Series 800-HL Dual-Frequency Pipe and Cable Locator User Manual Manufactured Exclusively By: Utility Tool Company, Inc. 2900 Commerce Boulevard Birmingham, Alabama 35210 Tel 205-956-3710 Fax 205-956-3711 www.pipehorn.com Under U.S.
DANGER! SHOCK HAZARD CONNECTING DIRECTLY TO ANY CONDUCTOR CAN BE HAZARDOUS AND RESULT IN ELECTRIC SHOCK, INJURY, OR DEATH. ONLY LICENSED OR AUTHORIZED PERSONS SHOULD MAKE DIRECT CONNECTIONS TO POTENTIALLY ENERGIZED CONDUCTORS. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
CONTENTS General Information Equipment List Advantages of the 800-HL APWA Uniform Color Code 4 4 5 6 Terminology 7 The Equipment 8 The Transmitter The Receiver 8 8 The Signal 10 Pinpointing 11 Inductive Locating 12 Apply the HF Signal Determine the Source of Signal Verify the Conductor Pinpointed Search and Sweep One Person Two Person Conductive Locating Applying Signal to the Conductor Using Two Frequencies 12 13 14 15 15 16 18 18 19 Equipment Checks 20 Maintenance 21 Warranty 22
GENERAL INFORMATION The Pipehorn Series 800-HL is a state-of-the-art, dual-frequency, pipe and cable locating system designed for the professional with complex locating jobs. It is a carefully engineered, precision instrument that, with reasonable care, will give many years of satisfactory service. The 800-HL is very simple to operate, but for best results, the operator should carefully read this manual. The 800-HL is two tools combined into one for attacking any locating job.
Advantages of the 800-HL Every locating job is different. Success calls for a unique blend of equipment, experience, and persistence. In some situations, a low-frequency, conductive locator will perform better than a high-frequency, inductive locator. In other situations, the reverse is true. The advantage of the low-frequency is long distance tracing and in some cases, isolating one conductor from another. The disadvantage is that it must be directly connected to the pipe or cable.
SAFETY FIRST! DANGER! Shock Hazard. Connecting directly to any conductor can be hazardous and result in electric shock, injury, or death. Only licensed or authorized persons should make direct connections to potentially energized conductors. Always exercise good safety procedures when operation locating equipment.
TERMINOLOGY When the following terms are used in this manual, they have the meanings specified below: Conductor - pipe, cable, conduit, traceable optic fiber, tracer wire/tape, sewer snake, fish tape, or other lines needed to find. Tracer Signal or Signal - the output from a transmitter, either directly or through the air, which is carried along the conductor and detected with the receiver. Inductive - place the tracer signal on the conductor without making a direct electrical contact.
THE EQUIPMENT Transmitter Modes: Inductive Conductive Signal Clamp - HF - HF & LF - HF & LF During Inductive Mode, only the High-Frequency is being induced. To put the most signal on a conductor, place the handle of the transmitter in-line and directly over the conductor. During the Conductive or Signal Clamp Mode, both frequencies are being sent out at the same time. The high-frequency is no longer inducing and all signal is focused on the target conductor.
Receiver Continued... To turn the 800-HL receiver ON, simply turn the sensitivity knob until it clicks. The higher the number on the knob, the more sensitive the receiver is. Higher No. = More sensitivity Both the audio speaker and the meter let you know when the receiver is over a conductor. When the needle on the meter reaches 10 it is at peak signal. Beyond 10 the signal becomes saturated and you need to lower the sensitivity.
THE SIGNAL At any given distance, say 2 feet, at any direction from the conductor, the strength of the signal is the same under most conditions. This allows the receiver to pinpoint directly over the conductor, as shown below, because that is the area with the peak (strongest) signal reading. While locating always hold the receiver vertically, and in the direction of the pipe (in-line with the handle). Swinging the receiver as you scan may lead you to interpret the signal incorrectly.
PINPOINTING As you move closer to the conductor the receiver’s sound becomes a higher (shrill) pitch. As you move away from the conductor the pitch lowers and eventually goes away. Always maintain a solid, non-beeping tone from the receiver to ensure proper alignment with the conductor. Be careful when on a hill or steep bank. Try to keep the receiver level, not parallel to the hill.
