Technical insight
Cable Fault Location Methods: A Practical Overview for Project Teams
Fault response is usually a chain: identify the fault, excavate safely, repair correctly, then test and return to service. This page explains common fault location approaches at a high level, and how to plan the repair activity once the location is confirmed.
If you need support with a HV fault, see HV Fault Response.
What the project team needs to know
- Fault location is about narrowing down where to excavate
- Access, permits and isolation arrangements often drive the timeline
- Repair quality matters more than speed if you want reliability after re-energisation
Common fault types
- Third-party damage
- Joint failure
- Termination failure
- Insulation breakdown due to age or defects
- Water ingress and sheath issues
Planning the repair once the fault is located
- Confirm cable type and joint specification before the outage
- Ensure excavation is safe, stable, and provides working space
- Protect the work area from moisture and contamination
- Plan for testing and energisation handover
The fastest repairs happen when the scope is confirmed early and the site is prepared properly.
Related services
Discuss a fault repair scope: request a call back