troubleshooting cable splitters

[electricalperson]

is it possible to troubleshoot a cable splitter for problems?

what about test the signal?

 

[LarryFine]

is it possible to troubleshoot a cable splitter for problems?

what about test the signal?

Testing by simple substitution is easier than testing with an ohmmeter or continuity tester. Some splitters will show an open or a short between input and output terminals, some splitters will show an open or a short between signal terminal and the case.

It depends on whether they're designed for DC passthrough or DC blocking, and whether they're wound with common winding terminations (like an autotransformer) or isolated (like a regular tarnsformer.) They're cheap enough to replace first.

The best test signal is a live cable feed. Connect it and see if you get a useable singal from all output ports.

 

[electricalperson]

Testing by simple substitution is easier than testing with an ohmmeter or continuity tester. Some splitters will show an open or a short between input and output terminals, some splitters will show an open or a short between signal terminal and the case.

It depends on whether they're designed for DC passthrough or DC blocking, and whether they're wound with common winding terminations (like an autotransformer) or isolated (like a regular tarnsformer.) They're cheap enough to replace first.

The best test signal is a live cable feed. Connect it and see if you get a useable singal from all output ports.

do they sell little handheld cable tvs thatshow a couple of channels?

 

[iwire]

do they sell little handheld cable tvs thatshow a couple of channels?

I have a battery powered hand held color monitor for checking video signals. The screen is about 4" x 4" and it is in a protective case with strap. I use it mostly for aiming and focusing security cams. No tuner though.

 

[LarryFine]

do they sell little handheld cable tvs thatshow a couple of channels?

I don't think you'll find one that only gets 2 or 3 channels, but you can find battery-operated (if no power) TV's with screens from 1" and up for LCD's and 5" and up CRT's.

As long as it has an external antenna input, such as an F connector or a 1/8" phone jack. The Shack has cables with push-on F on one end and a 1/8" phone plug on the other.

 

[egnlsn]

Testing by simple substitution is easier than testing with an ohmmeter or continuity tester. Some splitters will show an open or a short between input and output terminals, some splitters will show an open or a short between signal terminal and the case.

It depends on whether they're designed for DC passthrough or DC blocking, and whether they're wound with common winding terminations (like an autotransformer) or isolated (like a regular tarnsformer.) They're cheap enough to replace first.

The best test signal is a live cable feed. Connect it and see if you get a useable singal from all output ports.

Splitters can't be tested with a continuity tester, even if it is DC passive. The rf takes a completely different path. Most splitters used are not DC passive. A splitter that is DC passive can be perfectly fine DC-wise, and still have issues with rf. Looking at a couple of channels doesn't really tell you anything, either. It will tell you about those particular channels, but that's it. Splitters can cause issues with certain portions of their bandwidth and not the rest.

As was suggested, without a signal strength meter, replacing it would be the first thing to do.