CableEye M3Z Cable Tester Enhanced System 1, 152/2560 Testpoints, USB

Frequently Asked Questions:

Question: Comparison M3Z and M3U - What's New, What's Different?

Answer:

• The M3Z is functionally equivalent to the M3U. It uses the same aluminum case, the same power module, operates with the same software, and is fully compatible with all custom data that CableEye M3U users have created (cable files, Macros, maps, connector graphics, etc.). It looks and works the same way and can be mixed in the same multi-tester network with M3U testers. It can be expanded to up to 2,560 test points.
• M3Z and M3U expansion modules are not interchangeable. They use different electronic designs internally, so customers may not mix M3U expansion modules with M3Z testers, or vice-versa.
• The toggle switch on the M3U control unit and expansion modules is eliminated. Users select the desired active test points in the software with a menu just as with the M4.
• The resistance range changes: For the M3Z, resistances may be detected from 0.1 Ω to 5 MΩ. For the M3U, the range had been from 0.3 Ω to 10 MΩ, and for the M3UH, from 0.1 Ω to 5 MΩ. The M3Z's greater sensitivity at the low end provides users with more sensitivity to faults from bad connections (loose crimps, incomplete pin-to-pin mating, cold solder joints, corroded pins) than the M3U.
• The maximum test current on the M3Z becomes 3.3 mA compared to 1 mA on the M3U.
• 16 bit D/A converter on the M3Z compared to 12 bit on the M3U. This results in more stable and more consistent resistance readings of resistances less than 1 Ω.
• The M3Z utilizes an "isolation register" that the M3U does not have. This provides greater ability to make accurate resistance measurements on ground busses (many points, like connector shells, connected to a common ground line), and greater capacity for the software to resolve complex networks by isolating interconnected components in a cable. This, too, should result in a lower support load because customers will more likely see the result they need without a call to you for help.

Question: Comparison of M3Z and other CableEye models - which functions do the models offer?

Answer: The various CableEye versions differ in the number of test points supported and/or their expandability as well as in the measurement functions. A direct comparison of the functions can be found in the ▸tables on this page.

Question: Why can't I just test my cables with a multimeter?

Answer:: You can certainly perform many important tests on cables with a multimeter. For some common cable types, these test results can already be completely sufficient for a qualitative assessment. However, the use of the multimeter for cable testing on a larger scale has its limitations:

• Easy to use for testing single and simple cables with few wires, but not practical for complex cable harnesses and cables with many wires.
• Many possible sources of error: When measuring at each pin, are all other pins also tested for cross-connection? Are unwanted resistances due to faulty leads or cold solder joints detected? What about the traceability of the measurement? Is reliable contacting possible with the usual test probes? Can "loose contacts"/intermittent faults be reliably detected?
• The automatic generation of test documents, e.g. for the quality management, is usually not possible.

Here, a CableEye cable tester is the ideal and flexible solution offering all these festures, starting with the reliable adaptation of complex cables and cable harnesses, continuous loop tests for intermittent faults, up to the output of test reports.