Quick Reference Guide

COPPER TESTING
Testing copper is not an easy task. Knowledge, experience and good analytical skills are required to be able to determine the root
cause of complex copper-loop issues. For this reason, EXFO developed a wide range of intelligent copper testing functions to
help locate, identify and fix issues affecting telecom network performance. From simple validation tests to advanced fault-finding
features, this guide provides an overview of EXFO’s copper test functions and their applications.

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DIGITAL MULTIMETER (DMM)

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The purpose of the DMM is to perform basic resistance/voltage measurements

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in order to determine the physical characteristics of the copper loop and

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determine if basic copper faults are causing service problems.

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FEATURE APPLICATION

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To measure the presence of voltage on a copper pair. During
qualification and troubleshooting, the pair under test must be
Voltage disconnected at both ends to make sure there is no voltage present
on the line. If there is voltage, then there is a contact (low insulation)
with another live pair.

To measure the resistance (ohms) of the loop. This test calculates the
resistive length of the cable of the line under test and verifies that there
Resistance are no interruptions by applying a low voltage to the line. It also requires
a strap at the far end. For an insulation resistance test, be sure to use an
appropriate setup.

To measure the difference in resistance (ohms) between the A/Tip and

Resistance B/Ring of a copper pair. This test checks that no high-resistive fault
Balance problems are being generated by corrosion or poor connections. It also
requires a strap to ground/earth at the far end of the loop.

To measure the capacitance value (nF or uF) of the loop. This test
calculates the cable length of the line under test. It requires an open state
Capacitance at the far end. It also provides a capacitance balance measurement that
can yield important information on possible splits, bridge taps and poor
grounding impairments.

To assess the insulation quality of the copper pair and ensure that there is
Insulation not any leakage, nor any contact faults with other wires or ground/earth.
Resistance (Stress/ This test identifies problems in a cable by applying a high voltage to the
Leakage) A/Tip and B/Ring and ground/earth, and observing whether or not the
resistive value rises or falls. It also requires an open state at the far end.

To check the earth/ground quality in a specific location in relation to that

of the central office. This test uses A/Tip, B/Ring and ground/earth leads
Station Ground to calculate the insulation resistance between the wires and the ground.
If the CO is a floating exchange type without a ground reference, the test
may provide inaccurate results.
 Copper Testing Quick Reference Guide

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FREQUENCY TESTING

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The purpose of frequency testing is to measure the characteristics of

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the pair under test in the frequency domain.

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FEATURE APPLICATION

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To measure the presence of up to five load coils on a copper pair. It is
Load Coil important to note that load coils were once used to extend the reach
of normal voice (POTS) lines. This test makes sure that a cable is
Detection loaded properly, or when prequalifying DSL loops, it makes sure that
all load coils have been removed from service.
To measure loss at all frequencies up to VDSL2 (30 MHz) from one end
of the circuit without the use of a FED or second technician. This test
Single-Ended uses a special signal Tx and an advanced algorithm to determine the
Attenuation (SEA) attenuation of copper pair over a selected frequency range. The SEA test
is complementary to PSD and serves to verify that the line can support
DSL services.

To determine how balanced the A/Tip and B/Ring are from each other to
VF Longitudinal the ground/earth. This test applies a common mode signal to both wires
Balance of a pair and measures the level of noise rejection between them. This
determines the pair quality for the passing service.

To measure the ability of a circuit to reject noise across wideband

frequencies. This test is used to evaluate ground conditions, poor splices
WB Longitudinal or insulation breakdown. It can be used for all types of DSL, but because
Balance the bandwidth of VDSL2 is so much wider than ADSL, this test must be
performed at the maximum frequency of the service being qualified (up to
30 MHz for VDSL2 on the FTB-1; the limit on the MaxTester is 17 MHz).

To transmit or receive a tone generated to/from the opposite end.

This test uses the Send Tone part (Tx) to transmit a tone over the line
Tx/Rx Tone and calculate the insertion loss of the pair in dual-end mode using a
receiver device at the remote end. It also uses the Receive Tone part
(Rx) to calculate the insertion loss of the pair in dual-end mode using a
transmitter device at the remote end.

© 2014 EXFO Inc. All rights reserved.

 Copper Testing Quick Reference Guide

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NOISE TESTING

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The purpose of noise tests is to perform voice frequency (VF)/wideband

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(WB) noise and level measurements.

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FEATURE APPLICATION

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To measure the voice-frequency noise on a subscriber’s telephone
VF Noise line. The industry standard is less than -70 dBm (20 dBrnC) of noise
at the customer’s end.

