Studio Technologies 93 - Manual (Page 18)

Issue 1, January 2008 Model 93 User Guide
Page 18 Studio Technologies, Inc.
unit’s system mode for Master-Female
Active. This is accomplished by pressing
and holding the power on/off button until
the desired system mode is enabled.
At this point the master unit is configured
to perform the required cable test. To re-
view, the cable mode has been set to match
the type of cable to be tested and the sys-
tem mode has been selected to activate
the connector type required for the test
environment.
Once configured to the desired system
mode, the master Model 93 should have
caused the slave Model 93 to power up.
The master/slave data active LEDs on both
units should indicate that data is passing
back and forth. The slave Model 93 should
have its system mode LED indicating that
slave mode is active. The auto test and
manual channel select (up and down) but-
tons on the master unit perform the same
functions as if the local system mode was
selected. On the slave unit the auto test and
manual channel select buttons are disabled.
The power on/off button on the slave unit
remains active but isn’t generally utilized
during master/slave operation.
Connect the cable to be tested to the mas-
ter and slave Model 93 units. In the example
covered a few paragraphs previously, an
W1 male would be connected to the master
Model 93. An W1 female would be connect-
ed to the slave Model 93. Testing functions
can only be controlled by the master Model
93. However, the test results will display on
both the master and slave Model 93 units.
This ensures that someone assisting at the
slave position is kept “in the loop” about the
testing process. To the user, the master unit
should “look and feel” just as if it was set for
local system mode. The auto test, continu-
ous auto test, and manual channel or pin
tests can be used as desired.
After testing has been completed power-
ing down the master Model 93 will also
cause the slave Model 93 to power down.
An inactivity timer shutdown of the master
Model 93 will also cause the slave unit to
power down. Manually powering down the
slave Model 93 will cause the unit to shut
down and end any tests in progress. But the
unit will immediately power on again in re-
sponse to the master unit data commands.
Only by disconnecting the data link con-
nection can the slave unit be independently
turned off. (But this isn’t something that one
would typically want to do anyway!)
“Jumper” Cables
In many cases it will probably be neces-
sary to use W1 or 3-pin XLR “jumper” cable
assemblies to connect the master and
slave Model 93 units to the cables to be
tested. For example, a flexible W1 cable
assembly might be required to connect a
panel-mounted (bulkhead) W1 connector to
a Model 93. In this case be certain that the
cables that are going to be part of the test
setup are themselves tested first using the
Model 93’s local system mode. Don’t add
variables to an already fairly complicated
situation!
Ten Steps to Success
With some practice master/slave mode
operation should become second nature.
The key is to follow a logical setup and
configuration sequence before attempting
to test a cable assembly. This will make test-
ing a simple matter, rather than leading to
a confusing situation! The steps might be
organized as follows:
1. Deploy two Model 93 units at the ends
of the cable or cables to be tested.
2. Establish the data link connection and
confirm that it’s functioning correctly.