UK Power Networks has successfully completed a trial using Megger’s Fault Sniffer 2 device, with engineers armed with the backpack-mounted device having patrolled Surrey’s streets during a pilot phase to track down underground cable problems before they trigger power cuts.
Following that successful pilot phase, which took place in Croydon, Guildford and Kingston, UK Power Networks has deployed more than 60 of the devices across London, the South East and East of England.
How the technology works
Developed by Megger, the Fault Sniffer 2 samples the air above underground cables, detecting gases released when insulation begins to break down. The equipment can pick up readings as low as 10 parts per million and distinguish cable-fault gases from naturally occurring bio- or landfill gases, allowing teams to pinpoint a defect without extensive excavation.
Traditional methods rely on drilling small holes in pavements and inserting probes at regular intervals. The new system, worn as a backpack and operated via a handheld wand, removes that step, which in turn reduces noise, dust and traffic disruption.
Dylin da Silva, lead field engineer at UK Power Networks, explained, “It’s a backpack with pipes running to the handle which sucks up the gas from hidden cable faults below ground, which cause power cuts.
“This is another potential tool in our extensive arsenal to maintain safe and reliable electricity supplies for local homes and businesses. The trial explored how the ‘sniffer’ could help us find and fix faults fast, reduce noise and disruption from roadworks and be cost-efficient.”
Because the kit can be used proactively, engineers are able to intervene while a cable is still energised, avoiding an outage altogether. UK Power Networks believes that that is a significant benefit for a network that comprises more than 144,000 km of underground cables and serves some 20 million people.
Megger’s UK Territory Manager for cable diagnostics, Kerry Burdett, added, “This innovative product has proved to be very successful finding underground cable faults quickly and accurately. Not having to drill into the ground means some of these faults can even be found during the night without disturbing residents. The product has been a huge success across Europe in helping to get the power back on efficiently.”
Funded through Surrey’s lane-rental scheme
The Surrey trial was part-funded by the county’s Lane Rental Fund, which charges utilities for occupying the busiest roads at peak times and reinvests the proceeds in schemes that minimise disruption.
Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, commented, “Surrey is one of only four highway authorities in England to operate a Lane Rental Scheme. Since its inception in April 2021, the scheme has proven to be a valuable asset in managing roadworks and minimising disruption across the county’s busiest roads with £5.481 million generated from the scheme, to fund a range of local road improvements.
“We were pleased to support UK Power Networks with the development of Fault Sniffer 2 which will minimise disruption to residents in Surrey and elsewhere in the country.”
