36 RD8000 Operation Manual
Section 11. – Fault-Finding
11.1 About fault-finding
The RD8000PDL and PDLB are capable of locating cable
to ground faults caused by damaged cable sheaths. This
process is known as 8K Fault-Finding as it uses an 8kHz
signal applied to a target line with a transmitter.
The accessory A-frame is used to locate cable sheath
faults on power and telecom cables. To use Fault-Find
you will need the following equipment:
RD8000 receiver
Tx3 or Tx10 transmitter
Accessory A-frame connection leads.
11.2 Preparation
Using RD8000 standard locating techniques locate the
cable for a short distance and trace and mark its route.
Remove all earth bonds from the line to be traced during
the fault-finding survey.
11.2.1 Connecting the transmitter
Switch the transmitter off.
Push the connector plug into the transmitter
accessory socket.
Clip the red connection lead to the cable or
cable sheath ensuring that the area around the
connection is clean.
Extend the black connection lead as far away as
possible and at 90° to the probable route of the
target cable and clip the connector to the ground
stake.
NOTE: Always connect the black connection lead to a
ground stake and not a water pipe or buried cable, as
these may carry the signal.
11.2.2 Reference readings
It is good practice to obtain a reference reading from
the ground stake before you attempt to locate a fault
on a target line. Reference readings help to provide the
following information:
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Severity of fault.
Survey interval.
Before taking the reference reading set up the transmitter
and receiver as follows:
On the transmitter:
Switch the transmitter on by pressing
the key.
Select a fault-finding frequency using the
key.
Use the or arrows to increase or decrease
the 8kHz power output level.
If required you can use the BOOST setting if the
fault is located on a high resistance cable or if the
cable is long.
WARNING! By selecting 8kHz output a high voltage
warning icon will appear on the transmitter’s LCD.
Move to the next step of the procedure.
On the receiver:
Switch the receiver on by pressing
the key.
Connect one end of the connection lead to the
A-frame socket.
Connect the other end to the receiver accessory
socket.
The receiver will automatically recognize the A-
frame and display the A-frame icon on the LCD.
Select a fault-finding frequency using the
key.
NOTE: If the receiver and transmitter are iLOC enabled
then you can remotely control the transmitter using the
receiver. See Section 6 for more information.
Obtaining a reference reading:
Position the receiver approximately 2m (6 feet) from
the ground stake and push the A-frame spikes into the
ground with the green spike towards the ground stake
Attach the receiver to the A-frame by the retention hook.
(If you are holding the receiver separately, make sure that
the receiver is in line with the A-frame and is pointing
towards the green spike.) The fault direction arrow should
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