Coax Clarifier TM Test. Identify. Qualify. User Manual Coax Run Mapping Maps runs through splitters to show an accurate picture of the coax system layout using up to 4 Coax RF Remotes. Up to 12 ID Only Coax Remotes also available for wiremapping on home runs. Cable Length Determines cable run length and reports the location of an open or unterminated cable.
Coax Clarifier TM Test. Identify. Qualify. Table of Contents About this Manual...................................................................1 Symbols and Icons..............................................................2 Terms and Descriptions......................................................3 Safety Information..............................................................4 Accessories.....................................................................4 Design Features........................
ABOUT THIS MANUAL The Coax Clarifier™ is a self contained, hand-held, battery powered analyzer used by contractors, repair technicians, and other authorized users. This device is used to quickly map coax cable runs, measure network performance, determine cable length, and locate faults in “Dark” (unpowered) residential and business cable networks. The test unit offers the following features: Feature Function Length Testing Determines cable length and reports distance to an open (unterminated) cable.
Symbols & Icons The following symbols are used throughout the manual or in the display screen of the Coax Clarifier™ to help you avoid personal injury and potential damage to the test equipment (see Table 1). Table 1. Symbols and Icons Symbol Definition ! Warning: Potential for personal injury Caution: Potential for damage or destruction to equipment. Voltage! Voltage detection symbol. Immediately disconnect test unit from source of voltage.
Terms and Descriptions Table 2 defines the terms used throughout the manual and provides information to assist you with proper operation and understanding of the unit and its functions. Table 2. Terms and Descriptions Terms Description and Uses Coax Cable Video cable with a single pair (2 pin) wiring system. ▪▪Common coax cable types are RG6 and RG59. Run An end-to-end cable connection. Run can refer to a single cable or multiple cables connected together with a splitter or barrel connector.
Safety Information To ensure safe operation of the Coax Clarifier™, follow the instructions carefully and observe the warning and caution messages listed in Table 3. Failure to observe warnings can result in severe injury or death and can damage the unit. Table 3. Safety Information Notification Definition The Coax Clarifier™ is designed for use on unenergized cabling systems. Connecting the Coax Clarifier™ to live AC power may damage the unit and pose a safety hazard for the user.
Table 4. Coax Clarifier™ Accessories Accessory Remote Remote 1 2 1 5 9 2 Remote Remote 3 3 4 4 6 7 8 10 11 12 Product Number Description 18303 Adapter, F-Jack to BNC Jack 18304 Adapter, F–Jack to Push-On Plug 18301 F-Connector Coupler, F81 18306 F-Terminator Plug TCA004 Cable Assembly, Screw-On F-Jack to Push-On F-Plug Cable – 12” TCR001 TCR002 TCR003 TCR004 TRK104 TRK112 Coax RF Remotes ▪▪No. 1 Coax RF Remote ▪▪No. 2 Coax RF Remote ▪▪No. 3 Coax RF Remote ▪▪No.
DESIGN FEATURES ▪▪Easy to operate ▪▪One pass coax cable run mapping ▪▪Tests through splitters ▪▪Identifies open (unterminated) cables ▪▪Extra large seven-segment, backlight LCD screen with icons that clearly display test results ▪▪Displays coax cable run quality ▪▪Tests and grades splitter performance ▪▪Measures length of coax cable in feet or meters ▪▪Identifies up to 4 RF remotes and 12 ID Only Coax remotes ▪▪Automatic pre-test voltage checks ▪▪Measures single cable length up to 1,500 ft ▪▪Tone generator
Coax Clarifier™ Description The Coax Clarifier™, illustrated in Figure 1, has three main parts: the F-Connector, the LCD display screen, and the keypad. Figure 1. Coax Clarifier™ F-Connector One F-Connector is located at the top of the Coax Clarifier™. The connector enables you to test and measure single cables and coax networks. Note: An F-Connector coupler is provided with your purchase of the Coax Clarifier™.
LCD Display Screen The Coax Clarifier™ has a high contrast, backlight LCD display screen, shown in Figure 2 below. The LCD display screen shows the following: cable conditions, test modes and related icons, calibration icon, voltage detected warning, active signal warning, and battery capacity.
