Lanes puts drainage technology to new use in North Wales

Lanes engineers have put the technology they use to search out drain blockages to a new use – checking underground data and power ducts.

The have been asked to carry out CCTV surveys to check that the channels carrying electricity and data cables are in good repair.

Ian Clapham, Area Development Manager for the Lanes Chester depot serving Cheshire and North Wales said:

“It was an unusual request, but the technology worked well. The client needed to be sure that the ducting, at a location in North Wales, was not damaged before starting some renewal work.

“We used our push-rod camera system, which has a mini HD video camera on the end of a flexible cable. Our engineers sent it down 20 metres lengths of the ducting, recording video as it went.

“This was used to assess the integrity of the asset. In this case, it was found to be in good condition. Ducting, like any underground channel, can be susceptible to water ingress or ground movement. Also vermin can cause damage to both ducting and the cables it carries.

“So being able to carry out ducting inspections where these risks are considered to be high is a useful option.”

Ian Clapham said: “Thousands of miles of copper cabling and, more commonly now, fibre optic data cables have been laid in the UK in the last 20 or so years.

“A significant proportion of these cables are ducted, especially where maintenance is required. As these assets age, using our mini camera inspection technology to carry out these checks is a good way to ensure they remain fit for purpose, as part of a maintenance or upgrade programme.”

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