Fluke 26500090 Instruction manual

Technical Data
TS®9 0 a n d T S ®100 Cable Fault Finders
See opens, shorts & cable length quickly and easily.
Fluke Networks’ Cable Fault Finders are
the easy-to-use, competitively priced cable
management tools that save time and
money while simplifying many common
tasks. The TS90 Cable Fault Finder
(for up to 2,500 feet) and the TS100 Cable
Fault Finder (for up to 3,000 feet, and
available in a metric unit) are the fastest
tools available for measuring to opens and
shorts (even intermittent faults, because
the units measure constantly when “on”)
– all from one end of the cable.
One efficient tool
The TS90 and TS100 work on virtually
any two-or-more conductor cables.
With the patented SmartTone™ analog
tone generator that generates five
different tones, identifying a specific
pair is quick and easy, even in proximity
to current-bearing cable. SmartTone
capability identifies the exact pair by
changing the tone at the far end of the
cable when the correct pair is shorted. The
bright large LED screen and simple menu is
easy to read, even in low light conditions.
When clipping on to an unidentified pair at
a job site, with voltage up to 250 V AC, the
unit will immediately sound an alarm.
Now, measuring cable or identifying tone
on a specific line is no longer a time-consum-
ing, two-person task. With the TS90 or TS100,
contractors can monitor cable inventory in
trucks, warehouses, generate more accurate
bids for jobs by quickly assessing needs, and
manage cable stock with greater accuracy.
And, technicians can find and fix cable prob-
lems without pulling new wire, or blindly cut-
ting into walls or streets, saving additional
time and money. The TS90 or TS100 allow one
person to get all these tasks done from just
one end of the cable, with a single, competi-
tively priced tool.
Features:
• Three tools in one — a fault locator, cable
and wire manager, patented SmartTone™
analog tone generator
• Instantly measures distance to open or
any fault from one end of any cable pair
• Tone generator positively identifies pair
• High voltage detection
• Moisture proof
• Large LED screen and easy-to-use menu

NETWORKSUPERVISION
Fluke Networks
P.O. Box 777, Everett, WA USA 98206-0777
Fluke Networks operates in more than 50 countries
worldwide. To find your local office contact details,
go to www.flukenetworks.com/contact.
©2006 Fluke Corporation. All rights reserved.
Printed in U.S.A. 2/2006 2631486 D-ENG-N Rev A
Model Description
26500090 TS90 cable fault finder with BNC to alligator clips
26500000 TS100 cable fault finder with BNC to alligator clips
26500500 TS100 with BNC to banana to Angled Bed-of-Nails clips
26500610 TS100 metric cable fault finder with BNC to alligator clips
26501100 TS100/TS90 linecord, BNC to alligator clip
26501200 TS100/TS90 linecord, BNC to F(MALE)
26501300 TS100/TS90 linecord, BNC to F(FEMALE)
26501600 TS100/TS90 linecord, banana
26501700 TS100/TS90 linecord, BNC to banana to Angled Bed-of-Nails clips
26501160 TS100/TS90 pouch with belt clip
Ordering Information
Power 4 AA alkaline batteries provide 50 hours “on”
time. (Approx. 1 year, normal use). 5 minute
auto-off if unit is not connected; 1 hour auto-off
when connected. No damage if batteries are
installed backwards.
Input protection 250 V RMS AC, Continuous or Intermittent.
Moisture If exposed to water, TS 90 and TS100 will suffer
no damage. See moisture notes in Notices section
of manual.
Impedance range Auto-compensation within 25 to 330 ohms.
Cables with an impedance outside this range may
produce erratic or incorrect readings.
Maximum length The unit will display “-LL-” if the cable is too
long to be correctly measured.
Maximum cable testing length 2,500 feet for the TS90, 3000 feet for the TS100
(can test longer on certain cables)
Minimum length No minimum length. Minimum non-zero reading
is 1 foot.
High voltage detection AC voltage > 5 to 15 Volts RMS will trigger High
Voltage Warning.
Measurement rate Maximum of 4 complete measurements/second,
decreasing to 2 seconds per measurement. Based
on cable size and uniformity.
Measurement technology Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) with 50 ohm
drive impedance, 6 V maximum pulse height.
(Patents Pending).
Tone injection Approximately 1 kHz at an amplitude of 80%
battery voltage. Variable frequency and cadence.
Tone changes when cable condition changes to
“normal-open” from any other condition.
Cable type Virtually all two or more conductor cables
Temperature 0º to 55º C operating; 0º to 70º C storage
Dimensions 7.4” tall x 1.5” thick x 2.75” wide
Specifications

