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

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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.

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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

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C.A 6681 Cable locater 11
2.2.4 REMARKS CONCERNING THE OPERATION OF THE KEYS
•If one of the "On/Off", "Choice of code", and "Level adjustment" keys is
active, the other two are inactive.
•If the receiver is in automatic mode, it is possible to change it to manual
mode or to mains voltage identification mode at any time.
•If the receiver is in manual mode, the UAC key or the MANUAL key will
be active only after exiting from manual mode.
3. USE
3.1 GETTING STARTED
The best way to learn to use the LOCAT NG cable locater is to work the following
example:
3.1.1 SETTING UP
Fig.9
Take a length of sheathed 3-conductor cable
having a cross section of 1.5mm2.
Provisionally install 5m of this cable along a wall
with staples, on an attachment surface at eye
level. The wall must be accessible from both
sides.
Choose one of the conductors and create an
artificial break 1.5m before the end of the line.
Connect the end of this conductor to terminal
(10) of the transmitter using the test leads
(provided). Connect terminal (11) of the
transmitter to a suitable earth.
All the other conductors of the cable must also
be connected to the transmitter and to the same
earth (See Fig. 9).
At the far end of the line (of the cable), the
conductors must be "open" (not connected to
each other).

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12 C.A 6681 Cable Locater
3.1.2 USE
•Switch the transmitter on using key (2). The LCD display unit of the
transmitter displays the first screen and the buzzer beeps twice.
•Press key (3) of the transmitter to enter the transmit level adjustment on the
screen, then press the up arrow key (7) or down arrow key (6) to select the
transmit level (I, II, or III). After setting this level, press key (3) to exit.
•If you want to change the code transmitted, press key (5) of the transmitter
for approximately 1 second, then press the up arrow key (7) or the down
arrow key (6) to select the code transmitted (F, E, H, D, L, C, Y, or A; F is
default). Press key (5) to exit.
•Then press key (4) to start transmission. The concentric circles (7) on the
LCD screen than spread gradually, symbol (8) displays the code of the
transmitted signal, and symbol (9) displays the strength of the signal.
•Press key (4) of the receiver to switch it on. The LCD display displays the first
screen, the buzzer beeps twice, and the receiver changes to "Automatic
Mode" as default.
Move the probe of the receiver slowly along the cable as far as the
break. Symbol (3) on the receiver displays the received power level, (8)
displays the code transmitted by the transmitter, (9) displays the dynamic
strength of the signal, and the buzzer changes pitch with the change of
strength of the signal. When the probe of the receiver passes over the
break, the strength of the signal displayed by (9) and (6) exhibits an
obvious drop, then disappears completely.
•To refine the detection, press the MANUAL key (8) of the receiver to change
to manual mode, then use keys (9) and (10) to reduce the sensitivity as far as
possible while checking that the screen of the receiver can display the
transmit code (8) of the transmitter. This, then, is where the break is located.

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C.A 6681 Cable locater 13
3.1.3 THE NEXT STEP : THE 2 TRANSMITTER CONNECTION MODES
Only these transmitter connection modes can be used to locate conductors with
the LOCAT_NG
Single-pole application:
Connect the transmitter to a single conductor. If the signal transmitted by the
transmitter is a high-frequency signal, only one conductor can be detected and
traced.
The second conductor is then earthed.
This arrangement causes the flow of a high-frequency current in the conductor
and its transmission through the air to earth; this is the same principle used
between the transmitter and the receiver for radio broadcasting.
Two-pole application:
This connection can be made to a live or dead mains line. The transmitter is
connected to both conductors using the two test leads.
A Connection to a live line:
•Connect the "+" terminal of the transmitter to the conductor connected to the
phase
•Connect the other terminal of the transmitter to the neutral line of the mains.
In this case, if there is no load on the mains, the modulated current from the
transmitter will flow to the neutral line by coupling via the distributed capacitance
of the wires of the line and then return to the transmitter.
Remark:
When the transmitter is connected to a live line, if one of its terminals is connected
to a protection earth wire rather than the neutral, the current through the
transmitter is added to the leakage current already present in the installation. The
resulting total leakage current may then activate the RCD, in other words trip the
RCD.
B Connection to a dead line:
•Connect the "+" terminal of the transmitter to one wire of the line,
•Connect the other terminal of the transmitter to the other wire of the line, and
then
•At the other end of the line, connect the two wires together.
In this case, the modulated current returns directly to the transmitter through the line.
In another method, the two test leads of the transmitter can be connected to the
two ends of a single wire. In addition, since the installation is dead, the protection
earth conductor of the line can also be used without risk.

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14 C.A 6681 Cable Locater
3.2 SINGLE-POLE APPLICATION
To:
Detect breaks in conductors in walls or in a floor;
Locate and trace lines, outlets, junction boxes, switches, etc., in domestic
installations;
Locate bottlenecks, twists, deformations, and obstructions in piping installations
using a metal wire.
3.2.1 LOCATING AND TRACING LINES AND OUTLETS
Preconditions:
•The circuit must be dead.
•The neutral wire and the protection earth wire must be connected and
perfectly operational.
•Connect the transmitter to the phase and to the protection earth wire as
shown in Fig. 10.
Fig.10

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C.A 6681 Cable locater 15
Remark:
If the cable supplied by the signals from the transmitter is near other conductors
that are parallel to it (example: cable tray, channel, etc.) or is interlaced with or
crosses them, the signal may then propagate in these cables and create spurious
circuits.
3.2.2 LOCATING BREAKS IN LINES
Preconditions:
•The circuit must be dead.
•All the other lines must be earthed as shown in Fig. 11.
•Connect the transmitter to the wire in question and to earth as shown in
Fig. 11.
Fig.11
Remarks:
•The transition resistance of the break in the line must be greater than
10kOhms.

