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Uses & Benefits of CCTV Testers
CCTV (closed circuit television) installations are a line of defense that companies and individuals employ to increase the security of a building or home through remote surveillance of selected areas. Depending on the premises, the number of camera installations required may range from one to one hundred, or more. Most configurations will include a DVR (digital video recorder) for storing footage, and sometimes monitors and computers for viewing live feeds in a particular location. With the cameras set up in separate areas, installers may need to run between the video feed and camera in order to fine tune the settings. CCTV testers, also known as LCD field monitors or CCTV field monitors, offer installers an ideal solution that enables them to view the video feed from a camera in real time, as well as calibrate and troubleshoot based on the additional features they provide.
The most basic feature of a CCTV tester is an LCD screen, usually between 2.5 inches to 3.5 inches (diagonal), which allows installers to view the camera feed on the spot. Additional features for video calibration may include video test patterns, brightness/contrast/saturation adjustments, video signal intensity testing, and support for PAL and/or NTSC video. Some testers are capable of providing power to the camera, often up to 12VDC, enabling installers to mount and focus cameras in the optimal spot before running power cables.
Other functions a CCTV installer might require in a CCTV tester or in a separate device are: a multimeter, pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) control, and a network/coaxial cable tester/tracer. The multimeter can usually verify that the camera is receiving the correct amount of AC or DC power and check the resistance of a cable. PTZ cameras enable remote directional and zoom control, which, depending on the type of camera, could be controlled by RS485, RS232, software, or web interface, amongst other options. With PTZ control on a CCTV tester, users can bench test or set up a camera without any additional equipment. Cable testers are great for troubleshooting cables for shorts and miswires. Some also include a cable tracer, making it easy to locate the other end of a cable during installations.
Regardless of additional features, most CCTV testers are compact and portable devices that allow easy field calibration, testing, and troubleshooting of CCTV installations. Higher-end units tend to support more functions, thus reducing the need to acquire and operate multiple devices for a single job. Video Products Inc (VPI) offers a selection of CCTV testers that can simplify the installation and troubleshooting process.
VPI’s TESTER-CCTV-W CCTV Tester with Wrist Strap displays NTSC/PAL video on a 2.5 inch LCD screen with a resolution of 480×234. Users can adjust the brightness and color of the video feed on the spot. The unit runs on a 3.7V Li-ion polymer battery and boasts a runtime of up to four hours. Secured by a wrist strap, the unit enables easy and hands-free installations without the hassle of running between a camera and DVR located in separate areas.
The TESTER-CCTV-P Professional CCTV Tester and Multimeter is a multifunction device for CCTV installations and maintenance. With the ability to display video on a 3.5 inch TFT-LCD 960×240 screen and supply 12V DC power, cameras can be set up on the spot without having to run power cables or move between locations. The unit can generate seven forms of PAL/NTSC color bar patterns and adjust LCD brightness, contrast, and color saturation for video calibration. The built-in cable tester can test LAN (local area network) cables for connection status and display the wire sequence.
TESTER-CCTV-P also provides PTZ control and supports more than twenty PTZ protocols, such as PELCO-D/P, Panasonic, and Samsung. Its digital multimeter not only checks the voltage, current and resistance of cables, but can also test for electrical continuity and diode function, and confirm capacitance of a capacitor. The unit supports RS232, RS485, and RS422 interfaces, and baud rates ranging from 150 to 19,200 bps. RS485 data can be captured and displayed for convenient troubleshooting. Requiring only a 3.7V Li-ion battery, the unit possesses a runtime of up to 12 hours. With multiple features consolidated into a single device, the TESTER-CCTV-P is ideal for a wide range of applications.
CCTV testers provide a quick and convenient way to test, calibrate, and troubleshoot CCTV installations. VPI’s selection of testers is suitable for both simple and extensive configurations, making them an essential addition to any professional’s toolkit.
