Fluke Networks TS 90 User Manual

TS90

Cable Fault Finder

Users Guide

PN 2448335
October 2005, Rev. 2 9/2015

©2005, 2009, 2015 Fluke Corporation
All product names are trademarks of their respective companies.

LIMITED WARRANTY AND LIMITATION OF

LIABILITY

Each Fluke Networks product is warranted to be free from defects in
material and workmanship under normal use and service unless stated
otherwise herein. The warranty period for the mainframe is 18 months
and begins on the date of purchase. Parts, accessories, product repairs and
services are warranted for 90 days, unless otherwise stated. Ni-Cad, Ni-MH
and Li-Ion batteries, cables or other peripherals are all considered parts or
accessories. The warranty extends only to the original buyer or end user
customer of a Fluke Networks authorized reseller, and does not apply to
any product which, in Fluke Networks’ opinion, has been misused, abused,
altered, neglected, contaminated, or damaged by accident or abnormal
conditions of operation or handling. Fluke Networks warrants that
software will operate substantially in accordance with its functional
specifications for 90 days and that it has been properly recorded on non­defective media. Fluke Networks does not warrant that software will be
error free or operate without interruption.
Fluke Networks authorized resellers shall extend this warranty on new
and unused products to end-user customers only but have no authority to
extend a greater or different warranty on behalf of Fluke Networks.
Warranty support is available only if product is purchased through a Fluke
Networks authorized sales outlet or Buyer has paid the applicable
international price. To the extent permitted by law, Fluke Networks
reserves the right to invoice Buyer for repair/replacement when a product
purchased in one country is submitted for repair in another country.
For a list of authorized resellers, visit www.flukenetworks.com/

wheretobuy.

Fluke Networks warranty obligation is limited, at Fluke Networks option,
to refund of the purchase price, free of charge repair, or replacement of a
defective product which is returned to a Fluke Networks authorized
service center within the warranty period.
To obtain warranty service, contact your nearest Fluke Networks
authorized service center to obtain return authorization information,
then send the product to that service center, with a description of the
difficulty, postage and insurance prepaid (FOB destination). Fluke
Networks assumes no risk for damage in transit. Following warranty
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neglect, misuse, contamination, alteration, accident or abnormal
condition of operation or handling, or normal wear and tear of
mechanical components, Fluke Networks will provide an estimate of
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Following repair, the product will be returned to the Buyer transportation
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THIS WARRANTY IS BUYER’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY AND IS IN
LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT
NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
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DAMAGES OR LOSSES, INCLUDING LOSS OF DATA, ARISING FROM ANY
CAUSE OR THEORY.
Since some countries or states do not allow limitation of the term of an
implied warranty, or exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential
damages, the limitations and exclusions of this warranty may not apply to
every buyer. If any provision of this Warranty is held invalid or
unenforceable by a court or other decision-maker of competent
jurisdiction, such holding will not affect the validity or enforceability of
any other provision.

4/15-18

Fluke Networks
PO Box 777
Everett, WA 98206-0777
USA

Contents

Title Page

Introduction ....................................................................1

Registration .....................................................................1

Contacting Fluke Networks ............................................1

Safety Information ..........................................................2

Design Features ...............................................................3

Physical Characteristics ...................................................4

Line Cords and Accessories .............................................5

Operation ........................................................................5

Installing Batteries ...................................................6

Turning on the Tester ..............................................7

Automatic Power-Down ..........................................7

Testing Cables ..........................................................7

SmartTone™ Positive Identification System ..........8

Velocity of Propagation (VOP) ................................10

Applications ....................................................................12

Testing Wire in Conduit ..........................................14

Testing a Wire Pair in a Conduit ......................14

Testing a Single Wire in a Conduit ..................14

Inventory Management ..........................................14

In Case of Unstable or Unusual Readings ..............19

Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) Technology ............19

VOP Variations .........................................................22

Maximum Length ....................................................23

Frequently Asked Questions ..........................................24

If Something Seems Wrong with the Tester .................28

Maintenance ...................................................................29

Specifications ..................................................................30

i

TS90 Cable Fault Finder

Users Guide

ii

TS®90 Cable Fault Finder

Introduction

The TS90 Cable Fault Finder is a portable handheld device
used by installers, repair technicians and other authorized
personnel for locating problems on installed cable pairs and
for managing cable inventory.

