Platinum Tools TCB400 User Manual

Cable Prowler

User Manual

Full-Color Cable Testing and Report Management

• Displays length measurement for each pair
in feet or meters using TDR technology

• Detects presence of PoE and class of
PoE per IEEE 802.3af/at with load test
for voltage drop

• Detects and reports current link speed
and link capabilities for active Ethernet
drops, up to 1 Gbps

• Link light to identify location on a
hub/switch/router port

• Tests Ethernet cable configuration and
verifies connectivity while conducting
tests for opens, shorts, miswires, split
pairs, and reverses

• Generates selectable tones on selected
pins for use with tone tracers

• Supports up to 8 testing & ID remotes
for network & telephone cables

• Supports up to 20 network & coax
ID-only mapping remotes

• View saved cable tests

• Full color graphical wire-mapping

• Ability to define cable name, save cable
tests, and print all results (cable testing &
network testing)

• Multilingual (English, French, Spanish)

TM

Cable Prowler

Full-Color Cable Testing and Report Management

User Manual

Table of Contents

About this Manual...................................................................................3

Safety Information..................................................................................4

Cable Prowler Kits..................................................................................5

Cable Prowler Accessories......................................................................6

Cable Prowler Description.......................................................................7

Remotes.................................................................................................7

LCD Screen.............................................................................................8

Types of Faults........................................................................................8

Operations..............................................................................................9

On/Off................................................................................................9

Automatic Power Down......................................................................9

Setup....................................................................................................10

Changing a Setting................................................................................11

Cable Testing........................................................................................12

Cable Testing Guidelines...................................................................12

Safety Notes.....................................................................................12

Length Testing..................................................................................12

Cable Testing with Remotes..............................................................12

How to Perform a Cable Test............................................................13

Network/Power over Ethernet (PoE) Testing.......................................14

Link Light.........................................................................................15

Tone Generator.................................................................................16

Cable Prowler Application.................................................................17

Updating Firmware...........................................................................18

Maintenance.........................................................................................20

Batteries...............................................................................................20

Cleaning...........................................................................................20

Storage.............................................................................................20

Specications.......................................................................................21

Customer Service.................................................................................22

Warranty Information............................................................................23

Product Registration.............................................................................23

Disposal...............................................................................................23

Returns.................................................................................................23

2

ABOUT THIS MANUAL

The Cable Prowler™ combines the functions of a high-end cable tester
and length-measurement device. It identies link status, link capability,
and detects PoE. All of this is done in full color with internal memory to
save your results.

Feature Function

TDR technology ▪ Measures cable length and

High-resolution color display ▪ Easy viewing in any environment

Color wire map per
TIA568A/B codes

USB, RJ45 and coaxial connectors ▪ Tests network and coaxial cables

Tone Generation ▪ Traces cable runs and locates

Remotes ▪ Veries connectivity at the

Active Network Tests ▪ Detects and reports current link

PoE Detection ▪ Detects presence of PoE and class

Save and View Test Results ▪ Tests results can be named,

Cable Prowler PC Application ▪ Provides the ability to upload or

distance to faults

▪ Makes data visualization,

detection, and saving

▪ Easy-to-export results via USB

faults by sound

opposite end of a cable and
provides identication

speed and link capabilities for
active Ethernet drops, up to 1 Gbps

of PoE per IEEE 802.3af/at with
load test for voltage drop

saved, and viewed on the unit

download test results for saving,
viewing, or printing

▪ Makes it easy to update Cable

Prowler rmware

3

Safety Information

To ensure safe operations of the Cable Prowler, follow instructions
carefully and observe warning and caution messages in this manual.
Failure to observe warnings can result in severe injury or death and can
damage the equipment.

Table 3. Safety Information

Notication Denition

The Cable Prowler is designed for use on cabling systems
with or without voltage.

▪ The Voltage! icon turns on when the voltage exceeds

Safety Extra Low Voltage (SELV) rating of 60 Volts peak
AC or DC.

▪ Internal components are protected up to 400 Volts peak

AC or DC.

▪ Operating the Cable Prowler when a voltage source

exceeds 60 Volts peak AC or DC may pose a safety
hazard for the user.

Do not place equipment and its accessories in the trash.
Items must be properly disposed of in accordance with
local regulations.

It is not recommended to use the Cable Prowler when the
Voltage! icon is present.

