Vonaq RapidTrace 1200 User manual

RapidTrace 1200 User Guide
Issue 1.0

Section 1 Receiving the RapidTrace 1200
1.1 Safety notices.................................................4
1.2 Standards.......................................................5
Section 2 Introducing the RapidTrace 1200
2.1 RapidTrace 1200 features..............................5
2.2 Specifications .................................................7
2.3 Accuracy ........................................................8
Section 3 First operations
3.1 Preparing the RapidTrace 1200 .....................8
3.2 Menu & screen displays .................................9
3.3 Set Unit of Measure .......................................9
3.4 Set Contrast .................................................10
3.5 Set Auto Shutdown ......................................10
3.6 Set Clock......................................................10
3.7 Set Velocity of Propergation.........................11
3.8 Set Cable Impedance...................................11
3.9 Backlight.......................................................11
Section 4 Using the RapidTrace 1200
4.0 Attaching Cable............................................13
4.1 Testing a cable .............................................14
4.2 Selecting range scales .................................14
4.3 Single shot and Continuous scan mode ......14
4.4 Tone generator .............................................15
4.5 Typical fault displays ....................................16
4.6 Typical Cable Vp & Impedance values.........16
4.7 How to determine Vp Settings......................16
4.8 Variable Gain................................................17
Section 5 Memory Functions and Settings
5.1 Saving Traces ..............................................18
5.2 Recall Trace from Memory ...........................18
5.3 Trace Comparisons......................................18
5.4 Delete Saved Traces from Memory..............18
CONTENTS
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CONTENTS
3
5.5 Download and Upload Functions .................19
Section 6 Maintenance
6.1 Battery replacement .....................................20
6.2 Cleaning .......................................................20
6.3 Storage.........................................................20
Section 7 Warranty & Repair
7.1 Contacting us ...............................................21

Section 1 - Receiving the RapidTrace 1200
Upon delivery of the RapidTrace 1200, ensure the contents are
consistent with the packing list, notify your supplier of any missing
items.
If the equipment appears damaged, notify your carrier and supplier
immediately, giving a detailed description of any damage, save the
damaged packaging to substantiate your claim.
THE RapidTrace 1200 IS SUPPLIED WITH 0.5-METER CONNECTION
LEAD, SOFT CASE, BATTERIES, USB CONNECTION LEAD, TraceXtra
SOFTWARE CD, USER MANUAL CD AND QUICK START GUIDE
1.1 Safety notices
Warning
This instrument meets the safety requirements of IEC61010-1: 1995
TheRapidTrace 1200 is designed for use on de-energized circuits
only.
Connection to line voltages will damage the instrument and could be
hazardous to the operator
This instrument is protected against connection to telecom network
voltages according to EN61326-1.
International Electrical Symbols
This symbol signifies that the instrument is protected by double
or reinforced insulation. Use only specified replacement parts
when servicing the instrument.
This symbol on the instrument indicates a WARNING, and that the
operator must refer to the user manual for instructions before
operating the instrument. In this manual, the symbol preceding
instructions indicates that if the instructions are not followed, bodily
injury, installation/sample and product damage may result.
Risk of electric shock. The voltage of the parts marked with this
symbol may be dangerous.
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1.2 Standards
The RapidTrace 1200 has been manufactured in accordance with and
meets the requirements of the following international standards:
SAFETY IEC 61010-1
EN 60950
EMC BS/EN 61326-1
Water/Dust Proof to IP54
Section 2 - Introducing the RapidTrace 1200
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The RapidTrace 1200 is a hand held Time Domain Reflectometer
weighing only 350 grams with a 6km range and the capacity to store 50
traces with time, date, Vp value, impedance, cursor position and range,
saved data may then be downloaded to PC via the USB link using Trac
Xtra PC software provided. Historical data may be uploaded to the
RapidTrace 1200 for comparison with current measurements. With a 3
nano second pulse rise time giving a dead zone of only 0.5 mtrs near end
and cable faults can be clearly identified.
Using pre determined gain and pulse width and with only 5 control
buttons, all major operating and setting parameters can be easily
accessed. A 6km cable run can be scanned in seconds allowing the
operator a view of this cable run, yet arriving quickly to the fault.
By using the scan lock facility, the cable can be continuously scanned for
the location of intermittent faults or the trace held for closer examination.
