Cat scanning advice/tips

[pettsy]

So I’ve recently bought a Cat scanner and genny. Have seen them used by others, but never actually used one myself. I’m assuming there are proper courses you can take to get a qualification/ticket…. but has anyone got any real life hints and tips?

 

[Smiffy]

So I’ve recently bought a Cat scanner and genny. Have seen them used by others, but never actually used one myself. I’m assuming there are proper courses you can take to get a qualification/ticket…. but has anyone got any real life hints and tips?

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The instructions on the back of the scanner are a good place to start.
And make sure you hold it plumb. Doesn't take much of an angle to pick up all sorts.
I always start with it in power and communication mode, mark everything out vaguely then turn it to the individual settings to fine tune locations.

 

[JD450A]

Flail it round and watch it buzz.

In all honesty I don't trust them. Your best way of learning is to go and trace a cable that you know exists on power and get it down to a T.

The most useful thing is induced current via the Genny. But you need space for it to work and you also need to place the Genny far away from the worksite and directly over the known service.

Definitely a black art to using them well.... All about practice time tbh.

 

[Storrsy]

I've never done a course but pretty good at mapping out power and BT etc but still like to dig on the side of caution! Just a case of playing around with sensitivity to fine tune location etc. I like to go nice and slow. Quick movements seem to cause phantom alerts. Also go in both directions if scanning an unknown area. As Rory said if you can get the Genny onto a service that's the best bet but usually in my case it's middle of nowhere and the places you get bT going you'd be surprised!

 

[JD450A]

I've never done a course but pretty good at mapping out power and BT etc but still like to dig on the side of caution! Just a case of playing around with sensitivity to fine tune location etc. I like to go nice and slow. Quick movements seem to cause phantom alerts. Also go in both directions if scanning an unknown area. As Rory said if you can get the Genny onto a service that's the best bet but usually in my case it's middle of nowhere and the places you get bT going you'd be surprised!

If you can locate part of the infastructure and set the Genny atop on induction mode that's where they come into there own. Traced BT across miles of fields on induction mode.

 

[V8Druid]

Fluke launches cable spotter

Fluke has launched a new underground utilities locater, the SmartTrace 2082 series.

www.theconstructionindex.co.uk

" Fluke has launched a new underground utilities locater, the SmartTrace 2082 series. "​

 

[Trenchies]

I've been using a TEMPO Communications 501 Tracker, a GeoMax EZiCAT i550 Cable Locator (same as the Leica DD. no genny at the moment.), and Klien Advanced Electrical Circuit Breaker Finder and Wire Tracer Kit for checking the route prior to and during trenching. Sometimes some days none of them pick up known wires for some reason or another, could be me. With the Ezi Cat which is similar to the Cat scanner, when some thing comes up, cycling through the various scan settings can help narrow down the false alarms ie bottle caps and rubbish. A pigtail standard goes in to mark the spots of interest as the grass is often too long for paint. The Leica tutorials are good to watch.

 

[Stroppymonkey]

My greatest fails with cat and Genny have been trying to find unsheathed copper oil / water lines that have been eathed , as everything starts to give a signal, including the garage door and the farm gates

 

[DaveDCB]

Use it before you hit something… if you do hit something make sure it’s calibrated, if not shoot out and pick one up from a hire centre.. two guess as to how I know that

 

[Silversabre]

Use it before you hit something… if you do hit something make sure it’s calibrated, if not shoot out and pick one up from a hire centre.. two guess as to how I know that

Some of the latest unit in C Scope, Radiodection and Leica etc are GPS and data logging, i've worked on hire for one national contractor that insisted on that as standard and wants the logs sending weekly/attaching to permits and if a service is hit... proof checking as going deeper.

Genuinely interested in the Rodradar bucket, but not sure about minimum excavator size requirements, I think the bucket/attachment vac ex looks good, but i think you need a 20/30t exc for it