Tempo 200FP – Filtered Tone Probe

• Reduced risk of shorting terminals
• Slim, comfortable design
• Recessed on/off push-button control
• Adjustable sensitivity/volume control
• Blended carbon/plastic tip
• Patented

The 200FP Filtered Tone Probe is designed to identify and trace wires or cables within a group without the need of removing insulation. In addition, the 200FP has been specifically designed to filter out all power-related noise to eliminate “Power Line Hum”. The unit is constructed of durable ABS plastic, and an optional leather carrying case, 200C, is available. The 200FP is also available as part of the Model 801K kit.

When the 200FP is active, but not detecting a signal, the LED will flash momentarily (every 4 seconds) as a visible ON indicator and a reminder. When a tone signal is detected by the probe, the signal LED will serve as a signal strength indicator: The brighter the LED, the stronger the tone signal detected.

Tempo Communications’ rich history of developing industry-leading pair tracing products continues with another major update. Tempo has taken the opportunity to update the 200FP and 200XP with new technologies made recently available for pair tracing products.

To be Superseded

We have upgraded the technician’s preferred 200FP and 200XP products and the various kits in which these are also components. The 200FP filter probe uses special “power hum rejection” filtering originally patented by Progressive Electronics in the 1990s. The 200XP includes a narrowband filter specially tuned to pick out key frequencies used by our “precision tone generators” such as 77GX and model 177. These products have been progressively improved over the years, incorporating new ways of performing tests with greater efficiency and lower noise.

You may remember the physical slide switch on the bottom, which switched the hum filter in and out. Tempo removed that switch many years ago and changed to using just the push-button and a microprocessor which also implemented the hum filter in place of the old charge-coupled device delay line; this allowed us to create a product that performed equally or better and reduced power consumption. Later, Tempo created the 200XP version of the product, which added a narrowband filter mode. This is ideal for use in environments where there may be excessive electrical noise such as switch-mode PSUs in equipment racks or near motor controllers, etc. The harmonics from these sources are often not directly related to local mains power frequency so the hum-rejection comb filter cannot reject them. Tempo added the narrowband mode to 200XP that rejects most of the interfering noise, allowing the user to concentrate on the pair-tracing tone

Key Updates:

• Operation from two AA cells in place of the 9V block battery. This will reduce running costs considerably as they will typically last more than twice as long and cost less when replaced.
• Replacement of the “butt-set” (test telephone) terminals by a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack. Headphones can make working discretely, for example in offices, or working in noisy areas at the side of busy roads easier and more effective. Tempo has designed in signal limiting to protect the user’s hearing from acoustic shocks.
• A CAD re-engineered housing offers:
• The loudspeaker remains facing toward the user.
• The probe tip is now easier to swap via a better fitting cover with a captive screw and uses the same carbon reinforced probe tips as previously.
• The gaps around the gain control are smaller, reducing the risk of dirt and moisture ingress (note that this is not a sealed product – see 500FP and 500XP if you regularly need to work in the rain)
• The plastic push-button cap was replaced by a silicone rubber button that further reduces the risk of dirt and moisture entering the case and cannot rattle.
• A silicone rubber window was added over the signal strength LEDs that further helped to seal the unit from dirt and dust.
• The modes of operation remain identical to the current models so there is nothing new to learn.
• Tempo tuned the sensitivity of the new units to be identical to the current models.