Apparatus for testing a conducted energy weapon includes analyzer means to produce characteristic signals representative of characteristics of electrical current pulses delivered by the weapon into a resistive load when the weapon is discharged. A host system is configured to accept authentication data from a user via an authentication device. A PV module in the intelligent node may selectively be bypassed without interrupting network communications. The measuring device measures the impedance or conduction velocity between the first electrode on the sheathe and the second electrode. The briquette is held together by a binding system that can withstand the extremely high temperatures required to make iron and steel.