Kent-based, covering London, the South East and the UK by arrangement 0330 043 6689 Phones answered Mon–Fri, 8am–4pm. Out-of-hours by arrangement. enquiries@cablefaultlocation.co.uk
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11kV fault finding

11kV Cable Fault Location

11kV fault location and repair, with hired surge and acoustic equipment only when the fault needs it.

Tell us about the fault Call now

Phones answered Mon–Fri, 8am–4pm. Out-of-hours by arrangement.

11kV faults run from low-resistance failures that show on a TDR to high-resistance faults that only break down when a surge is applied. We classify the fault first, then use the method that fits.

High-resistance faults. If the cable only fails at elevated voltage, a low-voltage TDR often shows nothing useful. In that case we hire a surge generator (thumper) and an acoustic pinpointer for the job, and only when you have agreed to that hire.

What the work can include

  • Initial fault classification on an isolated cable
  • TDR pre-location with the Lexxi T1660
  • Surge / ARM pre-location when the fault needs it, using hired equipment
  • Route tracing with CAT and Genny
  • Acoustic pinpointing when a surge method is in use
  • 11kV repair by R&D Cable Jointing Ltd’s own jointing team

What we need from you

Postcode, voltage, approximate length and cable type, which protection operated, any existing test results, and whether the route is known. A single-line diagram or a photo of the switchgear labels saves a wasted test.

Repair

When the position is confirmed and the cable is isolated and accessible, the 11kV repair — including a section damaged by the fault — is carried out by R&D Cable Jointing’s own jointers.

Common questions

How much does cable fault location cost?

Cable fault location is quoted for each job. The figure depends on the voltage, the fault, the journey from Kent, and whether a surge generator or acoustic pinpointer has to be hired in. That hire is only for high-resistance or intermittent faults, and only when it is needed and you have agreed to it. We do not publish a fixed price.

Can you find a fault on a live LV cable?

No. Insulation resistance, continuity and TDR tests need the cable isolated and safe to work on. We do not fault-find on a live LV cable. The person responsible for the network has to isolate it, and we need access to the terminations, before testing starts. An 11kV cable is tested the same way: isolated and safe for the test before any instrument is connected.

Do you need access to both cable ends?

We need access to at least one termination. For many LV and 11kV faults, access to both ends gives a result we can check: conductors can be compared, an open circuit confirmed, and the TDR distance looked at from the other end. If only one end can be opened, say so and we will tell you whether a useful test is still possible.

Can you repair the cable too?

Yes. Once the fault position is known and the cable is isolated, with a safe place to joint, the repair is done by R&D Cable Jointing Ltd’s own jointing team. That includes LV jointing and, where the job is suitable, 11kV and 33kV repair. Fault finding and repair can be arranged from the same enquiry.

Have an underground cable fault?

Send the voltage, the postcode and what you know so far. We’ll call you back during phone hours.

Phones answered Mon–Fri, 8am–4pm. Out-of-hours by arrangement.

Tell us about the fault Call now
Call 0330 043 6689 Phones answered Mon–Fri, 8am–4pm. Out-of-hours by arrangement.