Posted By Peter Haughey
I have been asked by a couple of clients if I can provide CAT training to site operatives. I would like to do this, and would love to know from forum members if it is easy to create a course, or are there reasonably priced "train the trainer" courses available? Are manufacturers likely to offer a course free if you then promote their products? Or are there any "public domain" courses or presentations about?
Any pointers would be much appreciated, thanks.

Posted By Gerry Marchant
Peter, I may be of some help ...where are you located please

Gerry

Posted By TomP
I've attended a number of train the trainer courses on this subject and sat through a number of trainers delivering the basic CAT training courses. They vary hugely and often give misleading and incorrect information.

One trainer said CAT tools would pick up all electrical cables, which is not true and one I heard even said it would pick up fast flowing water, so I would say a good train the trainer course is essential.

Even more essential is to make sure that you can teach people that a CAT is just part of the solution. I wish all courses would focus on the importance of plan reading and safe digging as well as the use of a CAT.

Posted By Catman
TomP

For my own reference, what kind of electrical cables will the CAT not pick up?

I was under the impression that electrical cables were detectable as they are metallic?

Cheers
TW

Posted By David S Burt
When people talk about CAT training it must be remembered that the equipment consists of two parts – the C.A.T and the GENNEY. The C.A.T detects signals naturally radiating from metallic services while the GENNEY is a signal generator that introduces a temporary source into the buried apparatus.

When used on its own the C.A.T will NOT pick up all buried metallic pipes or cables. This is because the C.A.T detects moving current in the buried apparatus and hence if no current is following say where there is a pot end on a cable or even a property which is not using any power it will not be detected.

However when the GENNEY is used in connection with the C.A.T in either the induction or connection mode, (ideally in the connection mode), it will pick up ALL buried metallic plant including dead cables and pot-ended live or dead cables.

The problem is that most people do not use the GENNEY and hence they do not pick up all metallic pipes and cables

By the way it is also possible to detect plastic pipes with a C.A.T and GENNEY if a mouse is also used. Under these circumstances access to the inside of the plastic pipe or duct must be gained prior to carrying out the search.

The key to the development of or attendance of a meaningful and worthwhile course on this subject is to make sure that whoever is delivering it is actually competent. Also make sure that the course involves a practical assessment in the use of both the C.A.T & the GENNEY

If you are based in the South of England please feel free to drop me an e-mail.

Posted By PeteA
Just a point on Davids post, a Genny will not work on a Pot Ended cable, the genny signal still needs a route back to groud.

I agree though that the Genny should be mandatory in my opinion, Every Day I do these courses, and every day it is proven that if we had not used the Genny we would have missed services.