Tempo Fitness Sidekick 7B Installation guide

Tempo
Sidekick® 7B and T&N
Training Course
Revision 1.03
This manual is for training purposes only.
7B Model T&N Model

Rev. 11/10/00
ii
PREAMBLE
“Never could a highly trained and
experienced technician place more
emphasis on how paramount a
thorough understanding of the following
principles and analytical procedures
are to “Finding a better way” to trouble
shoot outside plant and equipment…”

Rev. 11/10/00
iii
Table of Contents
A BRIEF HISTORY OF TEMPO RESEARCH CORPORATION ........................................................V
THE EVOLUTION OF THE SIDEKICK ............................................................................................................ V
ORIGIN OF THE NAME ................................................................................................................................V
MASTERING THE FUNDAMENTALS.................................................................................................... 1
BASIC ELECTRONICS........................................................................................................................... 1
Copper Wire......................................................................................................................................... 1
Voltage ................................................................................................................................................. 1
Current................................................................................................................................................. 2
Resistance............................................................................................................................................. 2
Ohms Law ............................................................................................................................................ 2
Capacitance ......................................................................................................................................... 2
Capacitive Reactance........................................................................................................................... 3
Inductance............................................................................................................................................ 3
Inductive Reactance ............................................................................................................................. 3
Power Formulas................................................................................................................................... 4
CONNECTING TO OUTSIDE PLANT................................................................................................... 4
FAULT TYPES ........................................................................................................................................ 4
Opens ................................................................................................................................................... 5
Shorts ................................................................................................................................................... 5
Grounds................................................................................................................................................ 5
Resistance Faults ................................................................................................................................. 5
Noise .................................................................................................................................................... 5
Line Imbalance..................................................................................................................................... 5
Crosses................................................................................................................................................. 6
Splits..................................................................................................................................................... 6
Power Influence ................................................................................................................................... 6
Induction .............................................................................................................................................. 6
Circuit Loss .......................................................................................................................................... 6
Loop Current........................................................................................................................................ 6
SIDEKICK 7B .............................................................................................................................................. 7
General Description............................................................................................................................. 7
Features ............................................................................................................................................... 7
Benefits................................................................................................................................................. 8
Front Panel Controls ................................................................................................................................................... 8
AC Volts Test ............................................................................................................................................................. 9
DC Volts Test ............................................................................................................................................................. 9
QUIZ 1......................................................................................................................................................... 10
Stress Test .......................................................................................................................................... 12
Fault Types Identified ........................................................................................................................ 12
Proper Ground................................................................................................................................... 12
Procedure........................................................................................................................................... 13
Identifying a Pair or Cross Conductor............................................................................................... 13
Bridged Stressed Noise Readings....................................................................................................... 15
Trouble Isolation................................................................................................................................ 15
Stress Test Effectiveness..................................................................................................................... 16
Questionable Cables .......................................................................................................................... 16
Equipment Balance ............................................................................................................................ 16
Testing DSSC, DAML, OR UDC Pair Gain Line............................................................................... 17
Troubleshooting Tips ......................................................................................................................... 17

Rev. 11/10/00
iv
QUIZ 2......................................................................................................................................................... 19
Leakage Test ........................................................................................................................................... 21
Resistance Test ......................................................................................................................................................... 22
Resistance/Conductor Length (Approximate) .................................................................................... 22
Capacitive Kick......................................................................................................................................................... 23
Kickmeter ........................................................................................................................................... 23
To Kick a Pair.................................................................................................................................... 23
Capacitance/Conductor Length (Approximate) ................................................................................. 23
QUIZ 3......................................................................................................................................................... 25
EXAM 1....................................................................................................................................................... 27
SIDEKICK T&N ........................................................................................................................................ 30
Features ............................................................................................................................................. 30
Benefits............................................................................................................................................... 30
Front Panel Controls ................................................................................................................................................. 30
Coil Detect Test ........................................................................................................................................................ 32
Loop Current Test..................................................................................................................................................... 33
Power Influence Test ................................................................................................................................................ 34
Circuit Noise Test ..................................................................................................................................................... 34
Circuit Loss Test....................................................................................................................................................... 35
QUIZ 4......................................................................................................................................................... 37
EXAM 2....................................................................................................................................................... 39
QUIZ & EXAM ANSWERS...................................................................................................................... 41
TROUBLE SHOOTING INSIDE WIRING ............................................................................................ 42
Testing for Good Ground................................................................................................................... 42
Stressing the pair ............................................................................................................................... 42
Resistance Testing – Fault Isolation .................................................................................................. 42
Resistance Testing – Toning the Fault ............................................................................................... 43
Capacitance Testing – Kicking the Pair............................................................................................. 43
CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE ....................................................................................................... 44
Ground Clip Replacement.................................................................................................................. 44
Test Lead Replacement ...................................................................................................................... 45
Battery Replacement .......................................................................................................................... 45
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ................................................................................................... 46
GLOSSARY ................................................................................................................................................ 49

