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Save time in locating faults in power cables

A Megger product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jan 31, 2002

Savings in time and money can be made on locating faults in power cables - particularly if they are buried or otherwise inaccessible - by using the latest hand-held time-domain reflectometers

Huge savings in time and money can be made on locating faults in power cables - particularly if they are buried or otherwise inaccessible - by using the latest range of Megger hand-held time-domain reflectometers from AVO International.

The compact, easy-to-use TDR500, TDR1000 and TDR2000 instruments operate by transmitting a pulse into the cable, which is reflected by faults, such as short circuits, bad splices or conductor breaks.

By measuring the time it takes for the reflected pulse to return from the fault, the instrument can calculate and display the exact distance to the problem.

Physical access is only required to the cable at one end, to connect the instrument, and the test takes just a few seconds to perform.

Both the TDR1000 and TDR2000 are suitable for use on live circuits up to 150V Installation Category III, or 300V Installation Category II.

By using test probes fitted with HRC fuses, the live working capability of these instruments is extended to 300V Installation Category III, and it can be further extended to 600V Installation Category III with the aid of an optional blocking filter.

The smallest and most competitively priced instrument in the range, the TDR500, is not suitable for live line working, but is a cost-effective choice for general-purpose use.

It offers five operating ranges, from 30 metres to 3 kilometres, and features a tough ABS case which provides IP54 protection.

Operation from dry cells or rechargeable batteries ensures maximum portability.

The TDR1000 adds a 10 metre range, and offers a transmission nulling feature which allows the detection of cable faults close to the instrument.

It also has a large graphical liquid crystal display, and includes versatile impedance matching facilities which allow its use with telecommunication, data and co-axial cables, as well as standard electrical LV cables.

The top model in AVO International's range of time-domain reflectometers is the TDR2000.

This provides measuring ranges up to 16 kilometres, and has dual test channels to allow comparative measurements to be made on pairs of cables.

It also stores up to 15 traces for later analysis, and is equipped with an RS232 port to allow test data to be downloaded to a PC.

Find out more about this article. Request a brochure, download technical specifications and request samples here.

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