Telecom Tools: Cable Length Meter

Telecom tools and related accessories of all kind we have reviewed. The one we saved for last is one of the best, the cable length meter is one of the most important tools for the job and we’ll sing all its praises for you in this article. If you are at all familiar with telecom tools you were probably wondering why we were waiting so long on writing up this one. Rest easy we have finally answered your demands.

A Cable Length Meter is ideal for determining the length of a cable on a spool or within the confines of a conduit. Many of these meters come with a bevy of accessories including copper calibration bars, pads for getting rid of oxidation and even a carrying case to store all the important stuff.

The typical features of a cable length meter are:

• Milliohm measurements with resistance range

• Compensation for temperature

• User can custom calibrate

• three digit display

• Both feet and meters measurement settings, it will also measurement aluminum and copper

wires.

• Auto power off

Calibrating your cable length meter and knowing how to measure cable length are two very important guidelines for this telecom tool here are the procedures on performing these tasks.

Calibration Process:

• Turn your cable meter on by pressing the on/off switch.
• Next insert your black test leads into one pair of input jacks and the rest test leads into the opposite pair. This is crucial so that your meter will calibrate correctly. If you do the opposite of what you’re supposed to do then you will get a false reading and calibration wilt happen.
• The calibration standard will then need to have your meter’s Kelvin clips inserted. When doing this make sure you get them as close as you can for the process to initialize properly.

Press and hold you meter’s calibration button. Wait for all the segments on your meters’ display to light up. This confirms that your calibration on the meter is complete and everything is in proper working order. After that disconnect your testing leads.

TIPS: Make sure equipment you are using is clean. Kelvin clips must be in place along the calibration standard’s diameter. Cleaning with an abrasive pad will ensure the best cleaning job on your calibration standard. Make sure clips your clips stay as close as can be. With smaller wire use the tips of the Kelvin clips.

Measuring Wire Lengths:

Turn the cable meter on and perform the calibration process. You’ll want your meter to reach the same temperature setting as a wire test.

TIP: Temperature will alter a reading’s accuracy. Consult the accuracy specs to make sure there are no problems with readings. Consult the accuracy specifications in your meter’s manual for more info.

CAUTION:

Make sure the wires that you are testing are NOT energized. You want to make sure that you are not applying voltage to the meter’s inputs. This will affect performance of your meter but most importantly put your safety into jeopardy!

In closing that’s the nitty gritty to using a cable length meter. There will be some unique and interesting challenging. But judging by your telecom tool aptitude this should be a walk in the park for someone like you that has stayed the course and read our silly and often times boring rants on the wonder of telecom tool technology! Good luck!