TS®100 Cable Fault Finder
PN 2825486 (Metric)
January 2007 Rev. 1 2/09
©2007, 2009 Fluke Corporation. All rights reserved. Printed in China.
All product names are trademarks of their respective companies.
Users Guide

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. The warranty period for the mainframe is 18 months 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. Fluke Networks reserves the right to invoice Buyer for
importation costs of repair/replacement parts when product purchased in one country is submitted for repair
in another country.
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 OR 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.
4/04-18
Fluke Networks
PO Box 777
Everett, WA 98206-0777
USA

i
Table of Contents
Title Page
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................1
Registration .....................................................................................................................................................1
Contacting Fluke Networks ............................................................................................................................1
Safety Information ..........................................................................................................................................2
Design Features ...............................................................................................................................................2
Physical Characteristics ...................................................................................................................................3
Line Cords and Accessories .............................................................................................................................3
Operation ........................................................................................................................................................3
Installing Batteries ...................................................................................................................................4
Turning on the Tester ..............................................................................................................................4
Automatic Power-Down ..........................................................................................................................4
Testing Cables ..........................................................................................................................................4
PowerTone™ Positive Identification System ..........................................................................................4
Velocity of Propagation (VOP) ................................................................................................................6
In Case of Unstable or Unusual Readings ...............................................................................................6
Applications .....................................................................................................................................................7
Multi-Wire Environment .........................................................................................................................7
Conduit .....................................................................................................................................................7
Testing a Wire Pair in a Conduit ......................................................................................................7
Testing a Single Wire in a Conduit ..................................................................................................7
Inventory Management ...........................................................................................................................8
Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) Technology ..........................................................................................10
VOP Variations .......................................................................................................................................11
Maximum Length ...................................................................................................................................12
Frequently Asked Questions .........................................................................................................................12
If Something Seems Wrong with the Tester ...............................................................................................14
Maintenance .................................................................................................................................................14
Specifications .................................................................................................................................................15

TS100 Cable Fault Finder
Users Guide
ii

1
TS®100 Cable Fault Finder
Introduction
The TS100 Cable Fault Finder is a portable handheld
device used by installers, repair technicians and other
authorized personnel for locating problems on
installed cable pairs and managing cable inventory.
Registration
Registering your product with Fluke Networks gives
you access to valuable information on product updates,
troubleshooting tips, and other support services. To
register, fill out the online registration form on the
Fluke Networks website at www.flukenetworks.com/
registration.
Contacting Fluke Networks
www.flukenetworks.com
[email protected]
[phone] or 1-800-283-5853
• Australia: 61 (2) 8850-3333 or 61(3) 9329-0244
• Beijing: 86 (10) 6512-3435
• Brazil: 11 3759 7600
• Canada: 1-800-363-5853
• Europe: [phone]
• Hong Kong: 852 2721-3228
• Japan: 03-3434-0510
• Korea: 82 2 539-6311
• Singapore: 65-6799-5566
• Taiwan: (886) 2-227-83199
Visit our website for a complete list of phone numbers.
http://www.elso.sk/product.php?id_product=1948

2
TS100 Cable Fault Finder
Users Guide
Safety Information
The following IEC symbols are used either on the test
set or in the manual:
WXWarning
If this product is used in a manner not
specified by the manufacturer, the
protection provided by the product may be
impaired.
Design Features
Design features of the TS100 Cable Fault Finder
include:
• Easy to use
• Tests all common cable pairs
• Provides low cost protection against lost time due
to cable and connector problems
• Single button operation
• Up to 3000 feet (900 meters), dependent on cable
type
• Accurate to ±2 feet (±1 meter) for short cables
• Accurate to ±5 feet (±2 meters) for cables from
10 feet (3 meters) to 200 feet (60 meters) and ±3%
and ±5 feet (±2 meters) for cables longer than
200 feet (60 meters)
• Bright 0.4 inch (1.016 centimeters) LED display
• Up to 4 readings per second
• Audible indication of shorted wires and external
voltage greater than 15 Vac
• Automatic adjustments
• Tone injection with the PowerTone™ positive
identification system
• Input protected to 250 Vac
• Components protected against damage from
moisture
• Fifty hour battery life, intelligent auto-off
• Low battery indicator
• Uses 4 AA batteries (included)
• High strength plastic (ABS) housing
WWarning: Risk of personal injury. See the
manual for details.
Caution: Risk of damage or destruction to
equipment or software. See the manual
for details.
XWarning: Risk of electric shock.
.Earth ground
PConformité Européenne. Conforms to
relevant European Union directives.
)CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60950-1-03
CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 1010.1-92 + CSA-C22.2
No. 1010.1B-97, UL/ANSI 3111-1
~Do not put products containing circuit
boards into the garbage. Dispose of
circuits boards in accordance with local
regulations.

