Paralan SCSI 

ST-123
SCSI CABLE TESTER

The SCSI Cable Tester is designed specifically to test cable assemblies made to SCSI specifications!

Detection ends ninety percent of most SCSI problem installations!

Tests cable in seconds!

Continuity tests alone are not sufficient to qualify SCSI cable assemblies. Proper testing of SCSI cables must include a test for correct connection of twisted pairs and shielding. Continuity tests check only that wires are making connections on both ends of a cable.

Twisted pairs in the cable must be matched with the correct SCSI signal pairs – otherwise, it is possible to have a SCSI signal (signal and ground pair) placed on wires that are not in the same physical twisted pair (see diagram at right). This will cause crosstalk with resultant SCSI errors.

The SCSI Cable Tester will perform this test, called an Integrity Test. 

For a printable version, please see the PDF of this data sheet.

Easy as 1-2-3:

1. Test continuity

2. Test integrity

3. Accept or reject cable

The continuity test and twisted pair integrity test can be performed on a SCSI cable in about 10 seconds.

Prevent Costly Downtime

When a SCSI-configured system has a cable problem the symptoms vary greatly, from intermittent operation to SCSI "hangup," resulting in excessive system installation delays and costs.

The SCSI Cable Tester is designed with emphasis on simplicity of use. New users will be able to operate the tester within five minutes.

With today's increased SCSI data rates, cabling becomes an even more critical issue.

Description of Tests

Continuity Test:

A. Tests pin to pin connection of cable.

B. Checks for opens.

C. Checks for wire to wire shorts.

D. Checks for wire to shielding shorts.

Integrity Test:

Tests for twisted pairing. By measuring the capacitive reactance of a signal pair, the integrity test will determine if each signal pair in the cable has proper capacitive reactance. A green LED is associated with each pair of signal lines. If the capacitive reactance of a pair falls within the acceptable reference range, the green LED will light. Should ANY signal pair not pass the test the red Integrity Error LED will illuminate.

SCSI Cables Tested:

50-pin Centronic type cables (alt. 2 - A cable)

50-pin Hi-Density (alt. 1 - A cable)

68-pin Hi-Density (P cable)

Conversion cables:

50-pin Centronic type to 50-pin Hi-Density

50-pin Centronic type to 68-pin Hi-Density

50-pin Hi-Density to 68-pin Hi-Density

Maximum number of pins: 68

Maximum cable length: 200 feet

Easy Continuity Testing

 Follow the instructions on the front panel:

CONTINUITY TEST
1. SELECT CABLE OPTION SWITCHES (PIN COUNT, CABLE TYPE, CABLE LENGTH).
2. CONNECT BOTH ENDS OF CABLE TO CONTINUITY TESTER.
3. PRESS RESET. IF CONTINUITY ERROR LED (RED) IS "ON," THE CABLE IS BAD.
    GREEN LEDS "ON" INDICATE VALID PIN TO PIN CONTINUITY.
4. REMOVE CABLE (BOTH ENDS) FROM CONTINUITY TESTER.

And read the test results on the Continuity display:

(Darkened indicator for pin no. 38 shows Continuity Test failure)

Easy Integrity Testing

Follow the instructions on the front panel:

INTEGRITY TEST
5. CONNECT ONLY ONE END OF CABLE TO INTEGRITY TESTER.
6. PRESS RESET. IF INTEGRITY ERROR LED (RED) IS "ON," THE CABLE IS BAD.
    GREEN LEDS "ON" INDICATE VALID PIN PAIR INTEGRITY.
7. REMOVE CONNECTOR FROM TESTER.
8. CONNECT OTHER END OF CABLE TO INTEGRITY TESTER AND REPEAT STEP 6.

And read the test results on the Integrity display: 

(Darkened indicator for twisted pair no. 13 shows Integrity Test failure)

Specifications
ST123 SCSI Cable Tester

 Safety approvals
UL, CSA, TUV, CE

EMI/RFI
FCC Class A, CE

Test Conditions
Continuity Test: TTL level signals
Integrity Test: 5 V maximum;
current in picoamp range

Environmental
Relative humidity:
0-95% non-condensing
Operating temperature: 0-50°C

 Power Requirements
Voltage: 115/220 V ac, auto select
Frequency: 50-60 Hz, 32 Watts

Weight
10 lbs

Physical Size
Height: 4.3 in. (109 mm)
Width: 17 in. (432 mm)
Depth: 11.5 in. (292 mm)

Warranty Two Year Limited Warranty

- Specifications subject to change without notice -

See ST-1000 for hand held testing
and
Comparison between cable testers.