Cable Testing Tips

A blog exploring electrical cable testing guidelines, best practices, and advice for getting started with your testing process.

Cirris Products

5 Reasons the Easy-Touch® Pro May Be for You

The Easy-Touch Pro is a high voltage benchtop tester prepped with an internal PC make cable test fast and easy. Learn why the Easy-Touch Pro is right...

Cirris Products

Visit Us at Our Upcoming Trade Shows

A list of upcoming trade shows for customers to better learn about high voltage testers for their testing needs, Cirris' Easy-Touch Pro, and test...

Testing Guidelines

Should Connector Shells be Tested?

While plastic shells don't need to be tested, metal shells and even plastic shells with conductive coatings should be included as a test point.

Testing Guidelines

Is High Voltage Testing Dangerous?

With all the high voltage safety warnings and labels, it’s easy to see why testing with high voltage would create uneasy feelings. If you don’t...

First-Ended Pinning

First-ended pinning is the process of pinning the first end of a wire and using capacitance to verify that the wire has been placed in the correct...

The Cirris Adapter System

Using a series of different connectors that attach directly to Cirris testers give users a way to test cables containing a variety of connectors. We...

What is the Test Process?

The test process is vital to ensure safe cables while others are unnecessary for certain cable shops. Having an organized test process helps the...

Cirris Products

Connect Your Tester to Easy-Wire™

If you are using an Easy-Touch, the computer is built into the tester. For other Cirris testers, you will need to connect your tester to an...

Cirris Products

Back Up Your Tester

Cirris testers aren’t impervious to data loss. If something happens to your tester, there is no guarantee your test files would survive the damage....

Testing Guidelines

Hipot or Not?

High voltage testing is useful for finding errors that could go overlooked. Not every cable needs to be tested with high voltage. Be careful using...

Testing Guidelines

Correct Resistance Settings

The resistance values are found in the low voltage settings of the test program. One setting is for connection or wire resistance while another sets...

Cirris Products

Do You Use Smart-Lights™?

Cirris Smart-Lights™ can store information for fixturing cables, show error location, and save you time and money.

Cirris Products

The Risk of an Unsupported Tester

Although some Cirris customers still use original testers from past decades, we recommend that you upgrade to a supported tester.

Product Advice

Useful Cirris Accessories

When it comes to testing, our goal is to make the process as easy as possible. That is why Cirris has developed accessories in addition to testers...

Testing Guidelines

Does High Voltage Testing Damage Cables?

Unless performing a dielectric breakdown test—intentionally damaging the wire—high voltage testing will not damage a cable.

Testing Guidelines

Errors Caused by Bad Insulation

Understanding the causes of weak insulation can help you fix them and prevent the problem from reoccurring. The bad insulation can be caused by...

Why High Voltage Testing Matters

High voltage testing may not be necessary for all your cables, but it can help make your cables safer by finding flaws.

Keeping Your Adapters Alive

While it’s inevitable for adapters to stop functioning eventually, there are a few methods you can use to prolong the life of your connectors and...

Testing Guidelines

Charge and Overcurrent Errors

Often capacitance can contribute to a charge or overcurrent error. Reducing the capacitance can help the cable pass.

Always Verify Your Test Programs

If the sample cable contains an error, and the final cable contains the same error, the tester will not catch the mistake. This is why you must...

What Does that Error Mean?

Understanding the reasons behind testing errors will improve cable testing and will help prevent future errors from occurring.

Testing Guidelines

The Cirris Learning Center

If you are looking for information on Cable testing or have a question about your Cirris product, try searching the Learning Center for answers.

The Possibilities of Custom Scripting

If you need to perform a task that is not possible with the basic tester features, contact Cirris to find out if a custom script will help you...

Get a Header Strip

The Cirris Header Strip is a useful tool for switching out different fixturing cables quickly. They provide a platform for changing cables with ease.

Testing Guidelines

What is Dry Circuit Testing?