3
Physical Characteristics
Physical Characteristics
See Figure 1.
bfz01.eps
Figure 1. Physical Characteristics
A Power button, which turns the tester on and off.
B Low battery LED.
C Female BNC (British Naval Connector).
D LCD display with units indication in feet (FT) or
meters (M).
E The battery compartment is on the back of the
tester. The battery cover includes a label showing
some common velocity of propagation (VOP)
values.
F The two smaller buttons are used to adjust the
tester’s VOP up or down. See “Velocity of
Propagation” on page 6.
Line Cords and Accessories
Use only line cords (test leads) approved by Fluke
Networks. Other cords may cause incorrect
measurements. For information on availability of
additional line cords and accessories, contact your
local Fluke Networks authorized distributor.
Operation
WXWarning
DO NOT USE the tester to test cables that
may have hazardous voltages present.
When the tester indicates the presence of
high ac voltages, CAREFULLY DISCONNECT
IMMEDIATELY to prevent any personal
injury. Hazardous dc voltages can be present
on any cable at any time. The tester does
NOT detect or indicate the presence of dc
voltages. Use care when connecting to
cables.
Do not use the test set if it is damaged.
Before you use the test set, inspect the case.
Look for cracks or missing plastic. Pay
particular attention to the insulation
surrounding the connectors.
Always handle the clip leads and the cables
by their insulation, NEVER directly by the
conductive wire. Use only the insulated clips
provided to connect to any wire or cable.

4
TS100 Cable Fault Finder
Users Guide
WCaution
Use only line cords approved by Fluke
Networks. Other cords may cause incorrect
measurements.
Legal requirements may exist regarding
permission to connect equipment to a
Telecom network operated by a public
network operator.
Installing Batteries
The tester uses 4 AA batteries (included). Install the
batteries in the battery compartment on the back of
the tester.
WXWarning
To avoid electric shock, disconnect
measuring terminals before opening the
battery door.
To remove the battery door, push the plastic tab in the
direction of the arrow and lift off the door. Observe
correct polarity when inserting the batteries. The
polarity is marked on the inside of the battery
compartment. Reinstall the battery door before
connecting the tester to anything.
Note
To extend battery life, remove batteries when
the tester is not in use.
Turning on the Tester
Turn the tester on by pressing the ON/STANDBY
button. The tester performs a self test each time it is
turned on. During the self test, the tester displays
8.8.8.8.
Automatic Power-Down
To save battery power, the tester automatically turns
off after five minutes if it is not connected to anything,
or one hour after you connect to a cable. Also, if the
ON/STANDBY button is held down for more than 20
seconds, the tester turns off. This prevents battery drain
should some object in your tool box be leaning on the
button.
Testing Cables
WCaution
When testing telephone cables, connect
only to non-working circuits. If
accidentally connected to a working ADSL
or hi-cap circuit, the tester will cause an
outage.
To test a cable, attach line cord clips to a pair of wires at
one end of the cable you are testing.
The tester displays the distance (in meters) to the
closest fault it finds. Table 1 describes the tester’s
display and beeper indications.
PowerTone
™
Positive Identification System
The tester injects a tone onto the connected pair
concurrently with fault locating signals. This tone is
compatible with most tone probes. When you are
using a tone probe to identify a wire pair, the tone
volume from nearby wires may be indistinguishable
from the tone from the target pair. The PowerTone
Positive Identification System lets you positively
identify the wire pair. The tone has 5 frequency and
cadence options.

