REED R5330 Advanced Cable Locator – Professional Wire & Conductor Tracing for Electrical Contractors
Stop Chasing Phantom Cables—Find What’s Actually There
Every sparkie knows the frustration: you’re called to troubleshoot a circuit fault, but the wiring runs through three walls and a concrete slab with zero documentation. Cutting into the wrong spot means patch-up work, unhappy clients, and wasted hours. Traditional tone generators pick up interference from nearby cables, leaving you second-guessing every beep.
The REED R5330 Advanced Cable Locator changes the game. Its coded transmission technology means the receiver only responds to signals from your transmitter—not random electrical noise or adjacent circuits. When you’re tracing a specific cable run through a commercial ceiling cavity or identifying which breaker controls that unmarked circuit, you get definitive answers rather than educated guesses.
Precision Tracing Technology That Works Through Structure
This professional cable locator comprises a transmitter and receiver working in tandem at 33kHz—an optimal frequency that penetrates common building materials while maintaining signal clarity. The system handles three distinct scenarios that Australian electrical contractors encounter daily.
For single-pole tracing—following a cable path without connecting to a neutral—detection reaches up to 2.5 metres through walls, slabs, and earth. When working in double-pole mode with both conductors connected, the focused field provides precise location within 0.5 metres. The integrated non-contact voltage detector identifies live cables up to 0.4 metres away, adding a critical safety layer before you start any invasive work.
Three adjustable sensitivity levels let you dial in performance for the environment. Working in a quiet residential setting? Maximum sensitivity catches faint signals from deeply buried cables. Tracing through a busy commercial switchboard with multiple active circuits? Reduce sensitivity to filter out competing signals and zero in on your target conductor.
Clear Visual Feedback When Conditions Get Challenging
Both transmitter and receiver feature backlit LCD screens displaying real-time information that matters: signal strength bargraph, transmission code confirmation, and voltage presence indicators. The receiver adds audible feedback with variable tone—the pitch increases as you approach the cable, guiding you accurately even when you can’t watch the display.
For after-hours callouts and dimly lit plant rooms, the receiver’s integrated flashlight illuminates your work area without juggling additional gear. These practical touches distinguish equipment designed for field use from instruments that only perform well in laboratory conditions.
Built for the Demands of Australian Trade Work
Australian electrical contractors work across diverse conditions—from heritage homes with degraded wiring to modern commercial fit-outs, mining maintenance facilities to rural agricultural installations. The R5330 handles this variety through robust CAT III 600V safety ratings and operating temperature tolerance from 0°C to 40°C.
The transmitter accepts external voltages from 8V to 480V AC/DC, meaning you can apply signals to live circuits where safe to do so, or use the included ground rod for tracing de-energised conductors and metallic pipes. Fuse protection (F0.6A 600V) guards against connection errors, while replaceable test leads mean worn components don’t sideline the entire unit.
Applications Across the Electrical Trade
Whether you’re a residential sparkie, commercial electrical contractor, or industrial maintenance electrician, the R5330 addresses scenarios you encounter regularly:
Fault finding and diagnostics – Locate breaks, short circuits, and open-circuit faults in cables before cutting into walls or lifting floors. Trace underfloor heating element faults to the damaged section rather than replacing entire zones.
Circuit identification – Sort which cables serve which circuits at distribution boards, identify conductor pairs in multi-core runs, and verify installation work against documentation.
Service location – Trace metallic water pipes, gas lines with metallic components, and heating radiators through finished surfaces. Map buried metallic conduit paths before excavation.
Pre-work safety verification – Confirm cable locations before drilling, cutting, or core-boring. The built-in NCV detector (80-1000V, 50/60Hz) provides immediate warning of energised conductors.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
| Specification | Value | Practical Significance |
|---|---|---|
| TRANSMITTER | ||
| External Voltage Range | 8 to 480V AC/DC | Connect to circuits from low-voltage control systems through to industrial three-phase |
| External Voltage Frequency | 50 to 60Hz | Compatible with Australian mains and industrial supplies |
| Voltage Measurement Accuracy | ±(2.5% rdg + 3 digits) | Reliable voltage confirmation before tracing |
| Safety Rating | CAT III 600V | Rated for distribution-level circuits per AS/NZS 61010 |
| Output Signal Frequency | 33kHz | Optimal penetration through building materials |
| Sensitivity Levels | 3 adjustable | Match sensitivity to job site conditions |
| Fuse Protection | F0.6A 600V | Guards transmitter against connection errors |
| Display | Backlit LCD | Clear readings in low-light switchboards |
| Power Supply | 6 × AA batteries | Readily available replacement cells |
| Battery Life | 10 hours continuous | Full day’s work between changes |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 40°C | Handles Australian site conditions |
| Dimensions | 189 × 96 × 48mm | Compact for toolbox storage |
| Weight | 528g | Manageable for extended use |
| Certifications | CE, UKCA, RoHS | International quality compliance |
| RECEIVER | ||
| Detection Signal Frequency | 33kHz | Matched to transmitter for coded operation |
| Detection Depth – Single Pole | Up to 2.5m | Deep tracing through slabs and earth |
| Detection Depth – Double Pole | Up to 0.5m | Precise location when both conductors connected |
| Detection Depth – Voltage | Up to 0.4m | NCV detection through finished surfaces |
| Non-Contact Voltage Detection | 80 to 1000V AC, 50/60Hz | Identifies energised conductors without contact |
| Signal Display | Analog bargraph + audio tone | Dual feedback for accurate tracking |
| Sensitivity Levels | 3 adjustable | Filter interference in busy environments |
| Built-in Flashlight | Yes | Illuminates work in confined spaces |
| Power Supply | 6 × AAA batteries | Common cells, easy replacement |
| Battery Life | 15 hours continuous | Outlasts typical job requirements |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 40°C | Suits Australian conditions |
| Dimensions | 226 × 68 × 38mm | Comfortable wand-style grip |
| Weight | 354g | Light enough for overhead tracing |
| Certifications | CE, UKCA, RoHS | International quality compliance |
KIT CONTENTS
The REED R5330 ships as a complete professional kit ready for immediate deployment:
- R5330 Transmitter unit
- R5330 Receiver unit
- In-line test leads (direct circuit connection)
- Alligator clips (secure attachment to conductors)
- Lantern-tip test probes (access in tight terminals)
- Ground rod (signal injection to earth for pipe/cable tracing)
- AA and AAA batteries (full sets installed)
- Professional carrying case (organised storage and transport)





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