ID Mode When the Coax Clarifier™ is set to ID Mode, the “ID” and “RF” icons appear in the top left corner of the LCD display screen. Table 6 describes the numbers and icons that appear in the display screen according to three testing scenarios. Table 6. ID Mode Numbers and Icons Test Scenario Detected Remotes Displayed Numbers and Icons Indentified remotes 1-12 display in the top two rows of the LCD display screen. ▪▪When an ID Only Coax remote is detected, the “RF” icon disappears from view.
Note: When the network quality is low, be sure that all cable ends are terminated. Unterminated cables result in signal loss. Use F-Terminator Plugs as needed to improve network quality. Length Mode The “Length” icon appears in the left side of the LCD display screen when the LENGTH button is pressed. When the unit is set to measure cable length, the length reading and measurement specifications described in Table 7 appear in the LCD display screen (see Figure 5). Table 7.
Note: Refer to the Using Length Mode section to learn how to change the unit of measurement, adjust the length constant value for each cable type, and measure cable length. Quality Mode When the QUALITY button is pressed the “Quality” icon displays in the lower right corner of the LCD display screen and a bouncing ball activity indicator is shown in the lower left corner of the screen.
Tone Mode When the TONE button is pressed, the “Tone” icon appears in the middle of the LCD display screen and a bouncing ball activity indicator is shown in the lower left corner of the screen. The “RF” symbol will display to the left of the “Tone” icon when you set Tone Mode to measure the network’s insertion loss. When using Tone Mode, the icons and values described in Table 8 appear in the LCD display screen. Table 8.
Cal The “Cal” icon flashes in the middle of the LCD display screen when editing the length constant value in Length Mode and during calibration testing. The Coax Clarifier™ performs a calibration and self-test pass before starting Quality or ID testing. If calibration fails, the “Cal” icon flashes to indicate that the unit failed to initialize properly. Hold down the POWER button to turn the unit off or press the test mode button again (QUALITY or ID) to proceed with testing.
Keypad The Coax Clarifier™ is equipped with seven buttons, illustrated in Figure 9. Four buttons, appearing in the top two rows of the keypad, are used to operate test modes (ID, Length, Quality, and Tone). Two Up/Down buttons are used to edit. One button is used to power the unit On/Off and toggle the backlight On/ Off. The button functions are explained in Table 9. Toggle Units Quality Length ID Up/Down Tone Power/Backlight Figure 9. Keypad Table 9.
Table 9. Keypad (Continued) Button Function Tone The Tone Mode button offers two types of testing: tone tracing (TONE) and measuring network insertion loss (RF TONE). TONE ▪▪A short press of the button transmits a 0 – 1 kHz cadence from the unit through the connected cable. ▪▪Subsequent presses of the Tone button steps through the three tone path options (coax pin, coax shield, or coax pin and shield).
Operations To ensure safe operation of the Coax Clarifier™, follow the instructions carefully and pay attention to warning and caution symbols. Failure to observe warnings can result in severe injury or death and can damage the unit. Turning the Unit On/Off Turn Unit On ▪▪Press any test mode button to turn the unit ON. The LCD display screen updates according to the test mode selected. Turn Unit Off ▪▪Press and hold down the POWER button for two seconds to turn the unit OFF.
Cable Testing General Guidelines The Coax Clarifier™ tests several coax cable network parameters by measuring the overall network quality, determining the network’s insertion loss, identifying cable runs by sound, locating remotes, and calibrating cable length. Important Points to Note ▪▪The unit should be OFF when you connect a cable. ▪▪The F-Connector coupler must be affixed to the F-Connector on the top of the unit in order to properly connect cables.
Using Tone Mode Tone Mode offers two types of testing: tone tracing (TONE) and measuring network insertion loss (RF TONE). Setting the unit to TONE emits a cadence from the test unit through the connected cable. With the use of a tone probe, you can easily locate the cable carrying sound. Selecting RF TONE sends a frequency from the main test unit through the connected cable. The frequency is detected by a dB Loss meter, which calculates the network insertion loss.
3. Select a cable-tracing cadence by pressing the UP and DOWN buttons until the display screen updates with the desired tone. There are four cadences to choose from: HL1, HL2, Hi, and Lo. ! Whenever you change the cadence, the coax cable is tested for the presence of an active signal or voltage. If detected, the warnings display until the unit is disconnected from the voltage or active signal source.