Rev. 11/10/00
v
A Brief History of Tempo Research Corporation
In August 1984, a small San Diego based company, Tempo Research Corporation,
began designing, developing, manufacturing, and marketing copper cable fault locators
for the telecommunications industry. As time progressed, it became evident that fiber
optics would replace copper wire. Despite the growing talk about fiber optics, Tempo
believed that copper was not going to go away as quickly as some people thought and
decided to stay focused on the copper market where Tempo had the most expertise.
Dedicated to “Finding a better way”, research lead to the development of a reliable hand
held test instrument that is used by every major telephone company in the United States
today to troubleshoot twisted pair applications. It has also become the technicians’ test
set of choice worldwide – the Sidekick®.
The Evolution of the Sidekick
Origin of the Name
The Sidekick’s name originated from its characteristics and features. The word Side
came from the ability to carry or hook the test instrument on the side of a technician’s
tool belt. The word Kick was inherited from a common telephony practice whereby the
length of a wire in a pair, or a pair of wires, could be determined from their capacitive
discharge. The practice of “Kicking the pair” was greatly enhanced by two of the
Sidekick’s most powerful troubleshooting features, the “Leakage Test” and the patented
“Stress Test”.
The Original Sidekick 7A
In January 1991, Tempo Research Corporation released the first Sidekick 7A. It was a
compact Volt Ohm Meter designed specifically for telephone companies, but it had one
additional feature called a “Noise Test” that would catapult this unknown instrument into
a valuable telecommunications industry product. The
Noise Test utilized an entirely new patented method of
testing the voice grade of a circuit. It induced a 90 dBrnC
signal on top of 135 Volts DC into a copper wire pair
instead of using methods that depended on the presence of
ambient noise. The sum affect was to stress a telephone
cable pair to the limit and see if voice grade quality could
be sustained without the presence of “Noise” on the line.
Other test equipment at this time performed passive
testing for noise and balance which didn’t always reveal
faults. This new test allowed technicians to measure a
telephone pair’s ability to carry a voice signal without
noise interference under worst-case noise conditions.
Even minor fault readings were detectable on pairs,
otherwise, thought to be good. One hundred Sidekicks were produced and sold before
the revised Sidekick 7A was manufactured later that year.

Rev. 11/10/00
vi
The Revised Sidekick 7A
A Leakage test was added to the original Sidekick and the patented Noise Test was
renamed the Line Test. Color coding was also added to the meter scale and the toggle
switches which replaced the original push buttons. The Leakage test continued to use DC
voltage that was higher than existing instruments to read insulation integrity between the
wires in a pair or a wire and ground. With this higher
voltage and the technician’s ability to reverse the polarity,
technicians could “Punch through” the galvanic corrosion
that often built up on unused pairs. This corrosion which
acts like a false insulator, often masks a pair’s fault that
returns after only a few applications of ring voltage.
Word began to spread that technicians using the Sidekick
were doing a better job. There were fewer problems and
fewer repeat trouble reports when a Sidekick was used.
After approximately forty-five hundred of these were
produced, the next generation of Sidekicks began to arrive – the Sidekick 7B.
The Sidekick 7B
In 1993, the Sidekick received a complete face lift and
some ergonomic improvements based on recommendations
from the field. The meter was enlarged and moved to the
top of the case. The case was redesigned to round out the
“Boxy look” and the “Line Test” was renamed the now
famous “Stress Test.” Industry praise bolstered sales that
had steadily climbed; further embedding the Sidekick in
the telecommunications marketplace.
The Tempo 7B
In 1995, the Tempo 7B became the first Sidekick to use the
“Big Head” design. The case was redesigned, not only to
accommodate an even larger meter face, but to also provide
expansion for additional features. AC voltage testing was
added and the switch positions were relocated to take
advantage of this new design The old push button style
switches were put back in service. Unfortunately, the field
technicians preferred toggle switches. Only four thousand
were sold before being replace by the Sidekick 7B “Big
Head”.

