    Back panel description rs-232 charger line 1 line 2 ! 12v !.

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    The model 3300 has three connectors on the back panel. Rs-232 serial i/o port enables the operator to transfer waveforms to a printer. The model 3300’s battery pack is charged by plugging the external battery charger into the charging socket and ac power. The model 3300 may be operated while the bat...

  • Page 12

    Display the display is a 320 x 240 dot-matrix, high contrast, supertwist liquid crystal display (lcd) with elec- troluminescent back lighting. The top two thirds of the dis- play contains the waveform and cursors. Instrument set- tings and measurements are located on the bottom of the display. Infor...

  • Page 13

    C. Vertical gain. Displays the level of vertical am- plitude or gain applied to the waveform. D. Vop or v/2. The programmed velocity of propagation is displayed as a percentage of the speed of light from 30% to 99%. E. Menu. Pop-up menu for selecting instrument con- trols. F. Selected menu item. Dis...

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    Pop-up menu pulse use the two icon keys to decrease and increase the pulse width. Vop or v/2 (depending on the velocity format setting cho- sen in the setup menu) use the two icon keys to decrease and increase the velocity of propagation. Balance use the two icon keys to adjust the output bal- ance ...

  • Page 15

    Cable use the two icon keys to scroll through a menu of cable types in order to obtain the correct vop of the cable being tested. P r e s s * t o s e l e c t . P u l s e o v e r l a y v o p m o d e b a l a n c e p r i n t f i l t e r s e a r c h s e t u p c a b l e s t o r e r e c a l l.

  • Page 16

    2.3 instrument operation proper operation and precise distance readings will be en- sured if you remember the following procedures and choose the mode of operation to best suit your cable testing con- ditions: 1. Establish a quality cable connection. 2. Adjust the balance control to match the proper...

  • Page 17

    Mode. As the ranges are changed, the cursor will remain at the same position as the previous range. 3. If the instrument is setup in the dual cursor mode, cursor 1 can also be adjusted; however, it will be placed back at the "0" distance marker whenever a new range is selected. 2.3.2 distance betwee...

  • Page 18

    Culated and displayed. Distance is determined from the cur- sor placement on the waveform. Therefore, the accuracy of the cursor placement is crucial for accurate readings. For greatest accuracy, place cursor 1 at the "0" distance marker and cursor 2 at the leading edge of the reflected pulse. To se...

  • Page 19

    Live - stored difference between live and stored stored stored (recall) waveform display mode loops line 1 recall line 2 recall line 1 & stored line 1 & line 2 line 2 & stored line 1 - stored line 1 - line 2 line 2 - stored stored crosstalk stored line 1 ifd line 2 2.3.4 intermittent fault detection...

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    Ing the ifd mode, the instrument may need to pause slightly to fill in additional waveform data. During the ifd mode, do not change the pulse width. If the pulse width is changed, the ifd routine will reset and start collecting data at the new pulse width. The intermittent fault waveforms are stored...

  • Page 21

    2.3.6 balance control the balance control matches the instrument to the im- pedance of the cable under test and cancels the output pulse out of the waveform display. Connect the instrument to the cable, adjust the balance control so the pulse out area is as flat as possible. If a fault is contained ...

  • Page 22

    The distance between cursor and waveform distance mark- ers to either feet or meters. The backlight at start-up option is used to select whether the lcd backlight is on or off at start-up. The velocity format option selects whether the velocity of propagation control is displayed as a percentage of ...

  • Page 23

    The model 3300 comes standard with 16 super-store waveform memory locations. The waveform(s) will remain in storage, even after the instrument is switched off. Caution: replacing the batteries, or running down the bat- teries to a totally discharged state will cause the waveform storage data to be l...

  • Page 24

    2.3.11 charging the batteries the model 3300 is powered by a rechargeable battery pack contained within the instrument. The model 3300 is shipped from the factory with a full charge and will operate ap- proximately 10 hours between charges. When the battery supply has been depleted and the batter- i...

  • Page 25

    Section 3: tdr fundamentals 3.1 first time start-up before using your model 3300, there are several setup options to choose from. Select the setup menu control and select the desired default settings for the instrument. The options chosen will remain selected, even when the instru- ment is turned of...

  • Page 26

    When testing a section of cable where different types of cable are spliced together, use the independent cursors and the correct vop for each section of cable to yield the most accurate readings. 3.4 cable impedance any time two metallic conductors are placed close together, they form a transmission...

  • Page 27

    Measure a length of cable identical to the type to be tested. The longer the cable length, the more accu- rate the result. Connect the cable under test to the model 3300 and set the cursors to the zero distance marker and the leading edge of the reflected pulse. Change the vop setting until the dist...

