A fundamental part of the construction, installation and maintenance of buried utilities is digging holes in the ground. During every excavation there is a risk of damaging buried services. Today telecommunication cables often join the utility lines underground, so locating them is more complex now than it was in the past.

Being able to excavate safely is a fundamental necessity for utility companies, their contractors and the construction industry. Damaging underground utilities can be dangerous, as well as very expensive and can have a serious impact on the companies’ reputations.

The simplest and most efficient way to excavate an area safely is to employ trained professionals to scan and mark it up before each excavation. In most cases for the accurate scanning cable avoidance tools should be used.

These cable locators basically consist of two-parts: a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter sends an electrical signal to the cable or pipe which is to be traced. The receiver then collects this signal, monitoring the path of the signal and therefore the cable or pipe.

Radiodetection C.A.T4 and Radiodetection Genny4 has become a widely used cable avoidance tool, as they are both easy-to use, but also powerful instruments optimised to locate buried utilities. The Radiodetection Genny4 is highly recommended to use alongside the C.A.T4 equipment as it is a signal generator which helps to enhance the performance.

Below you can find a list of specific key features of the Radiodetection C.AT4 product range:

  • C.A.T4 has a StrikeAlertTM function; it uses a flashing alert icon to warn the user of shallow power cables.
  • The eC.A.T4TM product range is capable of data storage and data usage analysis.
  • With the help of Dynamic Overload Protection the equipment can operate in electrically challenging areas, such as near substations or under power cables, where other locators may not function.
  • Avoidance ModeTM allows to sweep an area of Power, Radio and Genny modes in parallel for improved safety and quicker surveys.
  • eCertTM carries out a fast and thorough test of key circuitry elements within the C.A.T4 and validates its performance against the original manufacturer’s calibration.
  • SwingTM warns when the equipment moves out from the detection range.
  • CALSafeTM implements a 30 day countdown warning to the expiry date of the calibration certificate.
  • High Visibility Display reduces the possibility of misreading the measured information.
  • C.A.T ManagerTM Software gives site managers access to the latest equipment software updates to reduce the downtime.

For further details please click here for our C.A.T4 and Genny4 datasheet.

Always choose the best and the most suitable technology for detecting services underground. Many countries have recommended or mandatory practices for safe underground excavations. UK requires compliance with the HSG47 2014 code.

If you have any further question, please call our expert team on 01642 931 329, or visit our website to browse full range of our cable avoidance tools.