Rev. 11/10/00
vii
The Sidekick 7B “Big Head”
The Sidekick 7B “Big Head” made it’s appearance in 1996,
and because of their popularity, toggle switches became the
standard. Currently used throughout the telephone industry, the
Sidekick 7B embraces unparalleled competition as the
technicians “Test set of choice”. It is used by every major
telecommunication company in the United States as well as
numerous countries around the globe.
The Sidekick T&N
In 1998, the Sidekick T&N was introduced with five
Transmission and Noise tests to keep up with the industry’s
demand for more comprehensive testing. Load Coil Detection,
Loop Current, Power Influence, Circuit Noise, and Circuit Loss
Testing were added to the current Sidekick test functions. With
enhanced color coding for improved meter readability and test
function coordination, the T&N has become so practical and
efficient that the need to rely on supplemental test equipment is
now rare. It received its acceptance at every Regional Bell
Operational Center (RBOC) in 1998 and has become even more
popular than the Sidekick 7B.
The VIP Sidekick
In the early part of 2000, the Sidekick evolved into the Virtual Instrument Package
(VIP Sidekick). A major communications company requested a unique conceptual form
of the Sidekick for their new Intelligent Field Device (IFD). The IFD is a Panasonic®
Model CF-27 Toughbook®computer with both
land-line and wireless modems for dispatch and
close-out. The VIP Sidekick module was
developed to meet specific criteria and is leading
the way for the development of future VIP
modules for multi-purpose testing. When the
module is inserted in the Toughbook, technicians
have Pentium PC power driving on-screen
instrumentation with digital testing accuracy. In
addition to having all the features from previous
Sidekick models, the VIP also has a Digital Open
Meter, Trace and Loss Tones, Caller ID, a
Resistance/Distance Calculator, a Modem Line Tester; and an Autotest which is an
advanced automated preprogrammed test sequence that automatically displays Pass/Fail
test results based on testing criteria configured by the technician, and a detailed on-line
user training and help system.

Rev. 11/10/00
1
Mastering The Fundamentals
BASIC ELECTRONICS
This section provides an overview of basic electronics and the theory
associated with outside plant telephone circuitry. Those not familiar with
electronics should review this material for a basic understanding of how the
various electrical characteristics in a circuit interact. It is important to know that
each twisted pair of copper wires in a telephone cable forms a circuit. Topics
covered include copper wire, resistance, current, voltage, Ohm’s law, capacitance,
capacitive reactance, inductance, inductive reactance, power formulas, and the
factors that affect these characteristics.
Copper Wire
Copper wire is the most commonly used material as a conductor in electrical
and telephone circuits due to its excellent electrical properties. Copper wire is
available in many gauges (diameters). The lower the gauge number, the larger the
diameter of the wire. For example, a 10 gauge wire is larger in diameter than a 19
gauge wire. As the gauge increases, the diameter decreases; and the resistive and
capacitive characteristics of the wire to electrical flow increase. Temperature,
humidity and other factors affect the properties of copper wire.
Even though smaller wire diameters offer more resistance, it is the physical
concerns of size and weight of larger wires and cables that lead to the use of small
wires. In a typical environment of 68º Fahrenheit and normal humidity, the length
of different gauge wires when reading 1 ohm resistance on a meter would be: 19
gauge = 125 ft, 22 gauge = 62 ft, 24 gauge = 40 ft, 26 gauge = 25 ft.
Voltage
Voltage is the measurement of electromotive force or difference in potential
between two points. Formulas use the letter V or E. Voltage measurements are
expressed in terms of alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC). Typical
U.S. household voltage is 120 volts AC. Typical automobile batteries are 12 volts
DC. AC voltage can be converted to DC voltage through diode bridges called
rectifiers. Voltages can be increased or decreased through the use of transformers
that either step up or step down the voltage level through a ratio of turns between
the input (primary) and the output (secondary) coils.

