Coaxial cable connector testing methods and apparatus

Abstract

A terminator plug is connected to one coaxial cable connector and a coaxial cable connection tester is connected to the other cable connector. A voltage is applied to the cable's center conductor and a ground to the cable's shield. The center conductor voltage is monitored for open and short faults while the cable adjacent first one and then the other connector are wiggled. The voltage on the center conductor changes if a continuous short or open is present or if such faults intermittently occur. The voltage on the center conductor is monitored by two comparators with one detecting short faults and the other detecting open faults. The outputs of the comparators are combined to generate an OK signal if no faults are detected. If open faults are detected, the signals from the open comparator are clocked into a flip-flop; if short faults are detected, the signals from the short comparator are clocked into a flip-flop. Outputs from the flip-flops are counted by respective open and short counters and displayed so that the number of intermittent open and short faults, if any, are displayed up to the capacity of the counter and display used, 0-8 for the illustrated embodiment. A buzzer can be used to provide an audible fault signal. A power management circuit powers the circuitry of the tester as demanded and also monitors a battery so that an indication of low battery power can also be signaled.

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