Plant&Equipment

A final test observed the
robustness of the device to
impact shock. That is, following
impact, would the system remain
operational and would the
magnets continue to hold the
device to the dipper? Readers
from JRB (Stoke) Ltd may wish
to look away now (!) because,
the machine’s bucket was
energetically rammed onto the
top of a spoil heap over the
period of about three minutes and
numerous blows (as many as 50)
were rained down on it, before
the magnet finally lost contact
with the dipper arm. (As
a precaution against damaging
the unit, a restraint strap fitted
to it kept it suspended in mid
air, unharmed).
EZiDIG was then fitted back on
to the machine and tested again
for accuracy as per trial number
three. The system worked
perfectly, despite sustaining
abnormal abuse!
A critical appraisal of
the system
Necessity is the real driving
force behind any technological
innovation and the need for
safety improvements within the
utilities sector of UK industry is
apparent. Overall the EZiDIG
system produced some
impressive results and provided
the machine operator with an
invaluable fail-safe device.
Commenting after completion
of the trials, Dr David Edwards,
Loughborough University said:
“This is an extremely welcome
development from a visionary
team of experts at Cable
Detection. I am confident that
anyone working within the field
of health, safety and welfare can
benefit from this device and no
doubt progressive manufacturers
and hire companies will want to
see EZiDIG for themselves.”
Dr Edwards continued: “It is
however important to recognise
that EZiDIG is not a panacea to
the problem of buried services,
because some ‘marginally
detectable’ service equipment
or non-metallic pipes will not be
detected by it. The technology
used in the EZiDIG is the same
as that used in hand held CATs
so it will not find anything you
cannot find with a hand held
device. The benefit delivered
by the EZiDIG is that it provides
a continual watching system
and detects signals in several
frequencies from services
running in several directions.
It is also critically important that
operators receive adequate
training both in the use of
the system and the hazards
surrounding buried services
generally. This device has to be
put in the context of an overall
safe system of work.”
When asked about any limitations
Dr Edwards noted that: “The
cables linking the device to the
VDU need to be more robust
and fitted so as to prevent
contact damage. On this matter,
Cable Detection assure me
that a far more durable military
specification cable will be fitted to
production models and that easy
Special report
to read operation, maintenance
and fitting instructions will be
supplied with all devices. Cable
Detection also offer a training
course for the equipment – this
has to be welcomed by all”.
Advancements in science that
have the potential for tangible
impact at the workface, are
few and far between, but
the EZiDIG system is one
such advancement. Further
refinements to this prototype
can and will need to be made no
doubt, but with a system that can
save lives, money and time now,
can industry afford not to use it?
Anyone interested in EZiDIG
should contact:-
Mrs Chris Swetnam
Managing Director
Cable Detection Ltd.
Newstead House,
Alderflat Drive, Newstead
Industrial Estate, Trentham,
Staffordshire ST 8HX.
Tel: 01782 654456
Fax: 01782 642584
Email: Christine.swetnam@
leica-geosystems.com
Web: www.cabledetection.com
February 2008
19