Are Touchless Locates Right For You?

ISO 9001 : 2008 Certified

Jeffrey Sadler, CET

Are Touchless Locates Right For You?


Touchless vs. Traditional LocatesAccess OSP to connect transmitter

Remotely activate locate signal

Remote locate activation

• Technician dials-in, follows voice prompts to initiate the locate signal

• The locate signal is picked up by standard receiver, up to 60miles away


Reduce maintenance costsTouchless locates•Fast

– Double locates per day

•Secure– Less OSP exposure, risk of connection errors

•Easy– Fewer marking errors and cable cuts

•Safe– Less traffic controls and confined space


By the minute…

Direct-connect locate Touchless locate

Approximately 80% saving on touchless method. System is paid for after 88 cable

locates.

Transmitter connection 15

Barricades, traffic control, permits, etc

15

Security issues TBD

Ground return path setup 30

Cable locating & marking 15

Transmitter/ground take down 30

Total minutes: 105

Cost calculation: 1.75 hours x $100.00/hour

Cost per locate: $175.00

Dial, select line and locate signal frequency

1

Cable locating & marking 15

Total minutes: 16Cost calculation: .25 hours x $100.00/hour

Cost per locate: $25.00


Fiber Optic Cable Installation Cost & Testing– $35,400 per mile

FOC Locating & Monitoring Equipment Installation– $515 per mile (minimum 62 miles)

Percentage of Fiber Optic Cable Installation– Approximately 2% per mile

By the mile…


Cable Locating – Long-Haul Network


Cable Locating – Branch Network


Migration from Traditional Grounding Methods

toSheath Grounding Units

Preparing the Outside Plant


Real-world scenario

Highly-diverse metro setting•250 miles of buried cable•>250 below-grade splices

Retro-fit cost = technician salary


Ralph Adair

Getting to and from connection points and back to the required locate area for a direct-connection locate was very time-consuming – especially on limited-access freeways. With the full deployment of Norscan’s system, we gained the equivalent of 1 to 1.5 FTE.

Minnesota Department of Transportation


Cable monitoring• A cost-effective way to remain proactive in your network

management approach• Avoid costly damage and downtime

Rodent DamageWet SplicesInduced AC

Lightning Strikes Cable Cuts


Is it right for you?

Calculate your ROI•How many locates per day / week?•Cost per locate?


Questions?

Contact us at www.norscan.com

Technology

Are Touchless Locates Right For You?