Rev. 11/10/00
2
Current
Current is the rate of flow of electricity through a circuit. In simple terms, it is
the number of electrons that flow past a specified point in one second of time.
Current is measured in amperes using the letter A in the measurement and the
letter I in formulas. A typical circuit breaker for a house is rated at 15A or 20A.
Current flow in telephone circuits and electronics is usually in the milliampere
(mA) range. A milliamp is 1/1,000th of an ampere (1mA = .001A).
Resistance
Resistance is the opposition to the flow of electricity in a circuit. The length
and diameter of a wire or cable pair affects the total resistance in a circuit. Other
factors like temperature and humidity have some affect on resistance as well.
Resistance increases as the wire diameter decreases. Resistance is measured in
Ohms and is identified by the omega (Ω) symbol. Formulas use the letter R.
Different materials offer different amounts of resistance. Conductors offer little
resistance while insulators offer high resistance. A multi-stranded wire has less
resistance than a solid single-strand wire because the multi-stranded wire has more
surface area for the electrons to travel on than a solid wire.
Ohms Law
Ohms Law is a formula used to calculate voltage, current, and resistance when
any two of these values are known. The formula is expressed in three different
variants depending upon which values are known and which value is to be
calculated. The variants are: E = IR, I = E/R and R = E/I. This means that
voltage is directly proportional to the current multiplied by the resistance. Current
is calculated by dividing the voltage by the resistance; and resistance is calculated
by dividing the voltage by the current. Therefore, we can observe that the higher
the voltage, the higher the current flow; and the higher the resistance the lower the
current flow.
Capacitance
A capacitor is a device that stores an electrical charge and usually consists of
two conductive plates separated by an insulator. A twisted pair of wires with
insulation acts much like a capacitor when voltage is applied to the pair. A
capacitor blocks DC voltage. Capacitance is referred to as the ability to hold an
electrical charge and is present on telephone cables. The unit of measurement for
capacitance is the farad, although micro and pico-farad measurements are most
commonly encountered. Larger gauge wires and longer runs of wire have more
capacitance on them. The greater the capacitance there is on a twisted pair, the
greater the voice signal loss. Insulation, thickness, and spacing of wires affect the
capacitance in a cable.

Rev. 11/10/00
3
Capacitive Reactance
Basically, reactance is to an AC circuit what resistance is to a DC circuit.
Reactance, however, is affected by the value of the component and the frequency
of the circuit in which it is being used. Capacitive reactance, commonly expressed
as Xc, is inversely proportional to the value of the capacitor and the frequency.
The formula is Xc = 1/2πfC, where Xc is calculated by dividing one by (two times
the value of Pi times the frequency times the capacitance); Pi (π) = 3.1416.
Therefore, we can observe that Xc increases as frequency or capacitance decreases
and Xc decreases as frequency or capacitance increases. Larger gauge wires and
longer runs of wire have more capacitance on them which calculates to lower
capacitive reactance. As the frequency increases, the capacitive reactance also
decreases. Lower reactance, like lower resistance, appears more like a short as the
value approaches zero.
Inductance
An inductor is a coil of wire that can be used to increase the inductance in a
circuit. Inductance is resistance to any change in current flow and slows down the
rate of change. Inductance is the result from a magnetic field that surrounds a wire
when current flows through the wire. The number of turns in the coil and the rate
of the change of current through the coil determines the inductance. Inductance is
measured in henrys, though millihenrys is the common range of measurements.
Telephone circuits use load coils as inductors to increase the circuit inductance.
Increasing inductance counteracts capacitance thereby stabilizing current flow
(voice signals). A cable equipped with load coils is said to be a loaded cable. The
most common loading scheme is called H88 because 88mH coils are used and
they are spaced at 6,000 foot intervals.
Inductive Reactance
Inductive reactance, like capacitive reactance, is affected by the value of the
component and the frequency of the circuit in which it is being used. However,
inductive reactance, commonly expressed as Xl, is directly proportional to the
value of the inductor and the frequency. The formula is Xl = 2πfL, where Xl is
calculated by multiplying (two times the value of Pi times the frequency times the
inductance); Pi (π) = 3.1416. Therefore, we can observe that Xl increases as
frequency or capacitance increases and Xl decreases as frequency or capacitance
decreases. Higher reactance, like higher resistance, appears more like an open as
the value approaches infinity.

