Cable Continuity Test Views
The present invention relates, generally, to telecommunications. More particularly, the invention relates to systems, including apparatus and methods, for testing the continuity of telecommunication cables. The invention has particular utility in performing standard continuity tests on four-pair copper cables.
The state of the art includes a number of devices and methods for testing the continuity of telecommunication cables. Some of these devices and methods are illustrated by the Four Pair Cable Test Set and the known art described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,497, which is assigned to Applicants' assignee and is hereby incorporated by reference as Appendix H.
The present invention provides a cable continuity test system which generally comprises a test set unit and at least one programmable terminator unit. The system preferably tests cables extending from a closet to a workstation or station. Each terminator is connected to the opposite end of the cable being tested. The two units establish a communications link if any two conductors have continuity from the closet end to the station end of the cable. Testing begins after a communication link is established.
The cable continuity test system is completely automatic and can, for example, perform a complete standard continuity test of a single four-pair cable in approximately one second. The system detects a live line, i.e. power on any two conductors, and also detects opens, shorts, reversals, crosses, and split pairs. Additionally, the system can detect the wiremap configuration on the workstation end of the cable. The test results can be viewed on several different test result screens and can be stored in memory for later retrieval.
Cable Continuity Test Images
