To measure the length of a cable, a cable length measuring device can be used. There are several types of cable length measuring devices that use different methods to determine length. A mechanical cable length measuring device counts the revolutions of the cable as it is passed through it. An electronic or digital cable length measuring device captures electrical or optical signals to calculate the length and show it on a display. The choice of method depends on various factors, such as the type of cable and desired accuracy.

Other ways to measure or calculate cable lengths include the meter stick, folding ruler or folding rule, a mathematical calculation (diameter of the cable ring * pi (π) * cable rings) or weighing the cable.

With the Aufmaster AM1 cable length measuring device and the free app, you can measure the length of cables without much effort.

A cable length measuring device is an electronic device used to measure cable lengths. It helps determine how long a cable is without actually having to unroll or measure it by hand. It is often used in fields such as electrical engineering, telecommunications, network installation and home wiring. Basically, anywhere you need to check the length and condition of cables.

A cable length measuring device can be used to diagnose problems in cables, such as short circuits, breaks or improperly connected wires. It allows technicians and installers to work more efficiently and accurately by determining cable length or locating wires in walls or under the floor without having to physically access them.

The Aufmaster AM1 cable length measuring device documents cable cuts or measures cable lengths in our free app. No more time-consuming documentation by paper and pen on the construction site or in the warehouse.

An electronic cable length measuring device, also known as a digital cable length measuring device, and a mechanical cable length measuring device are different types of devices used to measure the length of cables. The main difference is in the way the measurements are made and displayed.

A mechanical cable length measuring device uses mechanical components such as rollers or wheels to guide the cable during measurement. The cable is manually fed through the device, and the rollers or wheels count the revolutions to determine the length of the cable. The measurement is made based on the mechanical movement of the components. The results are usually displayed on an analog scale or counter.

An electronic or digital cable length measuring device, on the other hand, uses electronic sensors or technologies to measure cable length. It detects the electrical or optical signals reflected or passed by the cable and calculates the length based on those signals. The measurements are processed electronically and displayed on a digital display. The device can also provide additional functions, such as storing measurement data or calculating average values. The Aufmaster AM1 cable length measuring device documents all measured values in a free Aufmaß App.

The main advantage of electronic or digital cable length measuring devices is their precision and accuracy. They often offer higher measurement accuracy and can also provide advanced features for analyzing and managing measurement data. Mechanical cable length measuring devices are typically simpler and less expensive, but are less accurate and may have limited features.

The choice between an electronic, digital, or mechanical cable length measuring device depends on your specific requirements, desired accuracy, budget, and additional features you need.

Yes, there are. There are numerous manufacturers who have developed cable length measuring devices for different purposes and applications. For example, some devices may be specifically designed to measure coaxial cables, Ethernet cables or power lines. The exact functions and features may vary by manufacturer and model.

The Aufmaster AM1 cable length measuring device can basically measure any cable with at least two wires up to a cable cross section of 16mm².

The best known measuring principles of cable length measuring devices are the capacitive method and the reflection method.

The capacitive method in a cable length measuring device is based on using the capacitance coefficient of an electrically conductive cable to determine the length of the cable. Each cable has a specific capacitance coefficient due to its material and cross-section, which is usually specified by the manufacturer and must be set in the measuring device. To measure the length of the cable, the measuring device is connected to both ends of the cable. The total capacitance of the cable is measured. Then, this total capacitance is divided by the capacitance coefficient of the specific cable type. The measurement of capacitance is based on the fact that each cable has a certain amount of capacitance due to the insulating materials between the electrical conductors. Voltage applied to the cable causes charges to build up, and the capacitance of the cable affects the flow of charge. The measuring device detects the capacitance of the cable and uses the capacitance coefficient to calculate the length of the cable. The capacitive method is typically used when both ends of the cable are accessible, as the measuring device must be connected at both the beginning and the end to provide accurate results. It is important to note that the capacitive method has its limitations. It works best with single-core cables or cables with insulated conductors, as capacitance is easier to measure in these cases. With multi-conductor cables, the capacitive method can be less accurate because interference between the conductors can affect the measurement.