5
Operation
To use the PowerTone System:
1 Connect the tester to a wire pair; then turn on the
tester.
2 At the other end of the cable, use your tone probe
to find the wire pair by probing for the pair with
the loudest tone.
3 Short the wire pair together, then release the
short.
• If you DO NOT hear a change in the tone,
then you have not found the correct pair.
• If you DO hear a change, then you have
POSITIVE CONFIRMATION that you have
found the correct pair.
Note
The tone is not audible on the tester’s beeper.
bfz02.eps
Figure 2. PowerTone Positive Identification System
Table 1. LED Display and Beeper Indications
Condition Display1Beeper
Normal conditions,
open cable2
LLLL Off
Normal conditions,
shorted cable
LLLL Continuous On
Cable is too long to
measure
–Err Staggered
A dc load (light bulb,
TV, etc.) is detected
–Err Staggered
>15 Vac is detected 8888
Flashing
Rapid
Low battery, open
cable
L.LLL Off
Failed self test 8888 Off
Cable cannot be
measured
–Err Staggered
1. LLLL = the length to the fault.
2. An open may be a break in a wire or a separation
between the wires in the pair. If one wire in the pair
separates from the other wire for 1 ft (30 cm) or more,
the tester indicates an open at the separation.

6
TS100 Cable Fault Finder
Users Guide
Velocity of Propagation (VOP)
VOP is a cable specification indicating the speed at
which a signal travels down the cable. A VOP of 66
means the signal travels at 66 % of the speed of light.
The tester uses VOP to calculate cable length. See
“Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) Technology” on
page 10 for details.
Here are some important points about VOP:
• Different cables have different VOP settings.
• The tester’s default VOP setting of 66 is suitable for
most applications.
• Using the VOP specified for a cable ensures the
most accuracy in fault location, length
measurements, and inventory management. Table
2and Table 3 show VOP values for common cables.
Some common VOP values are also listed on the
tester’s battery door.
You can set the tester’s VOP to a known value, or you
can use the tester to determine the VOP for a known
length of cable.
To set the VOP to a known value:
1 Turn the tester on while holding down the UP or
DOWN button. In this mode, the display
alternately shows the VOP setting (-VV-) and the
calculated length (LLLL).
2 When the VOP setting is displayed, press the UP or
DOWN button. This keeps the VOP value on the
display for adjustment.
3 Use the UP and DOWN buttons to set the VOP to
the desired value.
4 To exit the VOP adjustment mode, turn the tester
off.
To determine the VOP of a known length of cable:
1 Connect a known length of cable to the tester. The
cable must be 200 feet (60 meters) or longer (such
as an unopened box of wire).
2 Turn the tester on while holding down the UP or
DOWN button. In this mode, the display
alternately shows the VOP setting (-VV-) and the
calculated length (LLLL).
3 When the length setting is displayed, press the UP
or DOWN button. This keeps the length value on
the display for adjustment.
4 Use the UP and DOWN buttons to adjust the
length to the length of the cable.
5 To exit the VOP adjustment mode, turn the tester
off.
Notes
While the tester is in VOP adjustment mode,
tone is not injected into the cable.
The VOP value reverts to the default of 66 when
you change the tester’s batteries.
In Case of Unstable or Unusual Readings
Sometimes, devices connected to the cable you are
testing can prevent the TS100 from making a valid
reading. Such devices include telephones, fax
machines, modems, speakers, transformers, light bulbs,
televisions, and dc loads. The software makes the best
decisions it can when faced with unusual conditions,
but may not always be able to ignore connected
devices. If you get a highly unstable or clearly invalid
reading, check for devices connected to the cable.

7
Applications
Applications
See Figure 3.
The tester locates opens, short circuits, and crosses in
any two metallic conductors (twisted, untwisted, coax,
copper, aluminum, and steel).
It identifies conductors using the PowerTone feature
and an inductive probe (not included) (see Figure 2).
Tone can be sent between two technicians to ID
multiple pairs. Because the tester beeps when it detects
a short circuit, it also serves as a circuit (for example,
continuity) tester.
bfz03.eps
Figure 3. Testing for Lengths, Shorts, Opens, and
Terminations
Multi-Wire Environment
When testing wires in a multi-wire environment, such
as 4 wire telephone cable, 8 wire CAT-5 cable, 12-2 with
ground ac wire, or several THHN wires inside a conduit,
a short could exist between any number of the
conductors, including a shield or the conduit. To detect
the short, you must connect the tester to the wires that
are shorted. This means that to fully test a multi-wire
cable, you must check every wire against every other
wire including the shields and conduits.
While a quick way to test many conductors against
conduit or shield length is to connect all the conductors
to one clip lead and the shield to the other lead, this
will reduce the impedance of the cable, and
measurements may fall below the tester’s range. It is
more reliable to test the wires individually.
Conduit
There are two methods for testing wire in conduit. You
can test a wire pair or a single wire.
Testing a Wire Pair in a Conduit
To test a wire pair, connect the two test leads to the
pair. If one wire separates from the other for 1 ft
(30 cm) or more, the tester indicates an open at the
separation. For example, if the wires separate after
exiting the conduit, the tester indicates an open at the
end of the conduit.
Testing a Single Wire in a Conduit
You can test a single wire by clipping one test lead to
the wire and the other to the conduit. The tester shows
the length up to a fault or to the point where the wire
separates from the conduit by at least 1 ft (30 cm). For
example, if there is a 2 ft (30 cm) service loop outside
the conduit, the tester shows the length up to the
service loop. This is true even if the two sections of
conduit are electrically connected.

