TRIPLETT Instruction Manual
Fox 2 and Hound 3 Instruction Manual Table of Contents 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 - 3 2. FOX 2 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 - 4 3. HOUND 3 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 - 5 4. Safety Warnings and Cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 - 8 5. Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 14 6. Control Locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When used together, the FOX 2 and HOUND 3 aids in identifying, locating, and tracing wires, cables, and other conductors. When the FOX 2 is used to apply a “tone” to a wire, the HOUND 3 can usually locate the wire inside of, or behind electrically non-conductive surfaces (plastic, wood, drywall, etc), up to 12 inches away. The HOUND 3 does not have to contact a wire to identify it….. i.e no stripping needed.
• High Output Tracer Tone • Generates 2 of 6 user selectable Tracer Tones • Internal User Selectable Settings - HI/LO Pitch Shift, Warble/Continuous Tracer Tone, On/Off Audio Pilot Tone, On/Off Cadence Shift • Tone/Battery LED - indicates that Tracer Tone is on and battery is OK • Audio Pilot Tone - confirms the Tracer Toner signal • Visual & Audible Continuity Test • Red/Green Telephone Line Polarity LEDs - also indicates AC/RING Signal • Supplies “Talk Power” to allow communicating between handsets (talks
• Includes New Conductive Plastic Duck-Bill Tip for Safer, Easier Penetration in cable bundles Metal tip also included • Easy Access Battery Door • Adjustable volume / sensitivity control • LED gets brighter as the signal gets stronger - LED indication even works when Earphones are used! • Contains a hi-gain, hi-impedance amplifier • Capable of identifying the Fox 2’s tone up to 12 inches away • Rugged, moisture resistant, mylar cone speaker • Powered by a standard 9V battery (not included) • One Year Warra
4.3 The FOX 2’s 120VAC warning beeper will not sound if the battery is dead. Do not rely on the beeper to indicate the presence of dangerous voltages. 4.4 The 120VAC protection circuit in the FOX 2 uses a light bulb, whose glow can sometimes, but not always, be seen thru the FOX 2’s case. Do not rely on this visual indication to determine the presence of dangerous voltages. 4.5 The FOX 2 is not designed to tolerate accidental application of voltages exceeding 132VAC 60Hz.
4.8 Potentials applied to any connection of the FOX 2 may appear on other FOX 2 connections. For example, a potential applied to the alligator clips may appear on the RJ-45 jack and the Wireless Interface plug. This could pose a shock hazard to the user, if for example, a LAN cable with 120VAC on it is connected to the FOX 2. The 120VAC may appear on the alligator clips, and shock the user. 4.
4.11 Use caution when working with telephone lines. They can support dangerous voltages. 50VDC is often present, and 100VAC may be present during ringing. Additionally, telephone lines may support dangerous levels of common mode voltages. In some circumstances, user injury may result. 4.12 Use caution when working with any long unconnected wire or cable. Under some conditions, unconnected wires may “float up” to dangerous potentials, and touching them may result in user injury. 4.
5: Specifications 5.1: FOX 2 Specifications 5.1.1: Telephone Line Polarity Test: Indication: Red and Green LEDs light for Normal and Reversed polarity Load: Approx. 13mA at 50VDC (usually less than off-hook recognition current) Protection: Tolerates momentary 120VAC Line Cross without damage. 5.1.2: Telephone Line Ringer and Visual Ring Indication: Indication: Red and Green LEDs light simultaneously, Beeper sounds Protection: Tolerates momentary 120VAC Line Cross without damage. 5.1.
True Trace Response Time: 500 milliseconds max at 100 Ohms or less 1 second max at 10K Ohms True Trace Threshold: 10K Ohms or less Internal Settings: Warble or Continuous Tracer Tone Hi or Lo Pitch Tracer Tone Pilot Tone On or Off True Trace On or Off Protection: Tolerates momentary 120VAC Line Cross without damage. 5.1.
