Cartell CT-6-100 Wired Vehicle Sensor Probe Technical and Compatibility Details
The Cartell CT-6-100 is a wired magnetic vehicle detection probe with 100 ft of factory-attached cable. It is designed for select Cartell driveway notification, vehicle detection, and automatic gate free-exit systems.
Instead of using a conventional inductive roadway loop, radar, photo eye, or pressure sensor, the CT-6 monitors changes in the earth's magnetic field caused by moving steel. When a vehicle passes through the sensing area, the probe produces a signal that is processed by the compatible Cartell control unit.
What the CT-6-100 Does
The CT-6-100 is the sensing portion of a Cartell wired vehicle detection system. The probe itself does not provide a gate relay output, sound an alarm, or operate a gate. It must be connected to a compatible Cartell controller or interface designed to process the CT-6 signal.
- Detects magnetic disturbances caused by moving steel vehicles
- Does not rely on visible light, heat, pressure, or conventional motion sensing
- Factory-attached 100 ft cable provides a continuous connection from the probe toward the control equipment
- Can be used for driveway notification and compatible automatic gate free-exit applications
- Designed for buried or properly protected above-ground installations
Confirmed Legacy Cartell Applications
Cartell installation documentation specifically associates the CT-6 probe with the company's traditional wired vehicle detection systems, including:
- Cartell CT-2B DriveGuard
- Cartell CT-2BG
- Cartell CF-2C DriveGuard Ultra
- Cartell CT-3BG Pioneer Free Exit applications
- Related Cartell wired DriveGuard and Pioneer systems using the CT-6 probe
Legacy-product warning: Cartell has discontinued several of these older controllers. The manufacturer has stated that the CT-6 wired probe remains in production even though the older CT-2B, CT-2BG, CT-3B, CT-3BG, and CF-2C control products have been phased out. If repairing an older installation, confirm that the existing controller is still functional before replacing only the probe.
Current Cartell System Considerations
Cartell's product-transition documentation states that the newer CW-HUB platform is intended to work with both the CW-SEN wireless sensor and the CT-6 wired probe. Because Cartell has been transitioning away from its older wired control boards, verify the current CW-HUB wiring, accessories, and firmware requirements before ordering the CT-6 specifically for a new CW-HUB installation.
The Cartell CP-4 should not be confused with the CT-6 system. The CP-4 is a self-contained wired free-exit detector with its own sensing assembly and is not simply a controller for a CT-6-100 probe.
Features and Specifications
| Specification | Details |
| Brand | Cartell |
| Part Number | CT-6-100 |
| Product Family | CT-6 |
| Product Type | Wired magnetic vehicle sensor probe |
| Detection Technology | Magnetic field disturbance / magnetometer-style vehicle detection |
| Target | Moving steel vehicles |
| Attached Cable Length | 100 ft |
| Probe Dimensions | Approximately 16.5 in long x 1.375 in diameter |
| Approximate Weight | 3.5 lb with 100 ft cable |
| Temperature Range | -40F to +250F |
| Typical Coil Resistance | Approximately 500 to 800 ohms depending on cable length |
| Construction | Sealed and weatherproof |
| Cable Protection | Shielded cable; current Cartell guidance calls for non-metallic conduit |
| Typical Driveway Coverage | Approximately 12 ft wide when properly installed beside the driveway |
| Control Unit Included | No |
100 ft Factory-Attached Cable
The CT-6-100 is specifically the 100 ft cable configuration. Cartell manufactures CT-6 probes with other cable lengths, so the suffix is important when ordering. A CT-6-100 should not be substituted with another cable-length version unless the distance from the probe to the control equipment has been measured and confirmed.
The cable is fully shielded and designed for underground vehicle detection installations. It can be field-spliced when necessary using an appropriate underground waterproof splice method, but avoiding unnecessary splices is generally preferred.
Direct-Burial Cable and Conduit Warning
Some older Cartell literature states that CT-6 cable is direct-burial cable and can be installed without conduit. More recent Cartell documentation still identifies the cable as direct-burial rated but calls for non-metallic conduit for cable protection and warranty compliance.
For a new installation, follow the current Cartell instructions and run the cable in suitable non-metallic conduit. Do not place the sensor cable in the same conduit as power or telephone wiring.
Typical Probe Location
Cartell documentation indicates that a probe buried beside a driveway can typically sense a small vehicle approximately 5 to 8 ft away when the vehicle is moving at about 5 MPH. Taking the vehicle width into account, this arrangement can cover approximately a 12 ft wide driveway.
The actual sensing distance depends on vehicle size, speed, probe location, controller sensitivity, nearby utilities, and surrounding steel. Test the installation before permanently burying the probe or completing pavement work.
- Typical buried depth beside an existing driveway: approximately 6 to 10 in
- Probe should generally run parallel with the direction of vehicle travel
- For above-ground installations, the probe should also be positioned parallel to the driveway
- Do not mount the probe vertically for an above-ground application
- Vehicle should approach one end of the probe rather than crossing both ends simultaneously
Nearby Utilities and Interference
Magnetic vehicle probes are sensitive to their installation environment. Cartell provides separation recommendations to help prevent unwanted operation.
