Triplett TDR100 User manual

User Manual
TDR100 Cable Length Tester
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of Triplett’s TDR100 Cable Length
Tester. The TDR100 uses TDR (Time Domain Reflectometer)
Technology to measure cable length.

Safety
Safety Procedures
Please read this manual carefully and completely before you use the
device for the first time. The device may only be used by qualified
personnel. Damage or injuries caused by non-observance of the
manual are excluded from our liability and not covered by our
warranty.
•The device must only be used as described in this
instruction manual. If used otherwise, this can cause
dangerous situations for the user and damage to the
meter.
•The instrument may only be used if the environmental
conditions (temperature, relative humidity) are within the
ranges stated in the technical specifications. Do not
expose the device to extreme temperatures, direct
sunlight, extreme humidity or moisture.
•Do not expose the device to shocks or strong vibrations.
•The case should only be opened by qualified Instruments
personnel.
•Never use the instrument when your hands are wet.
•You must not make any technical changes to the device.
•The appliance should only be cleaned with a damp cloth.
Use only pH-neutral cleaner, no abrasives or solvents.
•Before each use, inspect the case for visible damage. If
any damage is visible, do not use the device.
•Do not use the instrument in explosive atmospheres.
•The measurement range as stated in the specifications
must not be exceeded under any circumstances.
•Non-observance of the safety notes can cause damage to
the device and injuries to the user.

Meter Description
1. BNC socket –to
measure cable length
via Coax option
2. RJ45 socket - to
measure cable length
via network option
3. LCD
4. OK / measuring key
5. Coax-network switch
key
6. Set key
7. key (up / increase
value)
8. key (down /
decrease value)
9. key (On/off / in
menu: back)

Operating Instructions
Installing Batteries
To run the cable length meter, the included batteries must be
inserted first. To do so, turn around the meter and open the battery
compartment cover at the rear side. Insert the batteries as marked in
the battery compartment. Then close the battery compartment cover.
Note:
Replace the batteries as soon as the battery icon in the display
glows in red. Only use 1.5 V AA Alkaline batteries. If you will not use
the cable fault tester for a longer period of time, remove the
batteries.
Powering ON/OFF
Press and hold the key for approx. 3 seconds to turn on the
meter. To turn off the meter,
press and hold the key for approx. 3 seconds again.
Note:
The meter has an automatic power off function to save battery
power. The cable length meter will turn off automatically after 10
minutes of inactivity.
Function Menus
After powering on, the cable fault meter will be in the mode to
measure network cables. To enter
the main menu, short-press the key. To return to measuring
mode, short-press again.
When you are in the main menu, you can use the and keys
to select one of the following functions which you can confirm with
.

Menu Structure and Navigation
Cable length
measurement
History of past
Measurements
Setting Velocity
Propigation
System settings
Up in the menu
Down in the menu
Confirm selection
with key
.
Cable Length Measurement - Setup
Connect the cable to be measured to the meter. If you wish to
measure a network cable with RJ45, use the RJ45 socket. If you
wish to measure a coaxial cable or measure a cable via the
coaxial adaptors, use the BNC socket. Press the button to select
the Network (RJ45) or Coaxial Cable Mode.
It is also possible to make a cable length measurement via the main
menu. To do so, select the
upper menu item and confirm
your selection with the key.
Now select in the following
screen whether you wish to
use the RJ45 or the BNC
socket to measure a cable.

Confirm your selection with the key. As soon as you have
entered the mode for cable length measurements, the screen will
look as follows after making a selection:
NOTE: Do not use on any cables carrying current.
Measuring mode for
coaxial cables and
cables connected to
the meter with a
measuring adaptor
Measuring mode for the
length measurement of
cables connected to the
RJ45 socket

Selecting the cable type
To measure the cable length accurately, it is necessary to select
the correct cable type and propagation velocity of the measuring
signal (VOP) prior to the measurement.
1. Press the key to be able to select the cable type from the
database of the cable length
tester with the key.
2. The velocity of propagation of the selected cable can only be
changed manually for this
measurement. To do so, press and hold the key in
measuring mode. In the upper right part of the display, the VOP
value will now be displayed with a black background. This VOP
value can now be changed via the and keys. To confirm
the change, short-press the key.
Cable length measurement
If you have selected the correct cable setup as previously
described you can now make a measurement
by pressing the button. After the cable length measurement,
the reading will be displayed. To leave measuring mode, short-
press the key.
Cable VOP library
To open the VOP library, first go to the menu. Select the menu item
“Velocity of propagation“. Then select “VOP Library“. Then select
the library you wish to open. You can select either the library
“Coaxial Cable“ or “Data Cable“.

As a last step, select your cable with the key.
You can go back to the library by pressing the current cable. With the
key, you can delete the current cable. To confirm the deletion,
press To cancel the deletion, press the key.

Adding cables of known lengths
Each cable has its own VOP. If the VOP of the cable is unknown, it
can be determined by making a measurement. To do so, the cable
length must be known. To make a measurement, follow these steps:
First connect the cable to be measured. It is recommended to use a
cable that is longer than 10 m. Now enter the menu. Select “Velocity
of propagation“. Then select “VOP Test“.