Registration

Registering your product with Fluke Networks gives you
access to valuable information on product updates,
troubleshooting tips, and other support services. To register,
fill out the online registration form on the Fluke Networks
website at www.flukenetworks.com/registration.

Contacting Fluke Networks

www.flukenetworks.com

[e-mail]

[phone] or 1-800-283-5853



Australia: 61 (2) 8850-3333 or 61 (3) 9329 0244



Beijing: 86 (10) 6512-3435



Brazil: 11 3759 7600



Canada: 1-800-363-5853



Europe: [phone]



Hong Kong: 852 2721-3228



Japan: 03-6714-3117



Korea: 82 2 539-6311



Singapore: 65-6799-5566



Taiwan: (886) 2-227-83199

Visit our website for a complete list of phone numbers.

1

TS90 Cable Fault Finder

Users Guide

Safety Information

The following IEC symbols are used either on the tester or in
the manual:

W

X

.

P

)

~

Warning: Risk of personal injury. See the manual
for details.

Caution: Risk of damage or destruction to
equipment or software. See the manual for
details.

Warning: Risk of electric shock.

Earth ground

Conformité Européenne. Conforms to relevant
European Union directives.

Meets safety requirements of North America

Do not put products containing circuit boards
into the garbage. Dispose of circuits boards in
accordance with local regulations.

WWarningX

If this product is used in a manner not specified
by the manufacturer, the protection provided by
the product may be impaired.

2

Design Features

Design Features

Design features of the TS90 Cable Fault Finder include:



Easy to use



Tests all common cable pairs



Provides low cost protection against lost time due to
cable and connector problems



Single button operation



Up to 2500 feet, dependent on cable type



Accurate to ±2 feet for short cables



Accurate to ±5 feet for cables from 10 feet to 200 feet
and ±3% and ±5 feet for cables longer than 200 feet



Bright 0.4 inch LED display



Up to 4 readings per second



Audible indication of shorted wires and external
voltage greater than 15 Vac



Automatic adjustments



Tone injection with the SmartTone™ positive
identification system



Input protected to 250 Vac



Components protected against damage from moisture



Fifty hour battery life, intelligent auto-off



Low battery indicator



Uses 4 AA batteries (included)



High strength plastic (ABS) housing

3

TS90 Cable Fault Finder

Users Guide

Physical Characteristics

See Figure 1.

Figure 1. Physical Characteristics



Power button, which turns the tester on and off.



Low battery LED.



Female BNC (British Naval Connector).



LCD display with units indication (feet).

4

cab01.eps

Line Cords and Accessories



The battery compartment is on the back of the tester.
The battery cover includes a label showing some
common velocity of propagation (VOP) values.



The two smaller buttons are used to adjust the tester’s
VOP up or down. See “Velocity of Propagation” on
page 10.

Line Cords and Accessories

Use only line cords (test leads) approved by Fluke Networks.
Other cords may cause incorrect measurements. For
information on availability of additional line cords and
accessories, contact your local Fluke Networks authorized
distributor.

Operation

W

WarningX

DO NOT USE the tester to test cables that may
have hazardous voltages present. When the
tester indicates the presence of high ac
voltages, CAREFULLY DISCONNECT
IMMEDIATELY to prevent any personal injury.
Hazardous dc voltages can be present on any
cable at any time. The tester does NOT detect or
indicate the presence of dc voltages. Use care
when connecting to cables.

Do not use the test set if it is damaged. Before
you use the test set, inspect the case. Look for
cracks or missing plastic. Pay particular
attention to the insulation surrounding the
connectors.

5

TS90 Cable Fault Finder

Users Guide

Always handle the clip leads and the cables by
their insulation, NEVER directly by the
conductive wire. Use only the insulated clips
provided to connect to any wire or cable.

WCaution

Use only line cords approved by Fluke
Networks. Other cords may cause incorrect
measurements.

Legal requirements may exist regarding
permission to connect equipment to a Telecom
network operated by a public network
operator.

Installing Batteries

The tester uses 4 AA batteries (included). Install the batteries
in the battery compartment on the back of the tester.

WWarningX

To avoid electric shock, disconnect measuring
terminals before opening the battery door.

To remove the battery door, push the plastic tab in the
direction of the arrow and l
polarity when inserting the batteries. The polarity is marked
on the inside of the battery compartment. Reinstall the
battery door before connecting the tester to anything.

