LiveWire Innovation FaultChaser User manual

Fault Finding/Cable Length Measurement TDR
User Manual
Accurately finds cable length, impediments in the cable, and
conditions at the end of every wire in your data, power, or
communications/video system up to 3,000 ft.
Memory:
Holds up to two different NVP
values for multiple cable tests.
Calibration:
Ability to calibrate NVP for any
known cable length.
Test:
Tests length, opens, or shorts
present on the cable up to 3,000 ft.
Tone Generation:
Produces four different tones for
locating cables.

Table of Contents
About this Manual....................................................................................................................................................................4
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................................................4
Symbols and Icons..............................................................................................................................................................4
Terms and Descriptions .....................................................................................................................................................5
Safety Information...............................................................................................................................................................6
Equipment and Accessories..................................................................................................................................................7
Design Features......................................................................................................................................................................8
FaultChaser Description.........................................................................................................................................................9
F-Connector.........................................................................................................................................................................9
LCD Display Screen..........................................................................................................................................................10
Test Mode...........................................................................................................................................................................10
Memory Storage................................................................................................................................................................10
Tone Mode.........................................................................................................................................................................10
Calibration Mode ...............................................................................................................................................................10
Cable Faults.......................................................................................................................................................................13
Battery Life Indicator.......................................................................................................................................................103
Voltage Detected Warning.............................................................................................................................................103
Error...................................................................................................................................................................................103
Keypad................................................................................................................................................................................14
Operations..............................................................................................................................................................................16
Turning the Unit On/Off....................................................................................................................................................16
Automatic Power Down....................................................................................................................................................16
Cable Testing General Guidelines..................................................................................................................................17
Using Memory Storage.....................................................................................................................................................17
Recalling Stored NVP Values..........................................................................................................................................18
Adjusting NVP Values ......................................................................................................................................................19
Using Calibration Mode....................................................................................................................................................20
Using Test Mode...............................................................................................................................................................23
Using Loop Testing...........................................................................................................................................................25
Using Tone Mode..............................................................................................................................................................26
Maintenance...........................................................................................................................................................................27
Battery Replacement........................................................................................................................................................27
Cleaning..............................................................................................................................................................................27

Storage................................................................................................................................................................................27
Customer Service..................................................................................................................................................................28
Contacting LiveWire Innovation ......................................................................................................................................28
Additional Accessories .....................................................................................................................................................28
Warranty Information........................................................................................................................................................29
Product Registration .........................................................................................................................................................29
Disposal..............................................................................................................................................................................29
Returns................................................................................................................................................................................29
Specifications.........................................................................................................................................................................30
Appendix A.............................................................................................................................................................................32
3
Patents/Intellectual Property...........................................................................................................................................29

About this Manual
Introduction
The FaultChaser is a self-contained, hand-held, battery powered test unit operated by
contractors, repair technicians, and other authorized users. This device is used to
accurately test voice, data, and video cables. The FaultChaser determines cable length,
identifies cable faults, and quickly discovers the Nominal Velocity of Propagation (NVP)
for a cable using Spread Spectrum Time Domain Reflectometry (SSTDR).
Symbols and Icons
The following symbols are used throughout the manual or in the display screen of the
FaultChaser to help you avoid personal injury and potential damage to the test
equipment (Table 1).
Table 1. Symbols and Icons
Symbol
Definition
Warning: Potential for personal injury.
Caution: Potential for damage or destruction to equipment.
Voltage! Voltage detection symbol. Appears when the voltage on the cable is unsafe
and exceeds 60 Volts peak AC or DC.
Conformité Européenne. Conforms with European Economic Area
directives.
Disposal information.
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Terms and Descriptions
Table 2 defines the terms used throughout the document and provides information to
assist you with proper operation and understanding of the unit and its functions.
Table 2. Terms and Descriptions
Terms
Description and Uses
Nominal Velocity of
Propagation (NVP)
Also known as the Velocity of Propagation (VOP), NVP is
the speed of an electrical signal traveling through a cable,
measured as a percentage of the speed of light.
Safety Extra Low
Voltage (SELV)
•A rating determined by the International Electrotechnical
Commission that defines safe voltage standards when
using electronic devices.
•SELV is 60 Volts for DC systems or 42.5 volts RMS for
AC systems.
F-Connector Connector for a coax cable.
Spread Spectrum Time
Domain Reflectometry
(SSTDR)
•Spread spectrum is the technological foundation of cell
phone communications and is used to transmit a small,
but nevertheless recognizable, signal in a high noise
environment.
•By combining spread spectrum with TDR technology,
SSTDR allows for a length test on cables without
interference from voltage.
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Safety Information
To ensure safe operation of the FaultChaser, follow the instructions carefully and
observe the warning and caution messages listed in Table 3. Failure to observe
warnings can result in severe injury or death and can damage the unit.
Table 3. Safety Information
Notification Definition
The FaultChaser is designed for use on cabling systems with or without
voltage.
•The Voltage! Icon turns on when the voltage exceeds Safety Extra
Low Voltage (SELV) rating of 60 Volts peak AC or DC.
•Internal components are protected up to 400 Volts peak AC or DC.
•Operating the FaultChaser when a voltage source exceeds 60 volts
peak AC or DC may pose a safety hazard for the user.
Do not place equipment and its accessories in the trash. Items must be
properly disposed of in accordance with local regulations.
It is not recommended to use the FaultChaser when the Voltage! Icon is
present.
6

