BERT 20E1 network testing

The Megger BERT 20E1 handheld test set has been designed for easy operation, yet it performs an extensive evaluation of the integrity, configuration and performance of an E1 network.

It has a battery life of seven hours of continuous operation, incorporates an independent transmitter, together with primary and reference receivers.

This combination enables it to perform either in-service or out-of-service evaluations by locating complete failures in a transmission line or piece of equipment, verifying network performance, isolating faulty data terminal equipment (DTE) or data communication equipment (DCE), and determining the faulty data channels.

The instrument can be used at DSX-1 cross connect or can be a substitute for transmission equipment in real-world testing. Users can choose between 10 operating modes, among which are automatic, fractional E1, tone insert, and bridge-tap testing. To provide greater versatility and convenience, the BERT 20E1 performs bit error-rate testing (BERT) on one of 17 standard stress patterns, plus two user-definable patterns; measurement of carrier and channel levels and frequencies; and detection of timing problems, including clock slip.

All functions are selected using the keys on the instrument front face and full details of the functions chosen are confirmed by a large liquid crystal display. The same display is also used to show test results, with multiple results readily accessed via the scroll facility.

An integral printer port can use almost any standard printer with a serial interface.

To guard against obsolescence, the instrument will accept software upgrades or additional stress patterns. These can be loaded into the instrument, eliminating having to return it to the manufacturer's service department for updating.