To extend battery life, remove batteries when the
tester is not in use.

ift off the door. Observe correct

Note

6

Operation

Turning on the Tester

Turn the tester on by pressing the ON/STANDBY button. The
tester performs a self test each time it is turned on. During
the self test, the tester displays 8.8.8.8.

Automatic Power-Down

To save battery power, the tester automatically turns off
after five minutes if it is not connected to anything, or one
hour after you connect to a cable. Also, if the ON/STANDBY
button is held down for more than 20 seconds, the tester
turns off. This prevents battery drain should some object in
your tool box be leaning on the button.

Testing Cables

WCaution

When testing telephone cables, connect only to
non-working circuits. If accidentally connected
to a working ADSL or hi-cap circuit, the tester
will cause an outage.

To test a cable, attach line cord clips to a pair of wires at one
end of the cable you are testing.

ster

The te
finds. Table 1 describes the tester’s display and beeper
indications.

displays the distance (in feet) to the closest fault it

7

TS90 Cable Fault Finder

Users Guide

Table 1. Display and Beeper Indications

Condition Display

Open cable

2

Shorted cable LLLL Continuous On

1

Beeper

LLLL Off

Cable is too long to

–Err Staggered

measure

A dc load (light bulb, TV,

–Err Staggered

etc.) is detected

>15 Vac is detected 8888

Rapid

Flashing

Low battery, open cable L.LLL Off

Failed self test 8888 Off

Cable cannot be

–Err Staggered

measured

1. LLLL = the length to the fault.

2. An open may be a break in a wire or a separation between the
wires in the pair. If one wire in the pair separates from the other
wire for 1 ft or more, the tester indicates an open at the
separation.

SmartTone™ Positive Identification System

See Figure 2.

The tester injects a tone onto the connected pair
concurrently with fault locating signals. This tone is
compatible with most tone probes. When you are using a
tone probe to identify a wire pair, the tone volume from
nearby wires may be indistinguishable from the tone from
the target pair. The SmartTone Positive Identification System
lets you positively identify the wire pair. The tone has 5
frequency and cadence options.

8

To use the SmartTone System:

1

Connect the tester to a wire pair; then turn on the
tester.

2

At the other end of the cable, use your tone probe to
find the wire pair by probing for the pair with the
loudest tone.

3

Short the wire pair together, then release the short.



If you DO NOT hear a change in the tone, then you
have not found the correct pair.



If you DO hear a change, then you have POSITIVE
CONFIRMATION that you have found the correct
pair.

Note

The tone is not audible on the tester’s beeper.

Operation

Figure 2. SmartTone Positive Identification System

cab02.eps

9

TS90 Cable Fault Finder

Users Guide

Velocity of Propagation (VOP)

VOP is a cable specification indicating the speed at which a
signal travels down the cable. A VOP of 66 means the signal
travels at 66 % of the speed of light. The tester uses VOP to
calculate cable length. See “Time Domain Reflectometry
(TDR) Technology” on page 19 for details.

Here are some important points about VOP:



Different cables have different VOP settings.



The tester’s default VOP setting of 66 is suitable for most
applications.



Using the VOP specified for a cable ensures the most
accuracy in fault location, length measurements, and
inventory management. Tab l e 2 and Ta b l e 3 show VOP
values for common cables. Some common VOP values
are also listed on

You can set the tester’s VOP to a
the tester to determine
cable.

To set the VOP to a known value:

the tester’s battery door.

known value, or you can use

the VOP for a known length of

1

Turn the tester on while holding down the UP or DOWN
button. In this mode, the display alternately shows the
VOP setting (-VV-) and the calculated length (LLLL).

2

When the VOP setting is displayed, press the UP or
DOWN button. This keeps the VOP value on the display

for adjustment.

3

Use the UP and DOWN buttons to set the VOP to the
desired value.

4

To exit the VOP adjustment mode, turn the tester off.

10

Operation

To determine the VOP of a known length of cable:

1

Connect a known length of cable to the tester. The
cable must be 200 feet (60 meters) or longer (such as an
unopened box of wire).

2

Turn the tester on while holding down the UP or DOWN
button. In this mode, the display alternately shows the
VOP setting (-VV-) and the calculated length (LLLL).

3

When the length setting is displayed, press the UP or
DOWN button. This keeps the length value on the

display for adjustment.

