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19 comments on On a related note, power distribution in the South

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astronomer1 on January 31, 2006 - 5:27pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
    This issue has been discussed extensively in the DC area, where much of the system relies on overhead cables and power has been lost over large areas in recent storms. However, there are some underground cables and there have been problems in actually finding where these cables are - in some cases the records just aren't very good.
Stssgabs100
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Heading Out on January 31, 2006 - 5:59pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Technologies have been developed that solve some of these issues, with some of the same basic ideas (though obviously modified) as have been developed for replacing sewer lines, without requiring surface disruption.
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Magnus Redin on January 31, 2006 - 6:00pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Then you hook up a radio signal generator at one end of the cable and track it with a hand carried reciever and mark the cable run on the ground with spray paint.
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Madman on January 31, 2006 - 7:09pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
This is good in theory, but it is sometimes lacking in practice.  A couple examples:

We were placing a traffic signal pole at an intersection for a 'hurry up' job.  The DOT rep brought the utility companies together on site and said, "We are drilling here (pointing to the ground) Monday with a 48" auger down to 22'.  Is anyone in the way? Yes or No."  An old worker from the local water company said there might be a problem because he didn't remember the water line being where it was marked (in the nearby ditch).  So they dug it up.  The 8" water line made a jog in the middle of the sidestreet but the locate guys didn't pick up on it because of the high water table.  Our pole foundation was actually closer to the locate markers, by 10', than the water line was.

Next: Fiber Optic contractors for the telephone companies are notorious for putting a couple big loops (10+') of fiber at the end of a run.  They just throw it out to the side and bury it.  The locates come along, and miss the big loop to the side and go to the junction box.  I know power would be in conduit, but 'stuff happens'.

The best underground utility locator in the world: a Backhoe.

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