M-Thump5

The M-Thump5 portable cable fault locating system provides safe, efficient, and extremely easy-to-use solutions for quickly identifying, pre-locating, and pinpointing various types of cable faults in low and medium voltage power cables up to 6.6kV. This product represents a new generation of advanced underground cable fault locating systems that require less training than a traditional thumper-only system. The unit features a lightweight aluminium enclosure, equipped with handles as a portable unit, or as a permanently installed vehicle-mounted unit.

Nine fault locating techniques in one toolbox

The M-Thump5 incorporates nine methods for identification, prelocation and pinpointing of cable faults in one toolbox, with an output up to 5 kV. These methods include:

• DC breakdown detection and proof test
• Insulation resistance readout
• Fault conversion by DC burning with burn current up to 500mA
• Prelocation with cable radar/TDR, including phase comparison
• Arc Reflection (ARM) with inductive ARM filter, including BestPicture Multishot
• ARM Live Burning (Burn Arc Reflection) including BestPicture Multishot
• Current decoupling ICE
• Pinpointing high resistance faults by surging/thumping with up to 1000 J at up to 5 kV
• Pinpointing of earth faults or sheath faults by voltage gradient method (step voltage method)

Simple user interface and automatic test sequences

The M-Thump5 unit incorporates Megger’s E-TRAY software. The E-TRAY software uses yes/no prompts to guide users through the entire fault location process. The software sets parameters, interprets results and suggests the next logical step.

This allows users to direct their attention on finding the fault without needing in-depth knowledge about individual fault location methods and without having to remember cumbersome manual equipment operation procedures. While the system is ideal for less experienced users, advanced users have the option to switch to ‘expert mode’, with full access to all parameters and settings, which they can then use at their own discretion.

All E-TRAY products operate identically, offering a standardised safety interlocked high voltage turn-on sequence across the board. Once a user becomes familiar with one E-TRAY product, they can easily use any other product from the E-TRAY family.

The E-TRAY user interface is available in 20 languages.