Locating Power Cable Faults

Finding power cable faults – Power cables and wires are engineered and constructed to a wide range of specifications. A basic cable is made up of the conductor (which carries the power), the insulation (which separates the conductors) and the shielding or outer jacket, which protects the internal components from heat, abrasion, weather and chemicals.

Faults in power cables can occur during installation through pinching or small nicks, from constant wear caused by vibrating or moving parts, from unstable environments and contact with chemicals, or from overloading.

Westscan Service: We use fault finding and detection equipment to locate the electrical cable or wire and identify the break or failure point, so the fault can be repaired without unnecessary digging.

Benefits:

• Knowing the depth of the fault helps you schedule the right people and equipment
• Pinpointing the location of a power cable fault or electrical short

When do you need a cable fault located?

An underground cable fault is often hidden under lawns, paving, concrete or roads, and digging up the whole cable run to find it is slow and expensive. Our clients usually call us when:

• Power has been lost to a shed, outbuilding, gate, bore pump or garden lighting
• A circuit keeps tripping and an underground cable is suspected
• A cable has been damaged during digging or construction work
• Car park, street or site lighting has stopped working along an underground run
• Farms, mines and industrial sites need faults found on long cable runs

How we find the fault

First, we trace the route and depth of the cable with our cable locating equipment, so you know exactly where it runs. Then we use fault finding equipment to narrow down the point along the cable where the break or failure is. We mark the fault location on the ground, so your electrician or contractor can dig in one spot instead of along the whole run.

See how we traced underground power cabling for car park lighting in our Kwinana case study, or read more about locating power cables and wires.

Please note: we locate the fault. Repairs to electrical cables must be carried out by a licensed electrician.