Gossen MetraWatt Camille Bauer CableCop 300 User manual

3.348.736.02
1/2.96
CableCop 300
Cable detection system
Operating Instructions
GOSSEN
METRAWATT
CAMILLE BAUER
GOSSEN
METRAWATT
CAMILLE BAUER

2GOSSEN-METRAWATT
Safety notes
Caution!
!Before you use the cable detection system CableCop 300, carefully read these op-
erating instructions and follow the generally relevant safety specifications according
to DIN VDE while operating the system.
When properly used, the safety of both the unit and the user is ensured.Their safety
is not ensured, however, if the unit is misused or carelessly handled
➭Before you use an electrical device, always make a performance test to verify that the de-
vice is operating properly.
➭Preferrably connect the signal generator S330 between phase and neutral. Before you
connect the signal generator between phase and neutral, absolutely check the ground re-
sistance according to DIN VDE 0100. With incorrect grounding, all parts connected to
ground could carry voltage should there be a fault.
➭Prior to connectingthe signal generator S330to current or voltage circuits, check that the
maximum permissible voltage for the signal generator is not exceeded.
➭Prior to connecting the transmitter T320, verify that the circuits or lines to be tested do
not carry current or voltage.
➭Avoid direct contact with non-insulated live lines. Eventually wear suitable insulating
gloves as well as goggles.
➭Disconnect the transmitter T320 from the measuring circuit before you replace the bat-
tery.

GOSSEN-METRAWATT 3
Contents Page
1 Applications, function principle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2 Description of the units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.1 Receiver R300 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.2 Signal generator S330 for live lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 6
2.3 Transmitter T320 for electricallydead circuits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 7
3 Measurements on live lines with the signal generator S330 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.1 Closed circuit mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.2 General procedures for live lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.3 Locating switches, e.g. in building installations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 10
3.4 Locating lines in ceilings, walls and floors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.5 Locating short circuits between phase and protective conductor starting from a switchboard . . . . . . 11
3.6 Locating ground faults in three-phase systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.7 Locating buried lines or underground cables up to a depth of approx. 3 m . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 13
3.8 Tracing lines in conduits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 14
3.9 Tracing coaxial cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4 Measurements on electrically dead lines with the transmitter T320 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.1 Open circuit mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 16
4.2 General procedures for electricallydead lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 16
4.3 Locating lines and line interruptions in ceilings, walls and floors . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4.4 Tracing the entire building installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4.5 Tracing water and heating pipe lines and conduits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
4.6 Tracing socket outlets and switches within the building installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
4.7 Tracing bottlenecks in tubing or conduits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 20
4.8 Locating faults on an electric floor heating system . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
4.9 Locating underground lines (also in the case of a broken cable) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
5 Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
5.1 General information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
5.2 Receiver R300 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
5.3 Signal generator S330 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 23
5.4 Transmitter T320 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
6 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
6.1 Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
6.2 Fuse link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 24
7 Repair and replacement parts service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

4GOSSEN-METRAWATT
1 Applications, function principle
The cable detection system CableCop 300 permits both electrically dead and live lines in cir-
cuits up to 300 V to be reliably detected. An interruption of the power supply, or a discon-
necton of equipment containing sensitive electronic parts, is not required. In particular, the
following applications are possible:
• Location of lines in ceilings, walls and floors
• Location of line interruptions, switches and fuses
• Location of short circuits
• Location of earth faults in three-phase systems
• Detection of bottlenecks in conduits
• Tracing of underground cables that are buried in the ground up to a depth of 3 m
• Tracing of conduits, water and heating pipe lines
• Sorting of installed lines
The cable detection system consists of a signal generator for live lines and a transmitter for
electrically dead lines as well as a receiver.
Signal generator and transmitter feed high-frequency electromagnetic signals into the line to
be tested. Along the line, these signals are converted into acoustical and optical signals by
the receiver. The signal strength is a measure for the location of the line.
Two basic operating modes are to be distinguished hereby:
Closed-circuit mode :
In this mode, live lines are tested with a potential of a maximum of 300 V to ground.
The signal current of the signal generator, for example, is fed into the phase of the line to be
tested and flows back to the signal generator through neutral conductor across the trans-
former. This "two-pole" application corresponds to a closed circuit, whereby the energy for
the generation of the signals is directly derived from the system.
In the case of a shorted line, the current flow in the circuit to be measured is interrupted, a 9-
V battery can, for example, be connected into the measuring circuit as a substitute power
supply.
The receiver evaluates the magnetic component of the signal.
Open-circuit mode :
In this operating mode, only electrically dead lines may be tested.
One output of the transmitter is connected to the line to be tested, the second output to
ground. This "single-pole" application corresponds to the principle of a radio transmitter. The
connected line hereby becomes the antenna of the transmitter, the ground serves as refer-
ence potential. The energy for the generation of the signals is provided by the internal bat-
tery.
The receiver evaluates the electrical component of the signal.

GOSSEN-METRAWATT 5
2 Description of the units
2.1 Receiver R300
The receiver R300 has two built-in detectors which receive the different signals from the sig-
nal generator for live and electrically dead lines.
These signals are indicated both optically and acoustically:
– Optically by a diode assembly with which up to 10 diodes light as a function of the signal
strength. A red filter permits reading also in the case of direct incidence of sunlight.
– Acoustically by a sound generator.
GOSSEN
METRAWATT
CAMILLE BAUER
GOSSEN
METRAWATT
CAMILLE BAUER
RECEIVER
EMPFÄNGER
R300
OFFx1
x10
x100
!
OFF
10
•
8
•
6
•
4
•
2
•
2
5
1
4
3
7
61Mode selector switch
– Open: for transmitter T320
– Closed: for signal generator S330
or for locating broken lines
2Thumb wheel
–ON/OFFswitch
– Vernier sensitivity setting
– Stop position highest sensitivity
3Standby LED
Lights provided the battery is inserted and
charged
4Range selector switch for coarse sensitivity
setting, amplification: 1, 10 or 100
5Diode assembly for indication of the signal
strength
6Detectors
7Battery compartment
The battery must be inserted with correct
polarity or else the compartment cannot be
closed.

