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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LV fault finding

LV Cable Fault Location

Fault finding on buried low-voltage cable, from SWA and mains cable to street lighting and private networks.

Tell us about the fault Call now

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

We locate faults on low-voltage distribution cables, SWA and other armoured cable, mains cable, street lighting circuits, and supplies serving commercial sites and private networks.

Open circuits, short circuits and low-resistance earth faults are the usual LV failures. Insulation resistance, continuity and TDR tests are done on a cable that has been isolated and made safe. We do not fault-find on a live LV cable.

What the work can include

  • Insulation resistance and continuity checks, with a Megger 5kV tester and a Kewtech multifunction tester
  • TDR pre-location with the Lexxi T1660, where the fault will show
  • Route tracing with CAT and Genny
  • Comparison between cores or phases when both ends are available
  • Repair by R&D Cable Jointing Ltd’s own jointing team

Cable types

A lot of LV fault work is waveform or consac mains cable, SWA to a building or a plant room, or a street-lighting feeder. Private networks on commercial and industrial sites are the same kind of test, with the site’s own switchgear rather than a network substation. Tell us the cable if you know it. If you do not, the terminations usually make it obvious on site.

What we need from you

The postcode, the voltage, the approximate length and type if known, what protection operated, any IR or continuity results, and whether both ends can be opened. Photos of the terminations and any drawing are worth sending.

Repair

When the position is confirmed and the cable is isolated, with room to joint, the repair is done by R&D Cable Jointing’s own jointers. Fault location and repair can be one enquiry.

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 We do not publish a fixed price.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.

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.