4

Use the UP and DOWN buttons to adjust the length to
the length of the cable.

5

To exit the VOP adjustment mode, turn the tester off.

Notes

While the tester is in VOP adjustment mode, tone is
not injected into the cable.

The VOP value reverts to the default of 66 when you
change the tester’s batteries

11

TS90 Cable Fault Finder

Users Guide

Applications

See Figure 3.

The tester locates opens, short circuits, and crosses in any
two metallic conductors (twisted, untwisted, coax, copper,
aluminum, and steel).

It identifies conductors using the SmartTone feature and an
inductive probe (not included) (see Figure 2). Tone can be
sent between two technicians to ID multiple pairs. Because
the tester beeps when it detects a short circuit, it also serves
as a continuity tester.

Multi-Wire Environment

When testing wires in a multi-wire environment, such as 4
wire telephone cable, 8 wire CAT-5 cable, 12-2 with ground
ac wire, or several THHN wires inside a conduit, a short could
exist between any number of the conductors, including a
shield or the conduit. To detect the short, you must connect
the tester to the wires that are shorted. This means that to
fully test a multi-wire cable, you must check every wire
against every other wire including the shields and conduits.

While a quick way to test many conductors against conduit
or shield length is to connect all the conductors to one clip
lead and the shield to the other lead, this will reduce the
impedance of the cable, and measurements may fall below
the tester’s range. It is more reliable to test the wires
individually.

12

Applications

Figure 3. Testing for Lengths, Shorts, Opens, and

Terminations

cab03.eps

13

TS90 Cable Fault Finder

Users Guide

Testing Wire in Conduit

There are two methods for testing wire in conduit. You can
test a wire pair or a single wire.

Testing a Wire Pair in a Conduit

To test a wire pair, connect the two test leads to the pair. If

e separates from the other for 1 ft or more, the tester

one wir
indicates an open at the separation. For example, if the wires
separate after exiting the conduit, the tester indicates an
open at the end of the conduit.

Testing a Single Wire in a Conduit

You can test a single wire by clipping one test lead to the
wire and the other to the conduit. The tester shows the
length up to a fault or to the point where the wire separates
from the conduit by at least 1 ft. For example, if there is a 2 ft
service loop outside the conduit, the tester shows the length
up to the service loop. This is true even if the two sections of
conduit are electrically connected.

Inventory Management

The tester is an inventory management tool. It measures
lengths of wire or cable while still on the spools.

The ability to measure the length of multi-conductor cable
remaining on its spool is valuable for both job-site and
warehouse personnel. Remember that with the TS90, you
can measure the length from JUST ONE END of a PAIR of
wires, allowing you to take inventory without unspooling
the cables or even having to move the spools at all.

14

Applications

At the job-site, you can determine if the cable remaining on
your spool or in your box will be sufficient for the job at
hand. This will save you an unnecessary trip to the
warehouse for more cable, and help you avoid running out
of cable in the middle of an installation.

There are two points to remember when measuring the
length of wire on a spool:



The wire length must be within the range of the tester
(see Tab l e 2).



The accuracy of the measurement will be optimum if
the VOP is set correctly for the type of wire being
measured. See Tab l e 2 for a list of specifically identified
cables and Table 3 for a list of VOP values for other cable
types.

In the warehouse, you can quickly measure the cable

ng on all your spools, allowi

remaini
spool for each job. Additionally, by keeping a record of the
prior inventory, you can determine how much wire was used
on the current job.

Remember that the tester works on TWO conductors.
Single conductor spools can not be measured with
the TS90 Cable Fault Finder.

ng you to select the right

Note

15

TS90 Cable Fault Finder

Users Guide

Table 2. Values and Maximum Length for Specifically

Maximu

VOP

Length (Feet) Cable

64 2000 Lucent 1024 006ABE 6/24 W1000,

63 1

61 2

60 1500 BICC General, 24 AWG CMX

58 1

66 2500 Berk-Tek, CAT5 (Orange-White)

68 2500 Superior-Essex Cobra CAT5 CMR

Identified Cables

m

6 pair CAT3 (Blue-White)

500 BICC General Aerial Service Wire

(ASW) 2/22, 2 Pair 
Drop Wire

000 Superior Essex, 4 pair CAT3

Plenum (not pair dependent)

Outdoor CMR Station Wire

000 BICC General cross-connect 24

G twisted pair on original

AW
spool

(Orange-White)

