Chauvin Arnoux C.A 6681 LOCAT-N User manual

C.A 6681
LOCAT-N
Cable locater
Kabelsökare
Kaapelinpaikannuslaite
Detektor kabelů

Kabeldetector
User’s manual
Bruksanvisning
Käyttöhjeet
Uživatelská příručka
Gebruikshandleiding
English
Svenska
Suomek s i
Č eš tina
Nederlands

English
2 C.A 6681 Cable Locater
You have just purchased a C.A 6681 Cable Locater and we thank you.
For best results from your device:
•read this user manual attentively,
•observe the precautions fro its use
MEANINGS OF THE SYMBOLS USED
Danger. The operator agrees to refer to this data
sheet whenever this danger symbol is encountered.
The CE marking indicates conformity with European
directives, in particular LVD and EMC.
The rubbish bin with a line through it indicates that, in
the European U
nion, the product must undergo
selective disposal in compliance with Directive
WEEE 2002/96/EC. This equipment must not be
treated as household waste.
Battery
DC and AC
MEASUREMENT CATEGORIES
Definitions of the measurement categories:
CAT II: corresponds to measurements taken on circuits directly connected to low-
voltage installations.
Example: power supply to electro-domestic devices and portable tools.
CAT III: corresponds to measurements on building installations.
Example: distribution panel, circuit-breakers, machines or fixed industrial devices.
CAT IV: corresponds to measurements taken at the source of low-voltage
installations.
Example: power feeders, counters and protection devices.

English
C.A 6681 Cable locater 3
CONTENTS
1. PRESENTATION...................................................................................................... 7
2. DESCRIPTION ......................................................................................................... 8
2.1 TRANSMITTER........................................................................................................8
2.1.1 OVERALL DESCRIPTION......................................................................... 8
2.1.2 LCD SCREEN............................................................................................. 9
2.2 RECEIVER................................................................................................................9
2.2.1 GLOBAL DESCRIPTION........................................................................... 9
2.2.2 LCD SCREEN........................................................................................... 10
2.2.3 EXAMPLES OF DISPLAY IN CABLE DETECTION MODE ................... 10
2.2.4 REMARKS CONCERNING THE OPERATION OF THE KEYS............... 11
3. USE........................................................................................................................... 11
3.1 GETTING STARTED..............................................................................................11
3.1.1 SETTING UP ............................................................................................ 11
3.1.2 USE........................................................................................................... 12
3.1.3 THE NEXT STEP : THE 2 TRANSMITTER CONNECTION MODES...... 13
3.2 SINGLE-POLE APPLICATION .............................................................................14
3.2.1 LOCATING AND TRACING LINES AND OUTLETS............................... 14
3.2.2 LOCATING BREAKS IN LINES ............................................................... 15
3.2.3 LOCATING LINE BREAKS USING TWO TRANSMITTERS.................... 16
3.2.4 DETECTION OF FAULTS IN AN IN FLOOR HEATING SYSTEM......... 18
3.2.5 DETECTION OF THE CONSTRICTED (PLUGGED) PART OF A NON-
METALLIC PIPE...................................................................................................... 19
3.2.6 DETECTION OF A METALLIC WATER SUPPLY AND HEATING PIPE20
3.2.7 IDENTIFICATION OF SUPPLY CIRCUIT ON THE SAME FLOOR ...... 21
3.2.8 TRACING AN UNDERGROUND CIRCUIT............................................. 22
3.3 TWO-POLE APPLICATIONS................................................................................23
3.3.1 CLOSED-CIRCUIT APPLICATIONS....................................................... 23
3.3.2 SEARCH FOR FUSES.............................................................................. 24
3.3.3 SEARCH FOR A SHORT-CIRCUIT ......................................................... 25
3.3.4 DETECTION OF RATHER DEEP UNDERGROUND CIRCUITS........... 26
3.3.5 SORTING OR IDENTIFICATION OF CONDUCTORS BY PAIR............ 27
3.4 WAY OF INCREASING THE EFFECTIVE RADIUS OF DETECTION OF LIVE
CIRCUITS.....................................................................................................................28
3.5 IDENTIFICATION OF THE MAINS VOLTAGE AND SEARCH FOR BREAKS
IN THE CIRCUIT..........................................................................................................29