INDUCTIVE LOCATING This method is used when there is no direct access to the target conductor. It is also helpful in finding conductors with locations that are unknown. With the 800-HL the High-frequency is the only frequency induced onto the conductor. It will only do so when the connection cables have been disconnected from the transmitter.
Set Proper Sensitivity & Scan the Area Adjust the sensitivity knob to get a solid, non-beeping tone from the receiver. Scan to the left or right to find the stronger signal. The higher pitch sound indicates you are getting closer to the conductor, a lower pitch sound indicates you are moving away from a conductor. If the sound starts beeping, lower the sensitivity and continue scanning.
Verify the Conductor Pinpointed Mark the spot where you have pinpointed the line and check the direction by twisting the receiver left and right to get the strongest signal. Now place the transmitter on the mark, in-line with the conductor, and trace the conductor back to its source. Trace the Conductor’s Path When satisfied that you’ve found the target conductor, begin walking away from the transmitter, tracing the path of the conductor by sweeping the antenna left and right.
SEARCH AND SWEEP One Person This technique is beneficial in finding conductors with unknown locations, and with no access points. Basically you use the equipment in a way that scans the entire ground to find all conductors in a specific area. Please read the instructions for inductive locating before proceeding. Position the Transmitter Lay the 800-HL Transmitter on its side, as shown below. This will “flood” the area with signal. Turn ON the Transmitter.
For Full Coverage Re-locate the 800-HL transmitter at least once several steps to the right or left in order to provide complete coverage. This is because any conductor which is directly underneath the transmitter will not be detected. Pinpoint and Determine Signal Source As with normal Inductive Locating, place the 800-HL transmitter upright on one of the marks made earlier, (in line with the suspected run of the conductor).
Sweep the Area for Conductors Maintain a constant distance between the Receiver and the Transmitter. Move together across the area where the conductors are suspected to run. DO NOT adjust the sensitivity during the sweep. When the operators sweep together over a conductor, the tone from the Receiver will get HIGH (shrill) or begin beeping, indicating a stronger signal. Temporarily mark the high pitch areas for pinpointing later.
Conductive Locating Conductive locating is done when there is an access point available for direct connection to the target conductor. This technique applies maximum signal to the target conductor with minimal signal applied to adjacent conductors. The 800-HL puts out both a Low– and a High-frequency during Conductive Locating. Conductors, such as deep high-pressure gas mains, communication cables, and other insulated continuous pipes and cables, are generally good candidates for LF locating.
Trace the Conductor From the Receiver select which frequency you wish to trace with. Sometimes one frequency will trace better than the other. Step a few feet from the transmitter in the direction of the suspected conductor and set the sensitivity to get a solid steady tone from the receiver. Begin walking away from the Transmitter along the path of the conductor while sweeping the receiver’s antenna left and right maintaining the LOW-HIGH-LOW tone pattern.
EQUIPMENT CHECKS This System Check not only verifies the condition of your batteries but also the performance of your Pipehorn. This should be a routine check made each day before you begin your locate. Knowing if your Pipehorn is operating to standards before you begin your locate will save you time and money. Check High-Frequency Place the Transmitter on the ground but not over a conductor and turn it ON.
MAINTENANCE The Pipehorn Series 800-HL was carefully calibrated at the factory and no further internal adjustments should be required. With reasonable care it should give many years of trouble free service. Batteries The Receiver and Transmitter contains alkaline batteries for their power source and you should change them periodically. How often the instrument is used determines battery life.
WARRANTY THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, BEYOND THOSE STATED BELOW. Utility Tool Company, Inc. warrants the MD840 Series 800-HL to be free from defects in workmanship or material under normal and proper use and service for three years from the date of purchase by the original user. Batteries are not included in this Warranty. Unauthorized repair, alteration, or improper maintenance will nullify this Warranty.
REPAIR SERVICE For fast service (usually less than 48 hours), return the unit prepaid to: Utility Tool Company, Inc. 2900 Commerce Blvd. Birmingham, Alabama 35210 Phone (205) 956-3710 If you have questions or suggestions regarding our equipment or a particular application, contact our applications support group at the number listed above between 8:00am and 4:30pm Central Time. Thank you for purchasing the Pipehorn equipment. We value your business and want to keep it.
