Cable locator for metal conductors
October 2013
Electrical Power & Protection
Test Instruments Africa has launched a new cable locator, Chauvin Arnoux’s CA6681 LOCAT-N, designed for the detection and location of faults in metal conductors, electrical power cables, telecommunication cables and metal pipes. It is ideal for housing maintenance, renovation and improvement work.
Comprising a transmitter and a receiver, the CA6681 can be used on both current carrying and non-current carrying mains circuits. The digital technology overcomes interference and disturbance signals, providing precise location details. The receiver displays the value of the signal measured, which is also shown on a bar chart or in the form of acoustic signals with amplitudes varying in proportion to the signal distance. This allows for easy tracking of electrical cables through walls or the detection of buried pipes in gardens.
The receiver can quickly identify the circuit breaker or fuses corresponding to the socket to which the transmitter is connected in order to guide the user and simplify the job. It can also be used to detect short-circuits or cuts on existing installations. For example it is possible to detect faults in underfloor heating pipes.
Applications include location and tracking of lines, sockets, line interruptions and buried circuits; identification of network voltages and fuses; and the detection of short-circuits, pinched or obstructed parts in non-metallic pipes, faults in under-floor heating systems, metal heating ducts and metal water pipes.
The CA6681 cable locator is lightweight and ergonomically designed and comes with two units (transmitter and receiver) in a hard case with practical accessories for direct measurements on screw-in or bayonet lamp sockets or on mains power sockets.
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