Troubleshooting Cable Faults Quickly and Easily
Published on : Thursday 01-07-2021
The MicroScanner PoE from Fluke Networks makes testing PoE based communication cabling fast, easy, and clear.
Industry economics require that installations be done fast and accurately with little to no call-backs. And converging voice, data, and video technologies as well as the ever growing “Internet of Things” has given rise to new requirements for service testing and multimedia support.
The MicroScanner™ Series acknowledges these growing trends and streamlines every aspect of the verification job. From its time-saving user interface and integrated multimedia support to its expanded service detection capabilities, the MicroScanner PoE gives technicians the power to perform their jobs faster and more accurately than ever.
The Fluke Networks MicroScanner PoE finds common errors and switch power capacity. Cables typically fail in harsh industrial environments where cables are exposed to vibration, extreme flexing, moisture, expansion and contraction from temperature change.
Failures result in expensive production downtime so it’s vital to quickly identify where the cable is broken so it can be replaced or repaired. MicroScanner PoE performs continuity tests on all wires in a few seconds and displays results graphically so you can see opens, shorts, and cross wires.
It also reports which end of the cable has a problem and reports the distance to an open connection within the cable.
The MicroScanner PoE also allows for simple installation/maintenance on IT, Security, PoE lighting, Ethernet based HVAC devices and IP based Building Automation systems. It helps troubleshoot quickly and easily with the oversized backlit LCD screen that displays clear results in bright light or complete dark with intuitive icons, and support of Class 1 to 8 PoE.
Troubleshoot PoE based systems
The MicroScanner PoE makes testing your PoE based communication cabling fast, easy, and clear. The tester reports the maximum power class the switch can provide under 802.3af, 802.3at, and 802.3bt specifications and displays the 802.3 PoE class (0-8) or the voltage from passive PoE sources. This allows technicians to verify the exact issues that may be affecting a PoE based installation. The MicroScanner PoE also provides information on available services up to 10G Ethernet ensuring that your network is capable of performing to your needs.
Verify cables and connections
Today’s communications technicians have more problems to deal with than just the cabling. They have to rule out a whole host of cable and service issues before determining the cause of a connectivity problem. Where is the cable broken? Are all the wires properly terminated? Is there a switch at the far end? Is PoE available? MicroScanner2 and MicroScanner PoE provides technicians the vision to verify today’s most common voice, data, and video services.
Reduce test time and user error
Yesterday’s cable verification testers force users to toggle between different modes (up to four) to view all test results. This not only slows the test process, but also causes user frustration and error. MicroScanner Series has defied this convention by displaying key test results – wiremap, pair lengths, distance to fault, cable ID, and far-end devices – all on one screen.
Locate elusive cables in seconds
The MicroScanner Series features built-in IntelliTone™ digital and analog toning to precisely locate virtually any cable or wire pair, regardless of work environment. Use digital mode to locate high-grade data cabling (Cat 5e/6/6A) in bundles, or at switches, patch panels, or wall outlets. Or, use analog mode on voice-grade cabling (Cat 3 and below), as well as coax (MicroScanner2 only), security/alarm, and speaker wiring.
Repair or replace tools less often
With all the abuse you put your tools through, you can’t afford for them to be delicate. The MicroScanner Series features a rubber wrap-around holster that makes it the right tool for even the toughest jobs. Toss it into your toolbox. Drop it from a ladder. It can handle it. It even comes standard with a vinyl carry pouch for enhanced protection and convenience. The optional MAG-KIT (included with selected models noted below) provides a powerful magnetized strap that lets you hang your MicroScanner from racks, cable trays or organizers.
MicroScanner PoE capabilities
The MicroScanner PoE comes with the following attributes:
1. Quickly determine if a problem is caused by a bad or unconnected cable, insufficient power, or a Powered Device (PD).
2. Ethernet Alliance Certified to IEEE-802.3™ standards for reliable multivendor interoperability
3. Information for the Network Engineer to investigate potential switch configuration or malfunctions.
4. PoE Switch Verification – Determine if a switch port can provide enough power by reporting PoE class (0-8).
5. Powered Pairs – Graphically identifies powered pairs. Including Dual Signature where the switch port delivers power on 2 or 4 pairs (802.3bt or PoE ++)
6. Active Switch Detection – Determine if a cable is connected to a switch port and port speed up to 10G
7. Cable Testing – Identify any shorted, open or crossed wires at both ends, length of each pair, and send tones to find cables.
8. Validate and troubleshoot your Industrial Ethernet copper cabling
9. PoE Injector verification – Display injector voltage level.
Key features
a. Saves time by locating faults in 2 or 4 pair cables running EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, MODBUS and other Ethernet protocols in 4 seconds
b. Diagnoses of the most common faults displayed on the large backlit screen
c. Identify where exactly the fault is in metres or feet, and
d. Find unmarked cables with built-in tone generator (probe included with MS-POE-KIT model).
