General Tools CL10 User Manual

CABLE & PIPE LOCATOR

USER’S MANUAL

CL10

Please read this manual carefully and thoroughly before using this product.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Key Features & Benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 –4

Safety Instructions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

What’s in the Box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Product Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 –6

Setup Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Install Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Install Test Leads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 – 14

Single-Pole Circuit Applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 – 11

Locating a Cable or Line Break Behind a Wall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 –9

Locating a Socket, Switch or Junction Box or Tracing a Line . . . . . . . . . 9

Locating a Cable or Line Break Using Two Transmitters . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Locating a Blockage in a Non-metallic Pipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Locating a Metal Water Pipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Two-Pole Circuit Applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 – 14

Locating a Socket, Switch, Junction Box or Fuse or Tracing a Line. . . . 12

Identifying the Fuse or Circuit Breaker Associated with an AC Outlet . . 13

Locating a Short Circuit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Increasing the Detection Range on Charged Circuits . . . . . . . . . . 13 – 14

Using the Receiver as a Voltmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Operating & Maintenance Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 – 17

Changing Batteries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Checking and Replacing the Transmitter’s Fuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 – 17

Operating & Maintenance Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Return for Repair Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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INTRODUCTION

On jobs ranging from installing a through-the-wall air-conditioner to renovating a house with new
wiring and plumbing, it is vital to know the locations of existing electrical cables and wires, as
well as those of metal and non-metal pipes carrying water and gas. Without access to the
building’s construction drawings, there is no way to be sure that an action as simple as driving a
nail into a wall will not produce an electric shock—or far worse.

The CL10 Cable & Pipe Locator was designed to address this serious safety issue with maximum
flexibility. The CL10 consists of two main units—a transmitter and a receiver—and a set of
accessories. The two main units work together in the following way in most applications. The
user attaches the transmitter to an existing cable or wire (or metal pipe). In response to the push
of front-panel buttons, the transmitter sends a radio-frequency current and a digital identifying
code down the cable or wire. The current generates an electric field that can be sensed by the
receiver if its nose (probe) is positioned nearby—even on the other side of a wall, floor or ceiling.
Circuits in the receiver convert the weak induced voltage into a signal strong enough to be
displayed graphically and digitally. Other circuits read the identifying code to confirm the source
of the signal. By manipulating the strength of the transmitted signal and the sensitivity of the
receiver, the user can precisely locate cables, wires or pipes behind walls or under floors, as well
as discontinuities within them.

The system is equipped with several functions and features that improve its utility, accuracy and
reliability. One is the inclusion of big, bright LCDs, visual and audible indications, and mutable
loudspeakers—as well as an LED flashlight—on both units. Another is the system’s full
compatibility with single-pole and two-pole circuits. Other examples include the ability of either
unit to measure AC/DC voltage, just like a voltmeter. The transmitter even automatically tests its
own functioning and displays the results.

KEY FEATURES AND BENEFITS

• Makes it safe to break through a wall by revealing and locating hidden cables, electrical lines,
and water/gas supply pipelines up to 6.6 ft. (2m) behind it

• Eliminates the need to find and read construction drawings before starting a job

• Detects breaks and short circuits in buried cables, electrical lines and floor-heating systems

• Identifies the circuit breaker or fuse associated with any energized or de-energized 110V outlet

• Traces branch-circuit sockets that have been accidently plastered over

• Transmitter and receiver communicate using any of eight codes; each displays readings on a
big, bright, multi-function graphic LCD. Both units also include a flashlight (for illuminating dark
areas) and a mutable beeper/buzzer.

• The transmitter displays its transmission power level (any of three levels), transmission code,
battery status, any voltages it detects, and the results of its functional self-test

• The transmitter or receiver also can operate as AC/DC voltmeter with a range of 12 to 600V

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• The receiver has variable sensitivity, a backlit display, a loudspeaker and a 10-minute Auto
Power Off function. It can display the transmitter’s power level and transmission code, the
battery status of both units, and the amplitude of detected induced AC voltages

• Both units are compatible with one- and two-pole circuits

• Additional transmitters are available to make locating short-circuits and cable breaks more
accurate

• Includes a metal grounding rod

• The transmitter is powered by one 9V battery; the receiver by six “AAA” batteries

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Prior to using the transmitter, inspect the unit, its test leads and any attached clips or probes
carefully for any signs of damage or wear. It is crucial that the instrument and its accessories
remain structurally sound. DO NOT USE the transmitter if you detect any signs of damage.

