Cable detection device shortlisted for national award

A joint project between Staffordshire University and Cable Detection Limited has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.

With the help of experts from Staffordshire University, enhancements have been made to a handheld device that reduces the chances of serious injury on construction sites.

It quickly and accurately locates buried electrical cables or gas pipes before digging can begin, increasing safety by reducing the chance of someone striking a potentially dangerous service line.

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project has been named among the top three in the Civil Engineering Category of The Engineer Technology & Innovation Awards 2009.

Professor Mansour Moniri and Mark Hanstock, from the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Technology, worked alongside Simon Branson, project manager at Cable Detection Ltd, and Dr Ping Wang, KTP associate, on the project.

Professor Moniri, lead academic, said: “We used Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technology to enhance the accuracy of three of their underground service location products.

“These devices can quickly locate cables before digging begins, increasing safety and reducing potential injury and damage.

“The company approached Staffordshire University to do this and we used our expertise in DSP technology to improve the products.”

The 27-month project, which began in January 2007, has been nominated for the civil engineering award alongside a fibre optic health monitoring system from BAE Systems, Smart Fibres, Insensys and Aston University.

Also nominated is a creative energy homes project produced in partnership between Tarmac and the University of Nottingham.

The award ceremony will take place today, Friday, December 4.

“It is a very prestigious award and it is great to be named in the finals. This is a great achievement for Staffordshire University,” Professor Moniri added.

Staffordshire University and Cable Detection Limited’s partnership was recently given the highest rating of “outstanding” by the government funded KTP initiative.

KTPs provide links between industry and universities, through which they exchange knowledge, skills and expertise, collaborate on research and provide training, work placement and employment opportunities for students, graduates and employees.