English
4 C.A 6681 Cable Locater
4. OTHER FUNCTIONS ............................................................................................ 30
4.1 VOLTMETER FUNCTION OF THE TRANSMITTER..........................................30
4.2 TORCH FUNCTION...............................................................................................30
4.3 BACK-LIGHT FUNCTION ....................................................................................30
4.4 ACTIVATION /DE-ACTIVATION OF THE BUZZER.........................................30
4.4.1 TRANSMITTER......................................................................................... 30
4.4.2 RECEIVER................................................................................................ 30
4.5 AUTOMATIC POWER-OFF FUNCTION..............................................................30
4.5.1 TRANSMITTER......................................................................................... 30
4.5.2 RECEIVER................................................................................................ 30
5. CHARACTERISTICS ............................................................................................ 31
5.1 TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TRANSMITTER ...........................31
5.2 TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RECEIVER....................................32
5.3 COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ...................................32
6. MAINTENANCE..................................................................................................... 33
6.1 CLEANING.............................................................................................................33
6.2 REPLACING THE BATTERIES ............................................................................33
6.3 METROLOGICAL CHECK....................................................................................34
6.4 REPAIR...................................................................................................................34
7. WARRANTY........................................................................................................... 35
8. TO ORDER.............................................................................................................. 36
8.1 DELIVERY CONDITION.......................................................................................36

English
C.A 6681 Cable locater 5
PRECAUTIONS FOR USE
This instrument and its accessories comply with safety standards IEC 61010 for
voltages of 300V in category III at an altitude of less than 2.000m, indoors, with a
degree of pollution of not more than 2.
Failure to observe the safety instructions may result in electric shock, fire,
explosion, and destruction of the instrument and of the installations.
•If you use this instrument other than as specified, the protection it
provides may be compromised, thereby endangering you.
•Do not use the instrument if it seems to be damaged, incomplete, or
poorly closed.
•Do not use the instrument on networks of which the voltage or category
exceeds those mentioned.
•Comply with the conditions of use, namely the temperature, the relative
humidity, the altitude, the degree of pollution, and the place of use.
•Before each use, check the condition of the insulation on the leads,
housing, and accessories. Any item of which the insulation is
deteriorated (even partially) must be set aside for repair or scrapping.
•Use only the leads and accessories supplied. Using leads (or
accessories) of a lower voltage or category reduces the voltage or
category of the combined instrument + leads (or accessories) to that of
the leads (or accessories).
•All troubleshooting and metrological verifications must be done by
certified competent personnel. Any change may compromise safety.
•Wear suitable personal protective equipment when parts at hazardous
voltages may be accessible in the installation where the measurement is
made.
•Store the device in a clean, dry, cool place. Remove the batteries before
any prolonged period of non-use.

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6 C.A 6681 Cable Locater
Connecting the transmitter to an installation at the mains voltage
may cause a current of the order of the milliampere to flow in the circuit. Normally,
the transmitter must in this case be connected only between phase and neutral.
If the transmitter is accidentally connected between the phase and the protection
conductor, and there is a fault in the installation, all parts connected to the earth
may then be live.
This is why, when the device is used on a live installation, it must first be checked
that the installation tested complies with standards (NF-C-15-100, VDE-100, etc.,
depending on the country), in particular as regards the earth resistance and the
connection of the protection conductor (PE) to the earth.