To enable the RapidTrace 1200 to test all metallic cables, 4 user
selectable impedance settings are provided, 25, 50, 75 and 100 ohms
with Vp settings of 1-99% or the equivalent in feet or meters per micro
second. Faulty cables may be traced using the warble tone feature, an
oscillating tone is injected into the power or transmission line and by using
a commercially available tone tracing probe, the suspect line can be
identified. The RapidTrace 1200 is CE approved and is housed in a
rugged ABS enclosure rated to IP54 and is suitable for outside use.

12x4mm safety connectors
2 128 x 64 graphics display
3 Cursor left/decrease setting
4 Cursor right/increase setting
5 Store trace/select
6 Scan/lock Cursor down
7 Range/Return
8 Back Light On/Off
9 Power on/off
10 Gain Control
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2.1 FeaturesRapidTrace 1200
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5
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3
6
8
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7
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V1.0
RapidTrace 1200
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2.2 Specifications
Ranges Meters 7, 15, 30, 60, 120, 250, 500, 1km, 2km, 3km, 6km
Feet 23, 49, 98, 197, 394, 820, 1640, 3280, 6560,
9850, 19000
Range Selection Manual range control
Accuracy 1% of selected range*
Resolution Approx 1% of range
Sensitivity Min 3 pixel return at 4km on 0.6mm Ø, PE, TP
Velocity Factor Adjustable from 1% to 99% or Feet Meters /
Micro Second
Output Pulse 5 volts peak to peak. Into open circuit
Output Impedance Selectable 25, 50, 75 & 100 ohms
Output Pulse Width 3 ns to 3 ms, Automatic with range
Scan Rate 2 scans / second or scan held
Memory Caoacity 50 Traces
Tone Generator 810 – 1100Hz
Battery Life 60 hours continuous scanning
Power Supply 6 volts 4 x 1.5 AA Alkaline cells
Power Down Selectable 1, 2, 3 minutes or disabled
Back Lit Display 128 x 64 pixel
Voltage Protection 250 volts AC
Operating Temp -10º / 50ºC
Storage Temp -20º / 70ºC
Dimensions 165 x 90 x 37 (6.5 x 3.5 x 1.5 ins)
Weight 350 gms (12oz)
Safety IEC 61010-1
EN 60950
EMC BS/EN 61326-1
Water/Dust Proof IP54
* Measurement accuracy of <+/- 1% assumes the instrument setting for
velocity of propergation (Vp) of the cable under test to be accurately set,
homogeneity of the Vp along the cable length, and accurate cursor
positioning.
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2.3 Accuracy
The RapidTrace 1200 is able to measure distances to faults and cable
lengths to an accuracy of +/- 1%.
This measurement accuracy is based on the correct value of Vp being
used for the cable under test, and homogeneity of the Vp along the
cable length and accurate positioning of the cursor (see section 4.1).
If the Vp is set incorrectly by the operator, or the Vp varies along the
length of the cable, then additional errors will be incurred and the
measurement accuracy will be affected.
Note:- The Vp is less well defined with unshielded multicore cable,
including power cable, and is lower when a cable is tightly wound on a
drum than when installed.
Section 3 - First Operation
3.1 Preparing the RapidTrace 1200 for use
Press button to power the tester, the following screen will be displayed:
1 Model
2 Software version programmed into tester
3 Time & Date
4 Battery condition indicator (all black battery, fully charged, as charge
decreases symbol changes to white) Battery condition indicator is
permanently displayed.
Prior to use the following parameters will need to be set - Refer to section
3.2 to select menu.
1 Select unit of measure section 3.3
2 Set contrast section 3.4
3 Set Auto-Shutdown section 3.5
4 Clock Settings section 3.6
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2
3
V2.18
RapidTrace 1200
TDR MENU
19:03 15/03/2009
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3
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3.2 Menu and Screen Displays
Level 1. Start up screen
To access level 2 main menu
press key . To access trace
display press key .
Trace Display
V2.18
RapidTrace 1200
TDR MENU
19:03 15/03/2009
Vp=67% Coax 50 7m
0.7m
W
Metres
Contrast
Shutdown: 3 minutes
Clock Settings
Delete All Saved
TDR - Press KEY
3.3 Set Unit of Measure (Level 3 Sub Menu)
Press to move to unit of
measure (feet or meters).
Press or to scroll between feet
and meters. Press button to exit,
selected value will be automatically
stored.
Note:- When unit of measure has been selected, this will automatically
change the V/2 figure, which will also be displayed in the selected unit
of measure i.e FEET or METERS.
Metres
Contrast
Shutdown: 3 minutes
Clock Settings
Delete All Saved
Level 2 Main Menu
Level 3 Sub Menu
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Metres
Contrast
Shutdown: 3 minutes
Clock Settings
Delete All Saved
Press to move to contrast. Press
to decrease contrast, press to
increase contrast.
