Cable Identification | Energized/De-energized Low-Voltage Power Cable Identifier

The XHSB505B Cable Identifier is designed for high-voltage cable construction, installation and maintenance personnel who need a practical way to identify a specific cable among many cables on site. Guided by electromagnetic field theory and built with modern electronic technology and tooling, it delivers fast and accurate cable identification. In power cable laying, relocation, maintenance and fault handling, one of the most troublesome problems is determining which cable is the one you are looking for — especially in cable trenches where many cables of the same specification run together. This device solves that problem quickly and accurately.

• Accurate, error-free identification
• Large identification clamp suitable for a wide range of cables
• Extremely simple operation
• Clear and intuitive indication
• Portable and neat main and auxiliary parts
• Adjustable receiver signal strength
• Identifies both de-energized (dead) and live cables
• Compact, portable and lightweight

The transmitter generates a special pulse signal that is applied to the cable to be identified through the connecting line. Based on the principle of electromagnetic induction, a signal consistent with the transmitted signal is induced along the cable. On site, a high-sensitivity receiver clamp combined with the handheld receiver is used to test all cables present, and the target cable (the de-energized cable carrying the injected signal) can be identified accurately from the indication on the handheld receiver.

The transmitter generates a special pulse signal that is applied to one point of the live cable to be identified through the dedicated transmitter clamp. Based on the principle of electromagnetic induction, a signal consistent with the transmitted signal is induced along the cable. On site, a high-sensitivity receiver clamp combined with the handheld receiver is used to test all cables present, and the target cable (the live cable carrying the injected signal) can be identified accurately from the indication on the handheld receiver.

Transmitter wiring

• Method 1: connect the red test line of the transmitter to the cable core (any one phase is sufficient); connect the black test line to ground; and connect the far end of the phase connected to the red test line to earth (the cable shield and armor are not grounded).
• Method 2: (1) connect the red test line to the cable core (any one phase is sufficient); (2) connect the black test line to the copper shield or cable armor; (3) connect the far end of the phase connected to the red test line to the copper shield or cable armor; (4) check the grounding state of the copper shield or cable armor.
• Method 3: when the resistance of the grounding loop is too large or unreliable, the states differ. In these states the transmitted signal may fail to load or may be cancelled, and the identification effect is not ideal. If this occurs, check and adjust the wiring and use the wiring of Method 1 or Method 2.

Cable identification is affected by the grounding condition of the grounding system and by whether the cable shield or armor is intact; the two wiring methods above give the most ideal identification results.

Operating steps

1. Turn on the transmitter power switch and set the position switch to "I". The power light blinks three times and the ammeter pointer also swings three times at the same frequency, cyclically outputting the pulse signal.
2. Connect the receiver to the receiver clamp, and clamp the receiver clamp onto the cable to be tested.
3. Note the arrow direction of the receiver clamp (the arrow points to the far end), otherwise the pointer will swing in the opposite direction.
4. Turn the receiver adjustment knob clockwise; when you hear a "beep" and the indicator lights up, the receiver switch is on. Then adjust the received signal strength to a suitable position. At this time, only the cable carrying the injected signal receives continuous characteristic signals in the same direction (three times), with a swing frequency consistent with the transmitter, and emits a "beep-beep-beep" sound.

Precautions

• No operation on the tested cable is needed; directly clamp the transmitter clamp onto the cable for testing.
• Both ends of the cable sheath must be well grounded, otherwise the coupling current decreases as the grounding resistance increases.
• If the sheath is not grounded at both ends or is broken in the middle, the coupling method cannot be used.
• When clamping the transmitter clamp onto the cable, the arrow on the clamp points toward the far end of the cable.
• Keep the receiver clamp at least 2 m away from the transmitter clamp.

Operating steps

1. Connect the transmitter output to the transmitter clamp, and clamp the transmitter clamp at a suitable position on the live cable to be identified, with the clamp arrow pointing to the cable far end.
2. Turn on the transmitter power switch and select position "II"; the power light blinks three times and the ammeter pointer also swings three times at the same frequency, cyclically outputting the pulse signal.
3. Connect the receiver clamp to the receiver, and clamp the receiver clamp onto the cable to be tested.
4. Note the arrow direction of the receiver clamp, which points to the cable far end, otherwise the pointer swings in the opposite direction.
5. Turn the receiver adjustment knob clockwise; when you hear a "beep" and the indicator lights up, the receiver switch is on. Then adjust the received signal strength to a suitable position. At this time, only the cable carrying the injected signal receives the signal, with a swing frequency consistent with the transmitter output switching frequency, and emits a "beep-beep-beep" sound.
6. If the required cable cannot be identified with the coupling method, the direct connection method is recommended.

• Read this manual in detail and follow the relevant precautions.
• The instrument can be used both indoors and outdoors, but it should be kept away from rain, corrosive gas, heavy dust and high temperature.
• The operator should have general knowledge of using electrical equipment or instruments.
• This is a high-precision instrument and should be protected from severe vibration.
• Repair, care and adjustment of the instrument should be carried out by professionals.
• Charge the transmitter once every 2 months for maintenance, to avoid battery damage.
• During testing, adjust the received signal strength of the receiver to a suitable level (neither too high nor too low), and do not adjust it during the test.
• After the cable to be tested has been identified, the cable must be punctured (spiked) before construction to ensure safety.
• When the receiver clamp is clamped on the cable to be tested, make sure the clamp jaws make good contact. Dust, gaps or loose contact on the jaws will all affect signal reception.
• If the pointer on the receiver does not swing obviously on site, check whether the receiver clamp is in good contact.
• When identifying a live cable, if severe interference causes the receiver clamp to magnetically saturate and no signal can be received, it is recommended to use the de-energized method for identification.
• The instrument can be directly short-circuited for testing.
• When the receiver pointer swing frequency is inconsistent with the transmitter, or the swing amplitude is too small, the received signal is too weak: turn the receiver adjustment knob clockwise to increase the received signal strength.
• When the receiver pointer swings irregularly or does not swing at all, the interference signal is too strong, or the tested cable is not the target cable.

The instrument comes with a one-year free warranty for quality problems from the date of purchase, and lifetime repair and technical service are provided. If you find that the instrument is not operating normally or a fault occurs, please contact us so that we can arrange the most convenient and effective solution for you. Service phone: 400-029-0829.