Baseline Systems BaseStation 6000 - Manual (Page 118)

BaseStation 6000 Site Controller Manual
110 | P a g e
Wire Troubleshooting – The Ultimate Frustration
Wiring problems can be very frustrating. A good process is critical in making continual progress and in isolating the problem. The
root of many problems on existing installations is poor wiring, including broken insulation, inadequate connections, and patches
on top of patches.
WARNING! Corrosion is caused by electricity leaking from the wire into the earth. Broken insulation, nicked insulation, non-
waterproof connections contributes to this leakage, which will corrode wires and inevitably cause a wire failure. Some failures
will occur sooner than later. The two-wire is on all of the time and therefore has electricity constantly running through the
entire wire length. In the state, it is critical to prevent leakage because corrosion happens quickly. When wire is grounded, the
system will lose voltage and the signal quality will degrade.
Testing Wire with Baseline’s Wire Integrity Tester
Using Baseline’s wire integrity tester, you can test the integrity of existing wire that is being considered for use in a Baseline
system. Wires that are part of the biLine communications system must have low resistance and must not have any electrical
leakage to earth ground. Wires that do not have an electrical path to earth ground will not corrode.
1. Disconnect the wire to be tested from all other connections at both ends of the wire; otherwise, you will be testing both
the wire and other connected devices.
2. Connect the black wire from the tester to the wire to be tested.
3. Connect the green wire to earth ground.
Note: A twelve-inch screwdriver stuck into moist ground works well.
4. Press TEST and observe the results:
• LED ON = good wire that is suitable for use in biLine communications.
• LED OFF = wire has excessive leakage to earth ground and cannot be used in biLine communications.
Note: You can test the batteries in the wire integrity tester by pressing the TEST with the test leads open or unconnected.