Risks and problems this service helps prevent
Striking an electrical cable can expose workers to electric shock, arc flash, burns, fire and potentially fatal injury. Cables may be buried underground, hidden in concrete or installed differently from old drawings and assumptions.
Cable damage can shut down buildings, equipment, pumps, lighting, communications and critical site services. Repairs may involve emergency electricians, network operators and civil contractors, while the project loses time and incurs unplanned costs.
Electrical cable locating helps define likely routes, exclusion zones and safer work areas. It should be combined with current plans, isolation procedures, appropriate permits, safe excavation methods and physical verification where required. No locating method should be treated as permission to excavate or drill without normal safety controls.
What can be detected or assessed?
- Traceable live and inactive electrical cables
- High-voltage and low-voltage cable routes
- Embedded conduits and electrical services where detectable
- Approximate cable depths under suitable conditions
- Service entry points, changes in direction and possible junctions
- Related subsurface anomalies using GPR where appropriate
Typical projects and industries
- Excavation and trenching near electrical infrastructure
- Commercial electrical upgrades
- Civil and road construction
- Core drilling and cutting near embedded conduits
- Industrial shutdowns and facilities maintenance
- Mining and regional infrastructure work
How the process works
- Plans, access points, switchboards, pits and the proposed work area are reviewed.
- Electromagnetic locating is carried out using suitable active and passive modes where access and service conditions permit.
- GPR may be used to cross-check alignments, investigate non-traceable conduits or provide additional subsurface context.
- Likely cable routes and approximate depths are marked clearly onsite.
- Findings, limitations and recommended verification steps are explained to the site team.
What the customer receives
- Onsite markings of detected cable routes
- Approximate depths where reliable readings are available
- A clear verbal briefing on findings and limitations
- Photographs or marked-up information where requested
- Written reporting where included in the agreed scope
Why West Coast Scanning is well positioned to help
West Coast Scanning gives you direct access to an experienced operator rather than a booking desk. Chris brings more than 12 years of practical scanning and service-locating experience, responds quickly and works closely with electricians, builders, plumbers, civil contractors and construction teams.
As a small family business, we offer personal attention, competitive rates and the flexibility to support urgent, metropolitan and regional WA projects. Quality GSSI and electromagnetic locating equipment, free quotes and same-day results and invoicing where possible make the process fast, practical and professional.
Frequently asked questions
Can you locate both live and dead electrical cables?
Live cables may produce a detectable passive signal, while inactive cables may require a suitable transmitter connection or alternative methods. Access and cable configuration affect results.
Can you tell whether a cable is high voltage or low voltage?
A locator can trace a cable route, but it may not reliably identify voltage or ownership. Plans, labels, pits and authorised electrical information should be used to confirm the service.
Can you locate electrical cables inside concrete?
Embedded conduits and cables may be investigated using concrete GPR and locating methods. Detection depends on depth, conduit type, reinforcement and access.
Is cable locating enough before excavation?
No. It is one important part of safe work planning. Current plans, permits, isolation, potholing or physical verification and safe excavation procedures may also be required.
How fast can you attend?
Availability depends on location and current bookings, but West Coast Scanning is structured for fast responses and often supports urgent or same-day requirements where practical.