Cable Locators CATS & Gennys

Cable Locators

Buried services represent a major hazard to all construction workers the world over. Poorly planned excavations can cause cable or pipe damage resulting in costly repairs, delays and personal injury. The cable avoidance tool known as CAT is used to locate these services so that they can be avoided. The CAT can detect signals naturally radiating from metallic services or in conjunction with a Genny that applies a distinctive signal that the CAT can detect.

The CAT can detect most buried cables and conductors however some cables and conductors (even live ones) do not radiate signals. This applies to plastic pipe work however if used in conjunction with the Flexi-trace these can be located

The CAT can be used in 3 modes: Power (P), Radio (R) and Genny (G).  

In power (P) mode the CAT can detect 'power' signals that are being radiated by loaded cables. This is used to detect, locate and avoid buried electricity cables.

In radio (R) mode is used to detect VLF radio signals re-radiated by buried metallic pipes and cables. This is used to detect, locate and avoid other buried metallic pipes and cables i.e. gas, phone & communication lines, ducts & water services.  

In Genny (G) mode the CAT detects a tone radiated by the Genny to a buried conductor. This is used to locate and avoid all services as a direct connection to the source i.e. plug sockets, water valves or gas valves.

Genny mode is used to supply either a direct connection signal mode for optimum locate accuracy or an induced signal mode when direct connection access is not possible.

Induction is a quick and convenient way of applying the Genny signal to a pipe or cable, where direct connection or signal clamping is not possible. This mode induces a signal into an underground cable or service for detection. It is ideal for tracing if exact location of access points is not known.

Signal clamping this mode applies a Genny signal safely to a pipe or live cable up to 76mm diameter without interrupting the supply.

Live cable connectors this is used to apply the Genny signal to a live cable, the most certain method of locating a power distribution system.

Glanford Electronics offer a range of cable location equipment from manufacturers including Fluke, Martindale, Radio Detection, Chauvin Arnoux and Beha Amprobe.

Need more information contact us