<p>Field-tested guidance on cable avoidance tools, CAT scanners and signal generators (Gennys). How to locate buried services accurately, avoid cable strikes under HSG47, keep kit calibrated, and choose between Radiodetection, C.Scope and Leica.</p>
articles
Electrical interference and coupled signals can make a locate harder to interpret near power infrastructure, including rail and EV charging sites. There is no single frequency or receiver feature that guarantees a reliable result in every such environment. Use the site's authorised procedures, appropriate equipment and a method that investigates inconsistent responses.
Logging locators record where, when and how every sweep was taken. What the gCAT4 captures, why data sovereignty matters, and what to check before you commit.
A single cable strike dwarfs the cost of a locator. We weigh hire, refurbished and new ownership, and the real running costs, against the price of a strike.
NUAR shows what is recorded underground; your CAT shows what is actually there. How the National Underground Asset Register fits alongside locating on site.
SWING tells you you are handling the CAT wrong. What it actually measures, why a swung locator hides cables, and how to keep the unit steady and accurate.
A sonde provides a signal from a point inside a suitable pipe or duct, allowing a compatible receiver to locate the transmitter from the surface. Choose the sonde and receiver together: frequency, sonde mode, physical fit and the application all matter. There is no universal rule that 33 kHz reaches deepest or 512 Hz is only for shallow drains.
A properly reconditioned CAT4 performs identically to new at around half the price. When refurbished wins, when new is worth it, and what to check before buying.
Cable strikes are rarely faulty kit; they are predictable habits. The five most common CAT and Genny mistakes, and how to avoid each one.
The three brands you will actually choose between. A 2026 teardown of the Radiodetection CAT4, C.Scope CXL4 and Leica ULTRA on build, features, data and price.
Calibration checks, routine function checks and physical maintenance answer different questions. Use all three to keep a locating system in working order. A certificate does not replace checking the receiver, transmitter, leads and power accessories before use, and it does not prove that a site is clear.
A clear sweep does not mean clear ground. Exactly what a CAT and Genny cannot detect, from plastic pipes to unloaded cables, and how to find each one.
Accurate locating starts with a planned search, appropriate equipment and a response you can investigate consistently. Use the modes and methods supported by your instrument, check for signal distortion, and treat depth as an estimate. A quiet receiver does not show that the ground is clear.
