Of course it is fantastic to have a cable that looks good and can twist and bend millions of times…but if the electrical properties are no good then who cares. The series of tests found in this section are used to look at the electrical properties of each cable design.
Network Analyzer (controlled with HP VEE®)
Tests Category cables to confirm compliance to Cat 5, 5e, 5E, 6, and 6A industry standards as called out in TIA/EIA 568-B to 600 MHz. Custom balanced requirements to 600 MHz. Coaxial testing to 3 GHz.
Shielding Effectiveness Testing
IEC 62153-4-9 coupling attenuation of screened cables.
PHOTOS COMING SOON
Hipotronics® Dielectric Testing
For dielectric withstand testing. Inspects for shorts or splices.
PHOTOS COMING SOON
Clinton® Instruments Spark Tester
The picture below depicts a beaded chain style Spark Tester. Yes it does look like a bunch of the little beaded chains that hang off of various dime store key chains and coin purses, but these beaded chains have furthered their career in to a much higher level of employment. These devices work by draping over the finished cable “in line” while checking for pin holes and deficiencies in the dielectric withstanding of the cable's primary insulation and jacket. The cable is grounded at the time and the drape of beaded chains carries a charge. If there is a defect in the jacket the charge passes through it and connects to the copper conductor in the cable thus completing the circuit and causing a spark. (thus the name “spark tester”) If this scenario occurs, alarms sound and the problem can be addressed.
