Wire selection is the first step when choosing a tracer wire system and is a critical decision for long-term reliability. With utility damages increasing year-over-year, it’s more important than ever to install a high-quality tracer wire system to protect underground utility assets. Listed below are 5 mistakes to avoid when selecting tracer wire. Mistake 1: Choosing the Wrong Kind of Tracer Wire for the Job What installation method is required for the job? For […]
So you’ve installed a tracer wire system for underground utilities, but now you can’t locate it? Tracer wire systems are the most effective and accurate way to locate underground utilities, but unfortunately, too many are installed incorrectly, leaving utilities at risk for damage. Before we talk about unlocatables, it is important to know what makes a system locatable in the first place. A locatable tracer wire system requires a complete electrical circuit. Just like the […]
Near misses highlight breakdowns in the utility damage prevention process. The Common Ground Alliance (CGA) has released an “Analysis of Near Miss Events” as a supplement to its most recent DIRT Report. We have compiled some of our key takeaways in the infographic below. The full report can be found here. Remember, the first step in protecting underground utilities is installing a reliable locating system. Here are the technical requirements for proper installation of tracer […]
March 27, 2020 Since our first communication, and as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, we’d like to update you on the most recent developments as they affect Copperhead and our continued commitment to serve our customers. Copperhead will continue operating as an essential business supporting critical infrastructure following CISA Guidance, and most recently, MN Executive Order 20-20 issued March 25. Of the sectors listed in the CISA’s “Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce: […]
Copperhead Industries is fully operational and remains ready to serve all customers during the Coronavirus pandemic. We have been in close communication with our suppliers, and although we do not anticipate an impact to our supply chain at this time, we are adopting the following precautions set forth by the CDC and World Health Organization to ensure that our sales team, customer service and support teams, and manufacturing team remain ready to serve you. • […]
At Copperhead, innovation and enhancements are driven by listening to our customers and understanding the challenges they’re facing in the field. One of those challenges came to us from a customer who said that while the Cobra Hydrant Flange is a great way to keep the Cobra Access Point affixed to a fire hydrant, it doesn’t fit the hydrants in their city. The mounting flange only accommodated ¾” and 5/8” bolts, and their city’s hydrants […]
Detecting the precise location of underground utilities is critical in protecting valuable infrastructure assets and in saving lives. But did you know that installing tracer wire alone is not enough? In order to be able to pinpoint the exact location of your utility, it is crucial to understand the principles of locating and what components help carry the locate signal down the tracer wire so it can be accurately traced. Following these 5 simple steps […]
Stan Roberts & Associates, a Copperhead rep firm, assisted a large city in Texas locate their previously unlocatable services and mainline by installing ground rods and access points at all tracer wire dead ends. Troubleshooting an unlocatable tracer wire system. A Texas city water department reached out to Stan Roberts when they were struggling to locate their services and parts of their water main. A sales representative from Stan Roberts & Associates visited the city […]
The short answer? Yes. A properly grounded tracer wire system is critical in establishing a complete electrical circuit needed for line tracing and accurate detection of underground utilities. Utility damages in the U.S. are significantly rising, and an untraceable system is at the highest risk for damage. What happens if my tracer wire is not grounded? Without grounding tracer wire with ground rods, the locate signal will not travel down the line. One of the […]
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