The Tektronix 1503C Metallic Time-Domain Reflectometer is a long range metallic cable tester capable of finding faults in metal cable. Tests can be made on coaxial cable, twisted pair, or parallel cable. The 1503C is sensitive to impedance changes. Problems in the cable will be detected and displayed as changes in impedance along the cable.

The 1503C is capable of finding shorts, opens, defects in the shield, foreign substances in the cable (for example, water), kinks, and more. Even though other instruments might show a cable as good, the 1503C can show many previously hidden faults.

Waveforms may be temporarily stored within the 1503C and recalled or may be printed using the optional dot matrix strip chart recorder, which installs into the front-panel Option Port.

The 1503C is a highly accurate cable tester. It is easy to use and will provide fast, accurate measurements.

• Pulse width: 2 ns to 1000 ns
• Pulse shape: 1/2 sine
• Distance cursor resolution: 1/25 of 1 major division
• Cursor readout range: –2 ft to >= 50,000 ft (–0.61 m to 15,230 m)
• Cursor readout resolution: 0.04 ft
• Horizontal range: 0 to 50,000 ft (0 to 10,000 m)
• Operate from an AC power source or an internal lead-gel battery with a minimum of eight hours operating time