Multi-dimensional cable shorting tool
A device for rendering safe a detonator firing circuit by short circuiting multiple conductors in the circuit includes a base portion and cable piercing members. The base portion has a cylindrical block and apertures for retentively receiving the cable piercing members. The cable piercing member has a first end to impinge on and penetrate a cable insulation when forcibly attached to an external surface of the cable. The cable piercing member has a low electrical resistance and impedance to generate a short circuit between conductors of the cable. Also, a method for rendering safe a detonator firing circuit of by short circuiting multiple conductor cables or a pigtail connector of a detonator system.
1. A method for rendering safe a detonator firing circuit by short circuiting multiple conductors in the circuit, comprising:
in a firing system for initiating a detonation having a detonator system and a firing system in electrical communication over a transmission cable extending between the firing system and detonator system;
providing a cable piercing device having a base portion and at least one cable piercing member having low electrical resistance;
applying at least one cable piercing device at a point along the transmission cable and piercing the cable;
creating a short circuit within the transmission cable between the firing system and the detonator system and
preventing electrical current and energy from initiating a detonation of a detonator bridge located in the detonator system.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
diverting electrical current flow from the firing system via the short circuit via the at least one cable piercing member contacting at least one conductor of the multiple conductors;
and rendering the firing circuit safe from triggering a detonation in the detonator system.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the base portion comprising a block and at least one aperture for retentively receiving the at least one cable piercing member.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:
forcibly attaching the at least one cable piercing member and impinging on an external surface of the transmission cable; and penetrating the external surface of the transmission cable to short circuit conductors in the cable.
5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:
attaching a leadwire to the base portion and
grounding the short-circuited conductors via a clamp connected to the leadwire.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
generating a short circuit between a first conductor and a second conductor of the multiple conductor cable through the cable piercing member having a low electrical resistance and impedance.
7. A method for rendering safe a detonator system for transporting a detonator bridge safely by short circuiting multiple conductors in the circuit comprising:
providing a cable piercing device having a base portion and at least one cable piercing member having low electrical resistance; and
applying the cable piercing device across detonator system input terminals.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
attaching a grounding clamp to the base portion and grounding the base portion.
9. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
diverting energy to ground via the cable piercing device to mitigate static and coupled currents to a detonator in the detonator system.
10. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
transporting the detonator system.
11. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
grounding the short-circuited conductors via a clamp connected to a cable connected to the cable piercing device.