AEA’s new CableMate is a Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) that allows you to detect and locate faults (in real time) in cable lengths ranging from 16 to 2,000 feet (5 to 600 meters). The CableMate locates cable damage and reports how far down the line the damage is. The CableMate also resolves two faults less than 10 feet apart, eliminating guesswork when fault locating. In addition to indicating where corroded splices, breaks, loose connectors, crimps, shorts, or other faults are in a length of cable, the CableMate will also measure a length of unknown cable, even on a spool.

The CableMate injects a positive pulse into one end of a cable being tested and graphically displays polarity, relative magnitude, and time (converted to distance) of any reflections returned by impedance discontinuities along the cable. A reflection from an impedance that is less than the cable’s characteristic impedance, causes the pulse to change polarity. The magnitude of the reflected pulse depends on both the severity of the discontinuity and the cable’s inherent loss. For RF cables, the CableMate provides an instant indication of cable loss at 25 MHz. Versatility and price make CableMate a valuable tool for any industry working with cable, including: cable television, computer networking, security, broadcasting, RF installation and maintenance, telephone cable installation and repair, electrical contracting, and landscaping.

Cable Types Supported

Seventy standard cable types are stored in nonvolatile memory for quick selection. This user-editable cable table can hold up to 96 cable descriptions, and the table can be archived to a PC file. The CableMate will handle virtually any coaxial or twisted wire cables with the BNC and 5-way binding post connectors provided.

Easy Control

Controlling CableMate is simplified through the use of five function keys, the functions of which are defined by menus appearing on the graphic display. There is an AUTO function for quick measurements.

Saving Plots

Up to 15 plots and their parameters may be saved in nonvolatile memory for later reference. Each plot can be assigned a meaningful name which appears whenever the plot is displayed. The EXAMINE mode freezes plots in the display window for further examination; a cursor allows measurements to be made anywhere on the plot.

CableConTM Software

Using the CableMate’s serial port (a standard feature, not a $399 option) in conjunction with CableCon software, allows you to link to a PC compatible computer. You can remotely control the CableMate, save readings to disk, transfer saved plots and tables between the PC and CableMate, and print information to an attached printer.