The reflection method in a cable length measuring device is based on the evaluation of reflected electrical signals to determine the length of a cable. In this method, a short electrical pulse is injected at one end of the cable. This pulse propagates along the cable and encounters any changes such as a cable break, a line break or a connection point. At these points, a portion of the signal is reflected and returns to the measuring device. The cable length measuring device detects and analyzes the reflected signals to provide information about the location and nature of the changes in the cable. By measuring the time the pulse takes to return to the measuring device (TDR – Time Domain Reflectometry), the distance to the point of change can be calculated. Knowing the propagation speed of the signal in the cable, the total length of the cable can be estimated. The reflectometry method also allows multiple cables to be distinguished when they are connected, since each cable has a unique reflectance. This is useful, for example, to help assign cables in complex cabling systems. It is important to note that the reflection method has its limitations. It works best for cables with sufficient signal reflection, which is the case for cables with high impedance or where there are changes in the cable such as ends, terminations, or branches. The measurement may be less accurate for cables with low impedance or where signals are heavily attenuated.

The velocity factor in the reflection method stands for the ratio of the propagation speed of electromagnetic waves in a cable to the speed of light. The speed of propagation of electromagnetic waves in a cable is usually given in relation to the speed of light. The speed of light is approximately 299,792 kilometers per second. The velocity factor is used to calculate the actual propagation speed of the signals in the cable. If a velocity factor of 1 or 100 percent is specified, it means that the electromagnetic waves propagate at the speed of light in the cable.

For example, if a velocity factor of 0.80 is specified or determined, it means that the electromagnetic waves propagate in the cable at a speed of 0.80 * 299,792 kilometers per second, or 239,834 kilometers per second. The velocity factor is important for making accurate length measurements using the reflection method. By taking into account the actual propagation speed of the signals, the measurement accuracy can be improved. The velocity factor varies depending on the cable type and can be specified by the manufacturer or determined experimentally.

The Aufmaster can measure any cable with a cross-section starting from 0.25 mm² (up to 16 mm² for automatic cut detection) and at least two metallic conductors. Fiber optic cable is therefore not possible.

The Aufmaster has a protection class of IP54. This means it has complete protection against accidental contact and is protected from splashing water on all sides.

The Aufmaster must always be connected with two wires from the cable. Accordingly, it can not measure pure single-wire cables.

The Aufmaster can easily process cable cross-sections from 0.25 mm² (up to 16 mm² with section detection). The clamps supplied as standard are suitable for cross-sections up to 4 mm². However, these can be independently replaced with larger clamps at any time.

Yes, this is possible - as long as the ends of the cable are not connected to each other.

The Aufmaster AM1 automatically recognises when there is a short circuit and sends a message to the app to inform the user. However, if the line is open, the measurement can be carried out precisely and reliably.

At Aufmaster, we maintain a gigantic cable database that grows daily. So chances are huge you can just plug the Aufmaster to the cable, scan or search for the cable in the Aufmaster app, and get started right away.

You simply create new cable types yourself in the Aufmaster app and measure them with a reference piece of the new cable (it must be at least 20 m (65 ft) long). Afterwards you can use the new cable type freely in the Aufmaster App, just like all other cable types. We show how this works in this video.

The battery of the Aufmaster is fully charged within 2 hours and lasts up to two weeks on construction sites.

No. The battery is completely encapsulated with protective compound due to the IP54 device protection class.

Of course, you can. You can replace our standard WAGO connection clamps (go up to 4 mm²) with your favorite ones at any time. You can also connect test probes. The only important thing is that the connecting cable on the Aufmaster is not unnecessarily extended.

No, the Aufmaster is not gauged.

The eight colors are used for easy identification in the Aufmaster app and on the construction site as soon as several Aufmasters are in use at the same time.

The connection between Aufmaster and Android smartphone or tablet is made via Bluetooth.

