Greenlee NC-500 NETcat Pro User guide [ml]

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

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NC-500 NETcat® Pro Wiring Tester

Read and understand all of the instructions and safety
information in this manual before operating or servicing
this tool.

52024555 © 2006 Greenlee Textron Inc. 8/06

Description

The NETcat® Pro wiring tester is a device that verifies twisted pair and coaxial cables. It
uses TDR technology to measure distance to fault and lengths of cable. It also has a
feature that enables detection of an active network device partner (PC/HUB).

Additional features include the following:

• Employs touch panel LCD with contrast adjustment and backlight.

• Tests shielded twisted pair (STP), unshielded twisted pair (UTP), and coaxial cables.

• Measures cable length using TDR technology.

• Generates four different tones for cable tracing purpose.

• Identifies active network device (PC/HUB) on 10/100 BaseT networks displaying
device capabilities.

• Verifies wiremaps.

• Detects shorts, opens, reversed polarity, crossed pairs, and split pairs.

• Uses remote ID units for Office Identification.

Safety

Safety is essential in the use and maintenance of Greenlee tools and equipment. This
instruction manual and any markings on the tool provide information for avoiding
hazards and unsafe practices related to the use of this tool. Observe all of the safety
information provided.

Purpose of This Manual

This instruction manual is intended to familiarize all personnel with the safe operation
and maintenance procedures for the Greenlee NC-500 NETcat® Pro. Keep this manual
available to all personnel. Replacement manuals are available upon request at no
charge.

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NC-500 NETcat® Pro

Important Safety Information

SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL

This symbol is used to call your attention to hazards or unsafe practices which
could result in an injury or property damage. The signal word, defined below,
indicates the severity of the hazard. The message after the signal word provides
information for preventing or avoiding the hazard.

Immediate hazards which, if not avoided, WILL result in severe injury or death.

Hazards which, if not avoided, COULD result in severe injury or death.

Hazards or unsafe practices which, if not avoided, MAY result in injury or property
damage.

KEEP THIS MANUAL

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Important Safety Information

Read and understand this material before operating or servicing

this equipment. Failure to understand how to safely operate this
tool could result in an accident causing serious injury or death.

Electric shock hazard:
Do not connect this unit to AC power circuits.
Failure to observe this warning could result in severe injury or

death.

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NC-500 NETcat® Pro

Important Safety Information

Electric shock hazard:

• Using this unit in a high frequency activated area may result in unstable or
inaccurate readings.

• Do not drop or get the unit wet as it may cause internal damage.

• Do not attempt to repair this unit. It contains no user-serviceable parts.

• Do not expose the unit to extremes in temperature or humidity.
Refer to “Specifications.”

• Use this unit for the manufacturer’s intended purpose only, as described in this
manual. Any other use can impair the protection provided by the unit.

Failure to observe these precautions may result in injury and can damage the unit.

Electric shock hazard:
This unit is capable of withstanding voltage

input conditions when connected to normal
telephony equipment (i.e., 50 VDC). Testing
is inhibited when 5 VDC or greater is
connected across a pair with the message
shown here displayed on the screen.

Failure to observe this precaution may result
in injury and can damage the unit.

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Graphical User Interface (GUI)

The unit’s interface employs a touch panel to aid ease of use. Navigation and changes
can be made in the following manner:

1. Drag button for coarse adjustment.

2. Fine adjustment button to decrease value.

3. Fine adjustment button to increase value.

4. Back button.

5. Select/enter button.

6. Low battery icon.*

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* The NETcat Pro requires a 9 V alkaline battery. When the battery icon is displayed, a

low battery condition exists. Using the unit with a low battery may affect the accuracy
of the test measurement.

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NC-500 NETcat® Pro

Operation

Switch ON and OFF

• To switch the NETcat Pro unit on, press the button for > 2 seconds.

• To switch the unit off, press the button for > 2 seconds.

Factory Default Reset

To reset the unit to factory defaults, apply a long push to the button for > 5 seconds.
The reset will then initiate a touch panel calibration and zero offset calibration for all

pairs. Following this, all stored settings (i.e., NVP, language, and contrast) will be reset
to factory default settings.

Main Menu Screen

On normal power up, the unit will enter the following mode awaiting a screen selection.

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Operation (cont’d)

Retest Button

Setup

With the SETUP MENU selected, the unit offers the following options:

• Length units can be selected by using the adjustment buttons as shown.

• Auto shut off can be adjusted from NEVER to 15 minutes duration, by using the
adjustment buttons as shown.

• Selecting UTP/STP allows the NVP* for the multi-pair test to be adjusted.

• Selecting Coaxial allows the NVP for the single pair/coax test to be adjusted.

• Selecting Display allows the user to change the LCD contrast level, backlight timeout,
and touch panel calibration.

• Selecting Language allows the user to change the language used within the user
interface.

* Nominal Velocity of Propagation (NVP) is a measure of the speed that a signal travels

down a wire with respect to the speed of light.

