Concept & Use:
The use of this universal line splitter (ULS) plate will allow you to separate signals to allow testing of plant without needing to remove cables from a splitter, DC, or power inserter.  This device can be placed into the line, at a convenient place, to allow response tests and the attachment of a TDR to the plant.

Description:
This ULS plate can be configured to temporarily replace any line splitter, DC or power inserter.  This is done by connecting common drop passives to the appropriate F connections.  The plate will also allow the use of a non directional coupler to be placed into the system to see response problems in separate lines leading from the splitter.  The plate shown here was designed to be used in a Magnavox system, however any style plate can be configured similarly to allow testing.

The ULS plate allows configuration of the AC voltage to pass from any port to any port or no ports at all.  AC voltage is blocked to the F connections to allow common drop passives and a non directional coupler (NDC) to be used without the risk of damage.  A TDR can also be connected directly to the F ports to allow easy shooting of each independent line.

Advantages:
The use of this device will allow you to keep as much of the plant on as possible by only interrupting the line under test.  Quick testing of the affected line will allow the determination of the damage.  Since the plate will allow a TDR to be connected easily several different tests can be performed by the use of this one plate.

Construction:
I construct the ULS plate from a 3 way line splitter plate .  The use of a 3 way allows all possibilities since all four seizure connection mechanisms exist.  Simply remove the plate from the casting, and then remove the circuit board and gut a 3 way line splitter.  Be careful to gut only the RF path and allow the original AC chokes and decoupling components to remain.

Drill the casting to allow the addition of the AC steering switches and the F connectors to be mounted.  Insure you are not installing the added components in an area that will not allow the reassembly of the board into the plate.  View the images to see how the added switches and F connectors are mounted.  If the AC shorting bars or jumpers exist, remove them.  The switches will be wired to allow power configuration.  Connect a 750 pF mylar capacitor, salvaged from the gutting of the plate, from the seizure connection mechanism to the appropriate F connector using the shortest possible path.  This is done in all four locations.  In a Magnavox plate these capacitors must exist sandwiched between the circuit board and the plate casting.  This presents a construction problem as the capacitor needs soldered to the seizure receptacle.  I drill a small hole right next to the seizure receptacle to allow an added length of wire to be passed through the board as it is reassembled.  Since it is difficult to align these caps to pass through the holes, the added lengths of wire allow the threading through the board while the board is placed back onto the plate.  These added wire lengths are pulled tight and soldered directly to the seizure receptacle after the board is secured to the plate.  The excess length is then cut off.
 
 
 
 
 
 

The information presented here is Copyrighted 1999 by Kevin Custer