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LanCaster

STRUCTURED CABLE TESTER / CABLE FAULT LOCATOR
& TROUBLESHOOTER
incorporating EDT™ End Discrimination Technology
"THE ONLY WIRE-MAP TESTER IN ITS CLASS THAT
INDICATES WHICH END THE FAULT IS AT"

LanCaster Introduction

The LanCaster is a professional Structured Cabling Tester and Trouble Shooter designed to provide a low cost solution to the identification of faults on installed copper data and voice networks and patch leads, and the production testing of cable assemblies.

The LanCaster identifies all common faults on wiring schemes installed to TIA568 A/B, USOC and ISDN standards, including Open Circuits Wires, Shorted Pairs, Shorts Between Pairs, Crossed Pairs, Split Pairs, Pair Reversals and Shield/Screen Continuity.

In addition to identifying the nature of a fault, the LanCaster incorporates a unique function called EDT™ End Discrimination Technology. This indicates which end of the installed link or patch lead contains certain faults, reducing the time taken to locate and rectify the fault, and thus provides significant installation cost savings.

Before checking an installed wiring network, the LanCaster will alert the operator if any telephone services are active on the cable under test and can test for, and indicate, any other active services (10Mb/s, 100Mb/s, Token Ring, etc), to prevent accidental testing of a live network.

The LanCaster comes complete with one remote office identifier, with a further 15 units available as optional accessories. Unlike far end units on competitor products the LanCaster remotes are active and indicate if a test has passed or failed.

The LanCaster also measures the length of cable or link under test, and contains a built in tone generator (oscillator) that transmits a warbling tone into the cable enabling detection and tracing using a standard probe receiver.

Housed in a tough, ruggedised ABS plastic moulding, and supplied complete with test leads, the LanCaster is designed and manufactured to international standards for quality, safety and reliability.

LanCaster Target Customers

The LanCaster is aimed at Network Installers and Contractors as well as communications engineers and technicians.

In addition the LanCaster makes a useful tool for IT Managers and Administrators when fault finding or upgrading an existing network installation.

LanCaster Product Features

· Identifies the majority of network wiring faults and wire-map errors
· EDT™ End Discrimination Technology indicates the location of faults
· Warns of telephone voltage levels to prevent accidental operation
· Advises the operator if a service is present on the network wiring
· Measures the length of the link or cable under test
· Incorporates a tone generator for use in cable tracing and identification
· Supplied complete with one remote office identifier
· Active office identifiers indicate test pass and fail at the far end
· 15 additional remote office identifiers available
· Tests wiring schemes installed to TIA568A/B, USOC and ISDN standards
· Supplied complete with test leads

LanCaster Key Sales Points

Identifies the majority of network wiring faults and wire-map errors
The LanCaster identifies all common faults on wiring schemes installed to TIA568 A/B, USOC and ISDN standards, including Open Circuits Wires, Shorted Pairs, Shorts Between Pairs, Crossed Pairs, Split Pairs, Pair Reversals and Shield/Screen Continuity.

Warns of telephone voltage levels to prevent accidental operation
Before checking an installed wiring network, the LanCaster will alert the operator if any telephone services are active on the cable under test. This prevents damage to the product or network that can be caused by the accidental testing of a live circuit.

Advises the operator if a service is present on the network wiring
The LanCaster can test for, and indicate, the presence of active services (10Mb/s, 100Mb/s, Token Ring, etc), on the network. This prevents the accidental testing of an active LAN and eliminates the associated risk of network corruption.

Measures the length of the link or cable under test
The LanCaster measures the length of cable or link under test to ensure that it is in compliance with the appropriate standards.

Incorporates a tone generator for use in cable tracing and identification
With a built in tone generator, injecting an oscillating signal between 810Hz and 1110Hz onto the cable under test, the operator can trace the cable using a standard tone probe. This function removes the need for a separate toner during cable tracing, which is both more convenient and cost effective.

Active office identifiers indicate test pass and fail at the far end
The LanCaster comes complete with one remote office identifier, with a further 15 units available as optional accessories. Unlike far end units on competitor products the LanCaster remotes are active and indicate to the remote operator when a test has been completed and the pass/fail status.

15 additional remote office identifiers available
Utilising the additional remote office identifiers, the LanCaster can test and identify up to 16 network links from the patch panel enabling the circuits to be connected to the appropriate server and hub ports.

Tests wiring schemes installed to TIA568A/B, USOC and ISDN standards
The LanCaster is able to test horizontal wiring schemes installed in accordance with TIA568A/B, USOC and ISDN standards removing the necessity for separate voice and data wiring test instruments.