2. Press the TONE button. The LCD display screen shows the following icons upon entering Tone Mode: ▪▪The test last used (TONE or RF TONE). ▪▪A bouncing ball activity indicator in the lower left corner. ▪▪The tone path: coax pin (P), coax shield (S), or both coax pin and shield (PS). ▪▪Icons related to the tone test last used (frequency or cadence). 3. Set the unit to RF TONE by pressing the UP and DOWN buttons until the LCD display screen updates with the RF TONE icon (see Figure 11). Figure 11.
to perform the test. These accessories will not be included in the loss measurement reading. 3. When the dB Loss meter is calibrated to the network being tested, disconnect the meter from the Coax Clarifier™. Measure Network Insertion Loss 1. Connect the Coax Clarifier™ to one end of the network and the dB Loss meter to the other end of the network. The dB Loss meter will show a loss/gain value, measured in dB, for the network at the selected frequency.
b. Test individual splitters by connecting the Coax Clarifier™ to the splitter input (cable run through the splitter) and connecting the dB Loss meter to the splitter outputs (cable(s) exiting the splitter). Note: With a multiple output splitter, you may need to connect the dB Loss meter to each cable exiting the splitter to verify that each output produces a good reading. 3. Interpret display results and investigate any variation greater than 4 dB.
▪▪Cable type: RG6, RG59, or no specified cable type (the cable type field in the display screen will appear blank). ▪▪Length constant value measured in pF (picofarads) per foot or per meter. The unit of measurement (feet or meters) defaults to the value last selected. ▪▪Measured cable length in units of feet or meters appears in the lower right corner. ▪▪A moving bar activity indicator above the measured cable length. Figure 12. Measured Cable Length 3.
▪▪The length constant value adjusts to the unit of measurement selected in the lower left corner of the screen. ▪▪A moving bar activity indicator above the measured cable length remains on. Note: When the measurement is set to meters, the length is displayed fractionally in ½ meter increments up to 200 meters. Cables longer than 200 meters are displayed without a fractional measurement. 5. Interpret display results and trouble-shoot potential cable conditions (Open, Short, or Terminated). 6.
Note: The length constant value last set for each cable type is stored in the unit’s memory. If you have not adjusted the length constant value for any or all cable types, the default values, shown in Table 11 above, will be stored in the unit’s memory. The length constant can be adjusted at any time. 1. Verify the unit is set to the desired unit of measurement (feet or meters). To change the unit of measurement, quickly press the LENGTH and QUALITY buttons at the same time.
4. Press the UP and DOWN buttons to increment or decrement the length constant value. The capacitance constant range is 10.0 pF/ft to 40.0 pF/ft (33 pF/m to 132 pF/m). Press and hold the UP or DOWN buttons to quickly increase or decrease the length constant value. Note: While editing, the measured cable length (shown in the lower right corner of the display screen) updates as you adjust the length constant value to reflect an accurate length reading computed with the latest length constant value. 5.
Using ID Mode You can use ID Mode to identify RF remotes, for coax networks with splitters, and ID Only Coax remotes for individual coax cables. ID Only Coax remotes should not be used on coax networks. Each RF remote has an LED light to indicate when the remote is responding to the main unit during testing. the LED light emits a single short flash when the RF remote is queried. RF remotes can only be used on a terminated network. The RF remotes can also be used as network terminators in Quality Mode.
! When ID mapping begins, the coax cable is tested for the presence of an active signal or voltage. A dynamic voltage warning is displayed until the detected voltage or active signal is removed. If not removed, the unit turns off automatically after 90 seconds. 1. Connect a coax cable to the F-Connector coupler on the unit. 2. Place ID Only Coax remotes or RF remotes on the far end of the cable. 3. Press the ID button to begin mapping the network.
4. Press the ID button again to run another scan of the network. ID mapping runs once when the ID button is pressed. Subsequent presses of the ID button execute additional scans of the network. 5. Interpret display results and trouble-shoot potential cable conditions (Open, Short, or Terminated). 6. To exit ID mapping, press a different test mode button.
