How to locate cable faults

April 30, 2025

The following methods can be used to locate the location of a cable fault:

Pulse method fault detection in OTDR. It sends small pulses at a specific frequency, thereby finding faults.
Loop method. The resistance of a conductor to direct current is measured using an R333 device (measuring bridge). In this way, the distance to the fault can be determined.
Acoustic method. Works like echolocation. You need to look for specific frequencies of sound that occur at the point of damage.
Step voltage method. Electric current flows through the cable, creating a potential difference between two points on the ground.
Induction method. Electric current is passed through the conductors of the cable to create an electromagnetic field and search for its changes.

You can also use a special device (a trace finder) to find the location of broken traces in concrete walls.