In underground electrical systems, accurate and visible tags and markers are essential for locating faults quickly and safely.
For electric utilities, even brief power outages can disrupt homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. The challenges can be even greater with underground systems that distribute electricity through cables buried below ground. Unlike overhead lines, underground cables are not easily accessible. When a fault occurs, locating and repairing the problem often requires specialized tools and possibly excavation. Even minor failures can turn into extended outages.
To identify the probable location of the fault, linemen rely on physical signage at the site as a critical tool for directing utility crews to the precise location of underground cables, access points, and other infrastructure so the work can begin.
Therefore, when cable markers are missing, mislabeled, or damaged, the entire fault-response effort is delayed. This underscores the importance of signage that is accurate, visible, and legible over many years, despite the harsh underground environment.
“Cable tags and markers play a critical role in warning utility personnel about potential hazards, and can also help utilities minimize any downtime by facilitating the location of cables and other equipment underground faster,” explains Daniel O’Connor, General Manager of Tech Products, Inc., a New York-based manufacturer of industrial identification solutions with over 75 years of experience.
In underground electrical distribution systems, signage must be installed in several critical locations above ground, below, and in underground vaults, manholes, and handholes.
Unfortunately, the same underground environmental conditions that affect cable systems can also have an impact on any installed signage – factors that make it essential for utility signage to be made from materials designed for long-term outdoor or underground use.
“The graphics should remain highly visible and legible for thirty to forty years after installation, even in harsh environments above and below ground,” says O’Connor.
One solution is high impact polyolefin plastic products like the EVERLAST® brand from Tech Products. EVERLAST cable tags and markers display text or pictograms that are permanently embedded through the entire thickness of the substrate. UV stabilizers and antioxidants are added to provide complete protection and weather resistance in all climates. The polyolefin plastic is impervious to sun, wind, rain, humidity, salt water, fumes, and acid/alkali solutions. Custom wording, logos, and a range of color options are available.
When close-up reading is required in tight or confined spaces, miniature markers with raised, 3D characters, called FastTags by Tech Products, Inc., remain legible even in low light, oily, or dusty environments.
Given the increasing adoption of underground systems and with the stakes so high to quickly restore power, utilities need to effectively utilize industry best practice signage, tags, and markers to help technicians quickly and safely identify and resolve any faults.
For more information, call 1-800-221-1311; email info@techproducts.com; or visit www.techproducts.com.