Fluke DSX-600 CableAnalyzer Use and care manual

May 2017, Rev. 1 8/2017
©2017 Fluke Corporation
All product names are trademarks of their respective companies.
DSX-600
CableAnalyzer™
Technical Reference Handbook
Software Version 5.2

LIMITED WARRANTY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Each Fluke Networks product is warranted to be free from defects in material and
workmanship under normal use and service unless stated otherwise herein. The
warranty period for the mainframe is one year and begins on the date of purchase.
Parts, accessories, product repairs and services are warranted for 90 days, unless
otherwise stated. Ni-Cad, Ni-MH and Li-Ion batteries, cables or other peripherals are all
considered parts or accessories. The warranty extends only to the original buyer or end
user customer of a Fluke Networks authorized reseller, and does not apply to any
product which, in Fluke Networks’ opinion, has been misused, abused, altered,
neglected, contaminated, or damaged by accident or abnormal conditions of
operation or handling. Fluke Networks warrants that software will operate
substantially in accordance with its functional specifications for 90 days and that it has
been properly recorded on non-defective media. Fluke Networks does not warrant
that software will be error free or operate without interruption.
Fluke Networks authorized resellers shall extend this warranty on new and unused
products to end-user customers only but have no authority to extend a greater or
different warranty on behalf of Fluke Networks. Warranty support is available only if
product is purchased through a Fluke Networks authorized sales outlet or Buyer has
paid the applicable international price. To the extent permitted by law, Fluke
Networks reserves the right to invoice Buyer for repair/replacement when a product
purchased in one country is submitted for repair in another country.
For a list of authorized resellers, visit www.flukenetworks.com/wheretobuy.
Fluke Networks warranty obligation is limited, at Fluke Networks option, to refund of
the purchase price, free of charge repair, or replacement of a defective product which
is returned to a Fluke Networks authorized service center within the warranty period.
To obtain warranty service, contact your nearest Fluke Networks authorized service
center to obtain return authorization information, then send the product to that
service center, with a description of the difficulty, postage and insurance prepaid (FOB
destination). Fluke Networks assumes no risk for damage in transit. Following
warranty repair, the product will be returned to Buyer, transportation prepaid (FOB
destination). If Fluke Networks determines that failure was caused by neglect, misuse,
contamination, alteration, accident or abnormal condition of operation or handling,
or normal wear and tear of mechanical components, Fluke Networks will provide an
estimate of repair costs and obtain authorization before commencing the work.
Following repair, the product will be returned to the Buyer transportation prepaid and
the Buyer will be billed for the repair and return transportation charges (FOB Shipping
point).
THIS WARRANTY IS BUYER’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY AND IS IN LIEU OF ALL
OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY
IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
FLUKE NETWORKS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES, INCLUDING LOSS OF DATA, ARISING FROM
ANY CAUSE OR THEORY.
Since some countries or states do not allow limitation of the term of an implied
warranty, or exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, the
limitations and exclusions of this warranty may not apply to every buyer. If any
provision of this Warranty is held invalid or unenforceable by a court or other decision-
maker of competent jurisdiction, such holding will not affect the validity or
enforceability of any other provision.
4/15
Fluke Networks
PO Box 777
Everett, WA 98206-0777
USA

i
Contents
Chapter 1 Get Acquainted
Overview of Features ......................................................1
Contact Fluke Networks .................................................2
Register Your Product ....................................................2
Additional Resources ......................................................2
Supplements and Updated Manuals .............................2
Symbols ............................................................................3
WSafety Information ....................................................4
Connectors, Keys, and LEDs ............................................8
About Link Interface Adapters ......................................12
How to Prevent Damage to the Adapter
Cables ........................................................................12
About the Optional DSX-PLA001 Adapter
Modules ....................................................................14
AC Adapter and Battery .................................................16
Charge the Battery ...................................................16
Check the Battery Status ..........................................17
Verify Operation .............................................................19
How to Use the Touchscreen .........................................19
How to Enter Text ...........................................................22
Set User Preferences .......................................................24
Language ..................................................................24
Date and Time Settings and Formats ......................24
Number Format ........................................................25
Units for Length Measurements ..............................25
Power-Down and Backlight Timeout Periods .........25

