IDEAL INDUSTRIES LANTEK User manual

IDEAL INDUSTRIES
LANTEK
CABLE TESTERS
USER’S GUIDE
01 FEBUARY 2002
MANUAL PART # 6510-00-5000 REV. A

LANTEK Cable Tester User’s Guide
This document contains information proprietary to IDEAL INDUSTRIES. The
information in this document is not to be used or duplicated in any manner without
prior written approval from IDEAL INDUSTRIES.
IDEAL INDUSTRIES and the IDEAL INDUSTRIES logo are registered
trademarks of IDEAL INDUSTRIES.
All other product names mentioned in this book are trademarked or copyrighted by
their respective manufacturers.
IDEAL INDUSTRIES
LAN and Test Tools Division
9145 Balboa Avenue
San Diego, CA 92123
[phone]
[phone]
Manual Part No. 6510-00-5000 Rev.A
© IDEAL INDUSTRIES 2002 Printed in USA 2002-02

IDEAL INDUSTRIES Standard Warranty Policy
IDEAL INDUSTRIES warrants that all Products manufactured or procured by IDEAL
INDUSTRIES conform to IDEAL INDUSTRIES’ published specifications and are free from
defects in materials and workmanship for a period of two (2) years from the date of delivery to the
original Buyer, when used under normal operating conditions and within the service conditions for
which they are designed. This warranty is not transferable and does not apply to used or
demonstration products.
The obligation of IDEAL INDUSTRIES arising from a Warranty claim shall be limited to
repairing, or at its option, replacing without charge, any assembly or component (except batteries
and cable adapters) which in IDEAL INDUSTRIES’ sole opinion proves to be defective within the
scope of the Warranty. In the event IDEAL INDUSTRIES is not able to modify, repair or replace
nonconforming defective parts or components to a condition as warranted within a reasonable time
after receipt thereof, Buyers shall receive credit in the amount of the original invoiced price of the
product.
IDEAL INDUSTRIES must be notified in writing of the defect or nonconformity within the
Warranty period and the affected Product returned to IDEAL INDUSTRIES’ factory, designated
Service Provider, or Authorized Service Center within thirty (30) days after discovery of such
defect or nonconformity. Buyer shall prepay shipping charges and insurance for Products returned
to IDEAL INDUSTRIES or its designated Service Provider for warranty service. IDEAL
INDUSTRIES or its designated Service Provider shall pay costs for return of Products to Buyer.
IDEAL INDUSTRIES shall have no responsibility for any defect or damage caused by improper
storage, improper installation, unauthorized modification, misuse, neglect, inadequate maintenance,
accident or for any Product which has been repaired or altered by anyone other than IDEAL
INDUSTRIES or its authorized representative or not in accordance with instructions furnished by
IDEAL INDUSTRIES.
The Warranty described above is Buyer’s sole and exclusive remedy and no other warranty,
whether written or oral, expressed or implied by statute or course of dealing shall apply. IDEAL
INDUSTRIES specifically disclaims the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a
particular purpose. No statement, representation, agreement, or understanding, oral or written,
made by an agent, distributor, or employee of IDEAL INDUSTRIES, which is not contained in the
foregoing Warranty will be binding upon IDEAL INDUSTRIES, unless made in writing and
executed by an authorized representative of IDEAL INDUSTRIES. Under no circumstances shall
IDEAL INDUSTRIES be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential
damages, expenses, or losses, including loss of profits, based on contract, tort, or any other legal
theory.

i
Index of Safety Precautions
IDEAL INDUSTRIES recommends that the user review all of the information in
Appendix A before using the LANTEK tester.
Important Notice
Charge Battery Packs Prior to Use
The battery packs in the Display and Remote Handsets are subject to discharge
even when the units are turned off. With time on the shelf, the battery packs’
charge levels may not support the instrument’s operation. Refer to Chapter 2,
Your Cable Tester for charging instructions and observe all Safety Precautions in
Appendix A.

