A Cable Avoidance Tool, commonly known as a CAT (or C.A.T.), is a handheld electronic device used by groundworkers and surveyors to locate underground pipes and cables before any excavation or “breaking ground” begins.
It is a critical piece of safety equipment used to prevent service strikes, which can cause fatal electrical shocks, gas explosions, or massive repair costs for cut fiber-optic lines.
Making Hire Easy
All of our hire equipment is available on flexible, open-ended terms, making it ideal for both short-term and long-term projects. Simply browse, book, and arrange delivery at a time that suits you.
We supply both trade and DIY customers, with or without an account, offering transparent pricing and straightforward terms every time.
When your job is complete, just let us know and we’ll arrange collection. Your hire continues until you tell us otherwise, so there’s no pressure and no rushing.
With Express Hire, hiring equipment has never been easier.
All contracts are subject to CPA terms and conditions CLICK HERE to view
| 1 Day | 2 Days | Weekly | Daily charge after 1st week | Optional extras available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £48 | £48 | £48 | 1/5th of weekly rate | Signal Generator (Genny) |
| £9.60 | ||||
| Equipment supplied full of fuel please see CHARGES should this item need cleaning on return. | ||||
| Theft Only Insurance: n/a. Any item under £1000 lost or stolen will be invoiced at replacement cost | ||||
All prices shown are include VAT, but are subject to fuel used, delivery, collection, cleaning (if necessary) and theft insurance.
ALL HIRES ARE OPEN ENDED AND WE WILL NOT CEASE CHARGING OR COLLECT UNTIL YOU CONTACT US!
We offer delivery and collection to Dorset, West Hampshire, South Wiltshire and East Somerset.
Collection from head office in Poole also available. All services Monday – Friday 07:30 – 17:00 excluding holidays.
| Postcode Areas | Zone | Price (each way) |
|---|---|---|
| BH12 – BH18 | Zone 1 | £12.00 |
| BH1 – BH5, BH7 – BH11, BH20-BH22 | Zone 2 | £15.00 |
| BH6, BH19, BH23, BH24, BH31, DT11 | Zone 3 | £18.00 |
| BH25 (New Milton), DT1, DT2, DT3 | Zone 4 | £24.00 |
| BH25 (Barton on Sea), SO41 (Hordle), SO43, DT4, SP5 3**, SP5 4**, SP5 5**, SP6 | Zone 5 | £42.00 |
| SO40, So42, DT10, SP1, SP2 | Zone 6 | £54.00 |
| SO14 – SO20, SO41 (Lymington), SO45 – SO53, DT5, SP3, SP5 1**, SP5 2**, SP7, SP8 | Zone 7 | £66.00 |
| SO30 – SO31, DT6, BA11 – BA14, BA20 – BA21, TA17 – TA18 | Zone 8 | £78.00 |
| SO21 – SO24, SO32, DT7 – DT9, BA7 – BA9, BA15 – BA16, BA22, SP4, SP9 – SP10, TA12 – TA16, TA19 – TA20, EX13 – EX14 | Zone 9 | £90.00 |
| BA1 – BA6, BA10, TA10 – TA11, EX12 | Zone 10 | £102.00 |
| EX15 – EX16 | Zone 11 | £114.00 |
| TA7 | Zone 12 | £150.00 |
| SP11, TA1 – TA6, TA8 – TA9, TA21 – TA24, EX1 – EX11 all areas are price on application | £POA |
Other areas: P.O.A.
A CAT detects electromagnetic signals emitted by buried metallic services. It doesn’t actually “see” through the ground; it “listens” for specific frequencies. Most CATs have four primary operating modes:
Power Mode (P): Detects the electromagnetic field emitted by “live” loaded electrical cables.
Radio Mode (R): Detects long-wave radio signals that have “re-radiated” off metal pipes and cables.
Genny Mode (G): This is the most accurate mode. It is used in conjunction with a Signal Generator (Genny). You clip the Genny to a specific pipe or valve, and it “injects” a specific frequency that the CAT can then trace exactly.
All-Scan Mode: A safety mode that scans all frequencies simultaneously (found on more modern digital models).
It is vital to understand what a CAT cannot do:
Non-Metallic Pipes: It cannot detect plastic (MDPE) water pipes, clay pipes, or fiber-optic cables unless they have a “tracer wire” buried alongside them.
Passive Cables: It may not detect an electrical cable that is “live” but has no current flowing through it (e.g., a street light that is switched off during the day).
Congested Areas: In cities, signals can “bleed” from one pipe to another, making it difficult to distinguish between a water main and a high-voltage cable.
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“Express Eddy” is a social media profile set up to assist clients with videos and support in using our equipment. The channel is available here EXPRESS EDDY
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