Reasons Why You Need Cable Avoidance Equipment

Cable avoidance equipment can identify current strength, the depth of the buried cable or pipe, and location accessories to help contractors safely perform their job. There are three other key reasons why you need cable avoidance equipment:

1. Safety

Underground cables can have live electricity running through them, harmful chemicals, or other waste products. Cutting into the ground ‘blind’ is a recipe for disaster. Cable avoidance equipment adds a line of defence to this, to increase safety.

2. Compliance

Health and safety guidelines stipulate that it is the responsibility of the employer and the employee to use safe working practices. Cutting into the ground or removing ground without first adequately checking for cables is considered extremely high risk.

3. Do a proper job

Cable avoidance equipment can vastly reduce the chance of hitting a live cable or a gas or water pipe and is essential to all utility companies and contractors. By adequately identifying underground cables and avoiding any damage to them, contractors can do a proper job without any inefficiencies. This saves time and money.

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Using Cable Avoidance Tools Perfectly

A Cable Locator (CAT) is used for cable avoidance before any excavation work is carried out and is essential to avoid injury or even death. Cat & Geny devices are used by most because many people are killed or injured every year so using the equipment properly is essential. For an enhanced performance the use of th Signal Generator (Genny) which applies a signal to a cable or metal pipe so that harder to reach services can be traced.

A Signal Clamp is an easy and safe way to connect the Genny to a cable or a pipe in order to get an accurate tracing. It may also be useful to have a clamp in difficult or unsafe conditions where there is a live power cable or telecoms. It is recommended because precision is key when looking for cables and pipes that are underground. The cost and risks involved with striking a gas pipe are not worth thinking about so correct use of the equipment is essential.

How to take a reading

1. Select mode
2. Set the sensitivity to maximum
3. Hold on/off trigger in the on position
4. Search in grid pattern show
5. When the signal is detected, move the CAT forward and back and turn the sensitivity down until only the peak response can be heard and seen.

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