ii
DSX-600 CableAnalyzer
Technical Reference Handbook
Audible Tone ............................................................ 26
Power Line Frequency ............................................. 26
Display Brightness .................................................... 26
Import User Preferences from a File ....................... 27
Overview of Memory Functions .................................... 27
How to Install a Strap .................................................... 28
About LinkWare Applications ....................................... 29
LinkWare PC Cable Test Management Software ... 29
The LinkWare Live Web Application ...................... 29
LinkWare Stats ......................................................... 29
Chapter 2 Get Started
Tutorial: Certify Twisted Pair Cabling ........................... 31
Step 1: See How Much Memory is Available .......... 32
Step 2: Set Up a Twisted Pair Test ........................... 32
Step 3: Turn Off the Auto Save Function ............... 34
Step 4: Do an Autotest ............................................ 34
Step 5: Look at the Results ...................................... 34
Step 6: Save the Results ........................................... 36
Buttons to Do Tests and Save Results ........................... 36
Options for Cable IDs ..................................................... 38
Automatic Increment Function for Cable IDs ......... 39
Auto Save Function .................................................. 39
Tutorial: Make a Set of Sequential Cable IDs ......... 40
About Projects ................................................................ 41
Chapter 3 Certify Twisted Pair Cabling
The DSX-600 CableAnalyzer Home Screen ................... 43
Make Sure Your Tester is Ready to Certify
Twisted Pair Cabling ...................................................... 47

Contents
iii
Set the Reference ............................................................48
Settings for Twisted Pair Tests .......................................49
How to Do an Autotest ..................................................54
“Bad Patch Cord” Message ............................................57
Twisted Pair Autotest Results .........................................58
PASS*/FAIL* Results ..................................................58
WIRE MAP Tab ..........................................................59
PERFORMANCE Tab ..................................................64
Scalar Results ............................................................65
Length, Propagation Delay, and Delay Skew....65
Loop Resistance ..................................................67
Continuous Tests ......................................................70
Frequency-Domain Results .............................................70
How to Save Frequency-Domain Results
as a Plot or a Table ...................................................70
Insertion Loss ............................................................74
Return Loss ...............................................................76
Impedance ................................................................78
NEXT (Near-End Crosstalk) .......................................79
PS NEXT (Power Sum Near End Crosstalk) ..............81
ACR-N (Attenuation to Crosstalk Ratio at the
Near End) ..................................................................82
PS ACR-N (Power Sum Attenuation to
Crosstalk Ratio, Near End) .......................................84
ACR-F (Attenuation to Crosstalk Ratio, Far End).....86
PS ACR-F ....................................................................88
DIAGNOSTIC Tab .............................................................89
About dB Rules ...............................................................90
3 dB Rule ............................................................92
4 dB Rule ............................................................92

iv
DSX-600 CableAnalyzer
Technical Reference Handbook
12 dB Rule .......................................................... 92
67 dB Rule for ACR-F and PS ACR-F .................. 92
70 dB Rule for ACR-F and PS ACR-F .................. 92
How to Use the Tone Generator ................................... 94
How to Use the Talk Function ....................................... 95
Chapter 4 Test Twisted Pair Through a PoE Device
How to Turn On the AC Wire Map Test ........................ 97
When to Keep the AC Wire Map Test Off .................... 97
How to Do an Autotest Through a PoE Device ............ 98
AC Wire Map Results ...................................................... 100
Chapter 5 Certify Coaxial Cabling
Set the Reference for Coaxial Tests ............................... 103
Settings for Coaxial Tests ............................................... 105
How to Do an Autotest .................................................. 107
Coaxial Autotest Results ................................................ 110
Length and Propagation Delay ............................... 112
Resistance ................................................................. 113
Impedance ................................................................ 114
Insertion Loss ............................................................ 116
About Splitters ............................................................... 117
Tests Without a Remote ................................................ 117
Continuous Tests ............................................................ 120
Chapter 6 Diagnose Copper Test Failures
Causes of Twisted Pair Test Failures .............................. 121
Causes of Coaxial Test Failures ...................................... 125
The HDTDR Analyzer ...................................................... 127
The HDTDX Analyzer ..................................................... 133

