Fluke Networks Gives Telecom Technician Tool Belts an Extreme Makeover

- New test sets are 62 percent lighter, 20 percent more cost effective

EVERETT, Washington, May 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Fluke Networks today announced the TS®54 TDR telephone test set, which is 62 percent lighter and 20 percent more cost effective than other similar solutions on the market,(1) and changes the game for data and telecom technicians and companies everywhere in terms of ergonomics, cost and functionality. The highly durable TS54 tester also passes a 20-foot concrete drop test and includes an industry leading three-year warranty.

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With more than 150 million fixed telephone lines in service in the U.S. alone,(2) service provider technicians spend the majority of their day in the field with heavy tool belts that carry the equipment necessary to test today's voice, data and video services.  The TS54 tester combines the functionality of what were formerly three separate tools into one, which not only reduces tool belt weight significantly, but also helps reduce testing equipment costs per technician.  "Whatever you want to call them: test sets or butt sets, the integration of three test sets into one, plus the added protection of a three year-warranty, allows us to offer our service provider partners with a significant reduction in the total cost of ownership," said Ed Sztuka, vice president at Fluke Networks.

Just as important is the wear and tear on technicians, Sztuka said.  "OSHA health and safety guidelines stress that 'loaded tool belts may weigh over 50 pounds and cause an increase load and contact stress on the lower back and hips.'(3) The TS54 tester's lighter weight and more ergonomic design are aimed directly at helping meet that weight reduction guideline."

Technologically, the TS54 tester brings a full suite of new capabilities into an integrated telephone test set, all of which are essential to the ability to properly test today's voice, video and data telecommunications systems.  In addition to the integrated TDR, the TS54 features open/short circuit detection to 3,000 ft., a built-in toner with five tones, patented SmartTone functionality for exact pair identification, and glow in the dark keys and backlit LCD screen.

The TS54 tester is part of Fluke Networks new line of voice, data and video test sets, the TS Professional (PRO) Series, which also includes the TS53 and TS23 testers. These two products deliver a combination of seven or four multifunctional tests respectively, without TDR or toner features. 

"Telecom service technicians and the test sets they use to assure performance are the unsung heroes of the telecommunications industry," said Paul Alexander, marketing manager for field test equipment at Fluke Networks.  "And with exponential growth in the use of telecommunications networks driving the need to transmit voice, data, and video seamlessly and reliably, the stakes are high. That is where the TS54 delivers.  It's lighter, easy to use, and combines the most critical testing needs into a single, durable, reliable test set that's completely redesigned to help meet that demand."

The TS PRO Series is available immediately. For more information, please visit Fluke Networks. In addition, download "The Evolution of Test Sets in Telecom History" info graphic.

About Fluke Networks

Fluke Networks is the world-leading provider of network test and monitoring solutions to speed the deployment and improve the performance of networks and applications. Leading enterprises and service providers trust Fluke Networks' products and expertise to help solve today's toughest issues and emerging challenges in WLAN security, mobility, unified communications and datacenters. Based in Everett, Wash., the company distributes products in more than 50 countries. For more information, visit www.FlukeNetworks.com or call +1-425-446-4519.

(1) Based on internal Fluke Networks research on average list of standard competitive products.
(2) International Telecommunication Union 2011
(3) OSHA, "Ergonomics eTool: Solutions for Electrical Contractors," n.d., (accessed March 29, 2012)