1: Depends what you're looking for - you don't need a genny to trace live power cables, it makes tracing a conductive pipe easier, it helps if you have lots of pipes and are tracing a particular one, it doesn't help tracing plastic pipes (you need a mouse).

2: Not in general (but particular sites / clients might require it)

3: Not to find a relatively shallow power cable, to actually map out and distinguish stuff below ground (ie, to use the equipment to its full) yes, and re-reading the manual too.

A CAT on its own is inefficient as only a small number of buried, metallic, linear objects can be traced in Passive mode (ie without the Genny) when a generator is used to induce a signal into the Object either by direct connection or by placing the generator over a known or suspected object. The efficiency of the Combined CAT and Genny is significantly increased. With correct training and experince a competent operator will save you considerable sums of money on repairs to damaged infrastructure etc. He/ she will be able to accuratley locate power cables, telephones, gas pipes, petrochem mains, drains, ducts etc and will be able to give you accuratede depths and will even be able to locate earth faults to damged cables.

The training is vital I learnt more from my course than I could ever imagine. PS I allready had a good understanding of using CATS before I opted for the training.

1. Much better to have one with you rather than not, in fact, I would say it would be essential to ensure the widest possible search facility

2. Licence from whom?

3. Training is an absolute must, with actual evidence afterwards that the operators have fully understood it & are competent to use both the CAT & Genny in a live situation (no pun intended!)

With regards to training, I once investigated a series of cable strikes & the common denominator was the operative, who was "trained", but when asked to demonstrate his skills, fell woefully short & was putting himself & colleagues at risk of serious injury or even death.

Zyggy

Leerob

There are a few pieces of information that you should try to obtain before you start work. (in an ideal world)

1. Ask PC for any pre-constuction information regarding services ,try to find out history of the land to give you indication what might be there.
2. I would like to think that the PC has completed a GPR sub scan of the area
3. PC would issue with permit to dig, as part of he control measure he would expect you to use CAT and genny, he would also expect confirmation of said training for equipmen,t he would also request a calibration certificate.
As I said in an ideal world!!
TRy www.sygma-solutions.com/cat-genny-training.asp

Leerob,
all good stuff so far and from more learned peopel than myself. but what I woudl say is do check yuor Public Liability insurance.

Almost certainly there will be a clause/endorsement/condition that will set out what the insurer wil expect you to do. This will cover all the points mentioned so far - from checking with Prin Contractor/Utility companies to having the right equipment and having it used by trained employees, under competent supervision.
And it will almost ceertinly require hand digging if there is any doubt. But remember that there are numerous examples on the web/HSE pages of people being injured from simply banging in ground pins and stakes.

Phil