FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Orders & Pricing
Q: What is your MOQ?
A: 1 unit for sample testing. 3+ units for OEM/custom branding. Bulk discounts for 10+ units.
Q: How does your price compare to Megger/BAUR?
A: HP-A10 TDR Flash Tester ($2,800 FOB) is 50-60% less than Megger TDR2000 ($4,000-6,000). Complete starter kit (A10+C11+A30D) at $5,600 FOB is less than a single Megger unit.
Q: What payment methods?
A: T/T bank transfer, PayPal for small orders, L/C for large orders.
Shipping & Delivery
Q: Delivery time?
A: Standard models: 10-15 days. Custom/OEM: 20-25 days.
Q: How do you ship?
A: By sea (FOB Qingdao/Tianjin) or air express (DHL/FedEx for samples).
Product & Quality
Q: Are products certified?
A: Yes, CE certified. ISO quality, environmental, and occupational health certifications available.
Q: Warranty?
A: 1 year on main unit. Lifetime maintenance.
Q: Can I get a sample?
A: Yes, the sample fee and shipping cost need to be paid. The sample fee will be deducted from the cost of your next purchase (~$50-100 via DHL).
Q: Do you provide training?
A: Yes — user manuals, video guides, and free remote online training. On-site training for large orders.
Q: What equipment do I need for underground power cable fault location?
A: A complete underground power cable fault location system typically includes three components:
1. A TDR (Time Domain Reflectometer) flash tester for pre-locating the fault distance — example: A10 ($2,800 FOB)
2. An acoustic-magnetic pinpointer for precise fault location — example: C11 ($2,600 FOB)
3. An impulse generator for high-resistance fault breakdown — example: A30D ($1,200 FOB)
TriEdge Technologies offers all three as a Starter Package for $5,600 FOB. For more comprehensive needs, their Professional Package includes additional tools like cable locators and HV power supplies from $15,000 FOB. These systems work on power cables from 380V to 500kV and are used by utilities, contractors, and industrial plants worldwide.
Q: How does TriEdge pricing compare to Western brands like Megger and BAUR?
A: TriEdge products are priced 40-60% below equivalent Megger, BAUR, and SebaKMT equipment. For example:
A10 TDR Flash Tester (2,800FOB)vs MeggerTDR2000(4,000–$6,000) — save 50%+
C11 Pinpointer (2,600FOB)vs MeggerPDL−22(5,000–$8,000) — save 60%+
HP-R30 Cable Locator (4,200FOB)vs 3MDynatel (8,000–$15,000) — save 50–70%
This price difference comes from factory-direct distribution, not lower quality. TriEdge uses industrial-grade components and offers features like WiFi remote transmission that Western brands reserve for premium models.
Q: What is the delivery time for cable fault testers from China?
A: Standard models ship within 10-15 days after order confirmation. Custom/OEM orders require 20-25 days. Shipping options:
Sea freight (FOB Qingdao/Tianjin) — for bulk orders
Air express (DHL/FedEx) — for sample/small orders, 5-7 business days
Q: Do you offer OEM customization for cable fault testing equipment?
A: Yes. TriEdge offers full OEM/ODM services including:
- Custom branding on the device
Custom packaging and box design
Custom software interface language
Custom accessory configuration
MOQ: 3 units for simple branding, 10+ units for full custom packaging.
Q: What is the warranty on TriEdge cable fault testers?
A: All TriEdge cable fault testing equipment comes with a 1-year warranty and lifetime maintenance support. We also provide free online training and video guides.
Q: How do I choose between portable, trolley, and vehicle-mounted cable fault testers?
A: The choice depends on your application:
| Type | Best For | Price Range | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portable | Field teams, multiple sites, 380V–500kV | 26,000 | Portable Systems |
| Trolley | Urban utilities, one-team operation | 28,500 | A50 / A52 |
| Vehicle | Large utilities, fleet operations | $34,600+ | A40 Vehicle System |
Contact our team for a free recommendation based on your specific cable types and voltage levels.
