Tektronix 1502

The Tektronix 1502 is a Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) cable tester that locates faults and measures electrical characteristics of metallic cables in field environments. Using fast step-pulse technology, it identifies opens, shorts, crimps, impedance mismatches, and other anomalies affecting cable performance. The instrument delivers 200 ps system risetime with 300 mV nominal pulse amplitude into 50 Ω loads, enabling fault detection as close as 0.6 inches apart. A backlit LCD display with menu-driven operation and integrated help screens guides users through measurements. Waveform storage enables comparison of current and previous traces, while digital filtering reduces noise for cleaner signal visualization. The 1502 reaches maximum range of 2,000 ft (625 m) with distance readout resolution to 0.05 inches. Vertical and Horizontal Delta Modes support precise delta measurements; Ohm-at-cursor function provides direct characteristic impedance readout. Vertical accuracy is ±3% full scale across 0.5 to 500 mV/div scaling. Distance/Division settings span 0.1 to 200 ft/div. Noise filtering accommodates 1 to 128 averages for signal conditioning. The instrument meets MIL-T-28800 Type III, Class 3, Style A environmental characteristics. ESD protection rated to 1 kV / 500 pF / 1 kΩ, with ±1 A DC input protection. BNC connectors interface with standard 50 Ω test cables and accessories. Portable, rugged construction suits deployment across aerospace, maritime, and telecommunications installations and maintenance operations.