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16 C.A 6681 Cable Locater
•Note that, when breaks in multi-conductor cables are traced, all the other
wires of the cable or of the shielded conductor must be earthed. This is
necessary to prevent cross coupling of the applied signals (by a capacitive
effect) on the terminals of the source.
•The earth connected to the transmitter can be an auxiliary earth, the earthing
terminal of a power outlet, or a correctly earthed water pipe.
•When the line is traced, the place at which the signal received by the receiver
falls off suddenly is the location of the break.
Refine the detection by setting the power level transmitted by the
transmitter and the sensitivity of the receiver in manual mode.
3.2.3 LOCATING LINE BREAKS USING TWO TRANSMITTERS
When a line break is located using a transmitter supplying one end of the
conductor, its location may not be precise if conditions are unsatisfactory because
of a disturbance of the field. The drawbacks described above are readily avoided
by using two transmitters (one at each end) to detect line breaks. In this case,
each transmitter is set to a different line code, e.g. one transmitter to code F and
the other to code C. (The second transmitter, with a different line code, is not
included in the kit supplied and must therefore be purchased separately.)
Preconditions:
•The circuit measured must not be live.
•All unused lines must be earthed as shown in Fig. 12.
•Connect the two transmitters as shown in Fig. 12.
•The measurement method is identical to that used in §3.1 Getting started
If the transmitters are connected as shown in Fig. 12, the receiver will indicate C
to the left of the line break. If the receiver goes beyond the location of the break,
to the right, it will display F. If the receiver is placed right on the break, no line
code will be displayed, because of the superposition of the signals from the two
transmitters.

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C.A 6681 Cable locater 17
Fig.12
Remarks:
•The transition resistance of the line break must be greater than 100kOhms.
•Note that, when breaks in multi-conductor cables are traced, all the other
wires of the cable or of the shielded conductor must be earthed. This is
necessary to prevent cross coupling of the applied signals (by a capacitive
effect) on the terminals of the source.
•The earth connected to the transmitter can be a auxiliary earth, the earthing
terminal of a power outlet, or a correctly earthed water pipe.
•When the line is traced, the place at which the signal received by the receiver
falls off suddenly is the location of the break.
Refine the detection by setting the power level transmitted by the
transmitter and the sensitivity of the receiver in manual mode.

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18 C.A 6681 Cable Locater
3.2.4 DETECTION OF FAULTS IN AN IN FLOOR HEATING SYSTEM
Preconditions:
•The circuit measured must not be live.
•All unused lines must be earthed as shown in Fig. 13a.
•Connect the two transmitters (if two transmitters are used) as shown in
Fig. 13b.
•The measurement method is identical to that used in §3.1 Getting started
Fig.13a
Fig.13b
•If there is a screen above the heating wires, there may not be an earth
connection. If necessary, separate the shielding from the earth connection.
•There must be earthing, and there must be a long distance between the
earthing terminal of the transmitter and the line to be located. If this distance
is too short, the signal and the line cannot be located precisely.
•A second transmitter is not essential for this application.
For an application with only one transmitter, refer to Fig. 13a.
•When the line is traced, the place at which the signal received by the receiver
falls off suddenly is the location of the break.
Refine the detection by setting the power level transmitted by the
transmitter and the sensitivity of the receiver in manual mode.

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C.A 6681 Cable locater 19
3.2.5 DETECTION OF THE CONSTRICTED (PLUGGED) PART OF A NON-
METALLIC PIPE
Preconditions:
•The pipe must be made of a non-conducting material (such as plastic);
•The pipe must not be live;
•The transmitter is connected to a metallic helical tube (flexible metallic tube or
pipe) and to an auxiliary earth as shown in Fig. 14;
•The measurement method is identical to that used in §3.1 Getting started
Fig.14
Remarks:
•If there is a current in the pipe, cut off its supply and connect it correctly to
earth when the pipe is not live.
•One end of the pipe must be correctly earthed, and the earth of the
transmitter must be at a certain distance from the pipe to be located. If the
estimated distance is too short, the signal and the circuit cannot be located
precisely.

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20 C.A 6681 Cable Locater
•If you have only a helical pipe made of a non-conducting material (fibreglass,
PVC, etc.), we suggest inserting a metal wire having a cross section of
approximately 1.5mm2 in the non-conducting helical pipe
•When the line is traced, the place at which the signal received by the receiver
falls off suddenly is the location of the constriction.
Refine the detection by setting the power level transmitted by the
transmitter and the sensitivity of the receiver in manual mode.
3.2.6 DETECTION OF A METALLIC WATER SUPPLY AND HEATING PIPE
Preconditions:
•The pipe must be conducting, and so metallic (for example galvanized steel);
•The pipe to be detected must not be earthed. There must be a relatively high
resistance between the pipe and the ground (otherwise, the detection
distance will be very short);
•Connect the transmitter to the pipe to be detected and to earth.
Detection of the water supply pipe
Fig.15a
Detection of the heating pipe
Fig.15b
Remarks:
•The transmitter must be earthed at a certain distance from the pipe to be
detected. If the distance is too short, the signals and the circuit cannot be
located precisely.