Kurth Electronic CCTS-03

To Next Page

CCTS-03

Shield / metallic sleeve

CABLE

Free double wire

Wire under test

SET A

SET B

To find earth faults, the screen or cable sheath

must be earthed. The red test lead must then be

additionally connected to earth on the

transmitter side (TX).

ATTENTION! Do not use this connection for tests

on connected copper pairs!







SET A

SET B

Operating manual

Cable Conductor Test Set CCTS-03

The CCTS-03 cable conductor testing device is used to check conductors

for continuity, interchanging, interruption and earth fault. Due to micropro-

cessor-controlled technology, testing on active analogue and ISDN lines with

or without xDSL is possible for the ﬁ rst time. Simple and robust push-button

control with LED display simpliﬁ es operation in the ﬁ eld. Automatic switch-oﬀ

after approx. 100 min. prolongs battery life.

Start-up of the Cable Conductor Test Set

Connecting the devices

First, the headset is connected to CCTS-03 via the headset jack . CCTS-03

is switched on by pressing the ON/OFF key >30 ms. The ON LED ﬂ ashes

rapidly. In this mode, the talk function is activated. A free pair of wires is

connected to the black banana sockets as a voice pair via the black test

leads, the polarity does not have to be observed. If earth fault testing is also

required, the test lead for the TX unit must also be grounded.

At the far end, connect the second CCTS-03 as well as the ﬁ rst device.

Voice connection is now active.

The red test cord is plugged into the red socket. One device must be set as

encoder (TX) and one device as evaluator (RX). This is done by pressing

and holding the RX/TX key for more than 2 seconds. The LEDs RX and TX

will be switched on and oﬀ one after the other. To activate the desired mode,

the key must be released according to the LED. The LED then starts ﬂ ashing

slowly to indicate the active mode. There is no need to make any further

settings for the device in TX mode.

Testing on free / unconnected wires

The device in RX mode is automatically adjusted to the maximum possible

line resistance after switching on the RX mode and can normally be used for

testing (unswitched wires) immediately without any additional adjustment.

Testing on live / connected wires

Since the resistance diﬀ erence between A- and B-wire is very small for con-

nected wire pairs, especially with ISDN-connected wires, it was impossible

to diﬀ erentiate between A and B so far. The CCTS-03 cable conductor tester

therefore has the possibility to carry out a microprocessor-controlled adjust-

ment. To activate it, proceed as follows: The probes are connected with a

reference wire on both sides. This can be a free or occupied wire. Because

the CCTS-03 analyzes resistance diﬀ erences smaller than <100 Ω, a good

conenction must be ensured

After applying the test probes to the wire to be tested (test tone must be

audible!), press the Auto Adjustment button on the instrument in RX mode

>1 sec until the RX LED starts ﬂ ashing rapidly. Release the button. The RX

LED ﬂ ashes rapidly during the entire adjustment process.

If the wire to be tested is not found or the calibration cannot be carried out for

other reasons (cable resistance too low <20 Ω or too high >3 kΩ, test probe

removed too early, or similar), a warning tone consisting of three short tones

sounds in the handset. Then the adjustment may have to be repeated. If this

is repeatedly negative, the connected twisted pairs must be separated at the

MDF and, if necessary, at the DMARC.

Automatic adjustment for connected wires

After placing the probe on the wire to be tested, press the Auto Adjustment

button in RX mode on the device >2 sec. The adjustment process starts after

releasing the key. The RX LED ﬂ ashes rapidly during adjustment. If the wire

to be tested cannot be found, a warning tone consisting of three short tones

sounds in the speaker. If it is the correct wire, the test tone sounds once for

approx. 1 second, then stops for approx. 1 second and then comes as a

constant tone. Only then is the device adjusted.

If the probe is removed, the test tone stops. If the test tone is not stable,

i. e. arrives with interruptions (stuttering) or if other wires also receive the

test tone without an error (e. g. switched ISDN lines), it can be ﬁ ne-tuned

by brieﬂ y (<2 sec) pressing the + and - keys. Normally you only have to

adjust in the direction minus (-) as CCTS-03 always adjusts a little more in

the direction +. This adjustment is usually only necessary in extreme cases.

Manual readjustment

If the test tone does not arrive stable on the wire to be tested, i. e. with

interruptions (stuttering), the evaluation is at the lower limit. Pressing the

+ button (<1 sec) once or twice brieﬂ y shifts the evaluation threshold, thus

stabilizing the tone.