Contents
v
How to Use the Measurement Cursor on the
HDTDR and HDTDX Plot .................................................137
Chapter 7 Manage Test Results
View Saved Results .........................................................141
How to Replace a Saved Result that Failed ...................144
Delete, Rename, and Move Results ...............................144
Manage Results on a Flash Drive ...................................146
Upload Results to a PC ....................................................147
About LinkWare Live ......................................................148
View the Memory Status ................................................149
Chapter 8 Use Projects
Why Use Projects? ...........................................................151
Tutorial: Make a New Project ........................................152
Step 1: Give the Project a Name ..............................154
Step 2: Specify an Operator .....................................154
Step 3: Set up Tests for the Project .........................155
To set up a twisted pair test for the
project ................................................................155
Step 4: Make ID Sets .................................................156
To see the CABLE ID SETUP screen ....................156
To make a cable ID set .......................................156
Step 5: Turn on the Auto Save Function .................159
Tutorial: How to Use a Project for Tests ........................160
Step 1: Select a Project .............................................160
Step 2: Select a Test for Twisted Pair Cable ............160
Step 3: Do an Autotest .............................................162
Step 4: Monitor the Status of Your Project ............162
How to Change Settings as You Use a Project ..............162

vi
DSX-600 CableAnalyzer
Technical Reference Handbook
To Change the ID ..................................................... 162
To use a different, unused ID from
an ID set that has a first and last ID ................. 162
To use an ID you used before ........................... 163
To use an ID that is not in an ID set
that has a first and last ID ................................. 163
To change the ID when the set has only
a next ID ............................................................. 164
To Change the Tests in a Project ............................. 164
To Select a Different Test in the Project .......... 165
To Add a Test to a Project ................................ 165
To Save Results in a Different or New Project .......
................................................................................... 165
How to Make ID Sets ...................................................... 165
If an ID Sequence is Invalid ..................................... 167
About Next ID Sets ................................................... 168
Import an ID Set into a Project ............................... 169
Delete an Imported ID Set ....................................... 169
How to Manage Projects ............................................... 170
View Results in a Project ......................................... 170
Rename a Project ..................................................... 170
Copy a Project to Make a New Project ................... 170
Delete a Project ........................................................ 171
Manage Projects on a Flash Drive ........................... 171
Copy Project Settings to Other Testers ................... 172
About LinkWare Live ..................................................... 172
Chapter 9 Sync Projects with LinkWare™ Live
Sign Up for a LinkWare Live Account ........................... 173
How to See the Tester’s MAC Address .......................... 174

Contents
vii
Use LinkWare Live Through a Wired Ethernet
Network ...........................................................................174
Use LinkWare Live Through a Wi-Fi Ethernet
Network ...........................................................................175
Change the Network Settings ........................................178
Settings for the Wired Port .....................................178
Settings for the Wi-Fi Port .......................................179
Delete Wi-Fi Settings and Passwords ......................179
About the Asset Management Service ..........................179
Sign Your Tester Out of LinkWare Live .........................179
Sign In to LinkWare Live from a Desktop or
Mobile Device ...........................................................181
Import Projects from LinkWare Live into
LinkWare PC .............................................................181
For More Information on LinkWare Live .......................181
Chapter 10 Custom Media and Test Limits
Make a Custom Copper Cable Type ...............................183
Change the NVP ..............................................................184
Set the NVP to a Specified Value ............................184
Find a Cable's Actual NVP ........................................185
Reset the NVP to the Default Value ........................186
Make a Custom Outlet Configuration ...........................186
Chapter 11 Maintenance
Verify Operation .............................................................189
Clean the Tester ..............................................................190
See Information About the Tester .................................190
Update the Software ......................................................192
Use a PC to Update the Software ............................193

viii
DSX-600 CableAnalyzer
Technical Reference Handbook
Use an Updated Main Tester to Update Other
Testers ....................................................................... 194
Use LinkWare Live to Update the Software ........... 196
Extend the Life of the Battery ....................................... 197
Store the Tester .............................................................. 197
Remove the Battery ....................................................... 197
Replace the Tip on a DSX-PLA004 Connector ............... 198
Traceable Calibration Period ......................................... 199
Options and Accessories ................................................ 200
If the Tester Does Not Operate as Usual ....................... 200
Chapter 12 Specifications
Environmental and Regulatory Specifications ............. 203
Performance Specifications ........................................... 204
Times for a Full, 2-Way Autotest ............................ 204
Tests and Frequencies Supported ........................... 205
Twisted Pair Cabling ......................................... 205
Coaxial Cabling (optional DSX-CHA003
coaxial adapters required) ................................ 205
Standard Link Interface Adapters ........................... 205
DSX-CHA004 Class EAChannel Adapters ......... 205
DSX-PLA004 Class EAPermanent Link
Adapters ............................................................ 205
Measurement Accuracy ........................................... 206
Length of Twisted Pair Cabling ............................... 208
Propagation Delay ................................................... 209
Delay Skew ............................................................... 209
DC Loop Resistance .................................................. 209
HDTDX Analyzer Specifications for
Cables <100 m (328 ft) ............................................. 209

