Platinum Tools TSS200 User Manual
Snap Shot
Fault Finding/Cable Length Measurement SSTDR
User Manual
Accurately nds cable length,
impediments in the cable and
conditions at the end of every
wire in your data, power, or
communications/video system
up to 3,000 ft.
Memory
Holds up to two different NVP values for
multiple cable tests.
Calibration
Ability to calculate NVP for
any known cable length.
Test
Tests length, opens or shorts present on
the cable, up to 3,000 ft.
Tone Generation
Produces four different tones for locating
cables.
TM
See video demonstrations at:
www.platinumtools.com
TM
Snap Shot
Fault Finding/Cable Length Measurement TDR
User Manual
Table of Contents
About this Manual...................................................................3
Symbols and Icons..............................................................3
Terms and Descriptions......................................................4
Safety Information..............................................................5
Equipment and Accessories.....................................................6
Design Features.......................................................................7
Snap Shot™ Description.........................................................8
F-Connector................................................................8
LCD Display Screen.............................................................9
Keypad.................................................................13
Operations.....................................................................15
Turning the Unit On/Off...................................................15
Automatic Power Down...................................................15
Cable Testing General Guidelines....................................16
Using Memory Storage.....................................................16
Recalling Stored NVP Values.................................17
Adjusting NVP Values................................................18
Using Calibration Mode....................................................19
Using Test Mode...............................................................22
Using Loop Testing............................................................24
Using Tone Mode..............................................................25
Maintenance .................................................................26
Battery Replacement........................................................26
Cleaning.......................................................................26
Storage....................................................................26
Customer Service...................................................................27
Contacting Platinum Tools ..................................................27
Additional Accessories .....................................................27
Warranty Information.......................................................28
Product Registration.........................................................28
Disposal......................................................................28
Returns........................................................................28
Specications....................................................................29
Appendix A............................................................................30
2
ABOUT THIS MANUAL
The Snap Shot™ is a self contained, hand-held, battery powered test unit
operated by contractors, repair technicians, and other authorized users.
This device is used to accurately test voice, data, and video cables. The
Snap Shot™ determines cable length, identies cable faults, and quickly
discovers the Nominal Velocity of Propagation (NVP) for a cable using
Spread Spectrum Time Domain Reectometry (SSTDR).
Symbols & Icons
The following symbols are used throughout the manual or in the display
screen of the Snap Shot™ to help you avoid personal injury and potential
damage to the test equipment (Table 1).
Table 1. Symbols and Icons
Symbol Denition
Warning: Potential for personal injury
Caution: Potential for damage or destruction to equipment.
!
Voltage!
Voltage detection symbol. Appears when the voltage on the
cable is unsafe and exceeds 60 volts peak AC or DC.
Conformité Européenne. Conforms with European Economic
Area directives.
Disposal information.
3
3
Terms and Descriptions
Table 2 denes the terms used throughout the document and provides
information to assist you with proper operation and understanding of the
unit and its functions.
Table 2. Terms and Descriptions
Terms Description and Uses
Nominal Velocity of
Propagation (NVP)
Safety Extra Low
Voltage (SELV)
F-Connector ▪ Connector for a coaxial cable.
Spread Spectrum
Time Domain
Reectometry
(SSTDR)
Also known as the Velocity of Propagation (VOP),
NVP is the speed of an electrical signal traveling
through a cable, measured as a percentage of the
speed of light.
▪ A rating determined by the International Electro-
technical Commission that denes safe voltage
standards when using electronic devices.
▪ SELV is 60 volts DC or Peak AC (45 volts RMS).
▪ Spread spectrum is the technological foundation of
cell phone communications and is used to transmit
a small, but nevertheless recognizable, signal in a
high noise environment.
▪ By combining spread spectrum with TDR technol-
ogy, SSTDR allows for a length test on cables
without interference from voltage.
4
Safety Information
To ensure safe operation of the Snap Shot™, follow the instructions
carefully and observe the warning and caution messages listed in Table
3. Failure to observe warnings can result in severe injury or death and can
damage the unit.
Table 3. Safety Information
Notication Denition
The Snap Shot™ 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 Snap Shot™ 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 Snap Shot™ when the
Voltage! Icon is present.
