Construction Coordinator Practice Exam

How is a time domain reflectometer (TDR) used in a tap audit?

1. To measure the network speed

2. To test the integrity of electrical connections

3. To confirm illegal customer premises equipment connections

4. To distribute network signals

The correct answer is: To confirm illegal customer premises equipment connections

A time domain reflectometer (TDR) is a specialized tool used primarily in telecommunications and electrical engineering to analyze the characteristics of transmission lines. In the context of a tap audit, its main purpose is to identify issues related to signal integrity and to locate faults or unauthorized connections. When applied to confirm illegal customer premises equipment connections, a TDR sends a pulse along the transmission line and measures the time it takes for the reflections of that pulse to return after encountering impedance variations. This allows the operator to determine whether there are unexpected connections—such as illicit taps or devices not accounted for in the official service configuration. The reflections and their timing provide insights into the location of these illegal connections, as they will cause distinctive reflections compared to legitimate, properly configured connections. In contrast, other options like measuring network speed, testing the integrity of electrical connections, or distributing network signals do not directly pertain to the primary function of a TDR in identifying unauthorized connections during a tap audit. While a TDR can provide information regarding line integrity, its primary role in this scenario is focused on confirming the presence of illegal connections.