BAUR protrac Pin-Pointing System

Posted by Billy 11/06/2026 0 Comment(s)

Maintaining a reliable power supply is and will remain extremely important. To ensure a reliable power supply, a high-performance power grid and short downtime are crucial.

 

Often, faults on underground cables result in partial or total failure of the power supply and can lead to high repair and restoration costs. It is only through fast and precise cable fault location that repairs can be made quickly, to keep costs as low as possible and minimise downtime.

 

protrac Pin-Pointing System

An  animation explaining how protrac combines acoustic-magnetic fault pin-pointing, step-voltage sheath fault location, and audio-frequency route tracing in one field system.

Acoustic-Magnetic Pin-Pointing

A surge generator triggers breakdown at the fault. The AGP receives the electromagnetic impulse and the delayed acoustic signal, then the CU guides the operator toward the strongest and most consistent point.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EM reference pulse
Acoustic arrival
Principle

The fault flashover creates an electromagnetic reference pulse and an acoustic pressure wave. The time difference and signal strength guide the operator to the fault.

Best used for

Precise ground confirmation after pre-location, especially when the cable route is not straight or the excavation point must be reduced.

BAUR protrac elements

CU control unit, AGP acoustic ground probe, wireless audio output, and a surge voltage generator.

Engineering Parameters
EM/acoustic timingThe shortest consistent delay normally indicates the closest probe position.
Signal qualityUse peak acoustic response together with timing; do not rely on loudness alone.
Noise controlAdaptive noise suppression helps separate fault sound from traffic and site noise.
Field correctionCompare the mark with route data, depth, ducts, joints, and surface conditions.

Step Voltage Sheath Fault Location

For sheath and earth faults, voltage is applied to the faulty sheath. Current spreads through the soil and creates a surface voltage gradient that the SVP probes can follow.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principle

The operator walks across the voltage gradient. At the fault point the measured polarity reverses, confirming the physical location.

Best used for

Cable sheath faults and earth faults where the fault current leaves the sheath and enters the surrounding soil.

BAUR protrac elements

CU control unit and SVP step voltage probes. BAUR lists a step-voltage measurement range of 1 microvolt to 220 volts for the step voltage set.

Engineering Parameters
Voltage gradientSearch for increasing step voltage as the probes approach the sheath fault.
Polarity reversalThe direction change at the fault point is the final confirmation cue.
Measurement rangeBAUR states 1 microvolt to 220 volts for the protrac step voltage set.
Probe spacingUse wider spacing for rough search and shorter spacing for precise confirmation.

Audio Frequency Cable Tracing

The audio-frequency signal is coupled into the cable. The AFP probe follows the electromagnetic field to map the route, direction, and depth above ground.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principle

The probe evaluates the field around the conductor. Route history and depth readings help align the physical path with the pre-located fault distance.

Best used for

Route confirmation, depth estimation, joint location, short-circuit location, and reducing unnecessary excavation.

BAUR protrac elements

CU control unit, AFP audio frequency probe, and audio frequency generator. BAUR highlights direct and 45-degree depth measurements and 3D space-coil evaluation.

Engineering Parameters
Frequency selectionChoose the tracing frequency to fit distance, coupling, interference, and site conditions.
Depth readingsUse direct and 45-degree depth measurements as guidance before excavation.
3D coil dataSpace-coil evaluation helps reduce manual alignment errors while following the route.
Interference checksConfirm against nearby utilities, bonded screens, fences, and parallel cables.

protrac Set Architecture

protrac sets can be configured for multifunctional pin-pointing, tracing, acoustic work, or step-voltage work, using shared field components around the CU control unit.

 
 
CU
Control UnitOne display for guidance, data, and mode selection.
AGP
Acoustic ProbeAcoustic and magnetic pin-pointing with noise suppression.
SVP
Step VoltageSheath and earth fault location using voltage gradients.
AFP
Audio ProbeTracing, direction, depth, and route history.
AFG
GeneratorOptional audio frequency signal source for tracing.
Principle

A modular set lets the same operator interface support acoustic-magnetic pin-pointing, step voltage measurements, audio frequency tracing, and route history.

Best used for

Service teams that need one flexible field platform rather than separate instruments for every final-location task.

BAUR protrac elements

CU, AGP, SVP, AFP, and optional audio frequency generator, combined according to the selected protrac set.

Engineering Parameters
Wireless operationBluetooth connections reduce cables around the operator and measuring probes.
3D guidanceThe system provides guided navigation to the fault position and route history support.
Set selectionChoose multifunctional, tracing, audio-frequency, acoustics, or step-voltage sets by task.
Data continuityUse route and pre-location data to support faster final confirmation.

Technical Setup Matrix

Use these parameters as engineering prompts when choosing the protrac mode, configuring the test setup, and interpreting field indications.

Mode
Injected or Measured Signal
Primary Sensor
Engineering Decision Point
Acoustic-magnetic pin-pointingFinal location after surge pre-location.
HV surge impulseFlashover creates an EM reference pulse and acoustic wave at the fault.
AGP + CUGround microphone, magnetic pickup, headphones, and display guidance.
Mark the faultShortest EM-to-acoustic delay plus maximum repeatable acoustic response.
Step voltage sheath locationFault current leaves sheath and enters soil.
DC sheath voltageSurface voltage gradient around the sheath-to-earth fault.
SVP + CUTwo ground probes measure polarity and voltage gradient direction.
Confirm crossing pointPolarity reversal and peak gradient indicate the fault point.
Audio-frequency tracingRoute, laying direction, depth, joints, and short-circuit search.
Audio-frequency currentSignal coupled directly, by clamp, or by induction depending on access.
AFP + CU3D space-coil evaluation, route history, direct and 45-degree depth readings.
Validate routeStable direction, consistent depth, and route match before excavation.
Set architectureChoose multifunctional, tracing, audio-frequency, acoustics, or step-voltage set.
Wireless field dataBluetooth links reduce probe cables and support mobile operation.
CU platformOne operator interface for AGP, SVP, AFP, optional generator, and guidance.
Select the setMatch fault type, cable access, route uncertainty, and noise conditions.

Recommended Field Workflow

1. Pre-locate firstUse TDR or surge-based pre-location to estimate the distance to the fault before final ground search.
2. Confirm the routeUse AFP tracing when the physical cable route may deviate from the straight electrical distance.
3. Pin-point the exact spotUse AGP acoustic-magnetic detection or SVP step voltage depending on the fault type.
4. Mark and documentRecord position, mode, signal behavior, operator notes, and site constraints before excavation.
Tags: BAUR protrac cable fault location pin-pointing system acoustic magnetic step voltage cable tracing sheath fault location AGP SVP AFP