Dry Circuit Testing is used after Environmental Stress Tests to Detect Contaminates and Oxides on Mating Contact Surfaces.

Cirris Products

Cirris Releases New Digital IO Module

Use the Cirris Digital IO module to trigger hipot tests from a safe distance or enable lights and sounds to warn others of high voltage.

Testing Guidelines

3 Ways to Utilize Test Reports

With so many reporting options and features, you can create the perfect report for your needs.

Cirris Products

Faster Hipot with High Speed Mode

HV test applies voltage to multiple nets simultaneously while still ensuring that each net is tested against every other net, thus speeding up the...

Testing Guidelines

Why Network Your Testers Together?

The following Cirris testers CAN be networked: Signature Touch 1/Touch 1 Ultra, Signature 1100-R+/1100-H+, CR/CH+/CH2, Easy Touch Pro

Cirris’s Guide to Halloween Costumes

Halloween is only a few days away. If you still need a costume, look no further. Our costume guide will make you the star of your company’s party.

Cirris Products

Stop Spending So Much Time on Test Setup

Smart-Lights are a tool that will cut down on the amount of time and effort you spend setting up a test while helping to eliminate test setup errors.

Testing Guidelines

Will Your Cirris Tester Detect a Broken Strand?

Using 4-wire Kelvin testing to measure resistance down to 1/10,000th of an ohm, Cirris carefully cut strands of a wire and recorded the results.

Product Advice

Insulation Compression Failures

If you are experiencing shorts or high voltage testing failures, check if your cables or wires are being compressed with clamps or tight-fitting...

Getting Started

Hipot Testing with AC

A hipot test can be very useful in helping you develop a process that builds high quality cables and wire harnesses.

Cirris Products

The Cirris Connector Generator

The Cirris Connector Generator allows you to bypass the work of creating a connector.

Product Advice

What are Metal Whiskers?

Metal whiskers are tiny growths that form on metals. They are electrically conductive and can cause shorts or current leakage.

The Future of Wireless

Will the wireless trend turn out like the paperless trend? Or will wireless technology live up to its name?

Product Advice

Test Fail? Who Do You Blame?

You can test the possible causes of a failure until you pinpoint the true reason for the failure.

Testing Guidelines

Is Humidity Causing an Error?

Insulation can absorb moisture from humidity in the air, increasing the probability of an insulation resistance failure.

Testing Guidelines

Two Guys Walks into a Barcode Scanner…

Many cable and harness shops have found barcode scanners to be a convenient way to avoid mistakes and save time when assembling cables and harnesses.

Cirris Products

Cirris Plays Nice with Others

Cirris has been working with companies throughout the wire processing industry to create a cohesive build process.

Testing Guidelines

Copper Cable vs. Copper-Clad Cable

Solid copper wire is expensive, but pay less and you might end up with copper-clad aluminum.

Testing Guidelines

Fixturing Maintenance

Fixturing is the word Cirris uses to describe the intermediate cables that connect the tester to the cables you test.

Learning from Failures

Studying failures can be one of the most valuable ways to increase the number of good cables your company produces.

Cirris Products

Need a Laugh?

Our 2017 April Fools’ joke will be released to customers on April 1st. You can view jokes from previous years in the Humor section of cirris.com.

Testing Guidelines

How to Stay Safe while Testing

Cirris testers are built to keep workers safe, but there are still steps shops can take to help ensure no one is injured in any way.

Cirris Products

When to Upgrade your Cirris Tester

Advances in testing have an effect on the test process in your company. Contact Cirris to learn about our newest testers and see what an upgrade can...

Trusted Industry Companies

If you want to ensure your cables and harnesses meet every expectation, check out the list of companies able to help.

Product Advice

Can you calibrate your own Cirris tester?

If you discover your tester is out of calibration, you will need to send it to Cirris or a third-party calibration lab.

Cirris Products

The Newest Cirris Tester

If you are interested in a tester that can test 1500 VDC and 1000 VAC with up to 1024 test points and has a built-in PC, check out the Easy Touch Pro.

