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The ARGUS® Copper Box identify voltages and currents and assess the physical status of the line.

The ARGUS® Copper Box is intec's expansion for the ARGUS® 153, ARGUS® 156, ARGUS® 163 and ARGUS® 166 xDSL combi testers. With this USB Box, it is possible to, on the one hand, detect dangerous voltages and currents before they can cause harm and, on the other hand, safely determine the physical characteristics of the line. This lat­ter feature is of particular advantage when it is not possible to synchronize a DSL line or when the data rate achieved on a line is so low that there is reason to suspect that asymmetry (an unbalance), interference or mechanical issues are causing problems on it.

The compact Copper Box is attached to an ARGUS® tester using its USB Host interface. Using the ARGUS's graphical user inter­face, the user can select the Copper Box and quickly and easily perform all the supported measurements.

The ARGUS® Copper Box has three standard banana jacks plus support for an additional connection for customer-specific requirements. To ensure safety in both the lab and the field, the standard jacks are equipped to accept 4 mm shrouded banana plugs.

Other technical characteristics of the Copper Box:

  • Using the autotest enables you to test automatically with various predefined measurement profiles.
  • Using the DC voltage measurement, it is possible to deter­mine the type of access (e.g. ISDN or POTS), as well as the supply voltage (e.g. in the case of SHDSL) and any interfe­rence voltage.
  • With the AC voltage measurement, it possible to detect dangerous interference voltages.
  • With the aid of the capacitive symmetry, it is possible to detect anomalies in cabling. These anomalies can lead to signal distortion or transmission errors
  • Capacitance measurements will indicate any interrup­tions in the line and can determine the typical input capacitance of the connected equipment. Furthermore, these measurements can be used to assess whether the wire pair is unbalanced.
  • Isolation resistance measurements can be used to detect damaged cable isolation, moisture in the cables or oxidized contacts.
  • With the aid of the resistive symmetry, it is possible to detect anomalies in cabling. These anomalies can lead to signal distortion or transmission errors
  • Loop resistance measurements can be used to detect short-circuits as well as to estimate the line length.
  • DC current measurements can be used to detect emer­gency, external or normal supply as well as to determine whether the line is too long or interrupted.
  • Symmetry measurement (LCL): An attenuation measurement at a frequency of 1 MHz can be used to assess whether the wire pair is unbalanced.
  • NEXT measurement: Measures the Near-End Crosstalk at a frequency of 1 MHz.
  • Use the signature detection to evaluate the signature or PPA from the subscribers line.
  • Use the remote kit to control the far end of the line and change it to the desired state.


All of the measurements can be performed as automatic TRG measurements (Tip (a), Ring (b), and Ground) with a high degree of accuracy.

The compact ARGUS® Copper Box weighs just 160 grams and thanks to its high-quality plastic case it can shrug off being dropped as well as most impacts and other mechanical abuse. In spite of its performance and the high voltages that it applies for some measurements, the Copper Box still exhibits an exceptional operating time since it draws its power from the ARGUS® tester's high-powered lithium-ion battery pack.

The Copper Box was designed with an eye to compatibility so it can be used with a number of testers. As a result, an installation team using a variety of ARGUS® testers can each extend their tester's capabilities using these adapters and all their features. Consequently, the testers need not be sent in to have these additional features added. The USB Box can be tied together with the tester using a specific shock absorbing rubber jacket.

You can also use your PC to get free updates for the Copper Box quickly and easily.

The standard equipment includes three highquality connection cables and is delivered together with an manual.

on the road

Visit us at ANGA COM:

 

14 - 16 May 2024

in Cologne