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Easily locating short in cable

M. Joshi

What is the easiest way to pinpoint where a T&E cable has been damaged in a wall/ceiling - probably due to rodents!

I understand in larger highways lighting networks they use a thumper and detect the RF emissions to pinpoint the fault.

Is there a similar way that this can be done on a domestic install without very expensive equipment? Perhaps with a signal generator and a small loop antenna attached to a scope?

Parents
  • 0

    I would recommend replacing the entire cable, if one part has been damaged by rodents then it seems probable that other areas of damage exist and are likely to cause future problems.

  • 0 in reply to broadgage

    This isn't as straightforward as the cable is buried in walls/ceiling. It's only one section as the ring has been broken and it's functioning as a radial on one leg of the ring. The damaged section is difficult to trace even using the standard approach of splitting the ring taking each socket off and testing.

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  • 0 in reply to broadgage

    This isn't as straightforward as the cable is buried in walls/ceiling. It's only one section as the ring has been broken and it's functioning as a radial on one leg of the ring. The damaged section is difficult to trace even using the standard approach of splitting the ring taking each socket off and testing.

Children
  • +1 in reply to M. Joshi

    That must mean that you have identified which section of the ring is damaged.

    I agree with Broadgage that it would best to replace the whole section. If you are going to have to dig out at least a couple of feet, making it six feet won't look much worse, and the decoration will still have to be made good.

    There is also the question of joining the cable, which is avoided if the whole section is replaced.

    You may be able to get an idea where the short is by measuring the resistance of the two portions of the damaged section - its distance along the section will be proportional to the resistance. Granted your low resistance ohmmeter may not make much of a distinction, but it should give an idea.

  • 0 in reply to Chris Pearson

    Find and repair with Maintenance free joint box, meets regs and keeps the cost down.

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