User manual

10
7 LOOP DATA BASES
7.1 What is a loop database?
A loop database is the computer record of what devices are connected to the loop. This database
can be used to compare what has been found by the loop tester to what is believed should be there
according to the system installation.
7.2 Loop database sources
A loop database can be acquired from one of two places as follows.
7.2.1 Site Installer database
If you have access to the Site Installer database used to commission the loop being tested, it
can be loaded directly into Loop Tester for comparison. Click “Use loop database” and then
“Load from Site Installer.” If you have used this feature before, recently used files will be
available from the menu; otherwise you can select “Open…” to browse for another one. All
loops on all panels contained within the database will be loaded into Loop Tester.
7.2.2 From a panel
If a panel is present and commissioned and you have the required supervisor access codes,
you can download the loop database from the panel itself. Put the panel into commissioning
mode and begin the “Download CDR to Laptop” process, then selected “Download from
panel” and the com port being used. The download may take a while depending on the size of
the CDR and the application may become unresponsive in this time; this is normal. Note: If you
are using a single com port for both the CDR download and the loop tester, you will be
automatically disconnected from the loop tester when the transfer begins. As such you will
need to reconnect by selecting the com port from the “Settings and Commands” pane, see
section 3.2 for details.
7.3 Selecting a loop
After loop data has been loaded by any of the processes detailed in section 7.2, the menu will
contain the “Select panel” option. Under the option will be all the panels loaded and under each of
these will be the loops on these panels. You may select a different loop as often as you wish and you
may also load more databases after a selection has been made.