RD4000

Locator Product Training

Phill Hembery

Technical Support Engineer

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Think SAFETY at all times !

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A safe system of work has

four basic elements:

• Planning the work

• Plans
• Cable and pipe locating
devices
• Safe digging practices
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Result of a
cable strike.

Burns to the
back of a man’s
leg.
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Result of a
cable strike.

Burns to a
man’s upper
body.
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What are we locating ?

• Locators do not locate cables

or pipes, they locate the
magnetic field around the
line.
• The magnetic field is created
by an alternating current
flowing along the line.
• This magnetic field forms a
cylindrical shape around the
line and is known as the
‘signal’.
• Principle known as
electromagnetic induction.
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Two Types of Location Methods

Passive:

These occur naturally on lines and pipes as an effect of

50/60Hz electric power energy or VLF energy.

• The main purpose is for avoidance

• Quick
• No need for a transmitter
• Relatively easy
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Passive Location

• 50/60 Hz signals
induced into ground.

• These signals travel

along metallic cables
or pipes.

• Enables most, but not

all power cables to be
located passively.
POWER
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Passive Location

• Very low frequency (long

wave) radio waves from
distant transmitters.

• Ground provides return

paths for energy.

• Metallic lines form preferred

paths.

RADIO • Signals strong enough to be

located in most parts of
country.
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Passive Location - Practical Implications

• Cannot be identified - same signal may appear on any

conductor.
• If the line is live at high voltage and load switched off, there is
no current flow.
- No magnetic field so no detectable signal.
but it remains a potential danger.
• Single phase cables generally easy to locate, 3 phase cables can
be difficult to locate.
- High voltage are better balanced and cancel their fields.
- Radio mode valuable complement to Power mode.
• All passive signals can change without warning.
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Active:

A signal produced by a transmitter and actively applied to a

pipe or cable that can be located and traced with a receiver.

• The main purpose is for tracing and identifying

• Measuring depth
• Measuring current
• Confirmation
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Active signals - Connection

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Active signals - Induction

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Active signals - Signal Clamp


Horizontal aerial - peak response
Horizontal aerial - peak response
Horizontal aerial
Horizontal aerial - peak response
RD4000 Product Training
Peak Response
• The response is related to
the orientation of the aerial
core relative to the field
direction, it is also related to
line direction.
• This type of aerial gives
position and direction
information.
• Gives peak or maximum
response.
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Null Response

• The null or minimum signal is

easier to detect than a peak
response.
• However, it is more prone to
interference and therefore
less accurate.
• No direction information.
• Good for cross checking peak
mode accuracy.

Vertical aerial

Frequency Selection
Low Frequency
• Less likely to bleed off.
• They carry further than that
of high frequencies.
• Also, unlikely to couple onto
other nearby lines.
• Will not jump insulated
joints.
• Difficult to apply to telecom
cables
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High Frequency
• More likely to bleed off.
• They do not carry as far as
low frequencies.
• More likely to couple onto
other nearby lines.
• Easier to apply, especially by
induction.
• Will jump insulated joints.
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• There is an optimum signal

frequency for successfully
locating and tracing each
different type of pipe or
cable.
• Surface area of pipe or cable
in contact with ground will
affect signal leakage to
ground.
• Ability of ground to pass
current -
wet/dry soils.
• Earth return.
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Current Measurement

Why do we need CM ?

The diagram shows the

conventional locator
response for the same signal
on three adjacent conductors
buried at different depths.
It is only when CM is used
that the correct target line
can be identified.
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Any Questions ?
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Basic Locating

• The first step to successful locating is to obtain as much

information about the site before the locator is even turned
on.
– Obtain utility maps or drawings
– Observe the site
– look for physical evidence, i.e. covers, poles, pedestals,
splices etc.
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Basic Location - Step 1

• Set the gain to maximum.

