Plans Are Not Always Reliable When Tracing Underground Cables And Pipes

Electromagnetic detection of underground cables has been in use since the turn of the 20th century and today this method of locating buried pipes and cables is almost universal. The main disadvantage of using this method is that it will not locate plastic pipes or any other lines that are non-metallic. However, utility companies that take the trouble to add a tracer wire to plastic pipes will not have any problem.

Plans should always be used when attempting to locate buried pipes and cables, but one of the problems is that many of them are inaccurate, and in other instances are not in existence. Confusion can also be caused when buried cables are close to each other, or where one may be above another. 

The RD8100 is the latest in a long line of electromagnetic detectors which have been developed over a period of 40 years. Radiodetection RD8100 training is available from specialist companies that provide cable detection training to the employees of contractors who are likely to undertake any sort of groundworks and will need to be aware of the likelihood of any problems with utility cables on the site.

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The Reasons For The Serious Number Of Cable Strikes Every Year

It is estimated that no less than 1.5 million holes are dug in the ground every year in the UK by utility companies alone, let alone all of the other excavation carried out around the country in the course of construction works. It follows that it is inevitable that underground cables and pipes will be hit during the course of these works.

According to a study carried out in 2006 the reasons for utility strikes are due to one or a combination of factors including poor planning, lack of accurate information, lack of care around services, poor excavation techniques, limited understanding of cable avoidance tools and techniques, and rushing to finish a job.

According to the Health and Safety Executive in 2014, there are some 12 deaths and 600 serious injuries every year just from contact with electricity cables, let alone other utilities. It is also thought that operatives may take less care around some services – particularly telecoms – because they are perceived to be less hazardous than strikes on electricity cables or gas pipelines.

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