The Tektronix 1503C is a highly accurate, portable Metallic Time-Domain Reflectometer (TDR) designed for locating faults and structural anomalies in metallic cables. Featuring a durable field-ready chassis, the 1503C is optimized for testing coaxial, twisted-pair, and parallel cables over long ranges. With a dynamic horizontal testing range extending up to 50,000 feet (15,230 meters), the instrument uses a high-resolution dot-matrix liquid crystal display (LCD) to present detailed impedance signatures. It supports both AC power and a high-capacity internal lead-gel battery for flexible field operations. Optional expansion modules, such as a front-panel dot-matrix strip chart recorder, allow operators to easily record and document cable diagnostics in real time.
Specifications
General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Display | High-resolution dot-matrix liquid crystal display (LCD) with electroluminescent (EL) backlight |
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating Temperature | -15°C to +55°C |
Signal and Pulse Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Pulse Widths | 2 ns to 1000 ns |
| Pulse Shape | 1/2 sine |
| Maximum Distance Range | 50,000 ft (15,230 m) |
| Propagation Velocity (Vp) Range | 0.300 to 0.999 |
| Vp Setting Resolution | 0.001 |
Receiver and Horizontal System
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Horizontal Range | 0 to 50,000 ft (0 to 10,000 m) |
Display and User Interface
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Primary Distance Readout Units | Feet or Meters (selectable) |
Applications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Supported Cable Types | Coaxial, twisted pair, or parallel cable |
| Fault Detection Capabilities | Shorts, opens, defects in the shield, foreign substances (e.g. water), kinks |
Connectivity, I/O, and Storage
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Optional Printer | Dot matrix strip chart recorder (installs into front-panel Option Port) |
Power Supply and Battery System
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Internal Battery Chemistry | Lead-gel |
Physical and Environmental
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature Range | -62°C to +85°C |
Measurement Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Input Protection | 400 V (DC + peak AC) |
Power Requirements
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| AC Input Voltage Ranges | 90 to 130 VAC, 180 to 250 VAC |
| AC Input Frequency Range | 45 Hz to 440 Hz |
Environmental & Compliance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Environmental Compliance | Designed to meet MIL-T-28800D, Class 3, Style C |
| Operating Altitude Limit | 15,000 ft (4,572 m) |
| Non-Operating Altitude Limit | 50,000 ft (15,240 m) |
Inputs & Outputs
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Front Panel Output Connector | BNC female |
Environmental
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Environmental Compliance Standard | MIL-T-28800D, Type III, Class 3, Style C (drip-proof) |
Technology
Metallic Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR)
Applications
Telecommunications, Datacom, and Metallic Cable Fault Diagnostics