Under “length“, enter the length of the connected cable. You can
select a value between 5 …
999 m. To change the value, first press the key to select the
box. The value can then be
changed with the keys / . Press to confirm the
entered value. The VOP value will be displayed directly.
In the “Name“ box, you can assign a name to the cable, for instance
“NYM 1.5“. Up to six digits
are possible. To select the input field, press the key. With the
/ keys you can select
the number or letter. You can go to the next digit with the key.
Confirm your entry with the key.
In the “Type“ box, you can select the type of cable. You can choose
“Coaxial cable“ or “Network
cable“. To change the value, press the key to select the box.
The value can then be
changed with the keys / . Press to confirm the entered
value.
In the “Producer“ box, you can enter the manufacturer of the cable.
Up to six digits are possible.
To select the input field, press the key. With the / keys
you can select the number
or letter. You can go to the next digit with the key. Confirm
your entry with the key. In the “Impedance“ box, you can
select the impedance of the cable. You can choose either 51

Ω, 75 Ω or 100 Ω. To change the value, press the key to select
the box. The value can then
be changed with the keys / . Press to confirm the
entered value.
After making all desired settings, press to save the entered
cable to the library.
Adding cables with known VOP values
If the VOP value of the cable is known, you can add it without
making a reference measurement. First enter the menu. Then
select “Velocity of Propagation“ and “VOP Set“.
In the “Name“ box, you can assign a name to the cable, for instance
“NYM 1.5“. Up to six digits
are possible. To select the input field, press the key. With the
/ keys you can select

the number or letter. You can go to the next digit with the key.
Confirm your entry with the key.
In the “Type“ box, you can select the type of cable. You can choose
“Coaxial cable“ or “Network
cable“. To change the value, press the key to select the box.
The value can then be
changed with the keys / . Press to confirm the entered
value.
In the “Producer“ box, you can enter the manufacturer of the cable.
Up to six digits are possible.
To select the input field, press the key. With the / keys
you can select the number
or letter. You can go to the next digit with the key. Confirm your
entry with the key.
In the “VOP“ box, you can enter the known VOP value. To select the
input field, press the
key. With the / keys you can select the number or letter. You
can go to the next digit
with the key. Confirm your entry with the key.
After making all desired settings, press to save the entered
cable to the library.

Viewing the history
To view the history of the cables last used, first enter the menu. Then
select “History“. The cables last used will be displayed directly for your
selection. You can select the desired cable
with the / keys. To confirm your selection, press .
NOTE: Measured values will not be saved.

Settings
Enter the menu to make settings. Select “Setting“.
In this menu, the following settings can be made:
Menu
Description
Length
Unit
Here you can set the unit.You can select meters “m“ or feet ”ft“.
Time SET
Here you can set the time. Format HH:MM
Date SET
Here you can set the date. Format YYYY/MM/DD
Auto OFF
Here you can set the time of inactivity after which the meter
turns off
time
automatically. Possible options: 10,20,30,40,50 or 60 minutes
With the / keys, you can select an item from the Setting
menu. The input field can be
selected with the key. The parameter can now be changed with
the / keys. Press
again to go to the next parameter or to confirm your setting.
Press the key to confirm the setting directly.

Specifications
Measuring range cable length
Depending on the propagation speed of the
tested
cables
5 ... 3000 m / 16.4 ... 9842.5 ft
with shortening factor ≤99.9%
5 ... 2400 m / 16.4 ... 7874.0 ft
with shortening factor ≤80.0%
5 ... 2000 m / 16.4 ... 6561.7 ft
with shortening factor ≤66.0%
5 ... 1500 m / 16.4 ... 4921.3 ft
with shortening factor ≤50.0%
Measurement units
m, ft
Resolution
0.1 m
Measuring principle
Time domain reflectometer
Selection area
Automatic control range
Measurement accuracy
± [2% of reading ± 0.2 m] <100 m
± [2% of reading ± 0.5 m] >/-100 m
Impedance selector
Automatic output of the impedance control
Shortening factor / propagation
Adjustable from 1.0 ... 99.9%
speed
Cable types
20 standard cables
Memory
99 memory slots for individual cables
Connector type
BNC, RJ45
Power supply
2 x 1.5V AA battery
Battery status indicator
Yes
Automatic shutdown
Adjustable between 10 and 60 minutes
Operating temperature
0 ... 40°C / 32 ... 104°F
Storage temperature
-10 ... 50°C / 14 ... 122°F
Relative humidity
0...80%RH
1 x TDR100 Cable Length Tester
2 x Test leads
2 x Crocodile clip
2 x AA battery 1.5V
1 x Transport bag
1 x User manual

Warranty Information
Triplett / Jewell Instruments extends the following warranty to the
original purchaser of these goods for use. Triplett warrants to the
original purchaser for use that the products sold by it will be free
from defects in workmanship and material for a period of (1) one
year from the date of purchase. This warranty does not apply to any
of our products which have been repaired or altered by unauthorized
persons in any way or purchased from unauthorized distributors so
as, in our sole judgment, to injure their stability or reliability, or which
have been subject to misuse, abuse, misapplication, negligence,
accident or which have had the serial numbers altered, defaced, or
removed. Accessories, including batteries are not covered by this
warranty Copyright ©2020 Triplett