Cable Tester

A: TDR operates by transmitting a low-voltage electrical pulse down the cable. When the pulse encounters a change in impedance (such as an open circuit, short circuit, or splice), a portion of the pulse energy is reflected back to the instrument. By measuring the time delay between transmission and reception, and knowing the velocity of propagation (VOP) of the cable, the instrument calculates the exact distance to the fault.

A: High-resistance faults and water trees often act like open circuits under low-voltage TDR testing, making them invisible to standard pulses. The Arc Reflection Method uses a high-voltage surge to temporarily flash over the fault into a short circuit for a few microseconds, allowing the TDR unit to capture a clear, precise distance reflection at the exact moment of the arc.

A: Yes. We supply modular rack-mounted surge generators, burn-down units, TDR controllers, and motorized high-voltage cable drums specifically engineered for integration into customer-owned test vans or trailers.

A: The core requirement is setting the correct Velocity of Propagation (VOP) value in the TDR software, which varies depending on whether the cable uses XLPE, EPR, or paper insulation (PILC). Our software includes a pre-loaded database of common cable types and VOP reference values.

A: All high-voltage outputs feature automatic internal discharge resistors that immediately drain residual energy upon test completion or power shutdown. Additionally, systems include safety ground monitoring interlocks that prevent high-voltage generation if the grounding rod is improperly connected.

A: Standard portable TDR locators and 32kV surge generators ship within 5 to 7 business days. Custom truck-mounted test systems or specialized multi-stage high-voltage configurations require 3 to 4 weeks for assembly, wiring, and factory calibration.