New 3D mapping tech improves underground cable management in Zhejiang

Technicians from the State Grid Jiaxing Power Supply Company have completed a pilot project using integrated 3D laser scanning and ground-penetrating radar to create digital maps of underground cable corridors. The new approach enhances the management and safety of urban power infrastructure.

The team conducted 3D surveys and cross-sectional inspections on May 21 in the Pinghu Economic and Technological Development Zone in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province. The project covered 21 main cable lines and about 16.4 kilometers of underground corridors, where high-precision 3D modeling and data collection were carried out.

As urban underground utility networks become denser, the environments around cable corridors grow more complex. Traditional 2D drawings and manual inspections often make it difficult to accurately identify cable routes, crossing points, and external risks.

Unlike conventional methods, the integrated technology provides a 3D view of cable locations, burial depths, surrounding environments, and the arrangement of multiple ducts within the same corridor.

The project supervisor explained that 3D mapping visually presents elevation changes, bends, and relative positions of cable corridors to other pipelines, while cross-sectional inspections help identify cable types, joint configurations, duct hole occupancy, and duct diameters.

During the survey, technicians also inspected cable joints, grounding boxes, and fire-protection facilities along the entire route in Pinghu. They identified, recorded, and scheduled corrections for five issues, including missing identification labels and corroded brackets.

According to State Grid Jiaxing, digital 3D mapping serves as both a three-dimensional map of underground assets and a key foundation for improving cable safety and emergency response efficiency.

The pilot project has established a replicable model for digital cable management in Jiaxing and supports the development of a more resilient urban power network.

The company plans to expand 3D cable mapping coverage, improve the digital archive system for cable corridors, and integrate technologies such as intelligent inspection robots and visual monitoring devices.

By combining human expertise with advanced tools, it aims to strengthen the full life-cycle management of cable assets and ensure the safe, reliable operation of the Jiaxing power grid.