72 2500 Superior-Essex Cobra CAT5 CMP

(Orange-White)

82 1000 CommScope 5726, RG6 CATV

Coax

81 1000 CommScope 2275V, RG6 CATV

Coax

79 1000 CommScope 5571, RG59, TV Coax

16

Applications

T

able 2. Values and Maximum Length for Specifically

VOP

67 500 Belden 88760 2 wire shielded 18

68 500 Belden 88760 2 wire shielded 18

64 500 Carol C1156 RG-174/U

57 500 BICC General, E22025, Red-Black

73 1000 Channel Master Polyclad Model

71 2000 Triangle Wire and Cable, type

67 2000 Triangle Wire and Cable, type

Identified Cables (con

Maximum

Length (Feet) Cable

AWG, Red-Black

AW

9354 300 Ohm Foam A
Wire

NM-B 12/2 W/G, Black-Ground

NM-B 12/2W/G, Black-Whit

tinued)

G, Red/Black-Shield

ntenna

e

17

TS90 Cable Fault Finder

Users Guide

Table 3. VOP Values for Other Cables

VOP Cable Type

78 Belden Drop Foam

82 CommScope Drop

87 CommScope Trunk

63 RG58/U 50 Ohm Network Coax

80 RG59 TV Coax

64 Service Wire

83 Times Fiber Drop

90 Times Fiber Dynafoam

87 Times Fiber Trunk

93 Trilogy Trunk

68 Twisted Pair, Gel Filled 19 AWG

64 Twisted Pair, Gel Filled 22 AWG

62 Twisted Pair, Gel Filled 24 AWG

60 Twisted Pair, Gel Filled 26 AWG

68 Twisted Pair, Paper 22 AWG

66 Twisted Pair, Paper 24 AWG

65 Twisted Pair, Paper 26 AWG

72 Twisted Pair, PIC 19 AWG

67 Twisted Pair, PIC 22 AWG

66 Twisted Pair, PIC 24 AWG

64 Twisted Pair, PIC 26 AWG

18

Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) Technology

In Case of Unstable or Unusual Readings

Sometimes, devices connected to the cable you are testing
can prevent the TS90 from making a valid reading. Such
devices include telephones, fax machines, modems, speakers,
transformers, light bulbs, televisions, and dc loads. The
software makes the best decisions it can when faced with
unusual conditions, but may not always be able to ignore
connected devices. If you get a highly unstable or clearly
invalid reading, check for devices connected to the cable.

Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR)
Te ch n ol o g y

Note

This section goes deeper into the theory of
operation. You can skip this section and still use the
tester effectively by reading the other parts of this
manual. However, it is worth reading this section if
you want more insight into how the tester works.

One of the keys to understanding how the tester works is to
first understand that a pair of wires has a fixed impedance as
long as the wires of the pair are kept in the same
geometrical relationship to each other.

A pair of wires (either standalone or within a multi-wire
cable) is designed to have a constant wire-to-wire
impedance. If the physical relationship of the wires in the
pair is altered during the wire run, then there will be a
change in impedance at the point where the physical
relationship changes.

19

TS90 Cable Fault Finder

Users Guide

For example, if one or both wires of the pair are broken
(open), or they are shorted to each other, or they become
sufficiently separated from each other, their impedance will
change. The tester looks for these changes in impedance. If
the impedance change is large enough, (e.g., such as that
caused by a break in one of the wires of the pair), the tester
will detect the impedance change and will display the length
of the wire up to the impedance change.

From the previous information, it should be easy to deduce
that the tester can measure the length of a pair of un­terminated wires, because, the open circuit at the far end
causes a very large impedance change.

The TS90 Cable Fault finder uses Time Domain Reflectometry
(TDR) to determine the length of the target cable. A TDR,
much like RADAR, sends a pulse down the pair of wires. Part
of that pulse reflects off any impedance variations in the pair
of wires. All of the reflections, together with the original
pulse, combine to make an electrical signal (TDR waveform)
that has various flat and bumpy sections that represent the
start, the impedance changes, and the end of the cable. The
size and shape of the flat and bumpy sections depend on the
distance to the impedance changes and the magnitude of
the impedance changes.

For example, two runs of 12/2 ac wire joined with a splice
will have a TDR waveform with 2 flat sections separated by a
bump. The two flat sections represent the lengths of the two
sections of wire. The small bump in the middle represents
the small impedance change at the splice point. The large
bump at the end represents the large impedance change at
the end of the wire run (see Figure 4).