5.1.6: Audible Continuity: Beeper sounds when continuity is established Threshold: Typically 500 to 1000 Ohms with new 9v battery Open Circuit Voltage: 10v max. Test Current: 60mA max 5.1.7: Visual Continuity: LED lights when continuity is established Threshold: Typically 2K Ohms with new 9v battery Open Circuit Voltage: 10v max. Test Current: 30mA max 5.1.8: Talk Power: Open Circuit Voltage: 10v max. Current (Short Circuit): 30mA max Current with 1K Loop: Typically 5mA with new 9v battery 5.1.
5.1.10: Power: Battery: Standard 9v Alkaline Battery Battery Life: Approx 100 hours continuous in Tone Generator mode Telephone Line Powered Operation: Tone Generator operates without 9v battery installed. Operates from standard telephone line (46 to 53v, 400 to 1800 Ohms) in normal or reverse polarity. 5.1.11: Dimensions: Case: 3.7"H x 2.4"W x 1.1"T (93mm x 61mm x 28mm) Leads: Alligator Clips: Typically 10 inches long Wireless Interface: Typically 7 inches long RJ-45 to RJ-11 Adaptor: Typically 10 in.
5.2: HOUND 3 Specifications 5.2.1: Amplifier High impedance bootstrapped FET input for high gain and sensitivity. Incorporates a bandpass filter to improve sensitivity to FOX signals while suppressing 60Hz. 5.2.2: Sensitivity Detects FOX’s tone up to 12 inches away. 5.2.3: Speaker 1-1/2" mylar coned speaker with high strength alnico magnet is rugged and moisture resistant. 5.2.
5.2.6: Signal Strength Indicator Bright red LED signal strength indicator maintains sensitivity, even when the earphone is used. 5.2.7: Power A standard 9 volt alkaline battery (NEDA 1604A, Eveready 522) provides power for all circuitry. The battery is accessible by removing a convenient snap-on door (no tools required). The HOUND 3 is protected against the accidental reversal of the battery polarity. 5.2.
6: Fox 2 and Hound 3 Control Locations (See Figures 1 and 2) F A G CORDLESS INTERFACE B C VISUAL CONT. TALK UNLOCK BATTERY TEST H WARBLE D AUDIBLE CONT.
AA Conductive Plastic Duckbill Tip BB Metal Conical Tip BB AA CC CC LED Lights DD Signal Strength Indicator EE Power Button FF Sensitivity Control GG Earphone Jack HH Battery Connector FF DD II GG JJ EE HH Battery Strap JJ Battery Cover KK Battery (not included) LL Speaker Cover LL Figure 2 Hound 3 Control Locations 16 KK II
7: Getting Started 7.1: The FOX 2 7.1.1: The Power Latch feature of the Function switch prevents accidental turn-on of the FOX 2. To apply power to the FOX 2, press the Unlock button down while sliding the Function switch from the OFF / POLARITY position to one of the other switch positions. 7.1.2: Installing a standard 9 volt battery in the FOX 2 Remove the screw on the back of the case. Remove the case front. It may be necessary to apply slight pressure to LEDs to remove case front.
sible for the battery to test OK, and for the TRACER TONE mode to work, but for the AUDIBLE CONT mode not to work. This happens when the battery is weak, with enough power to operate the TRACER TONER mode, but not enough power to operate the AUDIBLE CONT mode. This condition is most often seen when a carbon zinc battery is used instead of an alkaline battery. If the FOX 2 behaves strangely in Beeper mode, install a new battery. 7.2: The HOUND 3 7.2.
Lights will be bright, and the HOUND 3’s Speaker (LL) will produce a loud, strong, signal from the FOX 2. As the battery is drained, the signal from the FOX 2 will not sound as loud in the HOUND 3’s Speaker. When the Lights begin to dim, the battery should be replaced. 7.3: A Few Basic Tests Turn on the FOX 2 by pressing the UNLOCK button and sliding the Function Switch to the TRACER TONE position. Set the WARBLE / PULSE button (I) to WARBLE.
The HOUND 3’s Sensitivity Control is usually set to maximum when tracing wires through walls and ceilings, and is set to a lower setting when in close proximity to the signal carrying wires. In situations where there is a lot of acoustic noise, observing the brightness of the LED, or using earphones, may prove more useful than attempting to hear the signal from the speaker.