Calibration – NVP

In the NVP (Nominal Velocity of Propagation) calibration
mode the value can be adjusted using the adjustment bar.

Because cables have different capacitance and impedance,
to get an accurate length measurement, the NVP will need
to be calibrated using a length of cable of the same type
that is intended for testing. Please be aware that the multi­pair test and coax test have separate NVP values.

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Operation (cont’d)

Multi-pair test

Selecting Multi-pair test allows the user to carry out an
integrated test that checks the following attributes of a
cable:

• Check for active network device.

• Check for voltages.

• Check for Office Identifiers.

• Check the wiremap.

• Length to short or open.
A further description of the above tests is detailed in the

“Test Details” section.

One Pair/Coax Test

As above, but for one pair (i.e., coaxial cables).

NC-500 NETcat® Pro

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Test Details

Voltage Checks

This test checks for a voltage in excess of 5 VDC across each pair. If a voltage is
detected above the stated threshold, then testing will be inhibited.

Network Partner Check

This check looks for an active network device (i.e., PC/HUB). If an active device is
detected, the type of device is displayed along with its network capabilities indicated
with a tick as shown.

The capabilities ticked show the possible transmis­sion rates possible for the device detected (IEEE802.3
standard). Below is a more detailed explanation of the
capabilities:

10 Base-T: This indicates that the device is capable of
transmitting data at a rate of 10 Mbps half duplex.

10 Base-T FD: This indicates that the device is
capable of transmitting data at a rate of 10 Mbps full
duplex.

100 Base-TX: This indicates that the device is capable
of transmitting data at a rate of 100 Mbps half duplex.

100 Base-TX FD: This indicates that the device is
capable of transmitting data at a rate of 100 Mbps full
duplex.

100 Base-T4: This indicates that the device is capable
of transmitting data at a rate of 100 Mbps using four
pairs.

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PC detected with
capabilities indicated.

Hub/switch detected with
capabilities indicated.

NC-500 NETcat® Pro

Test Details (cont’d)

Wiremap

This test checks the cable for correct wiring when a remote/Office ID is connected to
the end of the cable under test. The cable configuration is tested for shield continuity (if
fitted), opens, shorts, reversed pairs, crossed pairs, and split pairs. Below are examples
of detectable faults along with a good wiremap.

Good wiremap. Wiremap with a short at

Wiremap with a split pair
on 1-2 and 7-8 and shield
disconnected.

Wiremap with an open at
10 ft on pair 1-2 and
shield disconnected.

Wiremap with a reversed
pair on 1-2 and shield
disconnected.

11 ft on pair 1-2 and
shield disconnected.

Wiremap with a crossed
pair on 1-2 and 4-5 and
shield disconnected.

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Test Details (cont’d)

Office Identification Check

This test looks for an Office Identification module connected to the cable under test. If
an Office ID module is connected, its ID number is reported as shown. This feature can
be used to identify office locations at the distribution panel.

Office ID displayed.

The resident remote with main unit is ID #1.
Office Identifier modules number 2 and above are included in an optional accessory kit.

Length Measurement

Length to an open/short is displayed in feet or meters depending on the selection in the
SETUP MENU.

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NC-500 NETcat® Pro

Tracing Tone Mode

This function provides a means of tracking cables by generating four distinct tones on
a specific pair or all pairs. The cable can be traced using a tracing probe that is capable
of detecting tones ranging from 577 Hz to 983 Hz.

The four available tones are as follows:

• Tone 1 – Slow Warble (873 Hz and 983 Hz)

• Tone 2 – Fast Warble (873 Hz and 983 Hz)

• Tone 3 – Pulsing (577 Hz)

• Tone 4 – Melody (818 Hz, 873 Hz, 928 Hz, and 983 Hz)
These tones can be sampled using the NETcat Pro’s sounder as shown:

Press to sample
current tone.

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Specifications

Case Dimensions: 85 x 35 x 170 mm (3.35 x 1.4 x 6.7 in)
Weight: 200 g (0.5 lb)
Power Source: 9 V Alkaline battery (PP3, 6LR61)
User Interface:

Display LCD:

Dot Pixels: 128 x 128 dots
Dot Size: 0.40 x 0.40 mm
Dot Pitch: 0.43 x 0.43 mm
Viewing Area: 60 x 58 mm (2.4 x 2.3 in)
Backlight: White LED

Buttons: LCD touch panel; one momentary contact push button

Environmental:

Operating Temperature: 0 °C to 50 °C (32 °F to 122 °F)
Storage Temperature: -20 °C to 70 °C (-4 °F to 158 °F)
Humidity: Up to 95% non-condensing

Interface Connections:

RJ45 shielded socket
F-Type threaded female coaxial

NVP Calibration:

User selectable based on a known cable length.
Range: 15 to 609.6 m (50 to 2000 ft), 40% to 100% in step of 1%

Length:

Maximum Length: 609.6 m (2000 ft)
Resolution: 1 ft
Accuracy to open/short: ±4% or 2 ft, whichever is greater; any uncertainty in the

NVP will be an additional error
Maximum Length for Office Identifier: 609.6 m (2000 ft)
Maximum Length for Wiremap: 100 m (328 ft)
Minimum Length for Split Pair Detection: 3 m (10 ft)

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NC-500 NETcat® Pro

Maintenance

Electric shock hazard:

• Do not attempt to repair this unit. It contains no user-serviceable parts.