To determine the effect of the main (50/60 Hz) field from power cables on
the pair under test. The 50/60 Hz field and its harmonics are measured
Power Influence and compared to the industry standard of -10 dBm (80 dBrnC) (maximum
value). This helps calculate the amount of noise that is caused by power
generation from the power company.

To identify noise sources external to the copper pair. This test determines
VF Impulse Noise
the level and number of impulse noise violations in the voice-frequency
band from external sources, like high voltage motors near telephone lines
and microwave ovens. This is a single-end measurement.

WB Power To check the ambient noise on a circuit prior to provisioning to ensure

Spectral Density
it will support the rate requested by the customer. This test helps avoid
providing service that will be unreliable and cause further technician visits.
(PSD) Noise
It tests the entire VDSL2 bandwidth (30 MHz).

To measure the number of noise impulses on a line that is caused by

sources outside the copper plant. A violation can be plotted in an Impulse
WB Impulse Noise
Noise Histogram. 1 The histogram attaches a “time” component to the
noise measurement for the FTB-600, allowing a technician to determine
how many violations occurred, and more importantly, when they occurred.
This is a single-end measurement.

To capture and analyze impulse noises on a line with the option of

Impulse Scope
performing simultaneous frequency and time domain analysis. This test
allows a technician to define the signature of the noise and locate the
possible source.

Impulse Duration To capture and analyze impulse noises on a line with statistical data
and Disruption
to help fine-tune the impulse noise protection (INP) level on ADSL2+/
VDSL2. This test creates a histogram of the distribution of fast and slow
(IDD)
impulses over time with high-level duration and disruption (IDD) times.

To measure the near-end crosstalk attenuation between two pairs.

Under good conditions, the crosstalk attenuation of the pairs should be
NEXT high. However, in the case of unbalance, split pairs or low insulation,
there could be strong noise from one pair to the other. With the tester
connected to the pairs, this test requires an open state at the far end.

Note
1. Applicable only to the FTB-1.

© 2014 EXFO Inc. All rights reserved.

 Copper Testing Quick Reference Guide

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FAULT LOCATOR

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The purpose of the fault locator is to provide a fault-location toolbox.

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FEATURE APPLICATION

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To determine the distance to high-resistance faults that TDRs are not
Resistive Fault able to find. This test uses the resistive length of copper cables to find
faults as high as 20 MΩ. The test modes include 2-Wire, 4-Wire and
Locator (RFL) Küpfmüller (K-Test). Küpfmüller mode will locate faults when both wires
of the pair have a contact fault. 1

To find changes in the physical plant. This test will find events such as
TDR
opens, shorts, bridged taps and water. The test modes include Auto,
Manual and CrossTalk (XTalk). 2 CrossTalk mode will locate possible
splits and contact points between two pairs.

Notes
1. Only available in the FTB-600 Series.
2. The manual and XTalk modes are only available for the FTB-1.

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The purpose of EXFO’s smartR™ features, Pair Detective and FaultMapper is to assist field

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technicians by giving them access to two intelligent tests capable of determining the line condition

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and identifying common circuit faults.

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To provide optimized fault identification through automated analysis.
This application runs multiple, consecutive tests to offer guidance
Pair Detective on probable issues resulting in a faster, more comprehensive
interpretation of the situation. With the tester connected at the near
end, this test requires an open state at the far end.
To identify and locate service-affecting line faults. Providing fully
automated copper pair analysis, this application generates an intuitive
FaultMapper
schematic/graphical representation of the copper loop. In single-end test
mode, FM can detect typical copper plant faults (opens, shorts, grounds)
as well as critical impairments (bridge taps). With the tester connected to
the pair, this test functions with an open or a strap at far end.

EXFO COPPER TESTING PORTFOLIO

The MaxTester 600 Series: The FTB-600 Series:
Compact, rugged and user-friendly handheld test solution Platform-based multitechnology test solution designed
dedicated to the installation and maintenance of your copper for the advanced technician performing expert-level
infrastructure. copper troubleshooting.

› MAXTESTER 610 – Wideband Copper Tester › FTB 610 – Wideband Copper Test Module
› MAXTESTER 635 – Wideband Copper, xDSL and › FTB 635 – Wideband Copper, xDSL and Multiplay
Multiplay Tester Test module

EXFO Headquarters > Tel.: +1 418 683-0211 | Toll-free: +1 800 663-3936 (USA and Canada) | Fax: +1 418 683-2170 | [email protected] | www.EXFO.com

EXFO serves over 2000 customers in more than 100 countries. To find your local office contact details, please go to www.EXFO.com/contact.

© 2014 EXFO Inc. All rights reserved. 20140452V1 14/06