Rev. 11/10/00
4
Power Formulas
Like Ohms law, power formulas use several variants of a formula to calculate
power. Voltage, current, and resistance can be used to calculated power when two
of these three values are known. Power, in electrical terms, is expressed as Watts
using the letter W as its symbol in measurements and the letter P in formulas.
The formula variants are: P = IE, P = E²/R, P = I²R. This means that power is
directly proportional to the current multiplied by the voltage. Power can also be
calculated by dividing the voltage squared by the resistance or by multiplying the
current squared by the resistance. If the power is known, then using the formulas
can help in determining the voltage or current or resistance values.
CONNECTING TO OUTSIDE PLANT
The Sidekick comes with three test leads; red, black and green. The red test
lead is connected to the Ring wire of a twisted pair, the black lead to the Tip wire
of the twisted pair, and green to ground. It is extremely important to have a good
ground connection. Erroneous test readings may occur when a good ground is not
present.
Verify that the test connections are good before starting a test. Make sure the
test lead clips are securely connected to the wires and that the ground clip is
connected properly to a good ground. When disconnecting the test lead clips,
always squeeze to open the clips before removing them from the wire. Do not
forcibly pull the clips off the wires or ground connections. Damage to the test
lead and wires can occur.
Typical outside plant places the Central Office (CO) battery on the Ring
line and ground on the Tip line. The customer’s line is connected between Tip
and Ring. The line circuit is the CO battery running through the Ring line to the
telephone and through Tip to ground. When the customer’s telephone is on-hook
(hung up), the circuit is incomplete and current can not flow. When the phone is
picked up (receiver off hook) the path is complete and current can then flow to
ground.
FAULT TYPES
Faults are caused by many factors including materials and workmanship. Care
must be exercised when performing any repairs or installations. Construction
work near buried or overhead cables can easily lead to damaged lines.

Rev. 11/10/00
5
There are several types of electrical faults. The most common are opens, shorts
and grounds. Other common telephony faults include resistance faults, noise,
line imbalance, crosses, splits, power influence, induction, circuit loss, and low
loop current. Multiple faults can occur simultaneously. Each of these fault types
are discussed in the following paragraphs.
Opens
Typically, an open is a physical break in the transmission line that prevents any
signal or electrical current from flowing past the break. An open can occur on
either the Tip or Ring line, or both at the same time. Usual symptoms are no dial
tone or the line is out of service. Extremely high resistance can also appear as an
open. An open can occur when other faults are present.
Shorts
A short usually occurs when two conductors physically touch each other. But a
short can also occur when water, dust, or other matter causes the signal or current
to divert onto another path. The affect on service depends on the severity of the
short. A short can occur when other faults are present.
Grounds
A ground usually takes current or a signal out of the loop; it can occur on
either the Tip or Ring line, or both at the same time. The usual symptom is a loud
hum noise. A ground fault can occur when other faults are present.
Resistance Faults
Resistance affects the ability of current to flow in a conductor. Excessively
high resistance will appear as an open effectively blocking the flow. High
resistance can be attributed to a breakdown in the electrical characteristics of the
conductor or physical damage to the conductor.
Noise
Noise in a communications system can be any unwanted signals or disturbance.
Noise is typically heard as any detriment to the clarity of a signal usually as static
or hum. In an unbalanced Tip and Ring pair, current levels are unequal which can
induce audible noise.
Line Imbalance
When the electrical characteristics of each conductor in a Tip and Ring pair are
not the same, the pair is unbalanced. The imbalance of a pair can cause noise in
the circuit.