6GOSSEN-METRAWATT
2.2 Signal generator S330 forlive lines
The signal generator S330 sends high-frequency electromagnetic signals which the sensor
R300 can locate along the line to be tested. For this purpose, the signal generator must be
connected to this line as well as to a return line. The signal generator is designed for lines
having AC or DC voltages from 9 to 300 V.
The signal power of this unit can be switched to a lower power so that circuits protected by
residual-current circuit breakers can also be connected.
GOSSEN
METRAWATT
CAMILLE BAUER
GOSSEN
METRAWATT
CAMILLE BAUER
SIGNAL
GENERATOR
S330
F 250mA 380V
max. 300V
9 - 300 V !
1
2
4
3
1Standby LED
Lights when the line is live
2Power selector switch
– Switch set to the top position: high power
– Switch set to the bottom position: low power
3Battery compartment
When withdrawn, the signal generator is
disconnected from the connected circuit
4Sockets for test leads

GOSSEN-METRAWATT 7
2.3 Transmitter T320 forelectrically deadcircuits
The transmitter T320 sends high-frequency electromagnetic signals the electric or magnetic
component of which can be detected along the line to be tested by the sensor R300. For
this purpose, one socket of the transmitter must be connected to this line. The second
socket must be connected to ground.
The unit requires a 9-V battery for the power supply.
An additional, external power source, e.g. a 24-V NiCd storage battery, leads to a increase in
performance.
Storage batteries in the battery compartment are not charged via the external power source.
Caution!
!The transmitter can only be used for electrically dead lines.
When using power supplies to increase the performance, only power supplies with
safe electrical isolation must be used.
GOSSEN
METRAWATT
CAMILLE BAUER
GOSSEN
METRAWATT
CAMILLE BAUER
TRANSMITTER
SENDER
T320
NUR FÜR SPAN-
NUNGSLOSE
STROMKREISE!
UNENERGIZED
CIRCUITS ONLY!
F 2A 250V
OFF
ON
!
1ON/OFF switch
2Standby LED
Lights provided a battery is inserted and
charged
3Power selector switch, three-stage
4Battery compartment
When withdrawn, the transmitter is
disconnected from the connected circuit
5Sockets for test leads
6Battery compartment
The battery must be inserted with correct
polarity or else the compartment cannot be
closed
7 Socket for external voltage supply for an
increase in performance
2
3
1
4
7
5
6

8GOSSEN-METRAWATT
3 Measurements on live lines with the signal generator S330
3.1 Closed-circuit mode
In this operating mode, live lines are tested with a potential having a maximum of 300 V to
ground.
The load current normally flows in the phase in opposite direction to the neutral conductor,
see connection A. This way, the also opposite magnetic fields are weakened, causing a loss
in signal strength in the receiver. The depth of detection is reduced. The same applies when
the current flows back across the protective conductor, see connection B.
This effect is eliminated by separating the current paths. While one socket is connected to
the line to be tested, the return line should not lie within the same cable or cable channel. As
a solution, apply the return line to a remote socket outlet via a cable-reel, the other one to a
separate ground such as, for example, central heating, water pipe line or sprinkler system.
AB
AB

GOSSEN-METRAWATT 9
3.2 General procedure for live lines
Signal generator
➭If the measuring circuit has no residual-current circuit breaker, select the highest signal
amplification.
Caution!
!Before you connect the signal generator to live lines, verify that not morethan 300 V
DC or AC voltage are applied.
➭Connect the sockets of the signal generator in line with the application at a time. The
diode of the signal generator must always light after connection of the test leads, other-
wise the measuring circuit is not closed and no current flows.
Receiver
➭Insert the battery.
➭Select the closed circuit mode.
➭First set the range selector switch 4 to the lowest amplification x1.
➭Switch the unit on by means of the thumb wheel 1 and set the vernier sensitivity to
stage 5. The standby LED must light.
Note
☞The sensitivity should generally be chosen in such a way that as much as possible a
medium range ofthe diode assemblyis controlled for measured signals (diodes 4 to
6 light). With control up to the tenth diode, signal fluctuations can no longer be val-
uated unambigously.
Alignment of the receiver when using the signal generator S330
The test head must be held vertical to the line as the electro-
magnetic component is to be captured when measuring on
closed circuits.
Here, the direction of the current is shown by arrows in the con-
ductor and the spreading direction of the electromagnetic com-
ponent by circular arrows.

10 GOSSEN-METRAWATT
3.3 Locating switches, e.g. in a building installation
➭Connection: Connect one socket of the signal generator to the neutral conductor, the
other one to the phase of the same socket outlet.
➭Locating: Hold the head of the receiver to every switch in the fuse box.
The associated switch is located by the strongest signal.
3.4 Locating lines in ceilings, walls and floors
➭Connection: Connect one socket of the signal generator to a separate ground, the
other one to the phase of the same socket outlet.
➭Locating: Move the head of the receiver in vertical direction along the point at which
you expect the line.