Have you been wanting more testing functionality and convenience with the added bonus of space savings from your AMETEK Power Instruments’
1-RU PLC Hybrid? We heard you. We are excited to introduce our latest innovation, the
PLC Test Board.
Our latest innovation in our best-in-class communication equipment product line slides into any unused slot in the 1-RU PLC Hybrid chassis. The PLC Test Board is electrically inserted between the panel’s final coax input/output going to the line tuner in the substation yard. If you have hybrids, then it is placed at the end of the hybrid chain going to the line tuner. You can customize your 1-RU Hybrid chassis to put up to four PLC Test boards into the chassis if desired. This intentional design of our PLC Test Board saves panel space by giving front and rear access to carrier signals that leave and enter the panel, providing testing functionality and replacing carrier grounding knife switch that may be used in the panel.
We’ve replaced the typical panel knife switch with a Safety Test Switch. This switch turns orange when it is pressed and opens the coax path between the IN and LINE test points, and simultaneously terminates either side of the opening with appropriate wattage 50 Ω resistor. The test board can then easily calibrate the Transmitter and the line tuner receives a proper termination replacing the carrier set. It also provides a quick way to verify if the line tuner is affecting the TX level/reflected power. We’ve equipped it with a RF signal bi-color LED, green light when in test and red light when in service, that lights brightly for 10 Watt signal level and dimly for 1 Watt signal level. The brightness is adjustable up to 20 Watts.
In RX only applications with no Transmitters connected, the Jumper allows the 50 Ω termination to be permanently connected across the high impedance receivers to terminate the line. The rear coax connectors are available to connect up to two receivers without a BNC T-connector.
Other benefits and features include:
- Simple transmitter calibration with built-in 50 Ω load
- Fast responding RF signal indicator
- Convenient front panel test point/rear coax ports
- Safety test switch opens and terminates coax
- Test functionality to allow insertion of a meter while in service
We can equip new 1RU Hybrids with up to four PLC Test boards at the time of purchase. If you’d like to integrate the PLC Test Board into an existing unit, we need to help you retrofit your front panel to fit the test board. To learn more about the PLC Test Board or order yours, contact us.