Copy and paste this link into your browser, it will give you all the info that you need.

https://www.westernpower.co.uk/docs/Safety-and-education/Health-Safety/Public-Safety/Avoidance-of-Danger-Sept2014.aspx

Just bear in mind that an underground cable will not register on a CAT if it has no draw on it, for example a streetlight cable during the day when the lights are off. also remember that a 33KV cable will not be picked up by a CAT (amazing I know, but a CAT will not locate it)

I hope this helps

We're trying to determine where it has come from and where it is going. The cable melted the insulated drill bit in seconds but there has been no disruption to service and it isn't on any drawings. Fortunately the sub contractor was fine and only noticed a small flash and some smoke. I should add we're on a client site.

>>The cable melted the insulated drill bit in seconds but there has been no
disruption to service and it isn't on any drawings. Fortunately the sub contractor was fine and only noticed a small flash and some smoke<<

I think this is reportable as a Riddor 'Dangerous Occurance", the potential to Kill/severely injure an operative is here.

I am obviously Cut & Pasting from the HSE Riddor document, hope it's useful information though :-)

Examples of reportable incidents When should I report an electrical short-circuit or overload?

You must report an electrical short-circuit or overload (including those resulting from accidental
damage) that causes a fire or explosion and either stops the plant involved being used for more than 24 hours or could cause death. A short-circuit occurs
when there is unintended or accidental contact between conductors in a system
caused, eg by a failure of the insulation in the equipment, or a metal tool
such as a pickaxe being driven into a live cable, or a metal object being dropped onto live parts in electrical equipment. The incident would be reportable if:it took longer than 24 hours to repair the cable

• the explosion had the potential to cause fatal injuries

• the cable was energised at a voltage high enough to cause electrocution, and a person holding a conducting object such as a metal tool struck it

  Please note: Contact with the energised exposed conductors of an electrical cable or circuit operating above 50 V alternating current (ac) or 125 V direct current

• (dc) could cause death by electrocution.

• A mechanical tool penetrating an energised electric power cable will
  create a short-circuit either between two or more of the phase conductors
  within the cable or between the outer earthed armouring of the cable and one or more of the phase conductors within the cable.

   

Edited by user 13 December 2016 17:26:55(UTC)  | Reason: typo