8
TS100 Cable Fault Finder
Users Guide
Inventory Management
The tester is an inventory management tool. It
measures lengths of wire or cable still on the spools.
The ability to measure the length of multi-conductor
cable remaining on its spool is valuable for both job-
site and warehouse personnel. Remember that with
the TS100, you can measure the length from JUST ONE
END of a PAIR of wires, allowing you to take inventory
without unspooling the cables or even having to move
the spools at all.
At the job-site, you can determine if the cable
remaining on your spool or in your box will be
sufficient for the job at hand. This will save you an
unnecessary trip to the warehouse for more cable, and
help you avoid running out of cable in the middle of an
installation.
There are two points to remember when measuring
the length of wire on a spool:
• The wire length must be within the range of the
TS100 (see Table 2).
• The accuracy of the measurement will be optimum
if the VOP is set correctly for the type of wire being
measured. See Table 2 for a list of specifically
identified cables and Table 3 for a list of VOP
values for other cable types.
In the warehouse, you can quickly measure the cable
remaining on all your spools, allowing you to select the
right spool for each job. Additionally, by keeping a
record of the prior inventory, you can determine how
much wire was used on the current job.
Note
Remember that the TS100 works on TWO
conductors. Single conductor spools can not be
measured with the TS100 Cable Fault Finder.
Table 2. VOP Values and Maximum Length for
Specifically Identified Cables
VOP
Maximum
Length Cable
64 2000 ft
(610 m)
Lucent 1024 006ABE 6/24
W1000, 6 pair CAT3 (Blue-
White)
63 1500 ft
(460 m)
BICC General Aerial
Service Wire (ASW) 2/22, 2
Pair Drop Wire
61 2000 ft
(610 m)
Superior Essex, 4 pair
CAT3 Plenum (not pair
dependent)
60 1500 ft
(460 m)
BICC General, 24 AWG
CMX Outdoor CMR
Station Wire
58 1000 ft
(300 m)
BICC General cross-
connect 24 AWG twisted
pair on original spool
66 2500 ft
(770 m)
Berk-Tek, CAT5 (Orange-
White)
68 2500 ft
(770 m)
Superior-Essex Cobra
CAT5 CMR (Orange-
White)
72 2500 ft
(770 m)
Superior-Essex Cobra
CAT5 CMP (Orange-
White)
82 1000 ft
(300 m)
CommScope 5726, RG6
CATV Coax
81 1000 ft
(300 m)
CommScope 2275V, RG6
CATV Coax
79 1000 ft
(300 m)
CommScope 5571, RG59,
TV Coax