If the test tone on the wire to be tested is evaluated in a stable manner and

the test tone arrives with stuttering on adjacent wires, the evaluation is at

the upper limit. By pressing the - button (<1 sec) once or twice, the eva-

luation threshold is moved downwards and the tone on the adjacent wire

disappears.

After each manual adjustment, check again whether the tone on the wire

to be tested is still stable. This adjustment is usually only necessary in

border areas.

If, however, the test tone is permanently received (without interruption) on

other wires despite readjustment, there may be a cable fault which must be

checked for with the corresponding measuring instruments.

Testing the wires

Switch on both units as described and adjust if necessary. When the voice

connection is established, A connects the red test cord  with the wire to be

tested and notiﬁ es B of this. If this wire has a touch to another wire or if it is

interchanged, the sound becomes audible. If there is no sound, B places his

probe  on the announced wire. If this is continuous, the sound becomes

audible. B now informs A that his probe is „on“. A now changes its probe

tip  to the next wire to be tested in the cable. No sound may be heard yet.

He communicates the request of the probe tip again to B, which now also

applies the probe tip to the announced wire. In this way, a higher-pair cable

can be checked quickly and easily.

Attention: The speech connection must be routed via a free pair of

wires!

If the adjustment is successful, the green LED stops ﬂ ashing quickly

and the test tone is continuously audible. Only then is the device

adjusted and the probes can be removed from the reference wire.

Kurth Electronic GmbH | Muehleweg 11 | D 72800 Eningen u.A. GERMANY | Tel. +49(0)7121 9755 0

Fax +49(0)7121 9755 56 | info@kurthelectronic.de | www.kurthelectronic.de

Need help?

Do you have a question about the Kurth Electronic CCTS-03 and is the answer not in the manual?

Overview

Function Description
Connecting the Devices
Setting TX/RX Mode
Testing on Free/Unconnected Wires
Testing on Live/Connected Wires
Automatic Adjustment for Connected Wires (Alternative Method)
Manual Readjustment
Testing the Wires (General Procedure)
Usage Features
Maintenance Features

The CCTS-03 Cable Conductor Test Set is a sophisticated, microprocessor-controlled device designed for comprehensive testing of cable conductors. Its primary function is to check for continuity, interchanging, interruptions, and earth faults in various cable types. A key innovation of this device is its ability to perform tests on active analogue and ISDN lines, even those with xDSL connections, which was previously challenging. The CCTS-03 is engineered for ease of use in the field, featuring simple and robust push-button controls complemented by a clear LED display. To conserve battery life, the device incorporates an automatic switch-off feature that activates after approximately 100 minutes of inactivity.

Function Description

The CCTS-03 operates by establishing a communication link between two units, one configured as a transmitter (TX) and the other as an evaluator (RX). This setup allows for voice communication over a free pair of wires, facilitating coordination between technicians at different ends of a cable.

Connecting the Devices:

To begin, a headset is connected to the CCTS-03 via its dedicated jack. The device is powered on by pressing the ON/OFF key for more than 30 milliseconds, indicated by a rapidly flashing ON LED. This action also activates the talk function. A free pair of wires is then connected to the black banana sockets using black test leads, with no specific polarity required. If earth fault testing is necessary, the TX unit's test lead must also be grounded. At the far end of the cable, a second CCTS-03 unit is connected, establishing the voice connection.

Setting TX/RX Mode:

One device must be designated as the encoder (TX) and the other as the evaluator (RX). This is achieved by pressing and holding the RX/TX key for over 2 seconds. The RX and TX LEDs will flash alternately. Releasing the key when the desired LED is illuminated sets the mode, which is then indicated by a slow flashing of the respective LED. The TX unit requires no further settings.

Testing on Free/Unconnected Wires:

In RX mode, the device automatically adjusts to the maximum possible line resistance upon activation. This typically allows for immediate testing of unswitched wires without any additional calibration.

Testing on Live/Connected Wires:

The CCTS-03 introduces a significant advancement by enabling differentiation between A- and B-wires on connected pairs, even those with ISDN connections, where resistance differences are minimal. This is achieved through a microprocessor-controlled adjustment process.