- Avoid locating the probe within approximately 6 to 10 ft of buried power or telephone lines
- Avoid locating the probe within approximately 6 to 10 ft of an invisible dog-fence wire
- Avoid locating the probe within approximately 10 ft of a natural gas line
- Avoid locating the probe within approximately 20 ft of a power pole with a transformer
- Avoid locations close to railroad traffic or major electrical substations
Site conditions vary. If unwanted detection is possible, temporarily position and test the sensor before completing the permanent installation.
This Is a Moving Vehicle Detector
The CT-6 detects changes in the magnetic field as steel moves through the sensing area. It should not be treated as a true vehicle-presence detector that continuously confirms that a stationary vehicle remains in a specific position.
For gate applications, use the CT-6 only for the function intended by the compatible Cartell control system. It is commonly associated with driveway notification and free-exit activation.
Similar Cartell Sensors Are Not Automatically Interchangeable
- CT-6-100: CT-6 probe with 100 ft factory-attached cable
- Other CT-6 cable lengths: Same general probe family with different factory-attached cable lengths
- CT-6A: Detached probe intended for applications where compatible cable is installed separately
- CP-4: Self-contained free-exit sensor system; not simply another CT-6 probe
- CW-SEN: Wireless Cartell vehicle sensor; different system architecture
Do not substitute one of these products based only on the fact that all are used for vehicle detection.
Package Contents
- 1 Cartell CT-6 sensor probe
- 100 ft factory-attached sensor cable
A Cartell control unit, gate interface, sounder, power supply, splice kit, conduit, and other system components are not identified as part of the CT-6-100 probe-only package.
Technician Note
If an existing Cartell system has stopped detecting vehicles, do not automatically replace the probe first. Verify the control unit, cable condition, underground splices, and probe resistance before digging up the sensor. Cartell specifies approximately 500 to 800 ohms across the probe conductors for a single CT-6 assembly, depending on cable length.
The legacy controller should also be identified before ordering because several older Cartell wired controllers are now discontinued.
Before Ordering Checklist
- Confirm the required product is Cartell CT-6-100.
- Confirm 100 ft of attached cable is sufficient for the installation.
- Identify the existing Cartell controller or system.
- Verify the application needs moving vehicle detection rather than stationary vehicle presence detection.
- Check the proposed probe location for nearby power, telephone, dog-fence, gas, transformer, or other interference sources.
- Plan for non-metallic conduit according to current Cartell installation guidance.
- Verify whether an existing legacy Cartell control unit is still functional and serviceable.
- For a new CW-HUB application, confirm the current Cartell CT-6 wiring and system requirements before ordering.
Gate Safety Advisory
The CT-6 is a vehicle detection accessory and is not a replacement for required monitored photo eyes, sensing edges, inherent entrapment protection, or other UL 325 safety devices required by an automatic gate operator. Never bypass an operator safety circuit to install a free-exit probe.
If the gate operator input, legacy Cartell controller, wiring, or safety function is unclear, installation and troubleshooting should be performed by a qualified gate or access-control technician.
Product Questions and Answers
What is the Cartell CT-6-100?
The Cartell CT-6-100 is a wired magnetic vehicle detection probe with 100 ft of factory-attached cable. It detects magnetic-field changes caused by moving steel vehicles and requires a compatible Cartell control system.
Does the Cartell CT-6-100 include the control unit?
No. The CT-6-100 is the sensor probe and 100 ft attached cable only. The compatible Cartell controller, gate interface, power supply, conduit, and other system components are separate unless a specific package states otherwise.
Which Cartell systems use the CT-6 sensor probe?
Cartell documentation associates the CT-6 with legacy CT-2B, CT-2BG, CF-2C, CT-3BG, DriveGuard, DriveGuard Ultra, and Pioneer Free Exit applications. Several of those control products are now discontinued, so verify the existing controller before ordering a replacement probe.
Is the CT-6-100 compatible with the Cartell CW-HUB?
Cartell's product-transition documentation states that the newer CW-HUB is designed to mate with the CT-6 wired probe as well as the CW-SEN wireless sensor. Verify the current CW-HUB wiring and system requirements before ordering the CT-6 for a new installation.
Will the CT-6 detect people or animals walking past it?
The CT-6 is designed to respond to magnetic disturbances from moving steel rather than ordinary human or animal movement, leaves, light, or heat. Nearby moving steel or electrical interference can still affect installation performance.
Does the CT-6-100 cable need conduit?
The cable is direct-burial rated, and older Cartell literature stated that conduit was unnecessary. Current Cartell documentation calls for non-metallic conduit for cable protection and warranty compliance, so new installations should follow the current conduit requirement.
How wide of a driveway can one CT-6 probe cover?
Cartell states that a properly installed probe beside a driveway can typically cover approximately a 12 ft wide driveway. Actual detection distance varies with vehicle size, speed, sensitivity, probe location, and site conditions.
Can the CT-6-100 be used as a gate safety sensor?
No. The CT-6 can provide vehicle detection for compatible driveway or free-exit functions, but it does not replace required monitored photo eyes, sensing edges, or other UL 325 entrapment-protection devices required by the gate operator.
