Find underground cable

Heighway61

I have a pair of lights on my driveway gate pillars that haven't worked as long as we are in the house.

An electrician looked at it but couldn't see the cable coming in at the circuit board or find where it ends. He wants to trace back from the gate by digging holes.

Would there be a neater way of doing this, some kind of overground tracer?

kirk.

I wouldn't start by digging holes or cable tracing anyhow , chances are the swa cable isn't damaged

Cable is likely terminated at switch or blank plate , could be something simple.

meercat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119864801#Comment_119864801

Totally agree

if he can’t find it then it may be simpler/cost effective to redo it

Heighway61

I think I'll try and get another electrician but very hard to get one. This guy did a few little jobs and made a bit of a balls of things.

kirk.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119865624#Comment_119865624

Didn't sound that great looking for cable at fuseboard , wouldn't be there anyhow

Gusser09

There'll be ducting or trunking for the cable. If there isnt id be re doing it anyway. Wouldnt leave a cable unprotected.

Dig and lay yourself.

Wildly Boaring

Yes there is a way to trace it.

Go to a hire place. Sam Hire etc.

Hire a CAT and Genny.

Get them to show you how to use.

You can hook the Genny to the cable at the end you can see and trace up the garden with the CAT.

A CAT alone won't trace a dead cable.

https://youtu.be/pdSnqRI1JNY

MrMusician18

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058271426/find-underground-cable

Yes, hire a cat tool.

Heighway61

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119866581#Comment_119866581

Don't know anything about electrics, where would it come in?

kirk.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119868553#Comment_119868553

Probably brought straight into a switch near the front I would guess

Have you checked the obvious bulbs ?, possible I suppose there's a fault on cable and it was left disconnected

Heighway61

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119868566#Comment_119868566

Yeah, changed both bulbs. That's what he said, either never connected or a break. I wasn't sure about him digging holes esp after the poor job he did with the couple of other things.