Rev. 11/10/00
6
Crosses
A cross occurs whenever a Tip or Ring conductor of one pair touches a Tip or
Ring conductor of another pair. A battery cross occurs when a Tip or Ring
conductor in a pair touches another Ring conductor.
Splits
Splits occur when the Tip or Ring conductor of one pair is transposed with the
Tip or Ring conductor of another pair.
Power Influence
Power Influence is the noise that is present from AC inductance upon a cable or
pair. In a balanced pair, the noise due to power influence is not audible. In an
unbalanced pair, the noise is audible. Power influence is typically caused by poor
bonding and grounding of the cable shield.
Induction
Induction occurs when a changing magnetic field causes current to flow in a
wire. Telephone lines are susceptible to induction from AC circuits and other
telephone wires. Induction from AC circuits usually imparts an audible hum on
the line. Cross talk is caused by the induction from other telephone lines. In a
well balanced pair, noise is not usually heard.
Circuit Loss
Signal power lost between the milliwatt supply of the CO and the station
protector is known as circuit loss. Symptoms are: inability to call out, hear, or be
heard. Improper cable assignment, low loop current, excessive bridge taps, and
high resistance are typical causes for loss.
Loop Current
Loop Current is the amount of current in milliamps that flows from the CO
through the loop and back to the CO. Loop current is required for dial tone
requests, touch-tone pad operation, ring trip when a call is answered, and talk
battery to the transmitter. Low loop current symptoms include: no dial tone,
wrong number dials, can’t hear, and can’t answer. This is usually caused by
corroded connections, excessive loop resistance or missing range extenders.

Rev. 11/10/00
7
SideKick 7B
General Description
The Sidekick 7B is the test set used by every major telephone company in the
United States to troubleshoot twisted pair applications. This lightweight, hand-
held meter quickly and accurately uncovers intermittent troubles that other test
sets cannot detect. Since the introduction of the patented Stress test and Leakage
test in 1991, the Sidekick has become a benchmark in communications
technology. Technicians now have the versatility to identify faults in locations
ranging from outside plant cable to inside wiring; and from closures to connecting
blocks without sacrificing standard features such as the AC/DC, VOM, and Kick
Meter features they have come to rely on. The versatile Sidekick 7B is used
throughout the telephony industry including; LAN/WAN, Private Networks, and
BICSI applications.
The patented Stress test measures the audible noise produced on a faulted pair
when it is stressed as a result of a 90 dBrnC longitudinal excitation. This test
determines the capacitive and series resistance balance characteristics of a twisted
pair at any point along the pair. It is capable of identifying DC resistive or
capacitive imbalances undetected by other subscriber loop tests. The Stress test is
also highly effective in identifying imbalances produced by series resistance opens
(high joints).
The Leakage test detects intermittent resistance faults that do not appear under
normal VOM tests. When a faulted pair is taken out of service, galvanic action
forms an insulating oxide layer over the faults. When returned to service, such
pairs develop "noisy static" in a relatively short period of time. The Leakage test
uses 135 Volts DC to "punch through” the galvanic corrosion, thus revealing the
fault.
Features
•Stress Test
•Leakage Test
•Volt-Ohmmeter
•Kickmeter
•Analog meter provides instant readout
•Low battery warning indicator
•Handset (buttset) terminals
•Field replaceable test leads
•Single hookup for Tip-to-Ring, Tip-to-Ground, and Ring-to-Ground testing
•Minimal drying effect in all ranges
•Simplex tone
•Automatic shut-off