The conductive plastic duckbill tip will not short out most electrical circuits. The conductivity of the probe is very low compared to the metal tip. Additionally, the slender duckbill shape allows the tip to be inserted into wire bundles while searching for the target wire. Most users prefer this tip, although it is not quite a rugged as the solid metal tip. 7.5: Earphone Jack The HOUND 3 has a Jack (GG) for connecting external Earphones (Headphones).
junction boxes, metal conduit, etc.), the effectiveness of the HOUND 3 is impaired. In multi-wire cables, grounded wires, or wires connected to low impedance circuits, adjacent to the target wire can act as shields, reducing the HOUND 3’s ability to sense properly. Spreading the wires apart will reduce the shielding effect and allow the HOUND 3 to work better. Defects in a cable or wires, such as shorts or opens, will reduce the signal amplitude and hence the HOUND 3’s ability to locate the target wire.
per separator can get wet from exposure to the weather. The exterior surface of the Romex can be dry, but because the internal paper separator is wet, it shields the tracer signal. Extremely high humidity will damp (collapse) the electrostatic field, reducing the effectiveness of the HOUND 3 in finding the FOX 2 signal. Condensing atmospheres may even cause the products to malfunction until they dry out. The HOUND 3 will not trace wires through a metal conduit.
Switch (D) sets the basic operating mode. The 4 positions each have several testing functions associated with them. The follow text describes these test features in detail. The red and green LEDs (E) provide indication of telephone line polarity. An adapter cable (F) is provided to allow the RJ-45 jack (G) on the FOX 2 to be connected to an RJ-11 jack. Green LED (H) flashes to indicate that the battery is good, and to display the cadence of the Tone signal.
To test polarity using the clip leads, connect the red clip to the Ring wire, and the green lead to the Tip wire. If the line is live and the polarity is correct, the green NORM (Normal) LED will light. If the polarity is backwards, the red REV (Reversed) LED will light. If neither LED lights, the line is “dead”. Note: On analog phone lines, Reversed polarity seldom causes a problem. Many modular cords and couplers reverse the polarity of the phone line passing through them. 8.1.
8.1.3: Continuity Testing: The FOX 2 has both audible and visual continuity tests. Usually, continuity tests are performed using the red and green clip leads . . . although it will also work through the RJ-45 / RJ-11 Adaptor cable. For the greatest degree of safety, use the clip leads. To test for continuity, select the desired mode (either AUDIBLE CONT or VISUAL CONT / TALK) and then connect the clip leads to the circuit to be tested.
Set the switch on the FOX 2 to VISUAL CONT / TALK, and connect the talksets as shown in Figure 3. CORDLESS INTERFACE VISUAL CONT. TALK UNLOCK BATTERY TEST WARBLE AUDIBLE CONT. PULSE TRACER TONE OFF / POLARITY AC / RING REV NORM Figure 3 Connecting Talksets to FOX 2 8.1.5: Cordless Interface: The FOX 2 ‘s cordless interface allows the tracer tone to be sent to the base station of a cordless telephone. This permits the user to monitor the tone with the cordless handset.
a HOUND 3. In some instances, a HOUND 3 can be difficult to use to identify the target wires. The cordless handset can be a valued test tool in these cases. For example, when attempting to identify a target pair of wires in cramped quarters (like a crawl space), it can be difficult to hold the HOUND 3, keeping its power button depressed, grab the suspect wires, and selectively short out the wires, looking for the target pair.
next to the FOX 2. Test the setup by setting the FOX 2 to TRACER TONE, and turning on the cordless handset. The tracer tone should be heard clearly in the handset. Momentarily short the clip leads of the FOX 2 together. The cadence of the tracer tone should change. Connect the clip leads to the wires of interest.
8.1.6: 120VAC Warning: The FOX 2 provides an audible warning that 120VAC has been connected to the product. This is intended to provide the user with a warning that an unexpected potentially dangerous voltage is present. This feature works in all test modes. When activated, the FOX 2 begins beeping on and off. The 9 volt battery must be good for this feature to work. See the Safety Warnings and Cautions section for additional information concerning this feature. 8.1.
