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Cable Locators for Live & Dead Cables

It is now safely possible to figure out the presence and positioning of live wires (i.e., electricity/current/voltage conducting cables) and dead cables (i.e., free of current or voltage). This is invariably achieved by the state of the art and evolving fault finding or cable detector devices or systems. Such systems can trace faults and problems in electrical circuits ranging up to three hundred volts. Hence, cables, electric circuits, short circuits, subsurface faults, coax (i.e., in respect of transmission lines for high-frequency signals) and conductors (even in conduits).
It is the advancement of the technology as depicted by these cable locators that without any disturbance or interruption to the electrical circuit or turning off the electronic instruments which are quite sensitive in nature, the desired results can be attained by precisely locating the live or dead wires, no matter in case of plaster boards, walls, concrete or beneath the surface of the earth.
Systems such as CableCop 300 provide efficient, effective and safe means of locating and tracing the live wires or dead cables with circuits up to 300 volts.
In addition to the foregoing, such electrical cable locators are capable of locating numerous lines or cables such as lines behind walls, floorings, ceilings etc, lines pertaining to switches, fuses and other interruptions, lines pertaining to earthing faults (particularly in three phase systems), the common problem of bottlenecking in wires within conduits, any cables or pipes installed underneath the ground as low as three metres in depth and conduits, water, heating and gas pipelines and any apparent problems with its installation.
Electrical cable detectors primarily consist of a signal generator for electrical wires and a transmitter and receiver for the dead cables and lines.
For a line to be tested, the signal generator and transmitter provide electromagnetic signals (with high frequency) into the line concerned. Once inserted, these signals are transformed into visual and acoustical signals by means of displaying the same on the receiver. Such receiver has integrated detectors for receiving varying signals from the signal generator for both, live and dead wires. The stronger the signal the more precise and clear the location of the line in question.
There are two fundamental operating features of signal generator which must be distinguished at all times, namely, closed circuit mode and open circuit mode.
In respect of the closed circuit mode, live wires with a electrical current of a maximum of 300 volts under ground can be easily tested by means of the signal current via the signal generator across the transformer through neutral conductor. The electrical signal is directly taken from the system in case of a closed circuit and the magnetic field of the signal is assessed by means of a receiver.
For electrical dead wires/lines, the open circuit mode can be adopted. The ends of the transmitter are connected to the line (effectively the antenna of the transmitter) and the ground (for current potential reference) simultaneously for testing. The signal strength is procured by means of the internal battery of the open circuit of the locator.

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