Do not exceed the transmitter’s overvoltage rating of CAT III 300V at any time.
Although it is safe to connect the transmitter directly to live circuits, use best-practice insulation

measures in accordance with industrial safety codes to avoid electric shock and harm.
When near dangerously high voltages, make measurements only under the supervision of a

qualified electrician.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX

The CL10’s transmitter, receiver and accessories come in a
black canvas pouch inside an illustrated cardboard box.

1. Pouch

2. Receiver

3. Transmitter

Accessories

4. Attachable red and black alligator clips with shrouded
banana jacks

5. “9V” battery

6. 6 “AAA” batteries

7. User’s manual

8. 5 ft. (1.5m) long red and black universal test leads with
shrouded banana plugs

9. Attachable red and black test probes with lantern-type tips
and shrouded banana jacks

10. Grounding rod

Fig. 1. How the CL10 is packaged

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PRODUCT OVERVIEW

1. LCD

2. (POWER on/off) button

3. Transmission power (I, II or III) LEVEL SEL. button

4. Transmitting code START/STOP transmission button

5. Transmitting CODE SEL. button. Press and hold to

enter selection mode; press briefly to exit.

6. ▼ button (press to reduce power level/change
transmitting code). Levels I, II and III and codes
F (default), E, H, D, L, C, O and A are available.

7. ▲ button (press to increase power level/change
transmitting code)

8. (Mute) on/off button

9. (Flashlight) on/off button

10. + jack

11. (ground) jack

12. Flashlight (on top)

13. Fold-out stand (on back)

14. Battery compartment (on back)

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Fig. 2. The transmitter’s controls,
display and physical features

1. (Transmitter battery status) icon

2. Transmission power level (I, II or III)

3. Transmitting code

4. AC line voltage

5. DC line voltage

6. Line voltage measured (in voltmeter mode)

7. Transmitting status

8. Code being transmitted

9. Transmission signal amplitude

10. (Line voltage detection mode) icon

11. (Mute on) icon

Fig. 3. All possible indications on
the transmitter’s LCD

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1. Flashlight

2. Probe

3. LCD

4. (Power on/off) button

5. Two-function (backlight/mute) button. Press briefly to

turn LCD backlight on and off; press and hold to
enter/exit mute mode (in which the loudspeaker and

button presses are silenced).

6. (Flashlight) on/off button

7. UAC button (press to exit cable locating mode and enter
line voltage detection mode)

8. MANUAL button (press to enter manual cable locating
mode, enabling receiver sensitivity to be reduced).

9. ▼ button (press to reduce receiver sensitivity in manual
cable locating mode)

10. ▲ button (press to increase receiver sensitivity in manual
cable locating mode)

11. Loudspeaker (on bottom)

12. Battery compartment (on back)

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Fig. 4. The receiver’s controls,
display and physical features

1. (Receiver battery status) icon 2. (Transmitter battery status) icon

3. Received transmission power level (I, II or III)

4. MANUAL cable locating mode indication

5. AUTOmatic cable locating mode indication

6. One of the following indications:

• In automatic cable locating mode, a number

indicating received signal amplitude

• In manual cable locating mode, the text SEL

(indicating no received signal) or a number
indicating received signal amplitude

• In line voltage detection mode, the text UAC.

7. Concentric circles graphically representing the
current receiver sensitivity. More circles indicate
higher sensitivity; fewer circles indicate lower sensitivity.

Fig. 5. All possible indications
on the receiver’s LCD

8. Received transmitting code 9. Received signal amplitude

10. (Line voltage detection mode) icon 11. (Mute on) icon

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