What is intermittent fault?

• ‘Intermittent’ is occurrence of momentary disconnection in a cable.
• Generally i t is observed in IDC cables like FRC.
• For example, FRC cable; normally shows continuity. But, because of movement, disconnection occurs for a very short period of time (microseconds or milliseconds)
• In other words, cable is generally ‘short’ , but ‘opens’ sometimes for a short time.
• It is a pain area, as it is most likely that the product works OK before dispatch and develops fault after installation because of ‘intermittent’

Why regular testers cannot locate intermittent faults?

• Regular continuity testers, scan inputs i.e. points or circuits, at a regular time interval.
• For example a 64 points tester will check points 1 to 64, after every 1 millisecond.
• Hence each ‘point’ will be scanned after 64 milliseconds.
• Tester will find open only if ‘disconnection’ is at the moment of scanning.
• ‘Intermittent’ is an asynchronous event. Meaning it can occur anytime.
• Hence, if disconnection in a cable, occurs, when tester is checking other points, tester cannot locate disconnection.

What is the technic used by Futura?

• Regular continuity testers, scan inputs i.e. points or circuits, at a regular time interval.
• For example a 64 points tester will check points 1 to 64, after every 1 millisecond.
• Hence each ‘point’ will be scanned after 64 milliseconds.
• Tester will find open only if ‘disconnection’ is at the moment of scanning.
• ‘Intermittent’ is an asynchronous event. Meaning it can occur anytime.
• Hence, if disconnection in a cable, occurs, when tester is checking other points, tester cannot locate disconnection.

• Futura has developed an intermittent finding technic for the first time in India.
• An additional ‘hardware circuit’ in each point or circuit, ‘memorises’ the asynchronous occurrence of disconnection.
• Hence when tester scans a point, it is checking if disconnection occurred earlier.
• Intermittent to occur; cable has to be ‘moved’ or ‘pulled’ or ‘rotated’

Futura Apsol Pvt Ltd What is the test process?

• Test system consists of a tester and a test board or rig to mount the Cable / Harness Under Test.
• Testing is done in two steps. First is to check correct ‘continuity’. If OK then to check ‘intermittent’.
• Tester keeps checking for intermittent continuously and displays result as Pass.
• Cable under test is moved to generate intermittent fault.
• If a momentary disconnection occurs, tester displays intermittent fault with the circuit number.
• Intermittent test can be started again by pressing a key and test process repeated.
• Testing can be stopped by pressing a key.
• Even after moving Cable under test, intermittent does not occur, test can be stopped by pressing a key.

Futura has launched a One-to-one tester with intermittent checking.

• Futura has launched a One-to-one tester with intermittent checking.
• It is an enhanced version of CT121.
• Models are INT_CT_121_32 and INT_CT_121_64 for upto 32 circuits and upto 64 circuits.(32 way cable and 64 way cable).
• This tester will not check cables with mid-joints.
• Relay output on Passing a cable
• Futura can provide test boards for FRC cables.
• Contact sales@futuras.com for further information.