Rev. 11/10/00
8
Benefits
•Improves customer satisfaction
•Reduces repeat service calls
•Eliminates service interruptions
•Works on any twisted pair application
•Increases service productivity
•Provides quick return on investment
Front Panel Controls
Mode Switch: Selects the following functions:
Off - Powers the Sidekick off.
AC Volts - Measures 0-200 AC Volts on the black scale.
DC Volts - Measures 0-100 DC Volts on the black scale.
Stress Test - Measures the audible noise produced while stressing a pair with a
balanced longitudinal signal approximating a 90 dBrnC power influence; read-out
is in decibels above reference noise, C-message weighted (dBrnC) on the meter’s
black scale.
Leakage (RX10K) - Ohms circuit that applies 135 VDC to a pair to reveal
resistance faults masked by galvanic corrosion; measures resistance with mid-
scale (red) at 1,000,000 ohms; performs capacitive “Kick”.
RX1K - Measures resistance with mid-scale (red) at 100,000 ohms; performs
capacitive “Kick”.
RX1 - Measures resistance with mid-scale (red) at 100 ohms.
NOTE: The Sidekick’s Leakage RX10K, RX1K, and RX1 switch labels are color-
coded to match the meter’s red ohms scale.
Rev Switch - Reverses the polarity of the test being performed; acts as the
Kickmeter switch in the RX10K and RX1K positions.
Tip Switch - Provides measurement from Tip-to-Ground.
Ring Switch - Provides measurement from Ring-to-Ground.
7B Meter – Red ohms scale measures Fault Resistance. The black scale measures
0 to 200 AC Volts; 0 to 100 DC Volts; 0 to 100 dBrnC of Stressed Noise; and
Capacitance Kick (point scale).
Low Battery Indicator –LED flashes once a second to indicate failing batteries;
remains lit when measurement accuracy is compromised – replace the batteries
immediately.

Rev. 11/10/00
9
BEFORE YOU START ANY FAULT TESTING, you should check for AC and
DC voltage. It’s rare to find AC on a POTS line, but it does happen.
ALWAYS check for AC BEFORE you check for DC.
AC Volts Test
The AC Volts function tests for the presence of AC voltage on the pair.
To check for AC volts,
1. Turn the MODE SWITCH to the OFF position.
2. Connect test leads; Black, Red, and Green to; Tip, Ring, and Ground.
3. Turn the MODE SWITCH to AC VOLTS.
4. There should be MINIMAL AC voltage. If AC voltage is 50 volts or above,
STOP immediately and remove the AC voltage before continuing.
DC Volts Test
The DC Volts function tests for battery presents on both working and dry pairs.
Why check for DC voltage? There are three reasons:
1. DC power is required to make a POTS line work.
2. DC Volts indicates CO battery presence.
3. DC should not be found on a Dry, Vacant, or Nonworking line. Dry,
Vacant, and Nonworking all mean the same thing – not in service. If DC
volts are found on a Dry, Vacant, or Nonworking pair, it is crossed with a
Working pair.
To check for DC Volts,
1. Turn the MODE SWITCH to the OFF position.
2. Connect test leads; Black, Red, and Green to; Tip, Ring, and Ground.
3. Turn the MODE SWITCH DC VOLTS.
4. The REVERSE SWITCH should be in its normal position, UP. If DC voltage
is present, the meter will read 48 - 52 volts. Remember, the meter is
looking across the pair and will read zero or negative volts if the pair is
reversed. The pair is reversed when the REV SWITCH is DOWN and the
meter reads 48-52 positive volts. While in the DC mode, you can check
Tip-to-Ground and Ring-to-Ground by holding the TIP or RING SWITCH
UP.

Rev. 11/10/00
10
Quiz 1
1. The red scale on the Sidekick 7B meter is used to read AC or DC voltages.
T
F
2. The DC Volts test can be used to indicate:
a) CO battery presence
b) battery cross on vacant pairs
c) both A and B above
d) none of the above
3. What voltage range is acceptable for a CO battery?
a) 0-100 Vdc
b) 48-52 Vdc
c) 48-52 Vac
4. The red test lead is connected to the Ring wire in a pair and the black wire is
connected to the Tip wire.
T
F
5. To switch from AC Volts to DC Volts the Reverse switch is used.
T
F
6. When measuring AC voltage with the Sidekick, the reading on the meter
scale must be:
a) multiplied by 2
b) divided by 2
c) read directly off the red scale
7. For Tip-to-Ground measurements, the Tip switch is:
a) held down
b) not used
c) held up
8. For Ring-to-Ground measurements, the Ring switch is:
a) held up
b) not used
c) held down