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C.A 6681 Cable locater 7
1. PRESENTATION
The LOCAT NG cable detector is intended for the detection of
telecommunications cables, electric power supply cables, and even pipes, during
modification or maintenance work on installations of category III (or lower) at
voltages of 300V (or less) with respect to earth.
The LOCAT NG cable detector is a portable device comprising a transmitter, a
receiver, and a few accessories.
The transmitter and the receiver have large back-lit LCD display units and large
keys.
The transmitter applies to the circuit that is to be located an AC voltage modulated
by digital signals, which creates a proportional alternating electric field.
The transmitter is also an AC/DC voltmeter; the display of the measured voltage is
accompanied by a symbol warning of the presence of a voltage. The transmitter
also has a self-test function, indicating good transmission between transmitter and
receiver.
The receiver has a sensitive sensor that generates a display proportional to the
electric field detected. The variations of this signal, after decoding, processing,
and shaping, allow detection of the positions of underground cables and pipes,
and of faults in them.
In addition to a display on the LCD screen, the receiver has a buzzer that changes
pitch as a function of the strength of the signal detected.
Fig.1

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8 C.A 6681 Cable Locater
2. DESCRIPTION
2.1 TRANSMITTER
2.1.1 OVERALL DESCRIPTION
Fig.2
(1) LCD screen.
(2) On/Off key
(3) Key for adjustment / confirmation of the
transmit power level (Level I, II or III).
(4) Start / Stop Transmission key.
(5) Key for adjustment/confirmation of the code
information to be sent. Press this key for 1
second to activate the code selection mode
and press briefly to exit from this mode (the
codes F, E, H, D, L, C, Y, and A can be
selected; F is the default).
(6)
Lower the transmitted power level or
change the transmission code.
(7)
Raise the transmitted power level or
change the transmission code.
(8) Key for activation or de-activation of the
silent mode (in silent mode, key presses and
the buzzer are silent).
(9) Torch On/Off key.
(10) "+" input/output terminal for measurement
of the voltages present and application of the
signal to the object being tested.
(11)
"COM" input/output terminal. Earthing
terminal.

English
C.A 6681 Cable locater 9
2.1.2 LCD SCREEN
Fig.3
(1) Symbol indicating that batteries are
dead and must be replaced.
(2) Transmitted power level (Level I, II, or
III).
(3) Transmission code (F is default).
(4) AC voltage.
(5) DC voltage.
(6) Measured voltage (the device can be
used as an ordinary voltmeter; voltage
range: 12 to 300V DC or AC).
(7) Transmission status.
(8) Code transmitted.
(9) Strength of transmitted signal.
(10) Voltage present symbol.
(11) Silent mode symbol.
2.2 RECEIVER
2.2.1 GLOBAL DESCRIPTION
Fig.4
(1) Lighting torch.
(2) Head of the sensor.
(3) LCD screen.
(4) On/Off key.
(5) Back-lighting and silent mode On/Off key.
Press briefly to activate/de-activate the back-
lighting and press for 1 second to activate/de-
activate the silent mode (in silent mode, key
presses are silent and the buzzer is off).
(6) Torch On/Off key.
(7) UAC: Selection of the cable detection mode
or of the mains voltage detection mode.
(8) Selection of manual or automatic mode for
cable detection.
(9)
Adjustment key to decrease receive
sensitivity in manual mode.
(10) Adjustment
key to increase receive
sensitivity in manual mode.
(11) Buzzer.

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10 C.A 6681 Cable Locater
2.2.2 LCD SCREEN
Fig.5
(1) Symbol indicating that the receiver batteries
are dead and must be replaced.
(2) Symbol indicating that the transmitter battery
is dead and must be replaced.
(3) Received signal level (Level I, II, or III).
(4) Manual mode symbol.
(5) Automatic mode symbol.
(6) In automatic mode, this number indicates the
strength of the signal; in manual mode, this
location displays either "SEL", to indicate that
there is no signa
l, or a value indicating the
strength of the signal; in UAC mode, "UAC" is
displayed.
(7)
Concentric circles indicating the preset
sensitivity in graphic form. A large number of
circles indicates high sensitivity, while a small
number indicates a lower sensitivity.
(8) Code received.
(9) Strength of the received signal.
(10) Voltage present symbol.
(11) Silent mode symbol.
2.2.3 EXAMPLES OF DISPLAY IN CABLE DETECTION MODE
(1) Automatic mode
Fig.6
(2) Manual mode
Fig.7
(3) Mains voltage identification mode
Fig.8