9
Applications
67 500 ft
(150 m)
Belden 88760 2 wire
shielded 18 AWG, Red-
Black
68 500 ft
(150 m)
Belden 88760 2 wire
shielded 18 AWG, Red/
Black-Shield
64 500 ft
(150 m)
Carol C1156 RG-174/U
57 500 ft
(150 m)
BICC General, E22025,
Red-Black
73 1000 ft
(300 m)
Channel Master Polyclad
Model 9354 300 Ohm
Foam Antenna Wire
71 2000 ft
(610 m)
Triangle Wire and Cable,
type NM-B 12/2 W/G,
Black-Ground
67 2000 ft
(610 m)
Triangle Wire and Cable,
type NM-B 12/2W/G,
Black-White
Table 2. VOP Values and Maximum Length for
Specifically Identified Cables (continued)
VOP
Maximum
Length Cable
Table 3. VOP Values for Other Cables
VOP Cable Type
78 Belden Drop Foam
82 CommScope Drop
87 CommScope Trunk
63 RG58/U 50 Ohm Network Coax
80 RG59 TV Coax
64 Service Wire
83 Times Fiber Drop
87 Times Fiber Trunk
93 Trilogy Trunk
68 Twisted Pair, Gel Filled 19 AWG
64 Twisted Pair, Gel Filled 22 AWG
62 Twisted Pair, Gel Filled 24 AWG
60 Twisted Pair, Gel Filled 26 AWG
68 Twisted Pair, Paper 22 AWG
66 Twisted Pair, Paper 24 AWG
65 Twisted Pair, Paper 26 AWG
72 Twisted Pair, PIC 19 AWG
67 Twisted Pair, PIC 22 AWG
66 Twisted Pair, PIC 24 AWG
64 Twisted Pair, PIC 26 AWG

10
TS100 Cable Fault Finder
Users Guide
Time Domain Reflectometry
(TDR) Technology
Note
This section goes deeper into the theory of
operation. You can skip this section and still use
the tester effectively by reading the other parts
of this manual. However, it is worth reading this
section if you want more insight into how the
tester works.
One of the keys to understanding how the TS100
works is to first understand that a pair of wires has a
fixed impedance as long as the wires of the pair are
kept in the same geometrical relationship to each
other. A pair of wires (either standalone or within a
multi-wire cable) is designed to have a constant wire-
to-wire impedance. If the physical relationship of the
wires in the pair is altered during the wire run, then
there will be a change in impedance at the point
where the physical relationship changes. For example,
if one or both wires of the pair are broken (open), or
they are shorted to each other, or they become
sufficiently separated from each other, their impedance
will change. The TS100 looks for these changes in
impedance. If the impedance change is large enough,
(such as that caused by a break in one of the wires of
the pair), the TS100 will detect the impedance change
and will display the length of the wire up to the
impedance change.
From the previous information, it should be easy to
deduce that the TS100 can measure the length of a pair
of un-terminated wires, because, the open circuit at the
far end causes a very large impedance change.
The TS100 Cable Fault finder uses Time Domain
Reflectometry (TDR) to determine the length of the
target cable. A TDR, much like RADAR, sends a pulse
down the pair of wires. Part of that pulse reflects off
any impedance variations in the pair of wires. All of the
reflections, together with the original pulse, combine
to make an electrical signal (TDR waveform) that has
various flat and bumpy sections that represent the
start, the impedance changes, and the end of the cable.
The size and shape of the flat and bumpy sections
depend on the distance to the impedance changes and
the magnitude of the impedance changes.
For example, two runs of 12/2 ac wire joined with a
splice will have a TDR waveform with 2 flat sections
separated by a bump. The two flat sections represent
the lengths of the two sections of wire. The small bump
in the middle represents the small impedance change
at the splice point. The large bump at the end
represents the large impedance change at the end of
the wire run (see Figure 4).
TDR technology examines this TDR waveform (see
Figure 4), looking at the sizes of the flat sections and
the bumps. The software decides which of the
elements of the waveform is most representative of the
common problems encountered in the wiring
industries and reports the distance to that element.In
the case of the waveform in Figure 4, the TS100 will
report the distance to the end of the wire run and will
ignore the small bump in the middle because it is too
small to be considered a problem.
If more than one problem exists on the cable, the
software in the TS100 Cable Fault Finder only reports
the nearest problem.
The actual result of the measurement is the TIME to the
fault. The software in the tester converts the measured
time to a length by multiplying the time by the speed
of the electrical signal in that particular cable. That
speed is represented as a percentage of the speed of
light and is called the Velocity of Propagation (VOP).