Uses & Benefits of CCTV Testers
CCTV (closed circuit television) installations are a line of defense that companies and individuals employ to increase the security of a building or home through remote surveillance of selected areas. Depending on the premises, the number of camera installations required may range from one to one hundred, or more. Most configurations will include a DVR (digital video recorder) for storing footage, and sometimes monitors and computers for viewing live feeds in a particular location. With the cameras set up in separate areas, installers may need to run between the video feed and camera in order to fine tune the settings. CCTV testers, also known as LCD field monitors or CCTV field monitors, offer installers an ideal solution that enables them to view the video feed from a camera in real time, as well as calibrate and troubleshoot based on the additional features they provide.
The most basic feature of a CCTV tester is an LCD screen, usually between 2.5 inches to 3.5 inches (diagonal), which allows installers to view the camera feed on the spot. Additional features for video calibration may include video test patterns, brightness/contrast/saturation adjustments, video signal intensity testing, and support for PAL and/or NTSC video. Some testers are capable of providing power to the camera, often up to 12VDC, enabling installers to mount and focus cameras in the optimal spot before running power cables.
Other functions a CCTV installer might require in a CCTV tester or in a separate device are: a multimeter, pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) control, and a network/coaxial cable tester/tracer. The multimeter can usually verify that the camera is receiving the correct amount of AC or DC power and check the resistance of a cable. PTZ cameras enable remote directional and zoom control, which, depending on the type of camera, could be controlled by RS485, RS232, software, or web interface, amongst other options. With PTZ control on a CCTV tester, users can bench test or set up a camera without any additional equipment. Cable testers are great for troubleshooting cables for shorts and miswires. Some also include a cable tracer, making it easy to locate the other end of a cable during installations.
Regardless of additional features, most CCTV testers are compact and portable devices that allow easy field calibration, testing, and troubleshooting of CCTV installations. Higher-end units tend to support more functions, thus reducing the need to acquire and operate multiple devices for a single job. Video Products Inc (VPI) offers a selection of CCTV testers that can simplify the installation and troubleshooting process.
VPI’s TESTER-CCTV-W CCTV Tester with Wrist Strap displays NTSC/PAL video on a 2.5 inch LCD screen with a resolution of 480×234. Users can adjust the brightness and color of the video feed on the spot. The unit runs on a 3.7V Li-ion polymer battery and boasts a runtime of up to four hours. Secured by a wrist strap, the unit enables easy and hands-free installations without the hassle of running between a camera and DVR located in separate areas.
The TESTER-CCTV-P Professional CCTV Tester and Multimeter is a multifunction device for CCTV installations and maintenance. With the ability to display video on a 3.5 inch TFT-LCD 960×240 screen and supply 12V DC power, cameras can be set up on the spot without having to run power cables or move between locations. The unit can generate seven forms of PAL/NTSC color bar patterns and adjust LCD brightness, contrast, and color saturation for video calibration. The built-in cable tester can test LAN (local area network) cables for connection status and display the wire sequence.
TESTER-CCTV-P also provides PTZ control and supports more than twenty PTZ protocols, such as PELCO-D/P, Panasonic, and Samsung. Its digital multimeter not only checks the voltage, current and resistance of cables, but can also test for electrical continuity and diode function, and confirm capacitance of a capacitor. The unit supports RS232, RS485, and RS422 interfaces, and baud rates ranging from 150 to 19,200 bps. RS485 data can be captured and displayed for convenient troubleshooting. Requiring only a 3.7V Li-ion battery, the unit possesses a runtime of up to 12 hours. With multiple features consolidated into a single device, the TESTER-CCTV-P is ideal for a wide range of applications.
CCTV testers provide a quick and convenient way to test, calibrate, and troubleshoot CCTV installations. VPI’s selection of testers is suitable for both simple and extensive configurations, making them an essential addition to any professional’s toolkit.