Press TDR button to exit.
Contrast may also be set from level 2
menu select icon Press to
return to menu settings will be
automatically saved.
3.4 Set Contrast (Level 3 Sub Menu)
Press to move to Clock Settings.
Press Select.
Press to move to selected
position. Press and keys to
decrease or increase. When the
required setting is displayed, press
to move to next position. When all
settings are completed press to
return to sub menu, settings will
automatically be stored.
3.5 Set Auto Shutdown (Level 3 Sub Menu)
Metres
Contrast
Shutdown: 3 minutes
Clock Settings
Delete All Saved
To preserve battery life, the
RapidTrace 1200 is fitted with an auto
shutdown feature. Shutdown time is
selectable between disabled 1
minute, 2 minutes and 3 minutes.
To change settings press to move
to shutdown, use or to select
setting. Press to return to menu.
3.6 Set Clock (Level 3 Sub Menu)
Metres
Contrast
Shutdown: 3 minutes
Clock Settings
Delete All Saved
Year 2009
Month 03
Day 15
Hours 21
Minutes 15
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Press to move to displayed unit
(V/2 or Vp%) of measure. Press to
scross between units. When required
unit is displayed press to exit or
press to move to displayed
speed. Press or to decrease or
increase value. Press to Escape,
values will automatically be stored.
3.7 Set Velocity of Propergation (Vp) (Level 3 Sub Menu)
Velocity of propergation (Vp) may be set as % or speed in micro
seconds (ms). The unit of measure, the speed is displayed in (feet or
meters), will be determined by the setting selected in section 3.4
From Level 2 Menu using or move to icon Press Select. The
following sub-menu will be displayed.
Vp = 67%
Vp %Vc
Velocity Propergation
3.8 Set Cable Impedance
From Level 2 Main Menu press or move to icon . Press
Select. Press or to select required value. Press to Escape.
Values will be automatically stored.
3.9 Backlight
The LCD display is fitted with an electro-luminescent backlight to enable
easy viewing under a variety of different lighting conditions. The backlight
is switched on and off with the key.
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Section 4 - Using the RapidTrace 1200
Upon completion of the set up procedures in section 3, press key
and the following test screen will be displayed
Vp=67% Coax 75 7m
0.4m
W
1. Vp Setting
2. Impedance setting (Z)
3. Range scale 7 mtrs
4. Battery condition indicator
5. Distance of cursor
6. Cursor
7. Output pulse
8. Scan mode icon (indicating scan mode selected)
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Attach the connection leads to the two 4mm saftey sockets
located at the top of the unit
1. Ensure that no power supply or equipment is attached to
the cable to be tested
2. Ensure that the far end of the cable under test is open or
shorted (not fitted with a resistive termination)
3. Attach the RapidTrace 1200 to one end of the cable to be
tested

Coaxial Cable
Shielded Cable
Twisted Pair
Multi-conductor Cable
Coaxial Cable: Connect the red clip to the centre wire and
the black clip to the shield/screen.
Shielded Cable: Connect the red clip to a wire adjacent to
the shield and the black clip to the shield.
Twisted Pair: Separate out one pair and connect the red and
black clips to the two wires of the pair.
Multicore Cable: Connect the clips to any two wires.
Vp=67% Coax 75 7m
0.4m
W
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When the is first switched on, it is set to “Single
Shot” mode.
In this mode the RapidTrace 1200 only fires a pulse into the
cable under test when either the and buttons or button is
pressed.
RapidTrace 1200
4.1 Testing a cable
Having followed the set up procedures in the preceding sections, a typical
display showing impedance anomalies is shown below. Further
examples are shown in section 4.6.
Vp=72% Z=100Ω
64m
The vertical cursor line is moved left or right along the line of the trace by
pressing and buttons to determine the distance to the event. Position
the cursor at the beginning of the event and read off the distance at the
bottom left corner.
On the fault display shown above a low impedance fault occurs at 64
meters shown by a negative spike, and a high impedance at 129 meters.
The open end of the cable is shown as a large positive spike, this is used
to determine the end of the cable run and the overall length of the cable
being 180 meters.
4.2 Selecting Range Scales
The RapidTrace 1200 has 11 range scales covering the range of
0.5 to 6,000 meters.
To select a range scale, or scan the cable run, press and hold
down the Range key and press to decrease range, press
to increase range.