4

Cable Prowler Kits

Your Cable Prowler is part of a kit. There are three kits to meet your
cable testing needs:

TCB300

• Cable Prowler Main Unit

• Cable Tester Smart Remote, #1

• ID Only Coax Remotes, #1-5

• ID Only Network Remotes, #1-5

• F Connector Coupler F81

• No-Fault, RJ12 Cable (2)

• Micro USB Cable

• Alkaline AA Batteries

• Hanging Pouch

TCB400

• Cable Prowler Main Unit

• Cable Tester Smart Remotes, #1-8

• ID Only Coax Remotes, #1-20

• ID Only Network Remotes, #1-20

• ToneSeeker Tone Tracer Probe

• F Connector Coupler F81 (2)

• No-Fault, RJ12 Cable (2)

• Micro USB Cable

• Alkaline AA Batteries

• Large Shoulder Bag

TCB360K1

• Cable Prowler Main Unit

• Cable Tester Smart Remotes, #1-8

• ID Only Coax Remotes, #1-8

• ID Only Network Remotes, #1-12

• Micro USB Cable

• Cable Assembly, RJ45 to Alligator
Clip

• No-Fault, RJ12 Cable (2)

• RJ45 Port Saver

• F Connector Coupler F81 (2)

• BNC Adapter Kit

• Alkaline AA Batteries

• Durable Plastic Case

5

Cable Prowler Accessories

P/N 18301C F Connector Coupler F81

P/N 18303C BNC Female to F Female Adapter

P/N 18305C BNC Female to F Male Adapter

P/N TCA007 Micro USB Cable

P/N 21025C RJ45 Port Saver

P/N 4007 Hanging Pouch

P/N 4008 Large Shoulder Bag

P/N 4068 Durable Plastic Case

P/N T125C RJ45 to Alligator 12” Cable

P/N T126C No-Fault, RJ12 Cable

P/N T127C ID Only Coax Remotes, #1-8

P/N T128C ID Only Network Remotes, #1-12

P/N TRK120 ID Only Coax Remotes, #1-20

P/N TRK220 ID Only Network Remotes, #1-20

P/N T138 Cable Tester Smart Remote, #1-8

P/N T139 Cable Tester Smart Remote, #2-8

P/N TAK010 Hanging Strap with Carabineer Clip

P/N TAK020 Prowler Kickstand

P/N TP250 ToneSeeker™ Tone Tracer Probe

P/N T001 Network & Telephone Testing/ID Remote #1

P/N T002 Network & Telephone Testing/ID Remote #2

P/N T003 Network & Telephone Testing/ID Remote #3

P/N T004 Network & Telephone Testing/ID Remote #4

P/N T005 Network & Telephone Testing/ID Remote #5

P/N T006 Network & Telephone Testing/ID Remote #6

P/N T007 Network & Telephone Testing/ID Remote #7

P/N T008 Network & Telephone Testing/ID Remote #8

6

Cable Prowler Description

Back

Remotes

T127C

ID Only Coax
Remotes, #1-8

Full-color
LCD display

Soft keys perform the
function on the display
above each button.

Test

Enter

Direction cursors to
move in LCD display

On/Off

RJ45 Jack

Micro USB Port

F Connector Jack

T128C

ID Only Network
Remotes, #1-12

TRK120

ID Only Coax
Remotes, #1-20

TRK220

ID Only Network
Remotes, #1-20

P/N T139C

Cable Tester Smart
Remotes, #2-8

7

LCD Screen

The Cable Prowler features a full-color graphic LCD screen. Press any of
the four soft keys (blue) below the on-screen icon to select that function.
Alternately, you can use the side or up/down arrows to scroll to your
selected on screen function and press enter (the center arrow).

Types of Faults

Several possible error conditions on the cable are detected and displayed
on screen of your Cable Prowler.

Cable Fault Description

Miswire

Cable’s wire connection does not follow cabling standards.

Open

Short

Split

Length

Network
Connectivity

PoE

Wire connection is not continuous throughout cable length.

A pair has a high resistance fault. This occurs when the
wires are making contact with each other due to damage
or improper termination.

A cable can be wired with correct continuity but not with
correct pairing. This most often happens when the cable is
terminated consistently at both ends but in the
wrong order.

Displays the pair lengths found. Length discrepancies may
be determined by these results.

Displays network connectivity which allows the user to
determine if it is different than expected.

Displays results in red if voltages are lower than expected.

8