Cable faults
Cable fault location on service and supply cables in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg
The buried cable to the garage is dead, the outdoor lighting trips the fuse, half the house hangs on a makeshift lead – and nobody knows where along twenty metres the cable is hurt. That is exactly the question we answer: CFT locates faults on buried service and supply cables, marks the spot at the surface and hands over a report for electrician and insurer. Call +49 (0) 173 6842932 or write to office@cft-de.de.
What we do on site
First we check the condition: insulation and resistance measurements show which cores are damaged, time domain reflectometry gives the metre range. The fault is then pinpointed at the surface and marked. Your electrician isolates and repairs – we tell them where.
Key facts at a glance
| Methods | Insulation and resistance measurement, Time domain reflectometry (TDR), Ley effect, Surge and burn-down to make the fault earth-sensitive, Route tracing of the cable |
|---|---|
| Application range | Service connection cables, feeders to garage, garden shed, pump, gate or outdoor lighting – buried on your own property |
| Duration | Two hours to one day, depending on the number of faults |
| Result format | Damage report as a PDF |
| Service area | Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg from our Erding base – CFT Group Deutschland GmbH, Lange Zeile 27, D-85435 Erding |
What this means for you
Without location, a cable fault on your property means digging on suspicion – across driveway, flower bed and paving until the spot happens to be exposed. With location it is one marked spot and one small excavation. That almost always pays off: the measurement costs a fraction of what reinstating a torn-up driveway costs.
The sequence turns around too: only once the spot is marked do you need the digger or the spade – and your electrician can finish the repair in one visit instead of coming twice.
How the job runs
- You report the case and keep the meter cabinet accessible; the isolation is agreed with your electrician.
- Insulation and resistance measurements show which cores are affected and what kind of fault it is.
- Time domain reflectometry gives the distance, route tracing the path of the cable through your property.
- Pinpointing brings the position to the point at the surface and marks it; high-resistance faults are burned down first until they are earth-sensitive.
- You receive the damage report as a PDF – for electrician, insurer or property management.
Equipment and methods
We measure on the de-energised cable with the same methods that are standard in the supply network: time domain reflectometry for the distance, pinpointing via the voltage gradient for the spot, plus route tracing when nobody remembers where the cable runs at all. That a service connection is shorter than a network route does not make things easier – on short lengths, every bit of measuring accuracy counts double.
What you receive
A marked excavation spot with depth figure and a damage report as a PDF: affected cores, readings, route and position of the fault. Your electrician knows what to expect before the first cut of the spade.
We show what we find.
A cable fault is invisible until you stand right above it. This is what it looks like when the measurement is right.
Costs and effort
We charge per deployment from Erding, the effort by time. We tell you on the phone what the job will cost before you place the order – no surprises on the invoice.
Frequently asked questions
Does the power have to be switched off for the measurement?
Yes, the affected cable must be de-energised. Isolation is done by your electrician or – on the service connection upstream of the meter – by the network operator; we coordinate that before the appointment.
I do not know where the cable runs – is that a problem?
No, that is the normal case. Route tracing is part of the job: we trace the path of the cable before narrowing the fault down on it.
Will insurance pay for this?
That depends on your policy and the cause of the damage. Our damage report documents findings and fault position so that your insurer has a solid basis – only they can give you the confirmation itself.
Does CFT repair the cable right away?
No. We locate, mark and document; the repair is done by your electrical contractor. That keeps the measurement independent – and you free to choose who repairs.
Describe what you are observing.
Just describe what you see – add a photo, and we can often settle on the right method before we even call back.
What happens next
- We read your message and match the case to a method.
- We come back to you – usually with a question that shortens the appointment.
- We confirm the appointment and what it costs before anyone sets off.
Rather talk?
+49 (0) 173 6842932
Describe your case.
Fastest by telephone – then we settle straight away which method fits and what you should prepare.
Or write to office@cft-de.de.