Establishing Control of the Wire Harness Testing Process
One of the challenges in testing wire harnesses is maintaining control of the testing process. Typically, the testing process for wire harnesses is not fully automated. Operators connect an untested wire harness to the test fixture, and remove a tested wire harness from the test fixture. After a wire harness has been tested, it must be categorized as having passed or failed, and the operator must appropriately segregate the failed harnesses from the good ones. At times, an operator may fail to properly segregate a failed wire harness, causing significant problems downstream. Another potential problem occurs when an operator fails to wait until the test is completed and removes a partially tested wire harness from the test fixture. Selecting the wrong test program is also a potential problem.[amazon_link asins=’B00J0S6QZ6′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’pcconsultingc-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’8bb74d8f-b1f1-11e7-99f2-394c6080a953′]
Wire harness manufacturers who have several options available to them to control the testing process to minimize the possibility of intermingling defective wire harnesses with good ones. These methods include:
Activating a fixture clamp when the wire harness has passed all tests
Printing a label only when the wire harness has passed all tests
Sounding an alarm if the operator removes the wire harness before the test is completed
Ensuring that the operator cannot alter the test program
The following is a brief explanation of each approach.
Activating a fixture clamp:
Many high-volume manufacturers use fixture clamps to prevent the operator from removing the wire harness before the tester has verified that all tests have passed. In this scenario, a defective wire harness can only be removed from the fixture through intervention of a supervisor or other authorized personnel. This results in improved quality control.
A fixture clamp is a device that provides a means of locking a wire harness connector in place while the wire harness is being tested. Most fixture clamp designs use a mechanical locking device that engages when a connector is inserted into a holder. When all tests have passed, an electric solenoid is used to release the connector at the end of the test. It is best to use fixture clamps that are closed and held by a mechanical latch and are opened by activation of an electrical solenoid. This ensures that the clamp will remain closed even if the power is disconnected.
It is important for the tester to be able to activate the solenoid via a control port. Here is a description of the operational scenario involving the use of a fixture clamp controlled by the tester:
When the operator inserts the wire harness connector into the fixture block, the connector becomes mechanically locked in place.
When the wire harness passes all tests, the tester activates the solenoid which releases the harness connector.
If the wire harness is defective, and cannot be repaired, a supervisor or other authorized person can use a security override procedure that releases the fixture clamp, allowing the defective wire harness to be removed from the fixture.
Printing a Label:
Some wire harness testers can be programmed to interface to a label printer, causing a product label to be printed when a wire harness passes all tests. This is a superior method to using pre-printed labels. Using the tester to print a label when a wire harness passes all tests ensures that only good products receive labels. This assurance does not exist when using pre-printed labels. Using the tester to print labels also allows for dynamic data to be part of the label information, such as the current date and time, operator ID, and tester ID. When only good wire harnesses get labels, it simplifies the process of segregating good product from bad.
Sounding an Alarm:
Some wire harness testers may be programmed to enter into an alarm mode when a wire harness is removed from the test fixture before the tester has completed testing. While in the alarm mode, the tester would do the following:
Stop testing
Sound an audible alarm
Display a message indicating early removal of the harness
Require activation of a security override by a supervisor or other authorized personnel to de-activate the alarm
Once testing has begun, if the wire harness is removed before testing is completed the tester enters the alarm mode. The alarm mode aborts the test, sounds a continuous alarm, and displays a message indicating that the wire harness was removed before testing was completed. This behavior continues until an authorized person activates a security override procedure. It is important that the alarm mode cannot be cleared by cycling power on the tester.
Ensuring that the operator cannot alter the test program:
To prevent problems associated with running the wrong test program, the tester must have the capability to lockout unauthorized personnel from selecting the test program. This ensures that once the proper test program has been selected, the operator cannot alter the selection.
Using one or more of these approaches can enable wire harness manufacturers to improve control of the quality of their products. It is important to use a wire harness tester that can support these capabilities.
All of the features and capabilities listed above are available from NX Wire Harness Testers from Dynalab Test Systems. More information is available on their website: www.dynalabtesters.com