OPTOGATE CABLE AND PHANTOM POWER TESTER
XLR Multitester
This miniature cable tester has an onboard microprocessor, yet will still fit in a pocket. It can recognise short circuits, swapped polarity and broken wires; three LEDs indicate the test result. It also may be used to check phantom powering when a cable is connected to a console. If the phantom power is present and correct, the tester generates a tone, which is sent back to the console.
The black-anodised, aluminium case has a 3-pin, female XLR connector protuding from one end, and a male XLR type in the other. The side panel, with LED indicators and 'Reset' button, may be removed, should it be necessary to replace the battery, using two 'quick-release' plastic pins.
To test for phantom power, a cable is connected to the male XLR. To test a cable for continuity etc., both the male and female connectors of the tester must be connected to the cable. The device is started by pressing the reset button, and if 48V phantom power is present, the tone generator will start. if the phantom is only present on one pin of the signal pair, this will be indicated by the corresponding LED. If there is no power on pin 2 or pin 3, the tester changes automatically into cable testing mode. The tester checks the three pins of each connector in turn, and indicates the result.
The three LEDs are marked 1, 2, 3. Information to interpret the results is printed on the side of the tester. If the LED is on, then the connection is OK. If the LED is off then the pin is disconnected. There are two further status indications to show a bridged connection or false polarity (where pin 2 and pin 3 are wired wrongly at one end of the cable). These are shown by a sequence of flashing LEDs.
Power Source: 3V, 12mm lithium coin cell, type CR1225. Power consumption: less than 8uA in 'sleep' state, 5mA active. Dimensions: 70 x 38 x 21mm.
Included accessories: Battery.