20

Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) Technology

TDR technology examines this TDR waveform (see Figure 4),
looking at the sizes of the flat sections and the bumps. The
software decides which of the elements of the waveform is
most representative of the common problems encountered
in the wiring industries and reports the distance to that
element.

In the case of the waveform in Figure 4, the tester will report
the distance to the end of the wire run and will ignore the
small bump in the middle because it is too small to be
considered a problem.

cab04.eps

Figure 4. TDR Waveform

If more than one problem exists on the cable, the software
in the TS90 Cable Fault Finder only reports the nearest
problem.

The actual result of the measurement is the TIME to the
fault. The software in the tester converts the measured time
to a length by multiplying the time by the speed of the
electrical signal in that particular cable. That speed is
represented as a percentage of the speed of light and is
called the Velocity of Propagation (VOP).

21

TS90 Cable Fault Finder

Length

Time in billionths of a second

2

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VOP

0.9835

------------------

=

Users Guide

The actual formula used is as follows:

The time is divided by two because the signal traveled the
length of the cable twice. Once when it left the tester and
went to the failure point, and again when it reflected back
to the tester to be detected. The speed of light expressed in
billionths of a second per foot is 0.9835 (about a billion feet
per second).

VOP Variations

This characteristic speed of the signal for a particular cable is
not normally a tightly controlled part of the cable
manufacturing process and can vary widely from one
manufacturer to another as well as from one box of cable to
the next. As with all TDR-based cable measurement tools,
the tester measures TIME within specified tolerances, but the
displayed LENGTH is the result of the calculation with the
user-selected VOP and is only as accurate as that selected
VOP. For most uses, a length reading with an incorrectly set
VOP is sufficiently accurate to locate the fault in the cable.
After all, an installed cable is hardly ever run in a straight
line. It can be stapled along the 2x4, laid diagonally in the
ceiling, and coiled behind the junction box, all of which is
not visible. Also, common sense should prevail. For example,
if the tester reports an open at 80 feet, and you can see a
junction box at about 70 feet, your first step should be to
check at the junction box.

However, for some uses such as measuring the remaining
cable in a box, it is important to set the VOP correctly in
order to achieve the accuracy desired.

22

Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) Technology

Depending on the cable construction (shielded, twisted,
etc.), insulating material (foam, air, fiber, etc.), and
conductors tested (wire-to-wire, wire-to-shield), coiling the
cable on a spool or in a box may alter its VOP.

Additionally, other conductors in close proximity to the
conductors being tested can affect the VOP. For example, a
solitary 12 gauge THHN in a 1 inch conduit has a VOP of 82,
while that same wire in a ½ inch conduit filled with other
wires has a VOP of 72.

Note

The actual VOP of any particular cable is dependent
on the conductor spacing and the material between
the conductors and could vary by as much as ±5 feet
from the value listed in Table 2.

For help with your measurements, see Table 2 and Table 3
for the VOP values for many cable types and conditions.

Maximum Length

The maximum length of cable that can correctly be
measured by the tester is determined by several factors. The
most significant is the signal loss of the cable itself. When the
signal loss in a particular cable is large enough, the tester
cannot “hear” the TDR echo and cannot determine the
length of that cable. In this situation, the tester displays Err
on the readout. The amount of signal loss in a cable is
determined by the characteristics of that cable and its
length. The maximum length shown in Table 2 is the length
above which the tester is not expected to be able to make a
valid measurement. For lengths above those stated in Table
2, the tester’s accuracy is not specified.

23

TS90 Cable Fault Finder

Users Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I calibrate the tester or perform a self test?

A: There are no adjustments inside the tester, and the

internal coating protects the critical components from
moisture and contaminants. There is nothing to calibrate. A
self test is performed by the tester every time you turn it on.
Since there is no loss of any settings when the tester is off,
there is no penalty to just turning it off and on if you wish to
perform a self test. The tester displays 8.8.8.8. during the self
test.

Q: Does it matter which clip lead I connect to which wire in
the cable under test?

A: Not for any of the testing functions. However, when you
connect the tester to a cable, if you connect the red lead
first, an invalid reading may be displayed until the full
connection is made with both leads. The tester’s TDR
technology requires both leads be connected to the wire
pair or cable in order to determine its length. While using
only one of the leads is useful in tracing cable position with
the injected tone, both leads are required to make valid
length measurements.