ii
Table of Contents
Index of Safety Precautions...........................................................................................i
Important Notice ..........................................................................................................i
Table of Contents ..........................................................................................................ii
List of Figures................................................................................................................v
List of Tables ................................................................................................................vi
Operation Notes, Cautions, and Warnings.................................................................vii
About This User’s Guide............................................................................................viii
Chapter 1 Quick Start................................................................................................1-1
Contents...................................................................................................................1-1
What’s in the Box? ...................................................................................................1-1
Quick Start Procedures.............................................................................................1-3
Next Steps................................................................................................................1-7
Chapter 2 Your Cable Tester.....................................................................................2-1
Contents...................................................................................................................2-1
The LANTEK Cable Tester......................................................................................2-1
The Display Handset.................................................................................................2-6
The Remote Handset ..............................................................................................2-15
Operational Sequence.............................................................................................2-18
Battery and Power Management .............................................................................2-18
Chapter 3 Calibration, Configuration, and Special Operations...............................3-1
Contents...................................................................................................................3-1
Adapters and Reference Patchcords..........................................................................3-2
Warning Screens.......................................................................................................3-7
Tester Field Calibration.............................................................................................3-8
Tester Configuration...............................................................................................3-11
Simple Cable ID/AutoName Option........................................................................3-27
Changing a Cable Type...........................................................................................3-31
Custom Cable Settings............................................................................................3-34
Tone Generator ......................................................................................................3-39
Digital Talkset........................................................................................................3-41
TDR TEST.............................................................................................................3-42

iii
Chapter 4 Autotesting................................................................................................4-1
Contents...................................................................................................................4-1
Autotest Overview...................................................................................................4-1
Autotest Preferences ................................................................................................4-7
Running Autotest.....................................................................................................4-8
Interpreting Autotest Results..................................................................................4-10
Autotest Graphs.....................................................................................................4-20
Chapter 5 Analyze Testing ........................................................................................5-1
Contents...................................................................................................................5-1
Analyze Single Test Mode Overview........................................................................5-1
Running a Single Test...............................................................................................5-4
Chapter 6 Using LANTEK REPORTER..................................................................6-1
Contents...................................................................................................................6-1
System Requirements...............................................................................................6-2
LANTEK Reporter Installation and Startup..............................................................6-2
Tester to PC Connectivity ........................................................................................6-4
LANTEK Reporter User Interface............................................................................6-8
LANTEK Reporter Help System Overview............................................................6-18
Uploading DH Tests to the PC...............................................................................6-22
Utilizing Graph Data ..............................................................................................6-24
Working with Databases.........................................................................................6-25
Working at the Job Level........................................................................................6-27
Working at the Test Level......................................................................................6-33
Backing Up and Restoring Databases .....................................................................6-41
Producing and Printing a Report.............................................................................6-42
Chapter 7 Cable Testing Fundamentals....................................................................7-1
Contents...................................................................................................................7-1
Testing Twisted Pair Cables .....................................................................................7-2
Wire Map Test.........................................................................................................7-6
Wire Length Test .....................................................................................................7-8
DC Resistance Test................................................................................................7-10
NEXT, ELFEXT, and Power Sum Tests................................................................7-12
Attenuation Test.....................................................................................................7-18
Return Loss Test....................................................................................................7-20
Impedance Test......................................................................................................7-22

iv
Delay and Skew Test..............................................................................................7-24
Capacitance Test.....................................................................................................7-26
ACR and Power Sum ACR Test.............................................................................7-28
Headroom Test.......................................................................................................7-30
Testing and Troubleshooting 10BASE-T Cabling....................................................7-31
Testing and Troubleshooting with Block Adapters..................................................7-32
Appendix A Safety Precautions ................................................................................A-1
Contents..................................................................................................................A-1
Handle Battery Packs With Care..............................................................................A-1
Statement of Liability...............................................................................................A-2
Environmental Statement.........................................................................................A-2
Important User Information.....................................................................................A-3
Appendix B Customer Support.................................................................................B-1
Contents..................................................................................................................B-1
Customer Service.....................................................................................................B-1
World Wide Web Services.......................................................................................B-4
Appendix C Measurement Methods and Limits......................................................C-1
Contents..................................................................................................................C-1
Electrical Performance Specifications.......................................................................C-1
Tester Performance Levels.....................................................................................C-11
Permanent and Channel Link Test Limits ...............................................................C-14
Appendix D Specifications ........................................................................................D-1
Contents..................................................................................................................D-1
LANTEK Cables, Adapters, and Accessories...........................................................D-1
Environmental and Physical Specifications ...............................................................D-3

