Finding power lines

[sandman2234]

Sister in law owned a dirt road with about a dozen houses on it. I typically grade it, and one day I was digging out the ditch. Now, I had the main water line "located" but I was taking a deep dig with the dirt pan down the ditch area, and looked behind me, and I was dragging a 3/4" cable! Apparently I had crossed and cut a phone line cable and was pulling one end out of the dirt because it was shallowly buried.
I was sweating bullets till I called all the people down the road to make sure they all had phone service on their landlines. Phone company came out and told us it was probably a discarded line, no longer in use.
Had me worried for quite a while!
David from jax

 

[grsthegreat]

Here in Ohio AFAIK, the uilities pay for the service and only locate public utility utiliy lines. Fortunately, the unused telephone line (2200' pole to house) were put in the same trench as our water line (meter at the road) so I can have them mark the tlephone line to find out where my water line is.

Ken

Mine is same way. Way back when water was at 5’ deep, than 2 feed of fill, than elect, phone placed at opposite side of water trench. Makes for easy locates. Its how everyone did it back then. Current laws require 5 foot separation minimum. This actually makes more sense if you ever had to repair water line.

 

[grsthegreat]

I think that starts getting into what you are trying to locate and how deep you need it to be.

My need was buried power wires, with a faint hope of finding metal pipe. I have a Progressive Electronics Model 501 System Cable Locator (basically an AM transmitter with a clamp on antenna, and a second one built into the case, with a receiver wand). I bought it used, figuring I could repair the electronics if needed, but it turned out to be in mint condition. I've used it to find buried conduit and cables, and the locations and depths have been very close. The company is now Tempo, and the updated product looks identical;

https://www.tempocom.com/products/501-tracker-ii-cable-locator/

But you could spend a lot more if you have more complex needs.(Ground penetrating radar anyone? But those can do 20' below grade and find all sorts of pipes and obstructions. Not too shabby for testing tree health, too.)

All the best,

Peter

Ha…thats the exact same one i have. Its very accurate. Mine has never let me down. Have had it for many years.

 

[grsthegreat]

You can also just call a local water/power line locating service in your area. Ive hired a company several times over the years to find location of dead direct buried power lines. They have always located the exact location of the break, even telling me how deep. Their equipment is way more expensive than mine.

 

[Ken45101]

I'm with @grsthegreat and own my own locator because here 811 only locates the utility lines. Locating natural gas lines around here can be something of an issue as the recent pipes are all plastic.

All the best,

Peter

When the local water company put in a new water main, they buried wire on top of it. That really simplifies locating it.