Q: What does the low battery indicator really indicate?

A: The LED comes on (flashes) when the battery voltage falls

below 4.1 volts, indicating that you should replace the
batteries. While the tester will continue to operate for at
least 1 hour below this voltage, some readings may be less
accurate.

Q: I tested an orange outdoor 25 foot extension cord and
the display read 19 feet. Is the tester broken?

24

Frequently Asked Questions

A: No. The accuracy of the reading is dependent on the
setting of the VOP. While the nominal setting for general
testing is -66-, the VOP for that kind of cable is -56-. To
improve the accuracy of length measurements for that or
any cable, change the VOP as shown in the instructions in
the Velocity of Propagation section.

Q: Why does the length reading sometimes change a small
amount when I open and short the far end of a test cable?

A: There are two causes. The first is that this is a characteristic
of the measurement technique used in almost all low and
medium cost cable length test tools.

In the case of the TS90 Cable Fault Finder, the variance occurs
in only a few cable types and both readings are within the
specified accuracy of the instrument. The second cause
occurs when the cable is coiled, as in a box or on a spool. The
magnetic field caused by the TDR signal itself couples across
to other parts of the cable and changes the characteristics of
the reflections.

Q: Why, on some cables, does the number displayed on the
readout jump between 2 or 3 different values?

A: As the TDR signal travels down a cable, it loses some of its
strength. At some point, the noise on the cable has an
amplitude similar to the reduced strength TDR signal and
will influence the measurement results. The tester’s software
filters out many of the noise related variations in the
displayed length, but some variations do get through.

25

TS90 Cable Fault Finder

Users Guide

Q: I accidentally cracked the plastic housing, does this affect
the moisture protection of the components?

. The

A: Not at all
coating on the components and Printed Circuit Board (PCB).

However, if sufficient plastic is missing then a possible shock
hazard exists. You should not use the tester until the plastic is
repaired or replaced.

Q: Can this tester measure the length of single conductor
wires like THHN?

A: No. All TS90 measurements must be made on TWO
conductors from the SAME END of a cable.

Q: If I touch the bare metal of the wires or clip leads, will the
measurement be affected?

A: After BOTH clips are connected, measurement results will
ordinarily not be affected if inappropriate human contact is
made with the input connectors. Under moist conditions, if a
large surface area of cable is in contact with moist skin, some
readings may be affected.

component protection is provided by a

Q: On multi-conductor cables with a short between two of
the conductors, I sometimes read an “open” at twice the
known length of the cable.

A: If the cable has more than two conductors, and a short
exists at the far end between one of the conductors you are
connected to and a conductor you are not connected to, the
displayed length will be the SUM of the lengths of the
conductors joined by the short. The tester can only correctly
test the two conductors you are connected to. See
“Applications” on page 12 for multi-conductor cables.

26

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When testing a set of wires that go into a conduit, I
sometimes get a reading of 0 or 1. Why?

A: If there
physi
of the conduit, this will look to the tester like an open at the
start of the cable. Remember that the tester reports the
FIRST failure that it finds. Try bringing the two wires of the
pair closer together for the path from the tester to the entry
to the conduit.

Q: When connecting to a 6 foot piece of 50 ohm Coax with
the alligator clips, the tester reads 8 feet. What’s up?

A: When measuring a low impedance small cable (less than
15 feet), the clip leads can add up to 2 feet of length. For
longer or high impedance cables, the clip leads have no
effect.

Q: How does the tester react to a speaker or a transformer at
the end of a cable?

A: A speaker or a transformer is actually a large coil of wire.
This will usually cause the length reading to be larger than
that of the cable alone. A moderate power speaker will add
500 feet to the length reading. Some combinations of
speakers and transformers connected to the cable may
prevent the tester from making a valid reading.

is more than a foot or so of wires that are

cally separated before they enter the close confinement

27

TS90 Cable Fault Finder

Users Guide

If Something Seems Wrong with the Te st e r

The display remains at 8.8.8.8. after power on.

The self test has failed. The batteries may be weak or the
tester has water inside. Try changing the batteries or drying
the tester.

The tester reads less than 10 feet regardless of the length of
the cable.

The connection to the cable is broken. Check your
connection to the cable for dirt or insulation. Also, test the
clip leads by shorting them and listening for the beeper. You
can also visually check the center connection of the BNC for
damage.

