M-Thump5
Locate and identify a range of faults using only one system
The M-Thump5 provides nine fault identification, prelocation and pinpointing methods all in one system, making it the best solution for a range of fault and cable types. All the tests are integrated in one easy-to-use software interface for straightforward operation in all situations.
Fault location made easy with automatic test sequences
The M-Thump5’s intelligent software guides users through the fault location process, automatically adjusting parameters, interpreting test results and suggesting the next logical step.
This makes the system easy to operate even for less experienced users, requiring little training. Advanced users have the option to switch to ‘expert mode’, with full access to all parameters and settings.
Simple, standardised user interface for effortless onboarding
All products in Megger’s E-TRAY family of integrated cable fault location systems operate identically, offering the same user-friendly interface and a standardised, safety interlocked high voltage turn-on sequence across the board.
Once the user becomes familiar with one E-TRAY product, they can use any other product from the E-TRAY family without additional training. This significantly reduces the burden on personnel and training staff, and makes onboarding new people to a crew quick and effortless.
About the product
The M-Thump5 portable cable fault locating system provides safe, efficient, and extremely easy-to-use solutions for quickly identifying, pre-locating, and pinpointing various types of cable faults in low and medium voltage power cables up to 6.6kV. This product represents a new generation of advanced underground cable fault locating systems that require less training than a traditional thumper-only system. The unit features a lightweight aluminium enclosure, equipped with handles as a portable unit, or as a permanently installed vehicle-mounted unit.
Nine fault locating techniques in one toolbox
The M-Thump5 incorporates nine methods for identification, prelocation and pinpointing of cable faults in one toolbox, with an output up to 5 kV. These methods include:
- DC breakdown detection and proof test
- Insulation resistance readout
- Fault conversion by DC burning with burn current up to 500mA
- Prelocation with cable radar/TDR, including phase comparison
- Arc Reflection (ARM) with inductive ARM filter, including BestPicture Multishot
- ARM Live Burning (Burn Arc Reflection) including BestPicture Multishot
- Current decoupling ICE
- Pinpointing high resistance faults by surging/thumping with up to 1000 J at up to 5 kV
- Pinpointing of earth faults or sheath faults by voltage gradient method (step voltage method)
Simple user interface and automatic test sequences
The M-Thump5 unit incorporates Megger’s E-TRAY software. The E-TRAY software uses yes/no prompts to guide users through the entire fault location process. The software sets parameters, interprets results and suggests the next logical step.
This allows users to direct their attention on finding the fault without needing in-depth knowledge about individual fault location methods and without having to remember cumbersome manual equipment operation procedures. While the system is ideal for less experienced users, advanced users have the option to switch to ‘expert mode’, with full access to all parameters and settings, which they can then use at their own discretion.
All E-TRAY products operate identically, offering a standardised safety interlocked high voltage turn-on sequence across the board. Once a user becomes familiar with one E-TRAY product, they can easily use any other product from the E-TRAY family.
The E-TRAY user interface is available in 20 languages.
Product documents
Software and firmware updates
E-Tray Software
ETRAY SOFTWARE UPDATE NOTICE
APPLIES TO: T3090, EZ-RESTORE, EZ-THUMP AND SMART-THUMP
SOFTWARE UPDATE WARNING:
Prior to updating the affected products to software version 2.5.2/0.43 or later, you must first consult the factory via the contact information provided below to determine if your instrument hardware can support the upgrade. Failure to consult the factory prior to performing software upgrades could leave your instrument in a state that will require it to be sent in for repair.
Please have the following information ready before you call:
- Instrument model and serial number
- ETray Hardware revision which is determined by using the 'ETray revision software' located below.
Contact Us
Customer Service: 1-800-723-2861
FAQ / Frequently Asked Questions
The M-Thump5 is designed to meet the requirements for typical low and lower medium voltage distribution cable fault location markets. Typical end users could include: operations departments of power utility companies, electrical departments within municipalities including street light maintenance, private network operators, high voltage electrical contractors, service companies, port authorities, mining, airports, military bases, petrochemical and paper companies.
The M-Thump5 can be used to work with all types of cable designs (single core, multicore, armoured, shielded), and insulation materials (XLPE, EPR, PVC, PILC).
The M-Thump5 can be used to detect high resistance faults, low resistance faults, and earth faults.
The user can select from 20 international languages: Arabic, Bulgarian, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Russian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Vietnamese.
Old paper-lead cables pose a big challenge when fault locating due to their different physical construction compared to modern solid dielectric cables. Instead of having to deal with carbon and air like in faulted XLPE- or EPR-insulated cables, PILC cables are made of lapped paper impregnated with mass or oil.Breaking down a fluid insulation medium, igniting and stabilising an arc in a fluid, and capturing useful fault traces with the radar is all far more difficult on paper cables than on solid dielectric cables. In particular, breakdown voltages of high resistance faults may be very high, and low resistance faults do occur significantly more often.To be truly effective on paper-lead cables, the fault location system used must have a high DC hipot, sufficient energy for cap discharge, and a modern TDR. With its 40 kV DC hipot, 2000 Joules at 32 kV and a radar with Multishot and de-attenuation features, the STX40 is well-equipped to be successful in finding faults even on PILC cables.
Occupational safety and safe working conditions are paramount for us and our customers. Therefore, Megger products are designed to be the safest in the market. The STX40 is no exception.The unit meets the strict requirements of VDE 0104. Equipped with a ground loop monitoring circuit (F-Ohm) and a touch potential monitoring circuit (F-U or F-Voltage), STX40 is a milestone and is the portable fault location system with the highest safety standards in the market by far.