Development of an Advanced Tracer Wire Terminator/Coupler #3050

Project Summary: Prototypes and tests components of a permanently buried termination device for trace wire that facilitates signal injection, corrosion protection, and positive identification of pipes buried below the trace wire. Also performs accelerated life tests on the prototypes. Monitors utility field tests of the prototypes to determine their performance including tracer signal coupling under a wide range of soil conditions and ability to reliably return an ID signal. Research partner: GTI. Foundation subscribers can download this Web-only report.

Project Details Participants Supporting Resources Order Report Project Profile / Order Report

Contractor: Gas Technology Institute

Collaborative Partners: Gas Technology Institute  

Project Manager: Traci Case

Funded: 2004              Completion Year: 2008              Funding Amount: $149,972.00

Goal Area: Infrastructure

Related Topics: Condition Assessment,  Distribution Systems Operations,  Infrastructure,  Location Techniques,  Management,  Material Tests,  Non-destructive Evaluation,  Pipe,  Plastic Pipe,  Remote Sensing,  Testing Protocols

Benefits to the Drinking Water Supply Community:
A permanently buried termination device for tracer wires would help water utilities locate buried plastic pipe more effectively. There is also the possibility that the tracer wire could be used to monitor the conditions around the plastic pipe and serve as a distributed sensor in the right-of-way.