The tester does not respond to any button presses.

The batteries could be dead or inserted incorrectly, or the
contacts are dirty or broken. Ensure that nothing is
connected to the input connector before opening the
battery door, and then check the battery installation.
Remove the batteries and check the contacts for dirt or
damage. Observe correct polarity when inserting the
batteries.

28

Maintenance

Maintenance

WarningX

W

These servicing instructions are for use by
qualified personnel only. To avoid electric
shock, do not perform any servicing other than
that contained in the operating instructions
unless you are qualified to do so.

llic

Disconnect clips from any meta
before performing any maintenance.

connections

WCaution

Do not use CRC Cable Clean® or any similar
chlorinated solvent on the tester. Doing so will
damage the tester.

There are no user serviceable components or adjustments in
the tester. Do not open the
board could remove the moisture protection coating or
apply a static charge that will damage sensitive components.

Opening the housing will void the warranty.

housing as handling of the PC

Note

Moisture will not harm the tester. However, moisture can
provide a leakage path that may conduct hazardous
voltages to you. DO NOT USE the tester if wet.

If moisture should get inside the tester, let the tester dry at
normal room temperature for 24 hours. DO NOT HEAT THE
tester.

The tester may be cleaned by using a soft cloth with soap
and water. Do not use a petroleum-based or chlorinated
cleaning agents.

29

TS90 Cable Fault Finder

Users Guide

Specifications

Power 4 AA alkaline batteries, provide 50 hours

of operation

Reverse
Battery
Pr

otection

Input
Protection

Moisture If the tester is exposed to water, some

Impedance
Range

Maximum
Length

Representative
Maximum
Cable

Length

Minimum
Length

No damage to the tester will occur if the
batteries are installed backwards.

250 V rms ac, continuous with
<1500 Vpk

may get insi
DAMAGE. See the moisture notes in the
Maintenance section.

35 to 330
within this range. Cables with an
impedance outside this range will not be
properly tested and may produce erratic
or incorrect readings.

2500 feet on most cable types, and 500
feet on very lossy cables. The tester will
display –E
correctly measured.

2500 feet: CAT-5 Twisted Pair
2000 feet: 12/2 ac Wire
1000 feet: RG-6/U TV Coax
500 feet (150 meters): RG-174/U Coax

No minimum length Minimum non-zero

ading is

re

de, but it will suffer NO

with auto-compensation

rr if the cable is too long to be

2 feet

transient

30

Specifications

Specifications (continued)

Length
Accuracy

Voltage

High
Detection

Measurement
Rate

VOP Adjustable from -20- to -99-, retained

±2 feet for cables less than 10 feet
±5 feet for cables longer than 10 feet

ter tha

and shor
±3 % and ±5 feet for cables longer than

200 feet

voltage of more than 

An ac
5 V rms will trigger the High Voltage

rning.

Wa

Maximum of 4 complete measurements
per second, decreasi
measurement based on cable size and
uniformity.

during power off. Default to -66­batteries are changed.

n 200 feet

ng to 2 seconds per

when

Measurement
Te

chnology

Battery Indicator flashes when battery voltage

Low

Tone Injection Approximately 1 kHz at an amplitude of

Cable Type Virtually all two or more conductor

Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) with
50 drive impedance, 6 V maximum
pulse height.

falls

below 4.1 V

80 % of bat
frequency and cadence. Tone
characteristic is changed as cable
condition changes to “normal-open”
from any other condition.

cables

tery voltage. Variable

-continued-

31

TS90 Cable Fault Finder

Users Guide

Specifications (continued)

Temperature
Range

Operating32 °F to 131 °F (0 °C to 55 °C)

Storage -40 °F to 158 °F (-40 °C to 70 °C)

Humidity

Operating 0 % to 80 %

Storage 0 % to 100 %

Weight 1 lb with batteries and clip leads

Operating
Altitude

Safety

EMC

Patents 6160405, 6285195, 6323654, and 6509740.
This product has been safety certified for indoor use only.
Specifications subject to change without notice.

3000 m (9843 ft) max

Meets 300 V CAT none, Pollution

egree 2

D
Me

ets IEC 61326-1: Portable. Meets FCC

CFR Title
IEC 61010-1, Pollution Degree 2, CAT

none

47, Part 15, Subpart B

Notes

32