Locating landscape irrigation (sprinkler) control cables

[kbuhagiar]

Hello Folks,

I have a 12-zone irrigation system, and one of the two cables feeding out from my controller is failing. I've already had to combine two zones onto one conductor, so I would like to repair or replace it as soon as possible. Unfortunately I'm having a heck of a time figuring out where this cable is buried underground. It leaves my garage in a 3/4" PVC conduit stub which I think ends on the other side of my concrete slab, and the wire is buried from there to the irrigation valves.

Are there any industry standards with regards to placement of sprinkler cables? Are they usually just laid in the same trench as the irrigation pipes? Any tricks for locating them? I'm dealing with potentially over 200 ft of cable, so I'm hoping to minimize the amount of digging that will be needed.

I will also be using an inexpensive wire locating tool that I purchased on Amazon about a year ago but haven't tried:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08DK671CQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Based on the reviews there is a bit of a learning curve but if it gives me a slight advantage I'm all in.

 

[no704]

Alwas bury a strand of det cord with underground cables. Makes them easy to locate.

 

[Moss]

I don't think the wires and the water pipes are often together. The valves are usually located closer to the building. I use a tool like you have linked in automotive electrical work and it's easy to use. I don't think you'll have much trouble locating the line with that tool. Not sure about under concrete.

 

[mike93lx]

Based on what I have seen done, I can't imagine an irrigation company digging an extra trench just for a little wire when they already have one trench dug.

IMO, I would probably run a new line, in a new trench, unless you want to repair/replace the water line too

 

[kbuhagiar]

IMO, I would probably run a new line, in a new trench, unless you want to repair/replace the water line too

I tend to agree with this, but at the very least I need to locate the other end of the PVC pipe stub which goes under 6ft of concrete slab so I can pull the new wire through.

 

[tomshep]

Wires will be in the same trench as the pipe. Usually below it for protection from digging.

Tom

 

[nadogail]

My sprinkler valves are all connected to a manifold and the water is run to the manifold in a 1" pipe. The valves are controlled by a clock installed in a Utility Closet and a PVC conduit protects the multi pair cable running to the valves that are all side by side.

 

[mike93lx]

I tend to agree with this, but at the very least I need to locate the other end of the PVC pipe stub which goes under 6ft of concrete slab so I can pull the new wire through.

You could try probing, but that would require the pvc sleeve to extend beyond the slab, which I wouldn't count on that though.

I see some $40 cable locators on Amazon...no idea if they are any good.

 

[1jeepfan]

I’ve used a similar wire locator to help me with my sprinkler system. It’s easier than you think, especially if you have some idea of where to look. Sounds like you need to find the spot where the cable goes under the slab. Search along the slab edge and you’ll find it. You may also need to track the cable leaving the controller, for some distance, just to avoid the cable(s) you want to keep.

Good luck.

 

[kbuhagiar]

I see some $40 cable locators on Amazon...no idea if they are any good.

I have one, and I played around with it last night. I think I can work with it.
I worked with cable locating devices back in my phone company days; this is based on similar technology.

 

[cabranch47]

I have a similar cable locator that you reference to find underground pet fencing and it works very well. Practice on known circuits as there is a little learning curve.