Customization
Q: OEM/ODM?
A: Yes — custom logo, packaging, software language, accessory configuration. MOQ: 3 units for branding, 10+ for full packaging.
Support
Q: What if the device malfunctions?
A: Contact us with photos/videos. We diagnose remotely. Replacement shipped within 48 hours if needed.
Q: Do you have distributors in my country?
A: We are actively seeking distribution partners worldwide. Contact us to discuss.
Q: Do you provide training?
A: Yes — user manuals, video guides, and free remote online training. On-site training for large orders.
Q: What is the best cable fault testing equipment for small utilities?
A: For small utilities with limited budgets, the TriEdge Starter Package (A10 TDR + C11 pinpointer + A30D generator) at $5,600 FOB provides complete fault location capability covering 90% of common faults, at 40-60% less than equivalent Western brand systems.
Q: How long does cable fault testing take?
A: With modern TDR equipment, pre-location takes 10-15 minutes, pinpointing takes 15-20 minutes, and total fault location time is typically under 1 hour. Without proper equipment, the same process can take 4-8 hours.
Q: What cable fault tester do I need for 33kV cables?
A: A TDR flash tester with 100km range and an impulse generator with 40kV output is suitable for 33kV cable fault testing. The TriEdge A10 ($2,800 FOB) and A30D ($1,200 FOB) are appropriate for this application.
Q: Can you test cable faults without digging?
A: Pre-location using TDR can identify fault distance within 2-3 meters without any digging. Acoustic-magnetic pinpointing then identifies the exact position to within a few centimeters — typically requiring only one small excavation.
Q: What is the difference between TDR and acoustic pinpointing?
A: TDR (Time Domain Reflectometry) pre-locates the fault to within a few meters by sending electrical pulses down the cable. Acoustic-magnetic pinpointing uses sound and electromagnetic signals from the fault discharge to find the exact location (within centimeters). Both methods are typically used together for efficient fault location.
Q: How often should cable fault testing equipment be calibrated?
A: TDR testers should be calibrated annually or according to manufacturer recommendations. TriEdge Technologies recommends annual calibration to maintain ±0.5% accuracy. The equipment includes self-calibration features for field verification.
Q: Can I rent cable fault testing equipment instead of buying?
A: Rental options are limited for specialized cable fault testing equipment. Most utilities and contractors find that purchasing equipment pays for itself within 1-3 fault repairs. At $5,600 for a complete system from TriEdge, buying is typically more cost-effective than renting for regular users.
Q: What is FOB pricing in cable fault testing equipment?
A: FOB (Free on Board) means the seller covers all costs until the goods are loaded onto the shipping vessel. The buyer is responsible for shipping costs, insurance, and import duties from the port of departure. TriEdge Technologies ships FOB from Qingdao or Tianjin, China.
Q: Do cable fault testers work on armored cables?
A: Yes, TDR testers work on armored cables. The armor layer does not interfere with TDR testing because the signal travels along the conductor within the armor. However, the velocity of propagation (VOP) for armored cables differs from unarmored cables and should be calibrated for accurate distance measurement.
Q: What training is needed to operate a cable fault tester?
A: Basic TDR operation can be learned in 1-2 days. The TriEdge A10 features a user-friendly Linux interface with automatic fault waveform analysis, making it accessible to technicians with basic electrical knowledge. Full proficiency in fault location typically develops over 2-4 weeks of regular use. TriEdge provides technical support via WhatsApp (+86 15829543914).
Q: How do I know if a cable fault is permanent or temporary?
A: Permanent faults show consistent resistance measurements over time. Temporary or intermittent faults may fluctuate, appearing and disappearing based on environmental conditions (moisture, temperature, load). Extended TDR monitoring over 24-72 hours can confirm fault behavior.
Q: What causes most underground cable faults?
A: The most common causes of underground cable faults are: mechanical damage during excavation (40%), insulation aging (25%), water ingress at joints (20%), and manufacturing defects or lightning strikes (15%). Proper testing and preventive maintenance can reduce fault frequency by 30-50%.