• The FOX 2 will not trace “live” AC or DC power wires. It is protected against accidental application of 120VAC (“line cross”). • The only type of “live” circuit that the FOX 2 will trace is a telephone circuit. • The FOX 2’s tracer tone will not penetrate electrically conductive materials . . . like any kind of metal or wet earth. This means that the HOUND 3 cannot pickup the tone if the target wire is in a metal conduit or is underground.
crosstalk, but other wire/cables crosstalk readily. So much crosstalk can occur that the tracer tone on the adjacent wires can be almost as large as the original tone on the target wire. This can make it difficult to identify the target wire with the HOUND 3. The traditional method of trying to determine if the tone being received is the original tone, or is crosstalk, is to short out the wires with the tone where the HOUND 3 is being used.
When the FOX 2 is initially set to the TRACER TONE mode, it may come on with either fast or slow cadence. 8.1.8.2: 60Hz Noise and Pulse Tone: Although the FOX 2 is not affected by 60Hz Noise, the HOUND 3 will pickup and amplify the noise. It usually sounds like a humming or buzzing sound coming from the speaker of the receiver. The noise is usually at its worst around fluorescent lights.
LED to flash, helping differentiate the actual tone from 60Hz Noise (which causes the LED to light continuously). 8.1.9: Wire Tracing, Identification, and Open Faults: The uses of the FOX 2 Tracer Tone mode can usually be divided into three categories . . . tracing, identification, and locating open faults. 8.1.9.1: Wire Tracing Methods: There are two basic wire tracing methods . . . “floating” and “grounded”.
CORDLESS INTERFACE VISUAL CONT. TALK UNLOCK BATTERY TEST WARBLE AUDIBLE CONT. PULSE TRACER TONE OFF / POLARITY AC / RING REV NORM Figure 5 Floating or Line-to-Line Tracing In the grounded method (also called Line to Ground), one clip of the FOX 2 (either the red or green) is connected to earth ground or a “fake ground”, and the other clip is connected to the target wire. The target wire can be one wire of a pair or a multiwire cable. See Figure 6.
nection to a true ground is not available, a large metal object can be used as a fake ground. For example, a large metal desk or a metal file cabinet can be used. When tracing wires in a car, trailer, or RV, etc. the metal frame or body can be used as a ground. When tracing wires in a boat (that is in the water) with a wood or fiberglass glass hull, any piece of metal that comes in contact with the water can be used as a ground.
True Trace can be used in conjunction with the grounded method of tracing if the ground that is used at the FOX 2 location is also available at the end location of the wires. Simply short each suspect wire to the ground while listening for a cadence change with the HOUND 3. If water is used as the fake ground, it usually is not conductive enough to active True Trace at the end opposite of the FOX 2.
method works with the phone line connected or disconnected from the wires going to the telephone company. A stronger trace is usually obtained if the wires are not connected to the telephone company. If the wires are not connected to the telephone company, the grounded method can be used to trace telephone wires through a wall or ceiling. Use the green and red clips to connect to the phone line and ground.
other clip of the FOX 2 to one wire and then the other, while listening to the tracer tone on this clip with the HOUND 3. If the level of the tracer tone drops significantly when the clip is connected to one of the wires, this wire is probably OK and the other wire is open. That is, the open wire is the one that doesn’t drop the level of the tracer tone. If neither wire drops the level of the tracer tone, they are probably both open (or a good ground has not been used).
metal object (like a furnace duct) that prevents the HOUND 3 from picking up the tracer signal, or the wires may diverge from the path of the receiver. Before assuming that the open has been located, try finding the signal nearby or in an adjacent attached wall or ceiling. Also keep in mind that it may not be possible to find the open in all situations, because of the number of variables involved. Helpful Hints: A “live” telephone line prevents True Trace from working correctly.
above), but if the hint works, the user won’t have to open the modular jack housing to gain access to the wires. 8.1.9.3: Coaxial Cable: Coaxial cable, like that used for cable TV, satellite TV, closed circuit TV, early LAN systems, etc. is often connected to other cables through splitters, combiners, or amplifiers. In order to trace the cable, it must be disconnected from these “loads”. Since coaxial cable is self-shielding, the floating method usually does not work well when tracing the cable.