Cirris Products

Cirris Demo Program

Cirris provides demo units of all our testers so you can try out a tester before you buy it.

Testing Guidelines

Capacitance and Testing

Unexpected capacitance can cause false failures in your cables.

Testing Guidelines

Using Cables to Test Cables

Fixturing must be built to provide a way to connect the cable to the tester.

Cirris Products

Common Cable Testing Industry Terms

The cable testing industry has a few unique words that may mean different things to different people.

Testing Guidelines

You Performed a High Voltage Test. Now What?

High voltage test errors can be complex and confusing if you don’t know what each result means. A basic overview can clear up a lot of the confusion.

Product Advice

You Tested a Cable. What Now?

Cirris Testers look for good connections in cables. If anything unexpected happens, the tester reports an error and provides details of what is...

Testing Guidelines

How Flux Can Affect Cable Testing

During testing, flux that has not been cleaned off the connector can create errors that cause test failures.

Testing Guidelines

Can a Bad Crimp Cause a Crash?

Since automated testers cannot test the strength or reliability of a crimp, manufacturers rely on quality crimp tools to ensure a solid crimp.

Testing Guidelines

What Do All Those Components Do?

If someone asked you what all those different components were for, could you answer them?

Testing Guidelines

How to be Safe during High Voltage Testing

Cirris testers have systems in place to ensure you are safe during high voltage testing. However, you can never be too safe.

Testing Guidelines

Is Your Tester Calibrated?

You will need to use a Performance Check Kit from Cirris to be certain your tester is calibrated.

Cirris Products

What it’s like at Cirris

Stop by Cirris next time you have a chance. Cirris believes in a work-life balance.

Testing Guidelines

When Someone from Cirris Says “Fixturing”

Cirris uses the word “Fixturing” when referring to the set of wires and connectors that connect the device-under-test to the tester.

Testing Guidelines

Who Uses Cirris Testers?

All market segments want quality automated testers to ensure their cables will function as expected.

Testing Guidelines

Why Your Work Matters

Thinking about the good that comes from your work motivates you to do your best.

Testing Guidelines

When to Call Tech Support

Cirris tech support is well-trained to accurately and politely help you with your testing needs.

Testing Guidelines

Cirris Training Classes

Cirris offers training classes to help customers feel comfortable using our products.

Testing Guidelines

A Brief Intro to A-620

A-620 Cable Testing Standard provides guidelines to maintain quality in wires, cables, and harnesses.

Testing Guidelines

Resistance Is NOT Futile

Resistance is the limitation of current through a wire. Knowing the correct resistance of a wire will result in more accurate testing.

Testing Guidelines

How Much Time Should You Invest in Testing?

If manufactures think cutting testing will save time, they may not understand the test process or they may underestimate the impact testing has on...

Getting Started

Which Tester Should I Buy?

What are the most important things to consider when buying a new automated cable tester? Read and find out.

Testing Guidelines

That Brand You Trust

Improving quality through cable testing can help attract customers and create loyalty to your brand.

Testing Guidelines

Are you using the wrong test method?

Just like different people have different diets, how do you know what which test method works best for your company?

Getting Started

4 Reasons You Gotta Stop Hand Beeping

Know someone who is still hand beeping when they should be using an automated tester? This article will help convince them to make the change.

Product Advice

Who Shouldn’t Buy a Cirris Cable Tester?

Not every person who contacts Cirris needs to buy a tester. Here are examples of situations when a Cirris Tester won't help.

Testing Guidelines

What to Do if Your Cable Isn’t Passing

If your cable tester continuously fails your cable, try these four things before wasting time shipping the tester back to Cirris for unneeded repair.

Product Advice

Master Your CH2 Test System in 3 Simple Steps

Learn about fixturing, software, and reports with the CH2 test system. These three tools can help you become an expert with using this cable tester.

Product Advice

4 Cirris Tools to Save Hours of Time

Want to make the testing process easier? Here are four Cirris products to help you improve your testing process and train employees to become experts.

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