Supplied complete with two RJ45 mini patch leads
The LanCaster is supplied complete with mini patch leads to enable the testing of the installed horizontal cabling via the RJ45 socket. These test leads use high quality shielded connectors to ensure reliability of results even after several thousand insertions.

Battery capacity indication upon power up
When the LanCaster is switched on it automatically displays the percentage battery capacity remaining. This enables the operator to ensure sufficient battery life is available before embarking on a days testing.

LanCaster Features, Advantages and Benefits

F Identifies all common structured wiring faults
A Reassures user of correct wiring prior to certification testing.
B Minimises usage requirement of high cost certification tester.

F Tells the operator which end of the installed link is faulty
A Eliminates the need to examine and re-terminate both ends.
B Saves significant time and therefore reduces installation costs.

F Tests wiring schemes installed to TIA568A/B, USOC and ISDN standards
A Eliminates the need for separate products for testing different schemes.
B Saves on the cost of test equipment ownership.

F Warns of the presence of Telecom Network Voltages on cable to be tested
A Prevents inadvertent operation of the product on live systems.
B Protects against accidental damage to the product.

F Indicates the presence of a service on the LAN or other network
A Prevents inadvertent operation of the product on active systems.
B Protects against data corruption and network damage.

F Measures the length of the link or cable under test
A Ensures installed cables are within length specifications.
B Eliminates the need for a separate product for measuring length.

F Can be used to measure the length of cable in a box or on a drum
A Enables Cable boxes and drums to be issued to appropriate runs.
B Reduces cable wastage during the installation process.

F Incorporates a 810/1110Hz warbling tone generator
A Injected on to an installed cable for tracing with a standard inductive probe.
B Enables cable tracing and identification.

F Features an active far end (remote) unit
A Indicates test completion and pass/fail status at the far end of the installed link.
B Advises the operative at the far end when a test is completed and the outcome.

F 15 additional unique far end (remote) units available
A Enables up to 16 network links to be tested and identified.
B Saves significant time and therefore reduces installation costs.

F Indicates remaining battery capacity when switched on
A Advises operator if batteries need replacing prior to commencing work.
B Prevents inadvertent "flat battery" condition and associated time wastage.

F Measures Cable length in Metres and Feet
A Results can be displayed either unit of measurement according to users needs.
B Ensures suitability of the product for domestic and international markets.

F Housed in a rugged, custom designed ABS enclosure
A Capable of withstanding a 1m drop onto concrete.
B Makes the product suitable for real life field use.

F Housed in self-extinguishing flame retardant ABS case
A The product will not catch light in case of massive overload.
B In case of accidental connection to a HV supply the operator remains protected.

F Switched Mode Power Supply and advanced Battery Management
A 100+ hours continuous use from 4 AA cells.
B Increased battery life reduces the cost of ownership.

F Automatic power down
A Instrument will automatically switch off after 3 minutes inactivity.
B Conserves battery life.

F Manufactured to International Standards
A Ensures Quality, Safety and Reliability.
B Peace of mind for the discerning customer.

The Crazy Thing About Structured Cabling (Wire Map) Testers

What's out there at the moment?

There are a variety of Structured Cabling Testers, or Wire Map testers as they are often called, available on the market today offering a host of similar features. They are all generally able to advise the operator of common faults, such as shorts, opens and pair reversals, with some able to identify the more elusive split pair faults, and several able to measure the installed cable length.

What's so crazy?

The crazy thing is that with existing Structured Cabling Testers, having established that the installed network link is faulty; the operator has no idea where the fault lies. He has great detail as to what the fault is, which is actually largely irrelevant since all faults once located will require a complete re-termination of the associated connector, but with no idea which end is faulty where do you start looking?

What a waste of time

So armed with a currently available Structured Cabling Tester, and having discovered, for example, that there is a short between wires 1 and 2, the installer sets about examining the termination at one end to find out if it is the faulty one.

Which end does he choose? Probably the one closest to him.

What are the chances of the fault being located first time? 50%, the fault is just as likely to be at the other end of the installed link.

What a solution!

With the new LanCaster the problem all but goes away.

In the event of shorts or opens in the installed link, the most common mistake made when making a termination, the LanCaster not only indicates the nature of the fault, but it tells you which end it is at.

Knowing which end of the link is faulty enables the installer to go straight to it, saving vast amounts of time, increasing productivity, and reducing installation costs.

LanCaster
STRUCTURED CABLE TESTER
& TROUBLESHOOTER
incorporating EDT™ End Discrimination Technology
"THE ONLY WIRE-MAP TESTER IN ITS CLASS THAT
INDICATES WHICH END THE FAULT IS AT"