Abstract: A fault detection system for use with wire includes an outer housing and a detection component positioned within the housing. The detection component includes a plurality of emitters and a plurality of detectors positioned around an examination area through which a wire is traversed. Each adjacent pair of emitters is spaced no more than 30 degrees apart, and each of the plurality of detectors is positioned across the examination area from a corresponding emitter. Each of the emitters is configured to emit a signal that is measured by a corresponding detector, and the detection component is configured to detect one or more defects on a surface of the wire based upon changes in the signals measured by one or more of the plurality of detectors.