Cable quality and safety assessments should cover pin continuity, DC resistance, E-marker functionality, and signal integrity. Pin continuity testing ensures that each connection is correctly wired, preventing open or short circuits or poor connections. DC resistance tests helps identify deviations in resistance measurements that could lead to signal loss or power issues. For cables using E-markers, verifying their presence and correct functionality is crucial for ensuring proper data and power delivery, particularly in high-speed applications. Signal integrity testing is also essential to confirm that the signals are clean and free from distortion or noise that could compromise performance. These tests collectively help ensure the reliability and functionality of custom cables and assemblies. Check out our blog for a deeper look at cable testing and quality assurance!

Our Advanced Cable Tester v2 supports testing a wide range of cables including USB (USB 2.0, 3.1, 3.2, Type-C), HDMI, and DisplayPort.

The Advanced Cable Tester v2 offers much more functionality than a basic continuity tester. While a continuity tester simply checks if there’s a continuous electrical connection, the Advanced Cable Tester v2 is designed to comprehensively test USB, HDMI, and DisplayPort cables for various criteria that can affect performance, such as signal quality and conductor resistance. Check out our blog for more information on what the ACT v2 measures and how accurate those measurements are.

The Advanced Cable Tester v2 evaluates cable signal integrity by sending known-good signals through USB High-Speed D+/D– at 520 Mbps and SuperSpeed pairs at 5, 10, and 12 Gbit/s. It tests up to five differential pairs, configurable from 1030 MHz to 12.8 GHz. Results include eye diagrams with masks based on HEO and VEO thresholds.

While not a compliance tester, the Advanced Cable Tester v2 comprehensively measures USB cables against USB specifications, including tests for pin continuity, DC resistance, signal quality, and other performance factors. These tests help ensure your cable meets key standards for functionality and quality.

Functional testing is commonly used in production settings as a basic quality assurance measure, but it is often time-consuming and lacks accuracy. It only checks if the HDMI cable “works” by passing a signal without verifying whether the cable meets performance or safety standards. The Advanced Cable Tester v2 offers quick, thorough cable analysis that includes evaluations on pin continuity, DCR testing, and high-speed signal quality, making it ideal for catching subtle defects in production that functional testing may miss. Learn more about quality testing strategies in our blog: Quality Testing Beyond HDMI Cable Certification

Yes, the Advanced Cable Tester v2 allows users to generate detailed test reports, displaying the results of each different assessment. Users can select the corresponding test profile that measures against corresponding cable specifications, or it’s possible to create custom test profiles to meet specific requirements. Through the web application, the user can review a pass/fail result, but can also review a detailed data on pin continuity, DC resistance, and signal quality.

The Advanced Cable Tester v2 is designed for simplicity—no technical background is required. It provides a clear pass/fail result to show whether a cable meets the required standards, making it easy for any team member to operate and interpret the results. If needed, users can review the tests in fuller detail through the test report output via the web application. We also offer helpful demos and resources on our website to help you get the most out of the tool. Check out our Advanced Cable Tester v2 demo: Testing USB and Video Cables with the Advanced Cable Tester v2

Yes! The Advanced Cable Tester v2 is designed for both standalone and integrated use. It offers an API, making it easy to incorporate into automated test systems for production lines. You can control testing, retrieve results, and even trigger tests via software, helping streamline cable validation in high-volume environments. For more details, check out our integration guide: How Can I Integrate the Advanced Cable Tester v2 into a Test System?

With the Advanced Cable Tester v2 , you can customize test profiles by adjusting pin continuity, DC resistance limits, shield and VCONN wiring, and E-Marker settings like current capacity and data speed. You can also fine-tune signal integrity tests, including bitrate and insertion loss for High-Speed and SuperSpeed pairs. This helps ensure accurate, relevant testing to your specific requirements beyond the cable spec. Learn how to build and fine-tune profiles here: How Do I Customize a Profile to Successfully Test an Assembled Cable?

To test ground and shield resistance, the Advanced Cable Tester v2 uses four-wire Kelvin measurements to get accurate resistance values. This method minimizes the influence of contact and lead resistance, which is especially important for low-resistance paths like ground and shielding. Following USB-IF standards, the tester checks if resistance falls within the acceptable range to ensure signal integrity and device safety. Learn more about proper testing guidelines and setup in our blog: What are the Guidelines for Testing Ground and Shield Resistance of USB Cables?

