New features for Fishers cable tracking system
JW Fishers CT-1
cable tracking system was specifically designed to locate deeply
buried power and communication cables. It will locate cables
buried both underwater and on land much deeper than can be found
with a metal detector. The CT-1 is so good at finding cables,
that underwater cables can often be located and tracked from a
small boat, eliminating the need to deploy a diver.
Reports from the field on the effectiveness of the CT-1 have been very positive. Nigel Fluit of New Zealand marine services company Seaworks says, "This machine performed superbly in what would be considered arduous conditions (surf zones, limited visibility, and strong cross currents). On one job we located and followed a fiber optic cable for it’s full length of more than 1.5km, and in another our diver tracked a cable for over 2km. The audio was of great assistance as it enabled the diver to follow the cable in near zero visibility. "
The cable tracker system consists of two parts, the hand-held Probe and the Signal Injector box. The Probe is carried by the diver or on-shore operator and swept back in forth in search of the buried cable. The 50 and 60 Hz frequencies given off by power cables can easily be detected by the Probe. When searching for communications cables, the Signal Injector is connected to the exposed part of the cable on land, and a 25 or 1,024 frequency signal is induced into the cable. The selection switch on the Probe is set to the desired frequency and the search begins. As the probe approaches the cable, a string of LEDs indicate an increase in signal strength and an audio alarm begins to fire. The signal gets stronger, and the audio louder, as the probe moves closer to the cable. When the probe passes over the cable the signal strength goes to zero, called "the null point", alerting the operator the cable is directly below.
Several new options are now being offered for the CT-1 system. One is an O-ring sealed hard case for the Probe, it’s battery charger, and other accessories. The case is ideal for carrying the Probe from job to job, or for shipping it to other locations when necessary. For those deep submergence projects, the Probe can be purchased with a 500 or 1,000 foot depth rated housing. Custom probes are also available designed to pickup frequencies other than the standard 25, 50, 60, and 1,024 frequencies.
For more information on the CT-1 cable tracking system, or a color brochure on all of Fishers quality underwater search products, contact Christopher Combs at JW Fishers Mfg. Inc., 1953 County St., East Taunton, MA 02718, USA. Phone: (800) 822-4744 or (508) 822-7330. Fax: (508) 880-8949. E-mail to jwfishers@aol.com or check out the web site at www.jwfishers.com