Probe Connection: Connect the probes to a reference wire on both sides. This can be a free or occupied wire. A good connection is crucial, as the CCTS-03 analyzes resistance differences smaller than 100 Ω.
Auto Adjustment: With the test probes applied to the wire under test (a test tone should be audible), press the Auto Adjustment button on the RX instrument for over 1 second until the RX LED flashes rapidly. Release the button. The RX LED will continue to flash rapidly throughout the adjustment process.
Successful Adjustment: If the adjustment is successful, the green LED will stop flashing quickly, and the test tone will become continuously audible. Only then is the device adjusted, and the probes can be removed from the reference wire.
Unsuccessful Adjustment: If the wire is not found, or calibration fails due to reasons like cable resistance being too low (<20 Ω) or too high (>3 kΩ), or if the test probe is removed prematurely, a warning tone (three short tones) will sound in the handset. The adjustment may need to be repeated. Persistent failure may indicate a need to separate connected twisted pairs at the MDF or DMARC.

Automatic Adjustment for Connected Wires (Alternative Method):

After placing the probe on the wire to be tested, press the Auto Adjustment button in RX mode for over 2 seconds. The adjustment process begins after releasing the key, with the RX LED flashing rapidly. If the wire is not found, a warning tone will sound. If it is the correct wire, a test tone will sound for approximately 1 second, stop for 1 second, and then become constant. Only then is the device adjusted. Removing the probe stops the test tone. If the test tone is unstable (stuttering) or if other wires also receive the tone (e.g., switched ISDN lines), fine-tuning can be done by briefly pressing the '+' and '-' keys (less than 2 seconds). Adjusting in the minus (-) direction is usually sufficient, as the CCTS-03 typically adjusts slightly more in the plus (+) direction. This fine-tuning is generally only required in extreme cases.

Manual Readjustment:

If the test tone is unstable, indicating the lower limit of evaluation, pressing the '+' button once or twice briefly shifts the evaluation threshold, stabilizing the tone. Conversely, if the test tone is stable on the wire under test but stuttering on adjacent wires, indicating the upper limit of evaluation, pressing the '-' button once or twice moves the evaluation threshold downwards, making the tone on the adjacent wire disappear. After each manual adjustment, it is important to re-check the stability of the tone on the wire under test. Manual adjustments are typically only necessary in borderline cases. If the test tone is permanently received on other wires despite readjustment, a cable fault may exist, requiring further investigation with appropriate measuring instruments.

Testing the Wires (General Procedure):

Setup: Switch on both units and adjust them as described.
Voice Connection: Once voice communication is established, technician A connects the red test cord to the wire to be tested and notifies technician B. If the wire has a touch to another wire or is interchanged, a sound will be audible. If there is no sound, B places their probe on the announced wire.
Continuity Check: If the sound becomes continuous, it indicates continuity. B then informs A that their probe is "on."
Sequential Testing: A then moves their probe tip to the next wire in the cable. If no sound is heard, A communicates the request for the probe tip again to B, who then also applies their probe tip to the announced wire. This method allows for quick and easy checking of higher-pair cables.

Usage Features

The CCTS-03 is designed for versatile use in various scenarios:

Tone Audible if Ground Fault: This test should only be performed on connected lines. If a ground fault exists, a tone will be audible.
Wires Interchange (Overdraft) if Tone is Audible: If the test tone is audible, it indicates that the wires are interchanged.
Contact Between Lines if Tone is Audible: An audible tone signifies contact between lines.
Interruption or Wrong Wire if Tone is Not Audible: The absence of a tone indicates an interruption or that the wrong wire is being tested.

Maintenance Features

The CCTS-03 is built for durability and reliability in the field:

Overvoltage Protection: The device incorporates self-resetting power protection, safeguarding it from electrical surges.
Battery Life: Powered by a 9V alkaline battery, it offers approximately 10 hours of operation per battery set, extended by the automatic switch-off feature.
Robust Construction: The housing is made from sturdy and impact-resistant, weatherproof ABS, ensuring resilience in various environmental conditions.
Test Leads: The 150 cm test leads are made from flexible PVC with 4 mm banana plugs, equipped with fully insulated alligator clips and probe tips for safe and reliable connections.

Kurth Electronic CCTS-03 Specifications

General

Type	Cable Tester
Display	LCD
Operating Temperature	0°C to +40°C
Weight	300 g
Supported Cable Types	Coax cable
Functions	Continuity Testing
Connectors	BNC, RJ45, RJ11
Storage Temperature	-20°C to +60°C