  • Page 28

    Adjustment factor. Next, multiply each of the tdr read- ings by the adjustment factor. The result will be the cor- rected length readings. Procedure 3. If you are unable to test both ends of a cable you suspect is damaged, measure an undamaged cable of identical type to that which you wish to test. ...

  • Page 29

    Increase the pulse width. Model 3300 has multiple pulse widths which the operator can select to best accommodate the cable length being tested. However, since the location of a fault is unknown, it is best to start the testing proce- dure in the shortest pulse and increase the pulse widths as you in...

  • Page 30

    Ter will automatically engage if power is present on a cable under test. Testing cable with power present may cause instrument damage. The auto-filter option may also be disengaged, when not required, to speed up the test pro- cess. Riser-bond instruments’ waveform tdrs offer the most filtering of a...

  • Page 31

    Tional method is the discontinuity is relatively small and, therefore, the tdr’s reflection will be small. If the split is close, it can be identified. If, on the other hand, the split is some distance away, the small reflection is attenuated by cable length and the split can be difficult to locate....

  • Page 32

    The definition of a bridged tap itself can often times cause confusion. Some people refer to a bridged tap as a lateral which extends off of a main cable. However, the true definition of a bridged tap is the point on the cable where a lateral connects to the main cable. A bridged tap is not a sectio...

  • Page 33

    A common mistake when testing through bridged taps is to mis-identify the end of the lateral for the end of the main cable circuit. As shown below, figures 1a and 1b show two different cable plant layouts. However, the resulting waveforms are identical. Figure 1a figure 1b in figure 1a, the length o...

  • Page 34

    Of the lateral; it may be the end of the cable, depending on the layout of the network. It is always a good idea to refer to plant maps whenever possible to help minimize confusion or errors, espe- cially when testing through bridged taps. Remember, a tdr will test through a bridged tap displaying a...

  • Page 35

    The distance between the two cursors is the distance from the tdr to the end of the lateral. The distance between the two cursors is the distance from the tdr to the end of the main cable. There is no need to subtract the length of the lateral. This is an advantage of a tdr over an open locator..

  • Page 36

    The distance between the two cursors is the length of the lateral. The distance between the two cursors is the distance from the bridged tap to the end of the main cable..

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    When testing through a bridged tap, it can be difficult to determine if the reflection caused by a fault is located in the lateral or in the main cable section beyond the bridged tap point, as illustrated in figure 2. The fault could be in either the lateral or the main cable. Figure 2 figure 3 is a...

  • Page 38

    Another example of how bridged taps can be misinter- preted is shown below: in figure 4, there appears to be a short at point b on the waveform. However, the waveform shown in figure 4 is actually the same wave- form shown in figure 5. The only difference is the operator has used the zoom function t...

  • Page 39

    Ghost reflections can appear when testing through bridged taps. Referring to figure 6a, it appears as though there is a partial open at point e. This cannot be true as the cable physically ends at point d. Referring to the cable plant layout in figure 6b, the ghost is caused when the signal returnin...

  • Page 40

    A good clue that a reflection is actually a ghost from a bridged tap, is that the distance from the end of the cable to the ghost is the same length as the lateral itself (the distance from points d to e in figure 6a is the same as points b to c in figure 6a). A way to test whether or not point e is...

  • Page 41

    The cable was tested with a tdr and an undocumented splice was found. Close examination of the splice showed it to be totally saturated with water. The cable was re-spliced and the lines were now quiet. The greatest percentage of twisted pair problems fall in the moisture-in-the-cable category. How ...

  • Page 42

    The location and how much cable is affected is now known. But it is still necessary to locate where the water actually entered the cable. A break in the sheath may not necessarily be within the span of where the water is and may not necessarily show up in testing. If the break in the sheath is not f...

  • Page 43

    Static” troubles with the model 3300’s ifd mode: 1. Disconnect at the lightning protector on the subscriber end. 2. Confirm the trouble. Connect a butt set, turn the speaker on and listen to the line. Confirm that the trouble you hear (if any) is what the customer reported. 3. Turn the butt set to m...

  • Page 44

    Section 5: waveform examples a great variety of waveforms may be encountered. This is due to the various applications and electrical and environ- mental characteristic differences found in the wide variety of cables that exist today. Remember also: the reflection of a fault or component will look di...

  • Page 45: 5 0 6 F T

    A reflection with upward polarity indicates a fault with open (high impedance) tendencies. The reflection shown at the second cursor is a complete open. A reflection with downward polarity indicates a fault with short (low impedance) tendencies. The reflection shown at the second cursor is a dead sh...