Contents
ix
HDTDR Analyzer Specifications for
Cables <100 m (328 ft) .............................................210
Characteristic Impedance .........................................210
Tone Generator ........................................................210
Input Protection .......................................................211
Power ...............................................................................211
Traceable Calibration Period ..........................................211
DSX-CHA003 Coaxial Adapter ........................................212
Internal Memory for Test Results ...................................213
USB Flash Drive ...............................................................213
Serial Interfaces ...............................................................213
RJ45 Connector on the Main Unit .................................213
Headset Jack ....................................................................213
Display .............................................................................214
Weights ...........................................................................214
Dimensions ......................................................................214

x
DSX-600 CableAnalyzer
Technical Reference Handbook

xi
List of Figures
Figure Page
1. Main Tester Connectors, Keys, and LEDs ..............................8
2. Remote Tester Connectors, Keys, and LEDs..........................10
3. How to Attach and Remove Link Interface Adapters ..........12
4. How to Prevent Damage to the
Permanent Link Adapter Cables............................................13
5. How to Change the Personality Module on an
Optional DSX-PLA001 Adapter..............................................15
6. LEDs Show the Remote’s Battery Status ...............................17
7. Connections to See the Status of the Remote’s Battery ......18
8. How to Zoom the Screen .......................................................21
9. The Keyboards for Text Entry................................................23
10. How to Install a Strap and Use the Optional Hand
Strap........................................................................................28
11. Equipment for the Twisted Pair Certification Tutorial ........31
12. Examples of Twisted Pair Autotest Results Screens .............35
13. FIX LATER, TEST AGAIN, and TEST Buttons
and the TEST Key....................................................................36
14. The Home Screen for DSX-600 CableAnalyzer .....................44
15. Reference Connections for Twisted Pair Cable ....................49
16. Outlet Configurations............................................................53
17. Equipment for Autotests on Twisted Pair Cable ..................54
18. Permanent Link Connections.................................................56
19. Channel Connections .............................................................57
20. PASS* and FAIL* Results ........................................................59
21. WIRE MAP Tab........................................................................60

xii
DSX-600 CableAnalyzer
Technical Reference Handbook
22. Wire Map Examples: Open Wire and Open Shield .............. 61
23. Wire Map Examples: Short and Split Pair............................. 62
24. Wire Map Examples: Reversed Pair and Crossed Pairs......... 63
25. PERFORMANCE Tab ............................................................... 64
26. Twisted Pair Length Results .................................................. 67
27. Twisted Pair Resistance Results............................................. 69
28. Plot Screen for a Frequency-Domain Test ............................ 71
29. Tabular Results Screen for a Frequency-Domain Test ......... 73
30. Insertion Loss is a Decrease in Signal Strength .................... 75
31. Twisted Pair Insertion Loss Plot ............................................ 75
32. Sources of Return Loss........................................................... 77
33. Return Loss Plot ..................................................................... 77
34. Twisted Pair Impedance Results............................................ 78
35. Near-End Crosstalk (NEXT) .................................................... 79
36. NEXT Plot ............................................................................... 80
37. PS NEXT Plot........................................................................... 81
38. Attenuation to Crosstalk Ratio, Near End (ACR-N).............. 82
39. ACR-N Plot.............................................................................. 83
40. PS ACR-N Plot......................................................................... 85
41. Far-End Crosstalk (FEXT)........................................................ 86
42. ACR-F Plot .............................................................................. 87
43. PS ACR-F Plot.......................................................................... 88
44. Examples of Diagnostic Screens ............................................ 89
45. How the 3 dB Rule Shows on Plots....................................... 91
46. How to Use the Tone Generator .......................................... 95
47. Permanent Link Connections Through a PoE Device........... 99
48. Channel Connections Through a PoE Device ....................... 100
49. AC Wire Map Examples: Open and Short............................. 101
50. AC Wire Map Examples: ........................................................ 102