Yes, you can. The number of connected Bluetooth devices is defined and varies by the smartphone manufacturer. We do not directly limit the maximum number of connected Aufmasters in the Aufmaster app. However, we recommend not to use more than 5-8 Aufmasters at the same time in order not to overload the Android device's performance.

The connection between Aufmaster and smartphone or tablet is established via Bluetooth Low Energy. In the open field, you have a stable connection within a radius of at least 35m. Indoors, the range is 15 - 30m. It can decrease depending on the environment due to walls, metal shelves, machines, etc. If the connection is lost, an audible signal is emitted by your Android device that cannot be overheard.

The Aufmaster then stores all measurement data on an internal memory for up to 10 minutes and retransmits them as soon as the Android device is reconnected to the Aufmaster.

The Aufmaster does not have a built-in GPS module. However, once a cable reel has been successfully commissioned, the Aufmaster app saves the current location of the cable reel (GPS data from the smartphone). Provided that authorization has been granted in the Aufmaster app.

No, the Aufmaster must always be used in conjunction with the Aufmaster app. You can download the Aufmaster app for free from the Google Play Store. It is not possible to use without the Aufmaster App.

Not yet, still to come. But no need to be sad now. We will be happy to recommend inexpensive Android devices suitable for construction sites that work perfectly with Aufmaster. Just write to us.

We have equipped the Aufmaster with two screw holes. So you can easily fix it to the drum with two matching screws. If the Aufmaster is connected to a cable ring, it is best to place it in the middle of the ring. It does not mind that. The only important thing is a stable connection between the Aufmaster and the connected cable using the clamps.

We show how this works in this video.

For automatic cut detection, the Aufmaster is connected to the inner end of the cable drum or cable ring. To do this, strip a small piece of insulation and connect the two exposed wires to the clamps of the Aufmaster. The polarity does not matter. When determining the length of cables, the connection side is also irrelevant. The Aufmaster can then also be connected to the side where the cable is normally pulled out.

We show how this works in this video.

Yes, this works – however, there is no separate function for this in the Aufmaster app.
The following scenario: A cable with a length of 100 meters is connected to the Aufmaster and the Aufmaster determines a length of 30 meters, then it can be assumed that there is a short circuit after 30 meters.

We would like that, but it depends. If you're pulling cable in parallel with multiple drums at the same time, then, of course. If that's not the case, you can simply mount the Aufmaster on another drum after you've done your work, configure it, and keep on working. This applies equally to inventory management and construction site mode.

Only cables that are not yet in our cable database must be measured once with a reference piece that is at least ≥ 10 meters. We recommended pieces ≥ 20 meters. This can be done in a few seconds using the Aufmaster app. They are then available for selection in the cable database.

Yes, without any problems. All measurement protocols for length and section detection are stored on your smartphone or tablet.

If you use Aufmaster Cloud, your measurement protocols are transferred to the cloud as soon as the internet connection is restored. To do this, you must first log in once with an existing internet connection.

Of course! The software is currently available in German, English, French, Indonesian, Polish, Slovakian, Spanish, and Czech. Further languages are in preparation.

The user manual for the measuring device are available in German and English.

If you use Aufmaster Cloud, you can easily export your measurement protocols as CSV via our office software. CSV is very generic and is understood by all systems. There is not yet a direct interface. But it's on our agenda for 2025.

Without Aufmaster Cloud, you can send all measurement logs as PDFs by email.

The Aufmaster app works on Android devices from Android 7 (Nougat).

No, the Aufmaster Cloud office software runs in the web browser and is therefore completely independent of the operating system.

The Aufmaster app is currently available for Android. It can therefore not be installed on the PC.

Access to the Aufmaster software is free of charge. You can download the app at any time, create an Aufmaster Cloud company account and take a look at our software.

Yes, there is one. If you need help with the setup or have any other questions, you can find quick help in our help portal.

No, never. Our Aufmaster software updates (for the app and Aufmaster Cloud office software, as well as for the Aufmaster hardware) are free of charge.