Testing cables

Colorblind · 14th May 2008, 05:22 PM

Can some tell me if there's a way to test my XLR and TRS cables without buying a cable tester box such as ART's CableCop? Is it as black and white as "either it passes signal or it doesn't"?

Thanks,

C

Rick Sutton · 14th May 2008, 05:29 PM

It's not black and white 'cause it can pass signal but be inverting polarity or passing on only one conducter etc.
A simple VOM or continuity tester is what I use. Check that continuity is there and check for shorts/open. Nice thing about a VOM is that you can check all the common cabling we use without special jigs/attachments or mating connectors. The cheap little mechanical meter Volt Ohm Meters are fine.

dkatz42 · 15th May 2008, 12:38 AM

On the other hand, the dedicated boxes are easier to handle and automatically detect shorts and intermittents and such. Some also have signal generators. They are well worth the price if you have a lot of stuff to test.

I sprung for a Ebtech "Swizz Army" tester (nice product, dumb name) and am a very happy camper. Testing out the tie lines in my studio would have *really* sucked otherwise.

Ebtech - The Original Cable Tester - MADE IN USA

Colorblind · 15th May 2008, 03:01 PM

Cool, thanks for the replies!

C

14th May 2008, 05:22 PM	#1
Colorblind Gear maniac Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 174	Testing cables Can some tell me if there's a way to test my XLR and TRS cables without buying a cable tester box such as ART's CableCop? Is it as black and white as "either it passes signal or it doesn't"? Thanks, C

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14th May 2008, 05:29 PM	#2
Rick Sutton Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Atascadero, CA Posts: 1,696	It's not black and white 'cause it can pass signal but be inverting polarity or passing on only one conducter etc. A simple VOM or continuity tester is what I use. Check that continuity is there and check for shorts/open. Nice thing about a VOM is that you can check all the common cabling we use without special jigs/attachments or mating connectors. The cheap little mechanical meter Volt Ohm Meters are fine.

15th May 2008, 12:38 AM	#3
dkatz42 Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Santa Fe, NM Posts: 853	On the other hand, the dedicated boxes are easier to handle and automatically detect shorts and intermittents and such. Some also have signal generators. They are well worth the price if you have a lot of stuff to test. I sprung for a Ebtech "Swizz Army" tester (nice product, dumb name) and am a very happy camper. Testing out the tie lines in my studio would have really sucked otherwise. Ebtech - The Original Cable Tester - MADE IN USA

15th May 2008, 03:01 PM	#4
Colorblind Gear maniac Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 174	Cool, thanks for the replies! C