Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Underground wire

Dear Sirs,
I have a wire buried in my front yard approx. 150' long. It is approx. 3 or 4" down to use on some low voltage lighting transformers. It has developed a short between live and ground. It is Romex 3wg and has been buried for over 10 yrs. With both ends diconnected, I read a dead short with an ohmeter from live to ground wire. I am trying to find the location of the short without tearing up the yard. I tried a metal detector but it tells me nothing. I wonder if there is anyone out there that may have a trick of the trade to share. I realize running a new wire would be an alternative but I thought I would get some advice first. Thanks, Joe A

You need a tdr meter. It will tell you the exact distance.
3"-4" is not deep enough for this cable it should be down 24".

http://www.thom-tech.com/tdr.htm

18" deep if in the yard, With no vehicular traffic.

I know it's a bit.. (oops) bear, but you know next year the trouble will be in a different spot. Change it now while your' motivated.For another 10+ years of trouble free enjoyment.

I thought it was 18" if in conduit and 24" if just cable?

Many thanks to all of you. I looked up the TDR unit and it is quite a tool. Since I'm not in the profession, the price is a little rich for me but I can see how an electrician could not do without one. I think I'll run another wire and be done with it. The wire is in a wooded part of my lot with no foot or vehicle traffic and I understand the safety implications as far as burial depth. Before I leave here, I will either dis-able it or get a new owner to sign his acknowledgement. Thanks again. Joe A

I thought it was 18" if in conduit and 24" if just cable?

Yup. Got me again... I mean.. Just seeing if you were paying attention.
Guess you were.

Happy New Year!