CORDLESS INTERFACE VISUAL CONT. TALK UNLOCK BATTERY TEST WARBLE AUDIBLE CONT. PULSE TRACER TONE OFF / POLARITY AC / RING REV NORM Figure 8 RJ-45 to BNC Adaptor (PN: 2455-824) To identify the coax, if using the floating method, momentarily short the shield and center conductor together to active True Trace, and listen for the cadence change. If it changes, you’ve found the target coax. If no change occurs, keep searching.
To identify the coax, if using the grounded method, momentarily short the shield to ground to active True Trace, and listen for the cadence change. If it changes, you’ve found the target coax. If no change occurs, keep searching. This will not work if a fake ground is being used. An actual ground is required to activate True Trace. Note: It is not unusual for the loose turn-able part of a coaxial connector to have poor electrical contact to the cable shield until it is screwed on to its mating connector.
or ceiling, that the wires may pass behind a metal object (like a furnace duct) that prevents the HOUND 3 from picking up the tracer signal, or the coaxes may diverge from the path of the receiver. Before assuming that the open has been located, try finding the signal nearby or in an adjacent attached wall or ceiling. Also keep in mind that it may not be possible to find the open in all situations, because of the number variables involved. 8.1.9.
to use a light bulb to activate True Trace. Simply connect a 120VAC incandescent bulb (any wattage) across the wires. If the bulb lights, the line is live. If the cadence changes, the target wire has been located. If nothing happens, keep searching. An adapter with a standard lightbulb base and clip leads can often be purchased at a local hardware store. 8.1.9.5: Resistance Heating Wires: The FOX 2 and HOUND 3 can be used to trace the path of a resistance heating wire in a plaster wall or ceiling.
like the previous wire. Now, slowing move the HOUND 3 from one wire to the other wire. Notice that at approximately the midpoint between the wires, the tracer tone becomes very weak. This is the “null point” . . . the place where the signal from one wire cancels the signal from the other wire. Notice how this null differs from simple loss of signal . . . that is, there’s a very narrow zone where the null occurs, and the signal gets stronger quite rapidly on either side of the null.
how a null point occurs at the gap. This technique can be used to find the open fairly precisely, if the spacing of the wires and the location of the open lends its to this approach. STRONG SIGNAL NULL OPEN CORDLESS INTERFACE VISUAL CONT. TALK UNLOCK BATTERY TEST WARBLE AUDIBLE CONT.
Now, attach one of the clips and the wire attached to it to a good earth ground. See Figure 11. The HOUND 3 should pickup very little signal from the grounded wire. Move the HOUND 3 along the length of the wire and note how a strong signal is picked up on one side of the open fault, and very little signal is picked up on the other side of the fault. STRONG SIGNAL WEAK SIGNAL OPEN GROUND CORDLESS INTERFACE VISUAL CONT. TALK UNLOCK BATTERY TEST WARBLE AUDIBLE CONT.
For the most accurate simulation, lay out a serpentine pattern on the floor similar to that in the ceiling, and locate the open in different places, using the nulling and the grounding technique. Have an assistant position the open fault while you are out of the room, and then cover the wire with cardboard, newspaper, plywood, etc. . . . and see if you can find the open. You’ll probably find that the open is sometimes found in the wrong place.
any loads or any other wires, or the tracer tone will be shorted out, or it will migrate into other wires. Because wires adjacent to the target wire will often acts as shields, and because the wires in cars are often bundled together into harnesses, it may be difficult to follow the target wire through the harness. Try to locate the wire as it emerges from the harness. Use the True Trace feature to identify the target wire.
water, and the other clip to the wire to be traced. If necessary, attach an extension wire to the FOX 2 so that the clip will reach the “grounded” metal object. If there is no grounded metal object, simply drop the extension wire overboard into the water. If tracing wires in a boat that is out of the water, attach one clip of the FOX to the metal trailer frame, or to a grounded metal object. As before, an extension wire can be used if necessary.
