How to Avoid Mistakes When Choosing Tracer Wire?

What Is Tracer Wire?

Choosing the right tracer wire is the first step in choosing a tracking system.

This is also a critical decision for long-term reliability.

With utility losses increasing every year, it is more important than ever to install quality tracer wire to protect your underground utilities.

There are four common mistakes to avoid when selecting trace wires.

First Mistake:

Choosing the Wrong Tracer Wire for Different Installation Situations.

For the installation of tracer wires, what are the general methods?

  • For open-cut installations, be sure to choose high-strength tracer wire. It combines the strength of high carbon steel with the conductivity and corrosion resistance of solid copper.
  • For horizontal directional drilling installations, it is necessary to choose ultra-high-strength tracer lines.
  • For pipe burst, use 7×7 stranded copper-clad steel tracer wire, designed to withstand the unstable environment of squibs and critical holes.
Second Mistake:

Not Choosing High Quality Tracer Wire

The main technical requirements of tracer lines lie in the following aspects:

Firstly, Conductivity
Secondly, Tensile strength
Thirdly Copper layer thickness
Fourthly, Elongation
Fifthly, Sheath thickness

Many suppliers often choose to quote low prices to customers in order to win orders. But behind this low price is the decline in product quality.

As a supplier who insists on quality and reputation, we, General Clad, will never do such a thing that smashes our own brand.

Thrid Mistake:

Choosing the Wrong Insulation for Tracer Wire

  • The best jacket material is High Density Polyethylene (HDPE). Second, it is PVC. Note that under no circumstances should THHN be used. THHN is a nylon coating that deteriorates quickly in soil and sunlight and will render your system out of position in less than 5 years.

Fourth Mistake:

Choosing the Correct Color for Tracer Wire

To accurately locate underground utilities, it is important to start with the correct tracer.
Avoiding these mistakes will help protect the utility infrastructure and prevent damage throughout the utility’s life service.

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