• Do not expose the unit to extremes in temperature or humidity.
Refer to “Specifications.”

Failure to observe these precautions may result in injury and can damage the unit.

Battery Replacement

1. Loosen the screw to open the battery compartment door.

2. Replace the batteries (observe polarity).

3. Close the battery compartment door.

Cleaning

Periodically wipe the housing with a damp cloth and mild detergent; do not use
abrasives or solvents.

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All specifications are nominal and may change as design
improvements occur. Greenlee Textron Inc. shall not be liable
for damages resulting from misapplication or misuse of its
products.

NETcat is a registered trademark of Tempo Research Corp.

One-Year Limited Warranty

USA 800-435-0786 Fax: [phone]
815-397-7070 Fax: [phone]
Canada 800-435-0786 Fax: [phone]
International [phone] Fax: [phone]

4455 Boeing Drive • Rockford, IL 61109-2988 • USA • 815-397-7070

An ISO 9001 Company

www.greenlee.com

•

Greenlee Textron Inc. is a subsidiary of Textron Inc.

MANUEL D’INSTRUCTIONS

Testeur de fils Pro NC-500 NETcat

Lire attentivement et bien comprendre toutes les instruc­tions et les informations sur la sécurité de ce manuel avant
d’utiliser ou de procéder à l’entretien de cet outil.

52024555 © 2006 Greenlee Textron Inc. 8/06

®

Description

Le testeur de fils Pro NETcat® est un appareil qui vérifie les paires torsadées et les câbles
coaxiaux. Il utilise la technologie TDR pour mesurer la distance entre les erreurs et les
longueurs de câble. Il possède également une fonction qui permet de détecter un
partenaire d’appareil réseau actif (PC/HUB).

Voici ses caractéristiques supplémentaires :

• Utilise un écran tactile à cristaux liquides avec réglage de contraste et rétroéclairage.

• Vérifie les paires torsadées et blindées, les paires torsadées non blindées et les câbles
coaxiaux.

• Mesure la longueur des câbles à l’aide de la technologie TDR.

• Produit quatre tonalités différentes pour chaque objectif de repérage des câbles.

• Identifie un appareil réseau actif (PC/HUB) sur des réseaux 10/100 BaseT affichant les
capacités de l’appareil.

• Vérifie les correspondances des fils.

• Détecte les courts-circuits, les circuits ouverts, la polarité inversée, les paires croisées
et les paires divisées.

• Utilise des appareils ID à distance pour l’identification au bureau.

Sécurité

Lors de l’utilisation et de l’entretien des outils et des équipements de Greenlee, votre
sécurité est une priorité. Ce manuel d’instructions et toute étiquette sur l’outil fournit des
informations permettant d’éviter des dangers ou des manipulations dangereuses liées à
l’utilisation de cet outil. Suivre toutes les consignes de sécurité indiquées.

Dessein de ce manuel

Ce manuel d’instructions est conçu pour que le personnel puisse se familiariser avec le
fonctionnement et les procédures d’entretien sûres du Pro NC-500 NETcat® de Greenlee.
Mettre ce manuel à la disposition de tous les employés. On peut obtenir des exemplaires
gratuits sur simple demande.

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NC-500 NETcat® Pro

Consignes de sécurité importantes

SYMBOLE D’AVERTISSEMENT

Ce symbole met en garde contre les risques et les manipulations dangereuses
pouvant entraîner des blessures ou l’endommagement du matériel. Le mot
indicateur, défini ci-dessous, indique la gravité du danger. Le message qui suit le
mot indicateur indique comment empêcher le danger.

Danger immédiat qui, s’il n’est pas pris en considération ENTRAINERA des
blessures graves, voire mortelles.

Danger qui, s’il n’est pas pris en considération, POURRAIT entraîner des blessures
graves, voire mortelles.

Dangers ou manipulations dangereuses qui, s’ils ne sont pas pris en considération,
POURRAIENT EVENTUELLEMENT entraîner des dommages à la propriété ou causer
des blessures.

CONSERVER CE MANUEL

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Consignes de sécurité importantes

Lire attentivement et bien comprendre cette documentation avant

d’utiliser ou de procéder à l’entretien de cet équipement. Négliger
de comprendre comment utiliser cet outil en toute sécurité
pourrait provoquer un accident et entraîner des blessures graves,
voire mortelles.

Risques de décharge électrique :
Ne pas connecter cet appareil à des circuits alimentés par c.a.
L’inobservation de cette consigne pourrait entraîner des

blessures graves, voire mortelles.

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