tracer tone strength, connect either clip of the FOX 2 to a ground while the target cable is connected to the RJ-45 jack. However, when using this grounded technique, the tracer tone strength may be so dramatically increased that the tone will crosstalk onto adjacent cables, making the path of the target cable difficult to differentiate from the path of the other LAN cables. This is especially true if the LAN cables are bundled together, which promotes crosstalk.
together, leaving the open faulted wire as the 8th wire. Connect the 7 wires to one clip of the FOX 2, and connect this clip to earth ground. Connect the open faulted wire to the other clip of the FOX 2. Trace along the path of the cable (which has already been located) with the HOUND 3, listening for a sudden drop in the tone level. When this drop is found, note its position. Continue tracing along the path of the cable.
8.1.9.10: Miscellaneous Multiwire Cables: Some general principles are important to keep in mind when locating and tracing wires and cables. Any wire with a signal on it, which runs parallel to another wire or wires tends to couple its signal to the other wires. The closer the wires are together, and the longer the parallel run, the more signal that is coupled. This situation occurs in multiwire cables, and when cables are bundled together when installed.
8.1.10: Setting the FOX 2’s Options: Figure 12 shows a diagram of the locations of the internal options jumpers.
J1: Turns the TrueTrace feature on and off In some cases, the user may find that TrueTrace doesn’t behave as desired. TrueTrace is on when the jumper is in the DOWN position, and off when the jumper is in the UP position. J3: Sets the pitch range of the Tracer Tone With the jumper in place, the pitch is low. With the jumper removed, the pitch is high. The user may select whichever pitch is most pleasing. Some receivers (inductive amplifiers) work better with a particular pitch setting.
8.2 HOUND 3 Details (refer to Figure 2) 8.2.1: Power Button The Power Button (EE) is typically pressed and held while the HOUND 3 is being used. When pressed, the Amplifier and Speaker (LL) is activated, and the LED lights (CC) are turned on. Release the button to turn the product off. 8.2.2: Signal Strength Indicator The Signal Strength Indicator (DD) is used to indicate the presence of a signal when it may be difficult to hear the signal coming from the speaker (because of high ambient noise levels).
8.2.3: Sensitivity Control The Sensitivity Control (FF) adjusts the loudness of the sound from the Speaker. Usually, when initially searching for the target signal, the Control is set to maximum. At this maximum setting, electronic noises from electrical wiring or devices may be heard. When the target signal is heard, the user can track the signal to its source by moving the HOUND 3 in the direction that makes the sound of the target signal get louder.
HOUND 3’s probe. When the plug is inserted into the jack, the HOUND 3’s speaker is turned off, and the sound can only be heard through the earphone. To use the earphone, set the HOUND 3’s Sensitivity Control to minimum, plug the earphone into jack, and press the Power button. Adjust the Control for a comfortable sound level in the earphone. Helpful Hint Setting the Sensitivity Control to minimum prior to using the earphone, as previously described, can often save the user from a jarring experience.
8.2.6: Conductive Plastic (AA) and Metal Probes (BB) Two probes are provided with the HOUND 3. They are easily changed by screwing and un-screwing them from the tip of the HOUND 3. The metal conical probe is rugged and durable. If working with low voltage wiring, the metal probe can provide a significant increase in signal loudness when the metal in the target wire, or a metal contact connected to the target wire, is touched. This sometimes aids in identifying the target wire.
9: Notes 61
10: Warranty Info ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY The Triplett / Jewell Instruments warrants instruments and test equipment manufactured by it to be free from defective material or workmanship and agrees to repair or replace such products which, under normal use and service, disclose the defect to be the fault of our manufacturing, with no charge within one year of the date of original purchase for parts and labor. If we are unable to repair or replace the product, we will make a refund of the purchase price.
ALL WARRANTIES IMPLIED BY LAW ARE HEREBY LIMITED TO A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR FROM DATE OF PURCHASE, AND THE PROVISIONS OF THE WARRANTY ARE EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER WARRANTIES EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED.
