Fault Locating

The type of fault should be determined as different faults require different approaches. A persistent fault to earth (a ground fault) is usually most accurately and most easily found with an A-frame. Open and short circuits are best found with a TDR, and a ‘flashing’ fault that only happens at high voltages usually requires a high voltage surge generator or ‘thumper’. Most transmitters in a fault finding system will have some way to indicate if there is a path to ground such as an ammeter or ohmmeter and some have both. If there is a path to earth, the a-frame is still one of the most popular and most recommended methods when the conductor is not enclosed in duct.