  • Page 46: 5 0 7 F T

    The middle reflection at the 2nd cursor is a one side partial open followed by a complete open (end of the cable). The more severe the fault, the larger the re- flection will be. A 10 ohm series resistance fault at the 2nd cursor (1000 feet) followed by a complete open at 2000 feet. L i n e 1 p u l ...

  • Page 47: 2 6 F T

    A wet splice at the 2nd cursor. This is the first splice out from the cross connect. An intermittent open at the 2nd cursor is trapped by the intermittent fault detection (ifd) mode. L i n e 1 p u l s e = 2 5 n s e c v o p v g a i n = 2 x v o p = 6 5 % l 1 = 0 9 d b r l b a l a n c e b a t t p r e s...

  • Page 48: 1 5 0 1 F T

    A telephone load coil will cause a high impedance up- ward reflection (similar to a complete open). A telephone build-out capacitor causes a low im- pedance downward reflection (similar to a short) followed by a smaller positive reflection. L i n e 1 p u l s e = 1 u s e c v o p v g a i n = 8 x v o p...

  • Page 49: 4 9 F T

    A joint or splice at the 2nd cursor. The visibility of a splice will depend on the type and quality of the splice, and the distance away. An open at 6000 feet on twisted pair cable. Increasing the pulse width and vertical gain is necessary to see a distant fault. L i n e 1 p u l s e = 5 n s e c v o ...

  • Page 50: 5 0 5 F T

    After the first major reflection, the second event could be a more severe fault. It appears smaller to due absorption of signal at the first fault. Always shoot the cable from both ends to eliminate this problem. Description of test setup, measuring from the near end. L i n e 1 p u l s e = 1 0 0 n s...

  • Page 51: 5 0 5 F T

    Measuring from the far end. Description of test setup, measuring from the far end. L i n e 1 p u l s e = 1 0 0 n s e c v o p v g a i n = 3 2 x v o p = 6 5 % l 1 = 10 d b r l b a l a n c e b a t t p r e s s * f o r m e n u . ▲ ▼ 5 0 5 f t 2 1 test first series second series end of point resistance se...

  • Page 52: 5 0 F T

    The next two waveforms illustrate how changing one set- ting can change the way a waveform appears. Both tests are of the same cable. Only the pulse width setting of the instrument has been changed. L i n e 1 p u l s e = 5 n s e c v o p v g a i n = 4 x v o p = 6 5 % l 1 = 1 5 d b r l b a l a n c e b...

  • Page 53

    Section 6: maintenance cleaning remove dust from the outside of the instrument and con- nectors with a lint free cloth or a small, soft brush. Clean the case and instrument with a mild soap and water cleanser. Make sure the cloth is only damp to avoid getting water in the instrument. Do not use hars...

  • Page 54

    Service there are no user serviceable parts on or in this instru- ment. It is recommended that service of any type, to the instrument or any accessories, be referred to riser-bond instruments or another authorized repair facility. Warning: to avoid risk of electric shock, do not perform service of a...

  • Page 55

    Section 7: specifications specifications for model 3300 physical - instrument only height: 4.7 inches (120 mm) width: 9.5 inches (240 mm) depth: 2.4 inches (60 mm) weight: 2.75 pounds (1.2 kg) physical - instrument with carrying case and accessories height: 6 inches (152 mm) width: 11 inches (280 mm...

  • Page 56

    Vertical resolution: 14 bits with 170 dots displayed vertical sensitivity: greater than 56db maximum range: 63,700 ft (19.4 km) at 99% vop 38,600 ft (11.7 km) at 60% vop range varies with vop. Maximum testable cable lengths varies with pulse width and cable type. Waveform storage: (6144 samples/wave...

  • Page 57

    Appendix a serial i/o printer port connection epson lq-860 emulation the riser-bond instruments model 3300 will print to an epson lq-860 type printer through the epson lq-860 com- mand set. Serial communication parameters: no parity, two- stop bits, and 9,600 baud. Citizen pn60 pocket printer riser-...

  • Page 58

    This printer may be connected to the model 3300 with a db- 9 female to amo178234-4 cable. This cable must be wired in a null modem fashion (transmit to receive, receive to trans- mit). The serial printer cable connections are as follows: 9-pin 26-pin 3300 printer 2 15 rx 4 18 dtr 5 1, 2 gnd 7 20 rts...

  • Page 59

    Warranty subject to the conditions set out herein, radiodetection limited expressly and exclusively provides the following warranty to original end user buyers of radiodetection products. Radiodetection hereby warrants that its products shall be free from defects in material and workmanship for 1 ye...

  • Page 60

    Copyright © 2017 radiodetection ltd. All rights reserved. Radiodetection is a subsidiary of spx corporation. Radiodetection is a registered trademark of radiodetection in the united states and/or other countries. Due to a policy of continued development, we reserve the right to alter or amend any pu...