v
List of Figures
Figure 1-1: Contents of Package...................................................................................1-2
Figure 1-2: Self Test In Progress..................................................................................1-3
Figure 2-1: Display Handset (DH)................................................................................2-6
Figure 2-2: LCD Ready Screen.....................................................................................2-8
Figure 2-3: Display Handset Interface Ports................................................................2-13
Figure 2-4: PCMCIA Slots.........................................................................................2-14
Figure 2-5: PCMCIA Adapter, Compact Flash Card and Reader.................................2-14
Figure 2-6: Remote Handset (RH)..............................................................................2-15
Figure 2-7: Remote Handset Interface Ports...............................................................2-17
Figure 2-8: Tester AC/DC Wall Cube Adapter ...........................................................2-19
Figure 3-1: Loss Components of a Total Link...............................................................3-5
Figure 3-2: Sample Warning Screen .............................................................................3-7
Figure 3-3: Tester Field Calibration Setup....................................................................3-8
Figure 3-4: Custom Cable Parameter Screen...............................................................3-38
Figure 3-5: Typical Tone Generator Setup..................................................................3-39
Figure 3-6: TDR Graphical Plot Layout and Controls.................................................3-47
Figure 4-1: Tabular Data and Graphical Plot Layout...................................................4-22
Figure 6-1: Typical Installation Window.......................................................................6-3
Figure 6-2: PC Uploading Cable Pinout........................................................................6-5
Figure 6-3: PC to Tester Connections...........................................................................6-6
Figure 7-1: Twisted Pair Cables....................................................................................7-2
Figure 7-2: Shield Continuity Test Connections Twisted Pair........................................7-3
Figure 7-3: Permanent Link Test Connections..............................................................7-4
Figure 7-4: Channel Link Test Connections..................................................................7-5
Figure 7-5: 10BASE-T Connector..............................................................................7-31

vi
List of Tables
Table 2-1: Display Handset (DH) Keys, LCD, and Connectors......................................2-7
Table 2-2: Ready Screen Indicators...............................................................................2-9
Table 2-3: Soft Key Descriptions................................................................................2-11
Table 2-4: DH Connectors..........................................................................................2-13
Table 2-5: Remote Handset (RH) Keys, LED, and Connectors ...................................2-16
Table 2-6: RH Connectors..........................................................................................2-17
Table 3-1: LANTEK 6 Test Adapter and Reference Patchcord Usage...........................3-2
Table 3-2: LANTEK 7 Test Adapter and Reference Patchcord Usage...........................3-3
Table 3-3: Unsuccessful Field Calibration Checklist ....................................................3-10
Table 3-4: Autotest Preference Options ......................................................................3-13
Table 3-5: Custom Cable Parameter Options...............................................................3-38
Table 3-6: TDR Graphical Plot Layout and Controls...................................................3-47
Table 4-1: Preset Autotest Suites Available for Specific Cable Types............................4-2
Table 4-2: Overall Test Result Symbols ......................................................................4-10
Table 4-3: Individual Autotest Reports .......................................................................4-10
Table 4-4: Job Options................................................................................................4-18
Table 4-5: Test Options..............................................................................................4-19
Table 4-6: Autotest Graph View Layout and Controls ................................................4-23
Table 7-1: Twisted Pair Cable Types and Associated Networks ....................................7-3

vii
Operation Notes, Cautions, and Warnings
The following symbols are used in this manual to indicate that the user should use
particular caution in order to prevent personal injury or damage to the tester or the
system under test.
Exercise caution when you see this symbol. It indicates actions that could
be harmful to the user or to the equipment.
Exercise extreme caution when you see this symbol. It indicates potentially
lethal voltages.

viii
About This User’s Guide
Chapter 1 Quick Start
This chapter summarizes information and procedures regarding tester function,
unpacking, setup, and operation.
Chapter 2 Your Cable Tester
This chapter describes the LANTEK cable tester, performance specifications,
tester controls, and indicators. It also contains useful information regarding unit
power management.
Chapter 3 Calibration, Configuration, and Special Operations
This chapter describes the test adapters and reference patchcords as well as the use
of the Tone Generator and Digital Talkset. It explains the procedures for
calibration, configuration, cable identification, selecting cable types, and custom
cable settings. The last section depicts the useful effects of performing Time
Domain Reflectometer tests.
Chapter 4 Autotesting
This chapter describes the Autotest function, and provides instructions for setting
up test preferences. This chapter also describes individual tests that run during an
Autotest and provides instructions for viewing and interpreting Autotest results.

