TEMPO NC-100 NETcat Micro Wiring Tester Instruction Manual
- June 9, 2024
- Tempo
Table of Contents
NC-100 NETcat® Micro Wiring Tester
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
NC-100 NETcat Micro Wiring Tester
Read and understand all of the instructions and safety information in this manual before operating or servicing this tool.
Description
The NETcat® Micro wiring tester is a device that verifies twisted pair and
coaxial cables.
It uses high-speed digital technology to check wiring continuity and correct
allocation of wire pairs.
Additional features include the following:
- Employs a high-contrast LCD with backlight.
- Tests shielded twisted pair (STP), unshielded twisted pair (UTP), and coaxial cables.
- Generates three distinct tones for cable tracing.
- Verifies wiremaps.
- Detects shorts, opens, reversed polarity, crossed pairs, and split pairs.
Safety
Safety is essential in the use and maintenance of Tempo tools and equipment.
This instruction manual and any markings on the tool provide information for
avoiding hazards and unsafe practices related to the use of this tool. Observe
all of the safety information provided.
Purpose of This Manual
This instruction manual is intended to familiarize all personnel with the safe
operation and maintenance procedures for the Tempo Communications NC-100
NETcat ® Micro.
Keep this manual available to all personnel. Replacement manuals are available
upon request at no charge at www.TempoCom.com.
All specifications are nominal and may change as design improvements occur.
Tempo Communications Inc. shall not be liable for damages resulting from
misapplication or misuse of its products.
NETcat is a registered trademark of Tempo Communications Inc.
Important Safety Information
SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL
This symbol is used to call your attention to hazards or unsafe practices
which could result in an injury or property damage. The signal word, defined
below, indicates the severity of the hazard. The message after the signal word
provides information for preventing or avoiding the hazard.
DANGER Immediate hazards which, if not avoided, WILL result in severe
injury or death.
WARNING Hazards which, if not avoided, COULD result in severe injury or
death.
WARNING Hazards or unsafe practices which, if not avoided, MAY result in
injury or property damage.
WARNING
Read and understand this material before operating or servicing this
equipment. Failure to understand how to safely operate this tool could result
in an accident causing serious injury or death.
WARNING
Electric shock hazard:
Do not connect this unit to AC power circuits.
Failure to observe this warning could result in severe injury or death.
CAUTION
Electric shock hazard:
-
Using this unit in a high frequency activated area may result in unstable or inaccu-rate readings.
-
Do not drop or get the unit wet as it may cause internal damage.
-
Do not attempt to repair this unit. It contains no user-serviceable parts.
-
Do not expose the unit to extremes in temperature or humidity.
Refer to “Specifications.” -
Use this unit for the manufacturer’s intended purpose only, as described in this manual. Any other use can impair the protection provided by the unit.
Failure to observe these precautions may result in injury and can damage the unit.
CAUTION
Electric shock hazard:
This unit is capable of withstanding voltage input conditions when connected
to normal telephony equipment (i.e., 50 VDC) for short periods.
Testing is inhibited when greater than a few volts is connected across a pair
with the message shown here displayed on the screen. Disconnect the unit
immediately to prevent permanent damage.
Failure to observe this precaution may result in injury and can damage the
unit.
LCD Icons
The unit’s interface employs a high-contrast, backlit LCD panel to aid ease of
use.
The icons are used in the following way:
- Tel, Coax, Ntwk: Telephone, Coaxial, or Network test mode is selected.
- Tone: Pair Tracing Tone is active.
- Reversed: Polarity of telephone pair is reversed.
- Battery is low.*
- Miswire: Wiring is not one-to-one.
- Shield: Shield or screen is connected.
- Short: Some wires are short circuit.
- Digits showing wiremapping to remote unit.
- Open: Some wires are open circuit.
- Pass: All wires are connected one-to-one (correct).
- Split: Split pair is detected.
- VOLTS!: Voltage is detected on one or more pairs; testing is inhibited. Disconnect quickly to prevent damage.
- The NETcat Micro requires one 9 V snap-type battery (alkaline types are recom-mended). When the low battery icon is displayed, a few hours of typical use remain.
Using the unit with a low battery will eventually affect the accuracy of measurements.
Operation
Switch ON, OFF, and Auto-Off
- To switch the NETcat Micro unit on, press the desired mode button for half a second.
- To switch the unit off, press a different mode button for half a second.
- To extend battery life, the unit will switch itself off after approximately 5 minutes without any button being pressed. The unit will not switch off in Tone mode.
Network Cable Test (Ntwk)
Network test mode allows the user to check typical RJ45 cables, such as CAT5
or similar specification including shielded types, for correct wiring.
- Connect the remote unit using a short patch lead (previously tested) at one end of the cable to be checked and the NETcat Micro at the other end.
- Press Ntwk. The unit immediately checks for the presence of voltages. If none are found that may interfere with testing or damage the unit, tests are carried out to check the wiring of the pairs of the cable and, if present, the shield of the cable.
