Cable testing

[Live4the1]

I am considering building my own xlr/trs/ts cable tester. It would be just a simple tester that would allow me to troubleshoot problems quicker and easier. It would test for broken wires and even intermittent problems. I know that there are many already on the market but it seems that they are pretty expensive and usually have more functions than most people need. As I was thinking about my tester, I wondered if there is a market for something like it at a price of around $40.00? What are your thoughts on this?

[bpalermini]

You can buy THIS for $22 so I think you're price is high. Now if you could come up with something rugged and reliable for $10 you might have something.

[Live4the1]

That's good to know. I'll have to think on this a little more.

[Tim Padrick]

I hate to admit that I own the Behringer. It's never let me down. This one is much more comprehensive, but lacks the intermittent indicator of the B (which has helped on several occasions): http://audiopile.net/products/Electr...cutsheet.shtml

[racersax]

To bpalermini:
What make/model is the tester you refer to? What does it test? Trying to locate a broken wire in a mike cable is next to impossible. If it were near an end you could just shorten the cable and re-solder. Breaks elsewhere, just scrap the cable!
racersax

[Frank DeWitt]

I,m not bpalermini but I use the Ebtech tester
http://www.ebtechaudio.com/swizzdes.html

Plug in both ends, reset the tester, then wiggle parts of the cable until a LED comes on. The led will latch on so you can catch intermittents. Most often the problem is in the connector. second place goes to the last foot or so at the microphone end.

BTW The tester also checks pin 1 to shell (A bad thing) and has a tone generator and phantom power indicator. It is a very handy Sunday morning tester for is it the mic or the cable or that ch on the mixer.

Frank

[Live4the1]

I've been playing around with a micro-controller and have a working program for testing cables. I don't think that adding a tone generator would be a problem with the micro-controller. I think that I will put mine together and see how much it costs. It is a pretty cool little project though.

[Frank DeWitt]

Originally Posted by Live4the1

I've been playing around with a micro-controller and have a working program for testing cables. I don't think that adding a tone generator would be a problem with the micro-controller. I think that I will put mine together and see how much it costs. It is a pretty cool little project though.

Cool, In that case you could go the existing testers one better. they simultaneously test all 3 conductors and desplay the connections in a X Y matrix Input 1, 2, and 3 down the side and output 1, 2, 3, across the top. This is great because it let's you see what is wired to what. (example pin 2 to 3 and 3 to 2 is easy to spot.)

Problem. They don't test speakon, or RJ45 (CAT5 cables) and they don't do more then 3 conductors. If you could do 4 conductors at a time then you could check a Speakon wired for two speakers. You could also do RJ45 CAT 5 cables in two steps. 8X8 would be nicer but would require 64 LEDs (or a small LCD screen)

Frank

[bpalermini]

Click on the word THIS in my post. It will take you to the B&H page for the Behringer tester. I don't have one but I know many people who do and it works.

I have two different Whirlwind testers. One is the MCT-7 and the other is the SC48RJ.

I like that EBTech tester that Frank has.

[Brad Weber]

A tester with a sender and receiver or a termination plug so you can test installed cables is also a nice tool to have.

[pdc]

Originally Posted by Frank DeWitt

I,m not bpalermini but I use the Ebtech tester
http://www.ebtechaudio.com/swizzdes.html
BTW The tester also checks pin 1 to shell (A bad thing) and has a tone generator and phantom power indicator. It is a very handy Sunday morning tester for is it the mic or the cable or that ch on the mixer.

Frank

How is checking pin 1 to shell a bad thing? There are many who believe your cable is not truly balanced until the shell is also connected to the ground wire/pin 1. This is why the extra pin or loop is available on some XLR connectors, allowing the ground to be split and soldered to both.

[Frank DeWitt]

Well, as you just pointed out there are two schools of thought on connecting pin one to the shell. Certainly being able to check it is always a good thing. I learned not to connect it because there are so many panels in a system where the shells are connected together and that can cause ground loops if the shell is also connected to pin 1. Example, patch panels, floor pockets, or even two or more shells touching each other while laying on the floor. I have seen floor pockets where 6 XLR shells share a common with the speaker output of power amps. Given the high voltage and current being sent to speakers there can be some serious voltage on "ground" half way to a speaker. I have had trouble with it on a number of occasions, and now check all cables and cut it when I find it.

The cable is certainly still balanced but not completely shielded.

Frank