Cable Fault Test Vehicle | VS-A40

Products Details

VS-A40 Cable Fault Test Vehicle is a professional all-in-one cable fault diagnosis platform engineered for efficient field operation. Designed according to DL/T 849.1–2019 to DL/T 849.3–2019, it integrates every stage of cable fault detection—from fault pre-location and surge testing to accurate fault pinpointing and cable route identification. Operating as a versatile heavy-duty testing unit within our industrial portfolio (which also encompasses grid diagnostic tools like the relay test set), this system offers unmatched versatility for field engineers.

The vehicle adopts a modular architecture that integrates the cable fault analyzer, high-voltage surge generator, DC burn-through bridge, acoustic-magnetic fault locator, intelligent cable route detector, and 50-meter cable reel system into one compact platform. Its export-oriented design allows installation on locally sourced vehicles, significantly reducing transportation costs while improving deployment flexibility.

The intelligent fault analyzer supports low-voltage pulse, impulse flashover, multiple impulse, and DC burn-through testing methods. Equipped with a 15-inch industrial Linux-based display, it measures cable length, propagation velocity, fault distance, and insulation faults with excellent accuracy for cables up to 100 km long.

The integrated high-voltage system delivers continuously adjustable output up to 32 kV with three built-in capacitor ranges, producing a maximum surge energy of 2048 J for reliable testing of high-resistance cable faults. Continuous surge, single surge, and DC high-voltage modes allow technicians to select the most suitable testing method for different fault types.

For precise fault location, the system includes an acoustic-magnetic synchronous pinpoint locator that combines sound and magnetic signal analysis with intelligent noise reduction technology, achieving fault pinpointing accuracy of ±0.2 m.

The intelligent cable locator provides underground cable tracing, depth measurement, cable identification, and current direction detection using multiple active and passive frequencies. Built-in interference suppression and automatic impedance matching ensure reliable operation even in complex underground utility environments.

To maximize operator safety, the system integrates grounding monitoring, step-voltage protection, high-voltage automatic discharge, emergency stop protection, video monitoring, and intelligent safety diagnostics throughout the testing process.

Technical Specifications

Cable Fault Main Control System
Parameter	Specification
Display	15-inch Industrial LCD
Operating System	Linux
Storage	32 GB
Test Methods	Low Voltage Pulse, Flashover, Multiple Pulse, DC Burn-through
Burn-through Voltage	0–40 kV
Burn-through Current	0–100 mA
Test Distance	5 m – 100 km
Blind Zone	≤5 m
Fault Location Accuracy	±0.2 m
System Accuracy	<±1%
Sampling Frequency	6.25–200 MHz
Pulse Width	100 ns – 10 μs
Pulse Amplitude	120 V
Output Impedance	120 Ω

 

High Voltage Surge Generator
Parameter	Specification
Output Voltage	0–32 kV
Surge Energy	2048 J
Capacitor Ranges	4 μF / 32 kV, 16 μF / 16 kV, 64 μF / 8 kV
Test Modes	Continuous Surge, Single Surge, DC High Voltage
Surge Cycle	1–10 s
Display	5-inch Color LCD
Input Power	AC220V ±10%, 50 Hz

 

Acoustic-Magnetic Pinpoint Locator
Parameter	Specification
Sound Dynamic Range	>104 dB
Magnetic Dynamic Range	>110 dB
Frequency Range	100–1500 Hz
Display	High-brightness Color LCD
Filters	Low-pass, High-pass, Band-pass
Pinpoint Accuracy	±0.2 m

 

Intelligent Cable Route Locator
Parameter	Specification
Active Frequencies	512 Hz–196 kHz
Passive Frequencies	50 Hz / 60 Hz
Output Power	10 W
Display	5.6-inch Touch Screen
Battery	Rechargeable Lithium Battery
Cable Identification	Live & De-energized Cable
Maximum Detection Distance	Up to 20 km

Customer Case

Power Utility Underground Cable Maintenance

• Challenge: A regional power utility deployed the VS-A40 Cable Fault Test Vehicle to locate a high-resistance fault on a 35 kV underground distribution cable after repeated service interruptions.