11
Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) Technology
The actual formula used is as follows: The time is divided by two because the signal traveled
the length of the cable twice. Once when it left the
tester and went to the failure point, and again when it
reflected back to the tester to be detected. The speed
of light expressed in billionths of a second per foot is
0.9835 (about a billion feet per second) (0.2998 [about
300 million meters per second]).
bfz04.eps
Figure 4. TDR Waveform
VOP Variations
This characteristic speed of the signal for a particular
cable is not normally a tightly controlled part of the
cable manufacturing process and can vary widely from
one manufacturer to another as well as from one box
of cable to the next. As with all TDR-based cable
measurement tools, the TS100 measures TIME within
specified tolerances, but the displayed LENGTH is the
result of the calculation with the user-selected VOP and
is only as accurate as that selected VOP.
For most uses, a length reading with an incorrectly set
VOP is sufficiently accurate to locate the fault in the
cable. After all, an installed cable is hardly ever run in a
straight line. It can be stapled along the 2x4, laid
diagonally in the ceiling, and coiled behind the
junction box, all of which is not visible.
Also, common sense should prevail. For example, if the
tester reports an open at 80 feet (25 meters), and you
can see a junction box at about 70 feet (20 meters),
your first step should be to check at the junction box.
However, for some uses such as measuring the
remaining cable in a box, it is important to set the VOP
correctly in order to achieve the accuracy desired.
Depending on the cable construction (shielded,
twisted, etc.), insulating material (foam, air, fiber, etc.),
and conductors tested (wire-to-wire, wire-to-shield),
coiling the cable on a spool or in a box may alter its
VOP.
Additionally, other conductors in close proximity to the
conductors being tested can affect the VOP. For
example, a solitary 12 gauge THHN in a metal conduit
has a VOP of 82, while that same wire in a smaller
conduit filled with other wires has a VOP of 72.
0.98352
Length= Time in billionths of a second XVOP

12
TS100 Cable Fault Finder
Users Guide
Note
The actual VOP of any particular cable is
dependent on the conductor spacing and the
material between the conductors and could
vary by as much as ±5 feet (±2 meters) from the
value listed in Table 2.
To set the VOP for more accurate length
measurements, see “Velocity of Propagation” on page
6. See Table 2 and Table 3 for the VOP values for many
cable types and conditions.
Maximum Length
The maximum length of cable that can correctly be
measured by the TS100 is determined by several
factors. The most significant is the signal loss of the
cable itself. When the signal loss in a particular cable is
large enough, the tester cannot “hear” the TDR echo
and cannot determine the length of that cable. In this
situation, the tester displays “Err” on the display. The
amount of signal loss in a cable is determined by the
characteristics of that cable and its length. The
maximum length shown in Table 2 is the length above
which the tester is not expected to be able to make a
valid measurement. For lengths above those stated in
Table 2, the tester’s accuracy is not specified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I calibrate or perform a self test on the
tester?
A: There are no adjustments inside the tester, and the
internal coating protects the critical components from
moisture and contaminants. There is nothing to
calibrate. A self test is performed by the tester every
time you turn it on. Since there is no loss of any settings
when the tester is off, there is no penalty to just
turning it off and on if you wish to perform a self test.
The tester displays 8.8.8.8. during the self test.
Q: Does it matter which clip lead I connect to which
wire in the cable under test?
A: Not for any of the testing functions. However, when
you connect the tester to a cable, if you connect the red
lead first, an invalid reading may be displayed until the
full connection is made with both leads. The tester’s
TDR technology requires both leads be connected to
the wire pair or cable in order to determine its length.
While using only one of the leads is useful in tracing
cable position with the injected tone, both leads are
required to make valid length measurements.
Q: What does the low battery indicator really indicate?
A: The LED comes on (flashes) when the battery
voltage falls below 4.1 volts, indicating that you should
replace the batteries. While the tester will continue to
operate for at least 1 hour below this voltage, some
readings may be less accurate.
Q: I tested an orange outdoor 25 foot (8 meter)
extension cord and the display read 19 feet (6 meters).
Is the tester broken?
A: No. The accuracy of the reading is dependent on the
setting of the VOP. While the nominal setting for
general testing is -66-, the VOP for that kind of cable is
-56-. To improve the accuracy of length measurements
for that or any cable, change the VOP as shown in the
instructions in the Velocity of Propagation section.
Q: Why does the length reading sometimes change a
small amount when I open and short the far end of a
test cable?
A: There are two causes. The first is that this is a
characteristic of the measurement technique used in
almost all low and medium cost cable length test tools.

