Live cable detection

[barrym]

Hi, this is my first post

I have a client who has several 3/4 core PVC armoured cables laid onto cable trays. They want to remove those which are now redundant, and can then be reused. First I need to identify which cables on the tray are still live, along the length of the tray.
I was thinking of using cable detection equipment that can detect the voltage in the cable (as there may not be any current flowing).
Trouble is I cannot find any equipment that suppliers say will do this, due to the armour of the cable acting as a shield.
Does anyone have a suggestion

Barrym

 

[mars6394]

cut it if it goes bang its live lol, i would say a voltage stick but not sure if it will detect the voltage through the cpc of the cable if i find out ill let you know is the cable not indetified so you can trace back on distribution sheets for the equipment it supplys.

 

[Sintra]

Firstly it can only be reused if it has new colour coded conductors or the old coloured conductors sleeved.

Secondly can you not remove the redundant cables at source and then follow along tray.

 

[AEC]

Hi, this is my first post

I have a client who has several 3/4 core PVC armoured cables laid onto cable trays. They want to remove those which are now redundant, and can then be reused. First I need to identify which cables on the tray are still live, along the length of the tray.
I was thinking of using cable detection equipment that can detect the voltage in the cable (as there may not be any current flowing).
Trouble is I cannot find any equipment that suppliers say will do this, due to the armour of the cable acting as a shield.
Does anyone have a suggestion

Barrym

There is equipment to trace cables either live or dead. They send a signal down the cable and the armour does not stop you identifying the cable. The problem is if they are close to each other or cross each other. This is when the signal can transfer onto another cable. Have used Cat and Genny also Leevaughn (Dont think thats correct) ACT Meters do a small device for rtacing cables too.

 

[pennywise]

I've got this one pretty accurate live or dead.

Fluke Brand Portal by SyncForce

 

[barrym]

Once the cables have been removed, thay are being shipped together with all the plant and equipment to Saudi Arabia, or some where like that.

This morning I tried one of the DIY detectors for metal and live cables. If there is no metal armour it works fine, but with armoured cables it detects the armour and not the voltage. Tried it on live and dead cables and the same happens.

To use a signal generator do I have to find the end of the live cables to attached the gererator?

I was hoping to detect the live cabes with non-contact device, but it becomes a whole new board game if I have to find the ends of the live cables, as I do not know where they come from or go to, as there are so many

 

[mogga]

mmmmmm WATCH what your doing Barry non contact thinggys can still give faulse readings caused by induction its better to find both ends and test / lock off
If the plant ect is getting stripped out surley someone has disconnected at least one end

 

[barrym]

Hi again
Trouble is all the cables to be removed have been disconnected, but some, and unsure how many, are still supplying essential equipment around the site, such as overhead cranes, lighting boards etc.

I will not be moving or removing the live cables, I just want to avoid disturbing them when the dead cables are pulled off the cable tray.

If I have to use a signal generator then so be it, but it makes the job much bigger. I even thought the Fluke 2042 would detect the cable, but Fluke say no, due to the armouring blocking the signal.