The PCE-CL 20 cable locator is a professional instrument designed for locating electrical cables, circuits, terminals and possible short circuits in civil, industrial and maintenance applications. The system consists of two units, a transmitter and a receiver, which work together to trace conductors and support inspection tasks before drilling, repair work, electrical modifications or checks on panels and lines.

The device can be used to detect both live and non-live cables, with 1-wire, 2-wire and single-loop applications. This flexibility allows the technician to adapt the tracing method to the circuit type and working situation. The cable locator is particularly useful when the exact route of cables inside walls, under floors or in technical areas is unknown and accidental damage must be avoided during installation, fixing, drilling or maintenance work.

The transmitter generates a 125 kHz output signal and allows external voltage identification in the range 12 - 400 V DC ±2.5% and 12 - 400 V AC 50 - 60 Hz ±2.5%. The maximum supported voltage is 400 V AC/DC, with CAT III 300 V overvoltage category. These features make the instrument suitable for checking electrical circuits in technical rooms, panels, building installations, power lines and maintenance applications where the presence and route of conductors must be verified.

The receiver detects the transmitted signal and includes manual sensitivity adjustment, which is useful for refining the search according to cable depth, surrounding material and signal intensity. In 1-wire applications the operating range can reach approximately up to 2 m, while in 2-wire applications it can reach approximately up to 0.5 m. In single-loop mode the range can reach approximately up to 2.5 m, while mains voltage detection is possible approximately up to 0.4 m. The actual detection depth always depends on the material type, circuit configuration and measuring conditions.

The PCE-CL 20 is equipped with LCD displays on both units. The receiver also includes a backlit display, which is particularly useful on construction sites, in technical rooms, electrical cabinets, suspended ceilings, basements or poorly lit working areas. Both devices are also equipped with an LED flashlight function, allowing the operator to illuminate the working area during cable tracing or while connecting the measuring accessories.

During operation, the acoustic signal helps the user identify the presence and intensity of the detected signal more clearly. The combination of visual display indication, sound signal and manual sensitivity adjustment allows more practical and progressive control, especially when working close to several electrical lines or in areas with undocumented cable routes.

The instrument is suitable for electricians, installers, industrial maintenance technicians, facility managers, panel builders, construction operators and professionals who need to locate hidden cables, follow the route of a line, detect interruptions or locate short circuits. It is also useful for checking a wall before drilling, fixing anchors or installing brackets, reducing the risk of damaging electrical conductors, metal pipes or technical lines hidden under plaster or flooring.

For more reliable detection, it is advisable to select the correct application according to the circuit to be checked, connect the transmitter properly using test leads, crocodile clips or grounding accessories, and gradually adjust the receiver sensitivity while approaching the signal. In the presence of thick walls, reinforced materials, multiple cable routes or strong electrical interference, several checks should be carried out from different directions.

The delivery includes the PCE-CL 20 cable locator with transmitter and receiver, two crocodile clips, two test probes, two measuring cables, one grounding accessory, one strap, one carrying bag, one 9 V battery, six 1.5 V AAA batteries and operating instructions. The supplied accessories allow quick start-up for tracing and inspection tasks in workshops, construction sites, maintenance departments and civil or industrial installations.

Delivery scope:

1 x PCE-CL 20 cable detector (1 x transmitter and 1 x receiver)
2 x alligator clips
2 x measuring tips
2 x test leads
1 x grounding rod
1 x carrying strap
1 x carrying bag
1 x 9 V battery
6 x 1.5 V AAA batteries
1 x user manual