Question

Cable Locator Practical

Answer 1

Practical Significance

Before locating a fault in an underground cable, it is necessary to know the route of the cable. Locating underground cable is necessary not only for finding faults, but also for undertaking any excavation near cable route.

Competency and Practical Skills

This practical is expected to develop the following skills for the industry identified competency: ‘Plan wiring/cabling activities using relevant materials following safe practices’

i. Read cable laying diagram.

ii. Demonstrate cable tracing process

iii. Identify cable route

iv. Demonstrate cable locator

Practical Outcome

1. Trace laid down cables and identify the path.

Relevant Affective domain related Outcome(s)

i. Practice good housekeeping with safety measures.

ii. Demonstrate working as a leader/a team member.

iii. Maintain tools and equipment.

iv. Follow ethical practices.

Minimum Theoretical Background

The supplier’s distribution system brings power to the consumer through overhead lines or by means of underground cables to a place just outside the consumer’s premises. The line bringing electric power from supplier’s low voltage distributor up to the energy meter installed at the consumer’s premises is called the service connection.

Installers routinely use copper-cable—tracing devices to verify, label and test a new installation or to trace existing cabling during renovation or maintenance projects. Cable locator has generally consisted of two parts--a transmitter and a. receiver. The transmitter puts an electrical signal onto the cable or pipe being traced, while the receiver picks up that signal, allowing the locator operator to trace the signal‘s path and follow the cable being located.

For identification of the cable route, route markers are provided along the runs of cables at locations.

Practical set-up / Circuit diagram / Work Situation

Resources Required

Precautions to be followed

1 Route markers should touch with cable

Procedure

1. Visit to nearby electrical substation (or watch video demonstration).

2. Read and interpret cable laying diagram.

3. Watch given demonstration.

4. Record observations.

5. Identify cable route markers.

6. Draw single line diagram, showing details of cable rout and cable specifications.