ix
Chapter 5 Analyze Testing
This chapter describes the Analyze test function and provides instructions for
setting up test preferences and running an Analyze test. This chapter also describes
each Analyze test and provides instructions for viewing and interpreting test
results.
Chapter 6 Using LANTEK REPORTER
This chapter contains procedures for LANTEK REPORTER installation,
configuration, operation, uploading test data into a PC database, and for viewing
and printing test reports.
Chapter 7 Cable Testing Fundamentals
This chapter describes test setup, physical and electrical characteristics of cables,
test descriptions, test storage, and data management procedures. This chapter also
describes how to set up different cabling tests, what to do when tests fail, and
typical causes of test failure.
Appendix A Safety Precautions
This appendix reviews safety information regarding setup and use of the tester.
Appendix B Customer Support
This appendix contains information regarding Customer Service (Technical
Assistance, Service in the USA, Service Outside the USA) and World Wide Web
Services.

x
Appendix C Measurement Methods and Limits
This appendix contains information regarding cable test accuracy levels, worst
allowable pair-to-pair measured performance levels, and basic and channel link test
limits.
Appendix D Specifications
This appendix contains information regarding standard and optional cables,
adapters, accessories, and unit specifications.

1-1
Chapter 1
Quick Start
Contents
•What’s in the Box?
•Quick Start Procedures
•Next Steps
What’s in the Box?
The LANTEK you received (Category 6 or Category 7 tester) comes in either the
Basic package or Premier package based on your request. See Figure 1-1.
The Basic package consists of:
•Display Handset •Serial Interface Cable
•Remote Handset •USB Cable
•NiMH Batteries (2) •Cat 6 Channel Adapters (2)
•AC Wall Adapters (2) •Cat 7 Channel Adapters (2), LANTEK 7 only
•LANTEK Reporter •Cat 6 RJ45 Patchcords (2)
•Quick Reference Guide •Cat 7 RJ45 to Tera Patchcords (2), LANTEK 7 only
•Soft Carrying Case •Cat 7 Tera Patchcords (2), LANTEK 7 only
•Hanging Strap (2)
The Premier package consists of:
All items supplied in the Basic package with a substitution of a hard case for the
soft case. In addition you get the (1) PCMCIA adapter, (1) Compact Flash Card
(32 MB), (1) Flash card reader, and (1) 2-port battery charger.

Chapter 1
Quick Start
1-2
Display Handset NiMH Batteries (2)
Remote Handset
AC Wall Adapters (2)
Plug configuration
changes with country
Reference Patchcords
Serial Interface Cable
Soft Carrying Case
Quick Reference Guide
Hanging Strap (2)
LANTEK REPORTER
Software
AUTO
TEST
NET MONITOR
WIRE MAP
TDR
LENGTH
SHIFT
750 MHz Certifier
F1F2F3F4
F5
F6F7F8
ENTER
Escape
TALK
ANALYZE
SETUP
HELP
1
23
456
789
0
ABC
DEFGHI
JKL
MNO
PQR
STUVWX
YZ
SPACE
AUTO
TEST
ESCAPE
TONEMODE
TONE
PAGE
TALK
SHIFT
Remote
HAZARDPASS FAIL ON
350 MHz Certifier
Cat 7 Channel Adapters (2)
LANTEK 7 onlyUSB Interface Cable
Cat 6 RJ45 to RJ45
Cat 7 RJ45 to Tera
LANTEK 7 only
Cat 7 Tera to Tera
LANTEK 7 only
BasicPackage
PremierPackage
PCMCIA Adapter
32MB Compact
Flash Card
USB Flash Card
Reader to PC
Hard Carrying Case
2-Port Battery
Charger
Cat 6 Channel Adapters (2)
Figure 1-1: Contents of Package

Chapter 1
Quick Start
1-3
Quick Start Procedures
The objective of this section is to supply a highly experienced cable installer with
enough information to perform an Autotest on a twisted pair cable. For more
detailed information refer to Next Steps, page 1-7.
Power-up
Power-up the Display Handset by pressing the On/Off key.
Note: The Remote Handset will be powered up automatically by the Display Handset
when the test begins.
Self-Test
When the LANTEK Tester is turned on, it displays a Self-Test In Progress
message and performs a quick self-test. An alert message is displayed if the
self-test determines that calibration or repair is necessary.
Figure 1-2: Self Test In Progress