Table 12. Network Quality Bar Graph Number of Bars Network Quality (dB) 0 0 – 9.9 dB 1 10.0 - 19.9 dB 2 20.0 - 26.9 dB 3 27.0 - 32.9 dB 4 33.0 - 39.9 dB 5 40.0 dB + In order to measure the return loss, the network must be terminated. If the network being measured is unterminated, the “Open” icon flashes and the return loss cannot be calculated. Use F-Terminator Plugs or RF remotes on cable ends to improve network quality.
1. Connect one end of the coax cable into the F-Connector coupler. 2. Press the QUALITY button to measure the network’s return loss. The LCD display screen shows the following icons upon entering Quality Mode (see Figure 18): ▪▪A bouncing ball activity indicator appears in the lower left corner. ▪▪The “QUALITY” icon appears. ▪▪The network return loss, measured in dB, appears in the lower right corner of the LCD display screen.
MAINTENANCE Coax Clarifier™ Battery Replacement 1. Remove the single screw on the battery door, located in the back of the Coax Clarifier™ towards the bottom of the unit, with a #1 Philips head screwdriver. 2. Take off the battery door and remove old batteries. 3. Replace with four AA Alkaline batteries. Slide batteries into the battery cartridge according to the diagram imprinted on the bottom of the battery compartment. 4.
Cleaning Use a damp, clean cloth to clean the test unit. Disconnect all cables from the Coax Clarifier™ prior to cleaning. Failing to do so can damage the unit and result in personal injury. Do not use abrasive, harsh cleaners, or solvents to clean the Coax Clarifier™. Storage When the Coax Clarifier™ is not in use, store in a dry, protective case. The batteries should be removed if the unit is stored for a long period of time. Do not expose the Coax Clarifier to high temperatures or humidity.
CUSTOMER SERVICE Contacting Platinum Tools For technical information and customer support, please visit www.platinumtools.com or send an email to support@platinumtools.com. Contact Numbers: Phone: 805-384-2777 Fax: 805-384-2778 Address: 806 Calle Plano Camarillo, CA 93012 Additional Accessories and Kits Table 13 lists the pouches provided in the four kits. These pouches are used to carry your Coax Clarifier accessories.
Table 14 Coax Clarifier™ Kits Kit TCC200 Product Number Quantity TCR001 1 No. 1 Coax RF Remote Description TCR002 1 No. 2 Coax RF Remote TRK104 1 Nos. 1 - 4 ID Only Coax Remote Set in Foam Holder TCA004 1 Cable Assembly, Screw-On F-Jack to PushOn F-Plug Cable - 12" 18303 1 Adapter, F-Jack to BNC Jack 18304 3 Adapter, F-Jack to Push-On Plug 18301 3 F-Connector Coupler, F81 18306 4 F-Terminator Plug 4007 1 Hanging Pouch Kit TCC220 Product Number Quantity TCR001 1 No.
Specifications Physical Dimensions Power Operating Environment Quality (Return Loss) ID Only Coax Remotes Size: 17.3 x 8.0 x 3.3 cm (6.8 x 3.15 x 1.3 inches) Weight: 340 grams (12.0 oz.) with battery 4 AA alkaline batteries ▪▪Standby: 4 years ▪▪Active: 20 hours average ▪▪Operating temperature: 0 to 50 °C (32 to 122 °F) ▪▪Storage temperature: -20 to 60 °C (-4 to 140 °F) ▪▪Humidity: 10% to 90%, non-condensing ▪▪Altitude: 3,050 meters (10,000ft) maximum 0.0 to 40.
Warranty Information Activate your Warranty Register your purchase to activate your warrranty and access support information and receive notifications of product updates. Go to the Platinum Tools website at www.platinumtools.com/warranty. Platinum Tools guarantees that its products will be free of all defects in material and workmanship. This warranty extends for the period stated on the package from the date of manufacture or proof-of-purchase.
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Coax Clarifier TM Test. Identify. Qualify. User Manual For technical information and customer support, please visit www.platinumtools .com or send an email to support@platinumtools .com. Contact Numbers: Phone: 805-384-2777 Fax: 805-384-2778 Address: 806 Calle Plano Camarillo, CA 93012 www.platinumtools.