13
Frequently Asked Questions
In the case of the TS100 Cable Fault Finder, the variance
occurs in only a few cable types and both readings are
within the specified accuracy of the instrument. The
second cause occurs when the cable is coiled, as in a
box or on a spool. The magnetic field caused by the
TDR signal itself couples across to other parts of the
cable and changes the characteristics of the reflections.
Q: Why, on some cables, does the number displayed
jump between 2 or 3 different values?
A: As the TDR signal travels down a cable, it loses some
of its strength. At some point, the noise on the cable
has an amplitude similar to the reduced strength TDR
signal and will influence the measurement results. The
tester’s software filters out many of the noise related
variations in the displayed length, but some variations
do get through.
Q: I accidentally cracked the plastic housing, does this
affect the moisture protection of the components?
A: Not at all. The component protection is provided by
a coating on the components and Printed Circuit Board
(PCB).
However, if sufficient plastic is missing then a possible
shock hazard exists. You should not use the tester until
the plastic is repaired or replaced.
Q: Can this tester measure the length of single
conductor wires like THHN?
A: No. All TS100 measurements must be made on TWO
conductors from the SAME END of a cable.
Q: If I touch the bare metal of the wires or clip leads,
will the measurement be affected?
A: After BOTH clips are connected, measurement
results will ordinarily not be affected if inappropriate
human contact is made with the input connectors.
Under moist conditions, if a large surface area of cable
is in contact with moist skin, some readings may be
affected.
Q: On multi-conductor cables with a short between
two of the conductors, I sometimes read an “open” at
twice the known length of the cable.
A: If the cable has more than two conductors, and a
short exists at the far end between one of the
conductors you are connected to and a conductor you
are not connected to, the displayed length will be the
SUM of the lengths of the conductors joined by the
short. TS100 can only correctly test the two conductors
you are connected to. See “Applications” on page 7 for
multi-conductor cables.
Q: When testing a set of wires that go into a conduit, I
sometimes get a reading of 0 or 1. Why?
A: If there is more than a foot or so of wires that are
physically separated before they enter the close
confinement of the conduit, this will look to the tester
like an open at the start of the cable. Remember that
TS100 reports the FIRST failure that it finds. Try
bringing the two wires of the pair closer together for
the path from TS100 to the entry to the conduit.
Q: When connecting to a 6 foot (2 meter) piece of 50Ω
Coax with the alligator clips, the tester reads 8 feet (3
meters). What’s up?
A: When measuring a low impedance small cable (less
than 15 feet [5 meters]), the clip leads can add up to 2
feet (1 meter) of length. For longer or high impedance
cables, the clip leads have no effect.
Q: How does the tester react to a speaker or a
transformer at the end of a cable?
A: A speaker or a transformer is actually a large coil of
wire. This will usually cause the length reading to be
larger than that of the cable alone. A moderate power
speaker will add 500 feet (150 meters) to the length
reading. Some combinations of speakers and
transformers connected to the cable may prevent the
tester from making a valid reading.

14
TS100 Cable Fault Finder
Users Guide
If Something Seems Wrong
with the Tester
The display remains at 8.8.8.8. after power on.
The self test has failed. The batteries may be weak or
the tester has water inside. Try changing the batteries
or drying the tester.
The tester reads less than 10 feet (3 meters)
regardless of the length of the cable.
The connection to the cable is broken. Check your
connection to the cable for dirt or insulation. Also, test
the clip leads by shorting them and listening for the
beeper. You can also visually check the center
connection of the BNC for damage.
The tester does not respond to any button presses.
The batteries could be dead or inserted incorrectly, or
the contacts are dirty or broken. Please ensure that
nothing is connected to the input connector before
opening the battery door, and then check the battery
installation. Remove the batteries and check the
contacts for dirt or damage. Please observe correct
polarity when inserting the batteries.
Maintenance
WXWarning
These servicing instructions are for use by
qualified personnel only. To avoid electric
shock, do not perform any servicing other
than that contained in the operating
instructions unless you are qualified to do
so.
Disconnect clips from any metallic
connections before performing any
maintenance.
WCaution
Do not use CRC Cable Clean®or any similar
chlorinated solvent on the TS100. Doing so
will damage the TS100.
There are no user serviceable components or adjust-
ments in the TS100. Do not open the housing as
handling of the PC board could remove the moisture
protection coating or apply a static charge that will
damage sensitive components.
Note
Opening the housing will void the warranty.
Moisture will not harm the tester. However, moisture
can provide a leakage path that may conduct
hazardous voltages to you. DO NOT USE the tester if
wet.
If moisture should get inside the tester, let the tester
dry at normal room temperature for 24 hours. DO NOT
HEAT THE tester.
The tester may be cleaned by using a soft cloth with
soap and water. Do not use a petroleum-based or
chlorinated cleaning agents.