Chapter 1
Quick Start
1-4
Tester Calibration
A calibration screen will always appear 7 days after the last field calibration.
The purpose of calibration is to (1) synchronize the units, (2) qualify (test) the
patchcords and (3) gather loss data regarding the patchcords and mated
connections.
Note: Calibration should also be done whenever there is a change of the reference
patchcords.
To calibrate the tester:
1. Connect the channel adapters to the Display Handset and Remote Handset.
2. Power the units on.
3. Connect one of the two appropriate patchcords to the adapters of the DH and
RH units.
4. From the DH Ready screen, select Field Calibration .
5. From the Field Calibration screen, select Start on the DH.
6. At completion of the first patchcord process, disconnect the first patchcord
from the adapters of the DH and RH and insert the second patchcord into both
of the units’ adapters.
7. Select Start on the DH.
8. At completion of the second patchcord process, disconnect the second
patchcord from one of the units and re-insert the first patchcord to the unit’s
adapter not connected to a patchcord.
The field calibration is complete and you are ready to perform tests.
If the calibration was unsuccessful, proceed to Chapter 3, Tester Field
Calibration. If you are unable to fix the problem, contact your local distributor or
an IDEAL INDUSTRIES service facility for assistance.

Chapter 1
Quick Start
1-5
Twisted Pair Cable Connections
Most Autotests are performed with the DH and RH connected at opposite ends of
the cable under test. The minimum level of connectivity required depends on the
test and cable type selected.
•Some tests can be performed without the RH. Stored test results or test
printouts will indicate the presence or absence of the RH during the test.
•If the test requires the RH, the DH will first attempt to communicate with the
RH. If unable to communicate, the DH will display a message that it is
looking for the RH.
Observe the following cautions while connecting the tester:
Shielded Cabling Systems
Do not create testing ground loops with shielded cable systems.
Shielded cable systems (i.e., 4 pair STP, or Coaxial) present a unique
testing problem due to the cable shield’s ground connection. The
LANTEK unit can test these systems to specifications only if the
handsets are operated on battery power and not connected to a PC or
printer using a copper serial cable.
If connection to a printer or PC is essential to perform testing, IDEAL
INDUSTRIES recommends using battery-operated devices and
removing any wall power charging inputs. If this is not possible, an
optically isolated serial cable should be used during testing to isolate
the tester from all other ground connections.
TELCO Lines
Do not connect the tester to a live or active TELCO lines. If you
accidentally plug the unit into outlets with active TELCO lines present
(indicated by a “Voltage Exceeds Limits” warning message) disconnect
the tester immediately.

Chapter 1
Quick Start
1-6
Permanent Link Test Setup
1. Attach the channel adapters to both the Display and Remote Handsets.
2. Attach the appropriate patchcords to the adapters.
3. On the horizontal cable to be tested, disconnect the corresponding user
patchcords from the network patch panel and the RJ-45 or Tera wall outlet.
4. Connect the DH with the adapter and the appropriate patchcord end to the
network patch panel, and then connect the RH with the adapter and the
appropriate patchcord end to the wall outlet.
Note: Prior to testing, check that the Cable Type is set for Permanent Link.
Channel Link Test Setup
1. Attach the channel adapters to both the Display and Remote Handsets.
2. On the link to be tested, disconnect the corresponding user patch cords from
the network equipment.
3. Connect the DH adapter to the patch panel using the user patchcord and the
RH adapter to the wall outlet using the user patchcord.
Note: Prior to testing, check that the Cable Type is set for Channel Link.
Set Autotest Preferences
Autotest is the most frequently used test mode. A number of preferences can be
selected for the Autotest function:
•Simple Cable ID •Pass Fail Icon •Stop on Fail
•Autosave •Save Graphs •Auto Increment
•Marginal pass/fail •ACR •Resistance
•Capacitance •Impedance •Enable 24 ELFEXT

Chapter 1
Quick Start
1-7
To set Preferences:
1. From the DH Tools screen, select Preferences .
2. Select Autotest Preferences.
3. From the open Autotest Preferences screen, set the preferences as required
(refer to Chapter 3, Set Autotest Preferences).
Perform Autotest on a Twisted Pair Cable
The selection of cable type determines the default tests and limits included in an
Autotest suite.
1. Press Shift and Setup simultaneously or select on the DH
Ready screen to choose the Cable Type (refer to Chapter 3, Selecting Cable
Type).
2. Press Autotest to begin testing. The cable tester will perform a
predefined test suite.
3. The test result is displayed below the Title Bar at the top right corner.
A checkmark indicates an overall pass. A indicates an overall fail.
4. To interpret, save, or print an Autotest result, refer to Chapter 4, Autotesting.
Next Steps
Refer to the following chapters for more information regarding the setup and
operation of your LANTEK tester:
Chapter 2 Your Cable Tester
This chapter describes the LANTEK tester controls, indicators, and screens. It
also contains information regarding tester power management.