Equipment and Accessories
The following list of equipment and accessories are used with the FaultChaser in order
to properly test cables. The items illustrated and described in Table 4 are provided with
your purchase of the FaultChaser. Refer to the Additional Accessories section for a
listing of additional products that can help make testing easier.
Table 4.FaultChaser Equipment and Accessories
Accessory
Product
Number
Description
LW-AD001
F-connector Coupler,
High Performance F81
LW-AD002
Adapter, F-Jack to BNC
Jack
LW-CA001
Cable Assembly,
Insulated Push-On F to
RJ45 Plug
LW-CA002
Cable Assembly,
Insulated BNC to
Alligator Clips
LW-CA003
Cable Assembly,
Insulated Push-On F-
Connector to Alligator
Clips
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Design Features
Distance to Fault Accuracy:
oControlled Impedance Cables
+/- 1 ft. (length < 50 ft.)
+/- 1 % (length > 50 ft.)
oUncontrolled Impedance Cables
+/- 2 ft. (length < 50 ft.)
+/- 2 % (length > 50 ft.)
Ability to measure cables with voltage
Stores up to two NVP values
Displays length reading in feet or meters
Easy to Operate
Extra-large seven-segment, back lit LCD screen with icons that clearly display test
results
Tests any copper cable including data, voice, video, lamp wire, and Romex cables
Discovers NVP value for cables with known length
Automatic pre-test voltage checks
Identifies cable faults
Tone generator with selectable tone cadence to easily trace cables
Conserves power and supports long battery life with Auto-off feature and battery
life indicator
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FaultChaser Description
The FaultChaser, illustrated in Figure 1, has 3 main parts: the F-Connector, LCD display
screen, and the keypad.
Figure 1. FaultChaser
F-Connector
One F-Connector is located at the top of the FaultChaser. The connector enables you
to test and measure single cables.
Note: Additional accessories are provided with your purchase of the FaultChaser for
use with twisted pair, coaxial, and two wire cables. Refer to the Cable Testing
General Guidelines section of the manual for more details.
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LCD Display Screen
The FaultChaser has a high contrast LCD display screen, shown in Figure 2 below. The
LCD display screen shows the following: modes and related icons, cable length,
memory storage and related icons, NVP value, cable faults, error message, voltage
detection warning, and battery life indicator.
Figure 2.LCD Display Screen
Test Mode
When the TEST button is pressed, the measured cable length (in units of feet or meters)
appears at the top of the LCD display screen. The following values and icons display in
the screen when a single test is run:
•Storage Location – The selected storage location (M1 or M2) appears in the lower
left corner of the display screen above the NVP value.
•NVP Value – The value saved in the selected storage location appears in the lower
left corner of the screen. This value is used to calculate the displayed cable length.
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