Locating Course Overview and Agenda 

This Fault/Line Locating & Safety course is designed for all personnel needing to know and understand the safe operation of underground devices while performing high voltage tests. This is virtually the same 2-day course as presented at the NWPPA and the Northwest Lineman's College in Meridian, Idaho. 

We plan to start at 8:30 am each day and do lecture training all morning and into the afternoon, with a break for lunch (complimentary). The remainder of the afternoon, until about 3:30 pm, will include hands-on training with equipment.  Experts from HDW and Aqua-Tronics will cover Fault Locating and Line Locating.  Safety training, Q&A, and hands-on training will be incorporated throughout the sessions.

The AGENDA includes: 

Basic Locating and Theory

1.  Transmitting method

       *Direct

       *Inductive Coupler

       *Inductive Transmitter (Box)

2.  Impedance matching and mismatching

3.  Best Ground Possible

4.  Frequency

5.  Peak/Null

6.  Determining Depth

7.  Auto Gain v.s. Manual Gain

8.  Tagging/Phasing

9.  Advanced Techniques for problem areas

Secondary Cable Fault Location

1.  Types of Fault Locators

2.  Identification of Faulted Cable and its route

3.  Pinpointing the Fault

4.  Confirming the Fault location

5.  Avoiding Ghost Faults

6.  Locating over asphalt and concrete

7.  Techniques for difficult locations

8.  Jacketed primary cable

(Agenda subject to change.) 

NOTE:  This course includes hands-on testing that is planned to be outdoors, so participant should dress comfortably, wear substantial footwear, and bring a hardhat, gloves and safety glasses, if possible.  

Training Site:

Dates and Times:

Registration and Payment Information

Need a hotel?  Here are two suggestions:

Introducing Aqua-Tronics for Rugged, Easy-to-Use Locating Instruments

Aquatronics Featured Product:

Super Directional* Acoustic Detector (S.D.A.D. or "Super DAD") 

Ease and speed of fault finding with a thumper have been greatly enhanced with the addition of the  Super Directional* Acoustic Detector (SDAD) to the Aqua-Tronics line. The "Super DAD" conveys more information about the fault location - and faster - with the addition of new microprocessor-controlled electronics that provide bright, easier-to-see-and-read signals, day or night.

The SDAD has three modes of operation:

• Basic DIRECTION-TO-FAULT, with centering ability
• Time-based distance to fault, triggered by ballistic impulse (Magnetic thumper wave) to eliminate false tripping due to background noise
• FAULT DEPTH indication

All other features are the same as the Directional* Acoustic Detector (D.A.D.), which has been proven to be the industry-standard for detection of thumper pulses and is in use by most leading utilities in the U.S.   

Protected under *US Patent #4,835,478 and patents pending. 

COMPLETE DETECTION SYSTEM INCLUDES:

• Two earth Probe Microphones   
• Two Tri-Pod's (for use on hard surfaces)
• Two Microphone Cables
• A-T Ballistic Impulse Meter Detection System
• Direction to fault indication (Super bright LED's)
• Stereo Headphones - High quality and comfortable

  Stirrup Probes

• Audio output limitation: Automatic ear protection for the operator, even if a microphone is dropped.
• Foam lined carrying case
• Instruction Manual & Batteries
• Warranty 

Optional:   

• Stirrup Probes - Allow penetration of the toughest soil conditions while reducing force exerted on the microphone. They are made of very durable sand-cast aluminum and have 3/8" dia. stainless steel spikes.

 Visit www.aquatronics.com. 

HDW Electronics' Locating Solutions, Including Their Patented
Arc Reflection Method (ARM® ) of Fault Locating  

In the early 1980's, HDW Electronics invented, patented and developed the Arc Reflection Technology, which continues to represent the state-of-the-art fault locating method for solid dielectric cables.  Since its inception, HDW Electronics has been instrumental in promoting the Arc Reflection Method (ARM®) in the United States and provides specific products for the U.S. market, which are designed and manufactured at its facilities in Bethlehem, PA.  

HDW's  products are well known for their high quality and longevity. Reliable electrical and electronic components and professional internal packaging complement rugged mechanical design. The environment in which the equipment has to perform is very tough. Should you ever need maintenance or service, our service department is prepared to go the extra mile to get you back in business. Why are we mentioning all of this? Because we know what it takes to perform when it comes to your job and meeting your company's expectations!

HDW Electronics Product Categories:

Fault Locating Systems

Cable Testing Equipment

Time Domain Reflectometers

Pinpointers

Test Van Systems

Cable Tools

Accessories

HDW Electronics Featured Products:

EZ-THUMP and SMART-THUMP Fault Locating Systems 

Need to pinpoint an underground fault quickly and easily?  Save time and effort by using HDW's unique new family of intelligent, easy-to-use fault locating equipment.  HDW's EZ-THUMP and SMART-THUMP are designed to guide the operator through a logical step-by-step fault locating process. 

The EZ-THUMP and SMART-THUMP represent a new line of integrated fault locating systems, which utilizes a microcontroller-based platform, allowing the user to operate the system from one rotary Turn & Click knob (mouse). The associated software platform guides the user automatically through the entire fault locating process, from confirming whether the cable is faulted, to obtaining a distance to the fault to pinpointing the fault (sectionalizing is also available as an option). All the user has to do is acknowledge the next (logical) step in this test sequence, which is proposed by the SMART software. It will also make an interpretation of the test result, which is based on the actual test result obtained from a particular circuit. The software platform has a unique feature, which allows users to custom configure the availability of TDR options according to two different skill levels of operators.

<<The EZ-THUMP (left) is available as either a 4kV  (e.g. street lights) or a 12kV model, both with 500J of surge energy. The unit is battery or 120V operated, has a high-impact resistant plastic enclosure, operates in rain, and weighs approx. 75 lbs.

The SMART THUMP (right)>>

offers a dual stage capacitor with 7.5/15kV and 1150J of surge energy in each voltage range. It can be operated from battery or 120V, has a stainless steel

enclosure and is rain proof.   

Both units are well qualified for fault locating in URD circuits.

EZ-Thump DataSheet with Specs 

Smart-Thump DataSheet with Specs