• Holding the receiver
vertical at all times, sweep
the area with a steady and
deliberate motion.
• If necessary adjust the
gain to keep the bargraph
on scale.
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Basic Location - Step 2

• When a signal is detected

continue along the search
route until signal reduces,
then move back to where
the signal is strongest,
(Peak).
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Basic Location - Step 3

• To determine the direction

of the target line, rotate the
receiver again looking for
the strongest signal.
• The receiver handle will
now be aligned with the
target line.
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Basic Location - Step 4

• Mark position
• Measure depth
• Measure current
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Active Induction Sweep

• Another method of finding

buried conductors is to use
the induction sweep
method.
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Location Problems

• Locators do not find Cables or pipes, they find

magnetic fields.
• Therefore anything that affects the magnetic field
radiating from a buried conductor will cause a
problem or result in some form of error.

- Commonly the main problem is distortion.

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Location Problems

• A distorted field appears to

come from a different point.
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Location Problems

• Field distortion can be

checked by verifying the
agreement of peak and null
responses.
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Location Problems

• Null response in an area of

congested plant is often
useless.
• Peak response is more
reliable.
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Location Problems

• Reinforcement bars pick up

and re-radiate signals.
• Raise receiver 0.5M.
• Reduce sensitivity.
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Location Problems

• Changes in direction can be

a problem.
• If the signal disappears
within a short distance,
move back to a position
where it can be located.
• From this position walk in a
circle until the signal is
found again.
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Location Problems

• Changes in target line

depth can cause problems.
• Walk in a circle from the
last locatable position until
the signal is found again.
• If the signal is not found,
turn the receiver gain up
until it can be.
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Location Problems

• Ends of lines can be a

problem.
• Repeat steps for change of
direction or change of
depth.
• If no signal is found, the
target line may have been
cut or reached an end.
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Location Problems

• Do not measure depth near

a bend.
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Location Problems

• Do not measure depth near

another line.
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Location Problems

• Do not measure depth near

a change in target line
depth.
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Location Problems

• Do not try to locate or

measure depth too close to
an inducing transmitter.
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Tracing Non-Metallic Pipes

• Plastic or concrete pipes,

ducts and drains cannot be
located electromatically,
unless a tracer wire is
inserted or laid along pipe.
• Sonde - self contained
transmitter.
• Frequency can be chosen to
match receiver.
• Size dictates detection
distance - transmitting
power.
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D = 0.7AB • Sondes produce a different

field.
A B • Locator should be in line
with sonde
• Locate ghost signals
• Depth can be calculated
approximately
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Current Direction (CD)

• Current Direction
recognition is a
Radiodetection technique
for increasing the
information available at
difficult locates.
• How does it work?
– CD works by comparing
the phase relationship of
two frequencies that are
applied to the line at the
same time.
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Current Direction (CD)

• If this signal couples to

another adjacent
conductor, there will be a
change in the phase
relationship between the
two frequencies.
• The receiver compares the
signal with its reference
and decides if it matches.
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Fault Find (FF)

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RD4000 Accessories
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RD4000 Accessories
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RD4000 Accessories
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RD4000 Accessories
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RD4000 Accessories
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Receiver Display 1.
2.
On/Off
Frequency Select
3. Gain Paddle
4. Depth & Current
5. Antenna Select
6. Signal Strength
7. Antenna Type
8. Left/Right Arrows
9. CD Arrows
10. Line Select
11. Sonde Select
12. Battery Level
13. Numeric Display
14. Frequency Selected
15. Volume Level
16. Radio Mode
17. Power Mode
18. Volume Level
19. Accessory
20. EMS Option
21. dB Gain
22. A Frame
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T10 Transmitter Display

1. On/Off
2. Frequency Select
3. Measurement key
4. Down key
5. Up Key
6. Battery Level
7. Power Output
8. Measurement Display
9. Live Cable
10. Measurement Indicator
11. Induction Mode
12. Transmitter Indication
13. Clamp Indicator
14. Direct Connection
15. Text Display
16. Frequency display
17. Hi Volts
18. Volume Level
19. External Power
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Web Enabling Features

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Depth Calibration Check

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Further Information

Radiodetection Website - www. radiodetection.com

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