The Advanced Cable Tester v2 makes high-throughput, individual cable testing fast, accurate, and affordable—ideal for testing thousands of cables per day. Built for production lines, it delivers instant pass/fail results via a built-in LCD and audible alert, with no PC required. Unlike batch sampling, testing every cable helps catch issues like intermittent faults, miswiring, or poor shielding. Results are stored locally (up to 1,000,000), with support for custom tags and barcode scanning for full traceability. Learn more in our blog: Which USB Cable Tester Fulfills Production Test Requirements?

A USB-C E-Marker (electronically marked chip) is embedded in certain USB Type-C cables to communicate important information like power delivery (PD) capabilities, supported data rates, and manufacturer details. These markers help devices negotiate safe and optimal power and data configurations. Faulty or incorrectly programmed E-Markers can lead to performance issues or even hardware damage. The Advanced Cable Tester v2 reads and verifies E-Marker data to confirm cable compliance with USB-C PD specifications, ensuring cables are safe, authentic, and performing as advertised. Learn more in our blog: What is an E-Market in a USB Type-C cable and How Does it Work?

Signal de-emphasis is a transmission technique used in high-speed digital communication to counteract signal distortion over longer or poor-quality cables. After the initial edge of a signal cycle, the transmitter lowers the signal amplitude by a specified number of decibels (dB) until the polarity switches again. This reduces the emphasis on lower-frequency components, helping maintain signal clarity over distance. When testing cables using the Advanced Cable Tester v2 , de-emphasis isn't measured as signal loss. Instead, the system automatically selects a de-emphasis setting that produces the widest eye opening to gauge signal integrity. While these settings work well in most cases, users can manually adjust them per channel by cloning and editing test profiles if desired. Check out this blog to learn more about signal de-emphasis and its role in cable quality.

DisplayPort certification ensures a cable meets VESA’s technical standards, but certified cables are often tested as part of a batch rather than individually. Manufacturing variations or defects can still slip through, even in certified lots. That’s why individual cable testing with tools like the Advanced Cable Tester v2 is essential. It verifies signal integrity, pin continuity, and more. Check out our blog: What is DisplayPort Certification and Why is Individual Quality Control Just as Important?, to learn more about DisplayPort certification and individual testing.

The Advanced Cable Tester v2 helps reduce production costs by catching faulty cables early, before they reach your customers. With its fast, automated testing process, you can test 100% of your cables without slowing down your workflow. This means fewer returns, less rework, and a stronger reputation for quality. It’s especially helpful for high-volume manufacturers or anyone looking to improve long-term profitability through better quality control. Learn more in our blog: Cost Savings and Benefits of Cable Testing with the Advanced Cable Tester v2

The Advanced Cable Tester v2 is an excellent tool for evaluating prototype cables. It performs thorough continuity checks, resistance measurements, signal integrity assessments, and E-Marker verification (when applicable). Even if a prototype isn’t production-ready, the tester can provide valuable insight into the cable’s structure and performance, helping guide design improvements before full-scale manufacturing. Read more here: Can the Advanced Cable Tester v2 Fully Test Prototype Cables?

The Advanced Cable Tester v2 is designed to perform fast and accurate continuity testing on USB Type-C cables. It checks for opens, shorts, and miswires across all pins to ensure proper pin-to-pin connectivity. This is especially important for Type-C cables, which have 24 pins and can support multiple protocols. The tester provides a quick pass/fail result, making it ideal for both development and production. Learn more here: Continuity Testing of USB Type-C Cables Using the Advanced Cable Tester v2

Yes! The Advanced Cable Tester v2 lets you customize insertion loss thresholds in custom test profiles. This is especially useful if you're testing cables against specific performance requirements or specification standards. By modifying the insertion loss values in the chart, you can change how the eye-diagram mask is generated—tightening or loosening the pass/fail thresholds based on your performance needs. Check out our App Note: Modifying Insertion Loss Values on a Cable Test Profile When Using the Advanced Cable Tester v2