• Solution: Using the integrated fault analyzer, surge generator, and acoustic-magnetic pinpoint locator, engineers performed precise field diagnostics and surge pin-pointing.

• Results:

  • Engineers accurately identified the fault within ±0.2 m.

  • Reduced outage time from several hours to less than one hour.

  • Significantly improved overall maintenance efficiency.

How the VS-A40 Works

The VS-A40 performs cable fault diagnosis through a complete testing workflow. The cable fault analyzer first identifies the approximate fault distance using pulse reflection technology. The high-voltage surge generator then injects high-energy impulses into the cable, producing detectable discharge signals at the fault point.

The acoustic-magnetic pinpoint locator captures both sound and magnetic signals to accurately determine the fault location. Finally, the intelligent cable locator traces underground cable routes, measures burial depth, and identifies target cables before maintenance begins, ensuring safe and efficient field operation.

Features

• Complete vehicle-mounted cable fault diagnostic solution
• Integrated cable fault analyzer and high-voltage surge generator
• Fault pre-location, pinpointing, cable tracing, and identification
• Supports low-voltage pulse, impulse flashover, multiple impulse, and DC burn-through tests
• Adjustable DC burn-through output up to 40 kV
• High-voltage surge output up to 32 kV
• Maximum surge energy 2048 J
• Precise fault location accuracy up to ±0.2 m
• Cable testing distance up to 100 km
• Built-in three-stage energy storage capacitors
• Acoustic-magnetic synchronous pinpoint technology
• Intelligent underground cable route tracing
• Cable identification for energized and de-energized cables
• Automatic grounding and safety monitoring
• Emergency automatic discharge function
• 15-inch industrial Linux control platform
• Multi-frequency transmitter with automatic impedance matching
• Designed for power utilities, railways, airports, and industrial cable systems

Applications & Use Cases

Application Scenarios

• Power Utility Cable Maintenance: Used for routine and emergency maintenance of underground power networks.

• Underground Distribution Network Inspection: Pinpoints high-resistance faults in city grids.

• Railway Signal Cable Testing: Ensures reliable signal transmission across railway networks.

• Airport Lighting Cable Maintenance: Detects buried cable faults in airfield runways and taxiways.

• Municipal Street Lighting Systems: Locates underground short circuits in municipal wiring.

• Industrial Plant Power Cable Maintenance: Verifies feeder cables in large manufacturing facilities.

• Mining Cable Fault Detection: Supports heavy-duty cable troubleshooting in mining sites.

• Electrical Engineering Contractors: Serves as a primary mobile diagnostic workstation.

Functional Applications

• Underground Cable Fault Location

• High Resistance Fault Detection

• Cable Route Tracing

• Cable Identification

• Cable Length Measurement

• DC Burn-through Testing

• Cable Withstand Voltage Testing

• Preventive Cable Maintenance

• Utility Network Inspection

• Emergency Cable Fault Repair

FAQ

• What types of cable faults can the VS-A40 detect?

  It detects open circuits, short circuits, low-resistance faults, high-resistance leakage, flashover faults, grounding faults, and insulation failures.

• What is the maximum testing distance?

  The system supports cable testing distances of up to 100 km.

• Can the system identify live cables?

  Yes. The intelligent cable locator supports identification of both energized and de-energized cables.

• Is the system suitable for field operation?

  Yes. The vehicle-mounted integrated design allows rapid deployment for on-site cable fault diagnostics.

• Which industries commonly use the VS-A40?

  Power utilities, railways, airports, industrial plants, municipal utilities, mining companies, and electrical service contractors.

Weshine Advantages

Weshine Electric provides advanced cable fault diagnostic solutions for utilities and industrial users worldwide. As a flagship solution within our full range of professional Electrical Test Equipment, the VS-A40 Cable Fault Test Vehicle integrates fault pre-location, high-voltage surge testing, precise acoustic-magnetic pinpointing, intelligent cable tracing, and comprehensive safety protection into one mobile platform. With intelligent operation, high testing accuracy, and reliable performance, it helps maintenance teams locate cable faults faster, reduce outage time, and improve the efficiency and safety of underground cable maintenance.