5
EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES
The following list of equipment and accessories are used with the Snap
Shot™ in order to properly test cables. The items illustrated and described
in Table 4 are provided with your purchase of the Snap Shot™. Refer to
the Additional Accessories section for a listing of additional products
that can help make testing easier.
Table 4. Snap Shot™ Equipment and Accessories
Accessory Product
Number
Description
TAD001
18303 Adapter, F-Jack to BNC Jack
TCA001
TCA002
TCA003
F-connector Coupler, High
Performance F81
Cable Assembly, Insulated PushOn F to RJ45 Plug
Cable Assembly, Insulated BNC to
Alligator Clips
Cable Assembly, Insulated Push-
On F-Connector to Alligator Clips
6
DESIGN FEATURES
▪ 1% length accuracy
▪ Ability to measure cables with voltage
▪ Stores up to two NVP values
▪ Displays length reading in feet or meters
▪ Easy to Operate
▪ Extra large seven-segment, back lit LCD screen with icons that clearly
display test results
▪ Tests any copper cable including data, voice, video, lamp wire, and
romex cables
▪ Discovers NVP value for cables with known length
▪ Automatic pre-test voltage checks
▪ Identies cable faults
▪ Tone generator with selectable tone cadence to easily trace cables
▪ Conserves power and supports long battery life with Auto-off feature
and battery life indicator
7
Snap Shot™ Description
LCD Display Screen
F-Connector
Keypad
The Snap Shot™, illustrated in Figure 1, has 3 main parts: the F-Connector,
LCD display screen, and the keypad.
Figure 1. Snap Shot™
F-Connector
One F-Connector is located at the top of the Snap Shot™. The connector
enables you to test and measure single cables.
Note: Additional accessories are provided with your purchase of the
Snap Shot™ for use with twisted pair, coaxial, and two-wire
cables. Refer to the Cable Testing General Guidelines
section of the manual for more details.
8
LCD Display Screen
The Snap Shot™ has a high contrast LCD display screen, shown in Figure
2 below. The LCD display screen shows the following: modes and related
icons, cable length, memory storage and related icons, NVP value, cable faults,
error message, voltage detection warning, and battery life indicator.
Adjustment Indicator
Cable Faults
Memory Storage Locations
Calibration Mode
Adjustment Indicator
NVP Value
Figure 2. LCD Display Screen
Error Message
Cable Length
Unit of Measurement
Voltage Detected Warning
Tone Mode
Battery Life Indicator
Test Mode
When the TEST button is pressed, the measured cable length (in units of
feet or meters) appears at the top of the LCD display screen. The following
values and icons display in the screen when a single test is run:
▪ Storage Location – The selected storage location (M1 or M2) appears
in the lower left corner of the display screen above the NVP value.
▪ NVP Value – The value saved in the selected storage location
appears in the lower left corner of the screen. This value is used to
calculate the displayed cable length.
9
Memory Storage
When the MEM button is selected, a series of values and icons appear in
the LCD display screen. See Table 5 for a description of the display screen
updates when Memory Storage is in use.
Table 5. Memory Storage Icons and Values
Icons and Values Description
Memory Storage
Locations
NVP Value
The unit has two memory storage locations: M1 and
M2. The selected storage location appears above
the NVP value in the lower left corner of the LCD
display screen.
The NVP value for the selected storage location
appears next to the “NVP” icon in the lower left
corner of the LCD display screen.
Adjustment Indicator The adjustment indicator icon demonstrates that the
Cable Length The cable length, displayed in feet or meters, ap-
NVP value can be adjusted.
▪ The icon, displayed as two Up/Down arrows,
appears to the left of the NVP value.
pears in the upper right corner of the display screen.
When a cable is not attached to the Snap Shot™ the
length will read “0”.
Note: Refer to the Using Memory Storage section to learn how to
store multiple NVP values for testing purposes.
Tone Mode
When the TONE button is selected, two musical notes blink in the lower
right corner of the LCD display screen to demonstrate the unit is set to
tone tracing. The following icons appear in the display screen when Tone
Mode is in use:
▪ Cadence – There are four cadence options: HI, LO, HL1, and HL2. The
last selected cadence appears in the top row of the display screen.
▪ Adjustment Indicator – Two arrows appear to the left of the
selected cadence to indicate that cadence can be adjusted.
Note: A tone probe is used for the tone tracing functionality of the
Snap Shot™. This item is sold separately. Refer to the Additional
Accessories Section for a listing of available products.
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