1502C MTDR User Manual vii
General Information
The Tektronix 1502C Metallic Time-Domain Reflectometer (MTDR) is a
short-range cable tester capable of finding faults in metal cable. Tests can be
made on coaxial, twisted pair, or parallel cable.
The 1502C sends an electrical pulse down the cable and detects any reflections
made by discontinuities. This is known as time-domain reflectometry. The
1502C is sensitive to impedance changes. Problems in the cable will be detected
and displayed as changes in impedance along the cable. These will be displayed
as hills and valleys in the reflected pulse. The 1502C is capable of finding shorts,
opens, defects in the shield, foreign substances in the cable (e.g., water), kinks,
and more. Even though other instruments might show a cable as “good.” the
1502C can show many previously undetected faults.
The waveform may be temporarily stored within the 1502C and recalled or may
be printed using the optional dot matrix strip chart recorder, which installs into
the front-panel Option Port.
The 1502C may be operated from an AC power source or an internal lead-acid
battery that supply a minimum of five hours operating time (see the Specifica-
tions appendix for specifics).
Options available for the 1502C are explained in the Options and Accessories
chapter of this manual.
Terminology used in this manual is in accordance with industry practice.
Abbreviations are in accordance with ANSI Y1.1–19722, with exceptions and
additions explained in parentheses in the text. Graphic symbology is based on
ANSI Y32.2–1975. Logic symbology is based on ANSI Y32.14–1973 and
manufacturer’s data books or sheets. A copy of ANSI standards may be obtained
from the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, 345 47th Street, New
York, NY 10017.
Changes that involve manual corrections and/or additional data will be incorpo-
rated into the text and that page will show a revision date on the inside bottom
edge. History information is included in any diagrams in gray.
Product Description
Battery Pack
Options
Standards, Documents,
and References Used
Changes and History
Information