Cabling Installation & Maintenance - Fluke Networks adds new patch cord testing capability to cable analyzer

Fluke Networks, Inc. has added a new patch cord testing capability to its DSP-4000 Series CableAnalyzer Series.

The DSP Patch Cord Test Adapter is designed to provide a fast means to certify and document the transmission performance specifications of patch cords as specified by the TIA/EIA 568-B.

"Patch cords and equipment cords have a very significant impact on the performance of the end-to-end cabling link or channel," says Mark Johnston, strategic alliance and planning manager for Fluke Networks. "Unfortunately, patch cords are often the neglected element in premise wiring installations. They are purchased separately and not subject to the same stringent testing requirements as the permanent cabling.

"It's not uncommon for an installer to add a patch cord months or years after the initial installation and then only test for wiremap, which doesn't ensure if the cord has the necessary bandwidth for high speed applications," Johnston continues. "As a result, patch cords are not well matched to the existing system and the entire infrastructure suffers."

The DSP Patch Cord solution is designed to quickly and accurately test whether a patch cord meets the performance specifications as defined by the current release of cabling standards. One adapter is attached to the main test unit and the other is connected to the remote test unit.

Parameters tested include:
* Wiremap to ensure that the wire-pairs are properly connected,
* Propagation delay, length and delay skew,
* One way, near-end crosstalk (NEXT),
* One way return loss.

To fully support the test standards for patch cord testing, the test database in the DSP-4000 Series tester also needs to be updated with the Patch Cord Test database. It can be downloaded and installed into a DSP-4000 Series tester that contains the current operating software version.

Fluke Networks, based in Everett, Wash., manufactures telecommunication system testers. For more information visit www.flukenetworks.com.

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