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Clinton FL-20A Cable Fault Locator

Clinton FL-20A Cable Fault Locator
Clinton FL-20A Cable Fault Locator - Image 2

Automated fault finding for multi-conductor and shielded cables. 

Rejected reels of multi-conductor or shielded cable can be a major cost drain especially when fault location is slow or relies on specialist operator skill. The Clinton Instrument FL-20A is a digital, fully automated cable fault locator that quickly pinpoints opens, metallic shorts, and high-voltage shorts, reducing test time and training needs while helping manufacturers salvage usable cable.

Fault types detected 

The FL-20A can locate faults such as: 

  • Opens: A conductor has no continuity end-to-end.
  • Metallic shorts: Conductors (or conductor and shield) are in physical contact.
  • High-voltage shorts: Insulation breakdown between conductors or conductor/shield without direct contact.

Other fault locators and spark testers are available in the range – see table below for more information. 

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Key features

  • Quickly locates opens, shorts, and high-voltage shorts
  • Fully automated operation
  • Simple, guided testing
  • 6-inch colour TFT touchscreen display
  • Compact, lightweight unit
  • CE approved

Easy testing 

To test a cable the operator connects the FL-20A test probes to each end of the of the cable, enters the cable length and selects shorts or opens to start testing. The unit calculates the distance of the faulty from the test probe and displays the fault location in metres and provides a suggested trim area. The fault can then be cut out or repaired and the remaining good cable salvaged, resulting in a reduced scrap and better yield for the cable manufacturer.

Why choose the FL-20A? 

  • Fully automated testing — no manual meter adjustments or calculations required.
  • Fast, accurate distance-to-fault results from both ends of the cable, displayed in feet or metres.
  • Minimises waste and costly scrap by allowing only the damaged section to be cut out or repaired.
  • Simple to operate via colour touchscreen, reducing reliance on skilled fault-finding technicians.
  • Compact and lightweight, designed for production-floor use and easy movement between lines.
  • Supported locally by Control Metrix’s measurement specialists for seamless installation, calibration, and support

Support from Control Metrix 

As the exclusive distributor for Clinton Instrument Company in the UK and Ireland, Control Metrix supplies FL-20A systems with full application guidance, commissioning support, and after-sales service. If you’re struggling with costly scrap or slow fault location on multi-conductor cables, we’ll help you integrate the FL-20A into your QC workflow and maximise yield. 

Talk to us 

Want to reduce scrap and speed up fault location on your cable line? 
Contact our team to discuss your application, request pricing, or arrange a consultation. 

Typical Applications

The FL-20A is ideal for manufacturers producing high-value, long-length multi-conductor or shielded cables, particularly where fast salvage and rework are critical. Examples include:

  • Multi-conductor cable production lines
  • Shielded cable assemblies
  • Coaxial and specialty cable manufacturing
  • Any process where reducing scrap and improving yield is a priority

How it works 

The FL-20A is designed to make fault location quick and repeatable:

  1. Connect test probes to each end of the cable under test.
  2. Enter the total cable length on the touchscreen interface.
  3. Select “Shorts” or “Opens” and start the test.
  4. The unit automatically calculates the distance to the fault from each end, displays the location clearly, and provides a suggested trim area so the faulty section can be removed or repaired.

Technical Specification

Voltage Test Range 0–20 kV DC
Output current 6 mA max
Accuracy Better than 1% of total cable length*
Display  6″ backlit colour TFT touch screen 
Cable loop resistance – metallic short  50 milliohms minimum 
Cable loop resistance – HV short  300 milliohms minimum
Test leads  3 m (10 ft) standard – (6 & 9 m available)
Dimensions (W × D × H)  381 × 356 × 254 mm (15″ × 14″ × 10″)
Weight  17.3 kg (38Lbs) 
Power requirements 100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 2 A

*Accuracy dependent on correct cable footage and product uniformity. 

Other Spark Tester Models

Model Type Voltage Test Range Test Frequency Application
HF-15B High-frequency sine wave spark tester 500-15kV RMS 1.0-3.5kHz Smaller cable and high-speed lines
AC-30B Main frequency AC spark tester 1kV-30kV 50-60Hz Larger wires & multi-conductor cables
DC-50B Main frequency DC spark tester 1kV-50kV DC – Larger wires & multi-conductor cables
DC-1B
DC-10B
DC-20B		 Digital CD spark tester 50-1kV DC
500-10kV DC
500-20kV DC		 –
–
–		 Very high-speed application, multiple conductors, heavy loads or foam type insulation
IT-30B Impulse spark tester 3kV-30kV negative peak – Alternative to wet dielectric test. For wire specification that have not adopted HF spark test such as MIL-C-13777E, MIL-W-16878D, and some NEMA specifications.
STM-10GF
STM-20GF		 Multi-electrode
DC spark tester		 1kV-10kV DC
1kV-20kV DC		 –
–		 Multi-electrode DC spark tester for multiple conductors, can connect up to 7 test modules
FL-20A
FL-8A		 Cable Fault Locators 0-20kV DC
0-8kV DC		 –
–		 Device to locate a short or open in a finished multi-conductor cable.
TSTB Wireless Spark Tester 0-10 kV DC – Spark tester integrated into a twinner/double turn buncher meant to detect faults prior to takeup located within the rotating bows.
HV-35 Handheld Spark Test Probe 2-35kV
Negative Peak		 60 Impulses Per Second Handheld device to pinpoint the exact defect location during rewind.
Various Accessories Download pdf for electrodes & accessories

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