- Check the icons on the display. If the cable is miswired so that wires of different pairs are used where true pairs should be used, the “Split” icon will be set. Note that splits may only be detected in cables over 2 m (5 ft) in length. Note also that split pair detection may be switched off by pressing and holding Ntwk for 2 seconds if you wish to ignore split indications given for non-standard wiring systems. The default mode is “Split On”.
Telephone Cable Test (Tel)
As above, but for cables of up to three pairs wired to the RJ12 socket. One
additional test is done in this mode where pairs with reversed polarity are
identified and the “Reversed” icon will be set if this is the case. There is
no shield continuity test in this mode.
Coaxial Cable Test (Coax)
As above, but for one pair (i.e., coaxial cables).
Test Details
Voltage Checks
This test checks for a voltage in excess of a few volts DC across each pair.
If a voltage is detected above this threshold, then testing will be inhibited.
Wiremap
This test checks the cable for correct wiring when the remote unit is
connected to the end of the cable under test. The cable configuration is
tested for shield continuity (if fitted), opens, shorts, reversed pairs,
crossed pairs, and split pairs. Below are examples of detectable faults along
with a good wiremap.
Examples of Common Results
Simple RJ11 Telephone Cord
This screen shot shows how a simple RJ11 to RJ11 connection lead is tested. As
the plugs are connected the “same way up” either end of the cable, there is
effectively a polarity reversal. And as only a single pair is connected, the
other pairs (2/5 and 1/6) are open.
CAT5 Crossover Cable
This screen shot shows how a typical twopair crossover cable is often used to
connect devices back to back, with the pairs 1/2 and 3/6 swapped.
This is still shown as a “Miswire” as the only condition to allow the “Pass”
icon to be set is a perfect straight through cable. As there are several
different types of crossover cable currently in use, it was decided to show
the condition and allow the user to decide if the result is what you require
in your specific application.
Tracing Tone Mode
This function provides a means of tracking cables by generating one of three
distinct selectable tones on a specific wire, pair, or all pairs. The cable
can be traced using a tracing probe that is capable of detecting tones ranging
from 577 Hz to 983 Hz.
The three available tones are as follows:
- HiLo1 – Fast Warble
- HiLo2 – Medium Warble
- HiLo3 – Slow Warble
To select the relevant Tracing Tone mode, first select the cable type by
switching the unit on in Network, Telephone, or Coaxial mode. Then press Tone
to activate the tracing
tones. Repeated quick presses of Tone will allow you to select which wires or
pairs are carrying the tone depending upon mode. A long press of Tone (more
than 2 seconds)
will select the next type of tone, “HiLo1”, “HiLo2” or “HiLo3”.
This screen shows, for example, that all wires of a network cable are
carrying the “HiLo1” tone.| In this screen only wire “3” of the telephone
cable is carrying the “HiLo2” tone.
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Specifications
Dimensions: 150 mm x 70 mm x 33 mm (5.9″ x 2.75″ x 1.3″)
Weight: 220 g (0.5 lb) (including remote unit and a typical battery)
Power Source: 9 V alkaline battery (PP3, 6LR61)
User Interface:
Display LCD: Icon and seven-segment type, mixed
Backlight: Green LED
Buttons: Four momentary contact push buttons
Environmental: Designed for use in a typical indoor environment where typical
IT equipment may be found.
Operating Temperature: 0 °C to 50 °C (32 °F to 122 °F)
Storage Temperature: -10 °C to 60 °C (14 °F to 140 °F)
Humidity: Up to 95% non-condensing
Interface Connections:
RJ45 shielded socket
RJ12 6-way socket
F-Type threaded female coaxial
Minimum Cable Length for Network Split Pair Detection: 2 m to 3 m (5 ft to 10
ft) depending upon cable type
Pair Tracing Tones: Alternating frequencies of 577 Hz and 983 Hz are produced
at three user-selectable rates
Pair Connection Assumptions: It is assumed when testing telephone and network
cables that the allocation of pairs to circuit numbers is in accordance with
TIA standards, i.e.:
Network Mode: 1 & 2, 3 & 6, 4 & 5, 7 & 8
Telephone Mode: 1 & 6, 2 & 5, 3 & 4
Maintenance
CAUTION
Electric shock hazard:
- Do not attempt to repair this unit. It contains no user-serviceable parts.
- Do not expose the unit to extremes in temperature or humidity.
Refer to “Specifications.”
Failure to observe these precautions may result in injury and can damage the
unit.
Battery Replacement
- Loosen the screw to open the battery compartment door.
- Replace the batteries (observe polarity).
- Close the battery compartment door.
Cleaning
Periodically wipe the housing with a damp cloth and mild detergent; do not use
abrasives or solvents.
One-Year Limited Warranty
1390 Aspen Way • Vista, CA 92081 • USA
800-642-2155 • FAX:
760-598-9263
Latin America 760-510-0558
An ISO 9001 Company
Tempo Europe Ltd. • Brecon House, William Brown Close Cwmbran,
NP44 3AB, UK • Tel: +44 1633 927 050
www.TempoCom.com