Closed Conduit Television Camera

Message: Using a mobile video camera mounted on a sled is a cost effective method to inspect straight conduits

Utilizing a CCTV camera mounted on a self-propelled robotic crawler is the most common way to effectively inspect a CMP conduit. An operator controls the movement of the crawler and the operation of the CCTV camera. Real-time video is transmitted to an aboveground monitor, which the operator uses to determine where to move the crawler and where to focus the camera.

Advantages of CCTV camera inspections include:

No manned entry of confined spaces is required.
The CCTV camera is able to fit into conduits as small as 6 inches in diameter.
The CCTV camera provides a recording that is easy to compare to past or future recordings to determine how the condition of the conduit has changed over time.
The CCTV recording can be shared with the dam owner’s engineer for off-site evaluation.

Disadvantages of CCTV camera inspections include:

It can be difficult to navigate the CCTV camera around gates or valves within the conduit (especially in smaller diameter conduits).
Inexperienced CCTV camera operators can overlook deficiencies within the CMP conduit.

Content From Western Dam Enginering Tech Note Vol. 5, Issue 1

CCTV Camera on a Pipe-Crawler (courtesy Drains Kleen)
Photo taken by CCTV of deformation of interior of CMP conduit (U.S. Department of Transporation)
Photo taken by CCTV of seepage entering a CMP (FEMA).

Note: The content on this page was originally created as part of DamOutletWorks.org (DOWL, 2018). It has subsequently been updated and reformatted as part of the Dam Safety Toolbox.
Revision ID: 4695
Revision Date: 12/02/2022