Rev. 11/10/00
11
9. To detect battery on the Tip wire:
a) use the AC Volts test and toggle the REV switch to the DOWN position.
b) use the DC Volts test and hold the Tip switch UP.
c) use the AC Volts test and hold the Tip switch UP.
d) use the AC Volts test and hold the Ring switch UP.
10. With the Sidekick, the presence of AC voltage can only be detected in the
ACVolts test mode.
T
F

Rev. 11/10/00
12
Stress Test
When the Stress test is initiated, the Sidekick stresses the pair with a 90 dBrnC
longitudinal signal. This signal drives current through any series resistance fault
on the pair. The series resistance converts the longitudinal current into Metallic
Voltage at the fault which produces the high Stressed Noise. Do not confuse
Stressed Noise (dBrnC) readings with Noise Metallic (dB) readings taken from a
Subscriber Loop Test Set. The Stress test is more sensitive to pair imbalances
than Noise Metallic and Longitudinal Balance tests.
During the Stress Test, a 1000 Hz simplex unregulated trace tone reading
approximately 90 dBrnC is transmitted simultaneously with approximately 135
applied Volts DC. This tone is used to trace a pair using any standard inductive
amplifier. The tone is inaudible to the subscriber as long as Tip, Ring, and Ground
are connected and the line is balanced. If the Tip or Ring test lead is disconnected
during testing, or the line is unbalanced, the tone becomes audible and increases as
line imbalance increases. Nonworking-Idle and Working-Idle line conditions are
ideal for this test.
Since the Sidekick does not draw loop current when the Stress test is
performed, there’s no need to dial a Quiet Termination for on-hook measurements.
This is an advantage over standard noise measurement sets that draw loop current
which can mask some faults.
Fault Types Identified
The Stress test identifies and isolates:
•High Joints or High Resistance Opens (Series Resistance Faults)
•Capacitive Imbalances (Conductor Lengths are Unequal)
•Unbalanced Load Coils or Build-Out Networks
•Crosses
•Grounds
•Split Pairs
NOTE:The Stress test does not identify shorts since a shorted pair is balanced
and will produce good stressed noise readings. Use the Leakage test to
identify shorts.
Proper Ground
If the Sidekick is properly connected to a pair but lacks a solid ground connection,
the reading will be inaccurate.

Rev. 11/10/00
13
To verify good ground:
1. Turn the MODE SWITCH to the OFF position.
2. Connect test leads; Black, Red, and Green to; Tip, Ring, and Ground.
3. Turn the MODE SWITCH to STRESS TEST.
4. Remove either the TIP or RING test lead.
The ground is good if 70 dBrnC or higher is displayed. Lower readings may
indicate a defective Ground or Short Loop.
Procedure
NOTE:Perform this test by bridging across the pair at any point along its length
or by opening the loop and testing in each direction. Performing a final
test from the subscriber’s protector (SNI, NI, etc.) is recommended. Do
not operate any switches while performing this test. No damage to the
test set will occur, however, readings will be incorrect.
1. Turn the MODE SWITCH to the OFF position.
2. Connect test leads; Black, Red, and Green to; Tip, Ring, and Ground.
3. Turn the MODE SWITCH to STRESS TEST.
4. To stress the pair, toggle the REV SWITCH UP. A trace tone is transmitted
through the pair for tracing or to detect cross-talk.
5. Read the Stress Noise level on the black scale.
Identifying a Pair or Cross Conductor
1. Using an inductive amplifier (standard probe), listen for tone. Tone will be
strongest on the pair under test.
2. To identify crossed conductors, listen for tone carry-over on adjacent
conductors. Tone on the crossed conductor will be louder than tone on
adjacent conductors.
NOTE: When tracing pairs, keep in mind that the Sidekick will “time-out”
after nine minutes inactivity.