List of Figures
xiii
51. Reference Connections for Tests on Coaxial Cabling...........104
52. Equipment for Tests on Coaxial Cabling...............................108
53. Examples of Connections for Tests on Coaxial Cabling .......109
54. Autotest Results for Coaxial Cabling ....................................110
55. Coaxial Length and Propagation Delay Results ...................112
56. Coaxial Resistance Results......................................................113
57. Coaxial Impedance Results ....................................................115
58. Coaxial Insertion Loss Results ................................................116
59. Connections for Coaxial Tests Without a Remote................119
60. HDTDR Plot for Twisted Pair Cable .......................................128
61. Common Faults Shown on HDTDR Plots...............................130
62. HDTDR Plot for Coaxial Cable ...............................................131
63. HDTDX Plot.............................................................................134
64. Typical Faults Shown on HDTDX Plots ..................................136
65. How to Use the Measurement Cursor on the
HDTDR or HDTDX Plot ...........................................................138
66. RESULTS Screen ......................................................................142
67. How to Connect the Tester to a PC.......................................148
68. PROJECT Screen ......................................................................152
69. CHANGE CABLE IDs Screen ....................................................157
70. CABLE ID SETUP Screen
(after you enter the first and last IDs) ..................................158
71. Equipment for the Twisted Pair Project Tutorial .................160
72. CHANGE TEST Screen .............................................................161
73. SYNC PROJECTS Screen ..........................................................177
74. VERSION INFORMATION Screen for the Main Tester...........191
75. How to Connect the Tester to a PC.......................................194
76. How to Connect Testers Together to
Update the Software .............................................................195
77. How to Remove the Battery ..................................................198

xiv
DSX-600 CableAnalyzer
Technical Reference Handbook
78. How to Replace the DSX-PLA004 Adapter’s Tip and
Latch ....................................................................................... 199
79. Plug for the Headset Jack ..................................................... 214

xv
List of Tables
Table Page
1. Symbols ...................................................................................3
2. Settings for Twisted Pair Tests...............................................50
3. dB Rules for TIA Test Limits ...................................................93
4. dB Rules for ISO Test Limits ...................................................93
5. Settings for Coaxial Tests.......................................................106
6. Remote Requirements for Coaxial Tests ...............................118
7. Causes of Twisted Pair Test Failures......................................121
8. Causes of Coaxial Test Failures ..............................................125
9. Settings for the Wi-Fi Connection.........................................180
10. Possible Solutions for Unusual Behavior .............................200

DSX-600 CableAnalyzer
Technical Reference Handbook
xvi

1
Chapter 1: Get Acquainted
Overview of Features
The DSX-600 CableAnalyzer main and remote units are rugged,
hand-held instruments that you configure to certify,
troubleshoot, and document copper cabling. The DSX-600
includes these features:
The testers certify twisted pair cabling to Cat 6A/Class EA
limits (500 MHz) in less than 10 seconds.
Gives a PASS or FAIL result based on a test limit that you
specify.
You can save approximately 12,700 Cat 6A Autotest results,
with plot data, in the tester’s internal memory. You can save
more results on a removable flash drive.
Taptive™user interface lets you quickly navigate through
different views of the results and see more information about
cables.
ProjX™management system lets you set up projects to specify
the types of tests and the cable IDs necessary for a job and
monitor the progress and status of the job.
You can connect the tester to a wired or Wi-Fi network and
use the LinkWare™Live web application to manage your
projects from a desktop or mobile device.
LinkWare PC software lets you upload test results to a PC and
make professional-quality test reports.
LinkWare Stats software makes browsable, graphical reports
of cable test statistics.

DSX-600 CableAnalyzer
Technical Reference Handbook
2
Contact Fluke Networks
www.flukenetworks.com/support
[email protected]
1-800-283-5853, [phone]
Fluke Networks
6920 Seaway Boulevard, MS 143F
Everett WA 98203 USA
Fluke Networks operates in more than 50 countries worldwide.
For more contact information, go to our website.
Register Your Product
Registering your product with Fluke Networks gives you access to
valuable information on product updates, troubleshooting tips,
and other support services. If you purchased a Gold Support plan,
registration also activates your plan.
To register your product, use LinkWare PC software.
Additional Resources
The Fluke Networks Knowledge Base answers common questions
about Fluke Networks products and provides articles on cable
testing techniques and technology.
To access the Knowledge Base, log on to www.flukenetworks.com,
then click SUPPORT > Knowledge Base.
Supplements and Updated Manuals
If necessary, Fluke Networks will put a supplement for this
manual, or an updated manual, on the Fluke Networks website.
To see if a supplement or updated manual is available, log on to
www.flukenetworks.com, click SUPPORT > Manuals, then select a
product.