4.3 Single shot and Continuous Scanning Modes
129m 180m
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Single Shot Mode: Saves on battery life and also
enables the RapidTrace 1200 to be disconnected from
the cable while still leaving the fault display on the
screen
To enter “Continuous Scanning” mode press down and hold the
button.
The icon will appear at the bottom right of the display, when
continuous scanning mode is activated.
Continuous Scanning Mode: fires pulses into the
cable under test. In this mode the RapidTrace 1200 is
able to more easily identify intermittent cable faults.
4.4 Tone Generator
The may also be used as a tone generator to trace and
identify cables and wires. The user will need a conventional inductive
tone probe within the range 810 Hz to 1110Hz.
To select tone generator (Level 2)
From level 2 main menu using or to move to icon press select.
The tester is now in tone generator mode. Upon completion of testing
press to return to menu.
RapidTrace 1200
When tone has been selected, connect test lead to cable pair to be traced
and using tone probe which will emit a tone, the volume will increase the
nearer the probe is to the cable / being traced.
Note:- The auto off function is disabled in tone generator mode so that the
tone can be injected into a cable for extended periods while tracing takes
place.
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4.5 Typical Fault Displays
The following diagrams show typical fault traces to assist you in the
identification of faults using the RapidTrace 1200:
OPEN
CONDUCTOR
SHORTED
CONDUCTOR
SPLICE
BRIDGE TAP
SPLIT/
RESPLIT
WET SPLICE/
WATER
FRAYED
CABLE
WATER
INGRESS
TAP
SPLITTER
4.6 Typical Cable V.P and Impedance Values
Type Vp Z Type Vp Z
Cat5 STP 72 100 T/Pair Jelly PE 64 100
Cat5 UTP 70 100 T/Pair PE 67 100
Coax Air 98 50/75 T/Pair PTFE 71 100
Coax Air Space 94 50/75 T/Pair PVC 58 100
Coax Foam PE 82 50/75 T/Pair Paper 72nF 88 100
Coax Solid PE 67 50/75 T/Pair Paper 83nF 72 100
4.7 How to determine Vp settings
If the TDR RapidTrace 1200 is to be used with a cable type for which the
Vp is unknown, this must first be determined.
1.Take a sample of the cable at least 100m or 300ft long.
2.Measure the actual length of cable using a rule or tape measure, or
some other reliable method.
3.Connect the TDR RapidTrace 1200 and adjust the Vp setting such
that the tester gives a correct reading of the sample length.
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4.8 Variable Gain Control
To operate user variable gain press and hold down gain control key and
press and keys to increase or decrease gain.
Gain value selected is displayed in the bottom right hand corner of the
display.
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Section 5 - Memory Functions and Settings
5.1 Saving Traces
When required trace is displayed press trace will be
automatically stored with time, date, vp, impedance (z), range
and cursor position. The trace number that has been saved will
be shown in the bottom right of the display.
5.2 Recall Trace from Memory
From menu, use keys and to scroll to , press select,
first saved trace will be displayed, press keys or to view
saved traces. press to return to menu.
5.3 Trace Comparisons
from menu, use keys or to scroll to , press select, first
saved trace will be displayed, press keys or to select
required trace. press Select to start a new trace, the retrieved
trace will remain on the display but will be shown as a dotted
line. the trace from the cable under test will be displayed as a
solid line
5.4 Delete Saved Traces from Memory
When using this function ensure traces that are to be saved
have been downloaded to the PC. Once traces have been
deleted they cannot be retrieved.
From menu, use keys or to scroll to , press Select,
press to 'delete all saved'. Press select, to continue with
deletion follow the instructions displayed
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5.5 Download and Upload Function
For operating instructions on using this function refer to the
Tracextra software manual. The software manual is published
on this CD.
tracextra (for bi). the software manual is published on this cd.
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Section 6 - Maintenance
6.1 Battery Replacement
Disconnect the instrument from any cable or network link
Turn the instrument off
Loosen the two black screws and remove the battery
compartment cover
Replace the batteries with 4 x 1.5 volt Alkaline batteries,
observing the polarities
Refit the battery compartment cover and refit the two screws
6.2 Cleaning
Turn the instrument off
Use a soft cloth lightly dampened with soapy water, wipe over
the instrument, rinse the cloth in clean water squeezing out any
excess water, wipe over the instrument removing any soap
residue, dry instrument with a dry cloth
Do not splash water directly on the instrument
Do not use alcohol, solvents or hydrocarbons
Disconnect the instrument from any source of electricity
6.3 Storage
If the instrument is not to be used for a period of more than 60
days, it is recommended that the batteries are removed and
stored separately (see 5.1)
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