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14

SERIES

If you can no longer trace the path, even with the 

G

aIn

 set to maximum, connect the 

t

ransmItter

 to 

the far end of the path and trace back to the point where you lost the signal.

Mark the straight sections of the path every few feet. Mark sharp curves, loops, and cable bundles 

every few inches. Sharp changes in the path cause the 

r

eceIver

 Peak and Null indications to behave 

differently than when tracing a straight path. Practice on the path that you know has turns and laterals 

in it. This will help you to recognize the conditions within the field.

Trace the path by walking away from the 

t

ransmItter

 at a moderate pace. Move the 

r

eceIver

 to the 

left and right while walking, following the Peak indications.

As you trace the path, the Peak meter reading may slowly fade as you move away from the 

t

ransmItter

.

 Press and release the 

G

aIn

 buttons as needed to compensate for changes in level (higher 

or lower). One of the following may occur:

  

a

a

 

JunctIon

 

where

 

the

 

sIGnal

 

dIvIdes

 

and

 

Goes

 

several

 

dIrectIons

.

 

 

B

a

 

BreaK

 

In

 

the

 

caBle

 

or

 

shIeld

.

 

 

c

a

 

chanGe

 

In

 

the

 

dePth

 

of

 

the

 

caBle

 

or

 

PIPe

.

 

 

d

an

 

Insulated

 

PIPe

 

fIttInG

.

 

 

e

a

 

slacK

 

looP

 

of

 

caBle

.

Move the 

r

eceIver

 left to right across the cable path. When the 

r

eceIver

 is directly above the cable or pipe, 

a Null (lowest meter reading and lowest audio tone) will occur. When moving the 

r

eceIver

 to left or right 

of the Null point, the meter reading will rise to a maximum point (Peak). The audio tone will also be at its  

highest pitch. When the 

r

eceIver

 

is moved beyond the Peak, the meter reading will begin to fade.

Trace the path by walking away from the 

t

ransmItter

 at a moderate pace. Move the 

r

eceIver

 to the 

left and right when walking, following the Null indications.

It is expected that in areas of distortion and interference the Null locating mode will have a greater 

error rate than the Peak locating mode.

Null Mode

Buried cable

Buried cable

Signal over cable

Peak Mode

(End view)

Receiver Max

(End view)

Receiver Min

Signal over cable

n

ull

 m

ode

 l

oCating

Summary of Contents for PL-VF Series

Page 1: ...SERIES SERIES Instructions Functions and Warranty Information Pipe Cable Locator Variable Frequency Series User Manual...

Page 2: ...ts reserved No part of this manual may be reproduced copied modified or adapted without the prior written consent of the SubSurface Instruments Inc Please contact SubSurface Instruments Inc to request...

Page 3: ...e 14 Left Right Auto Gain Mode 15 Absolute Signal Strength 15 Gain Level Indication 15 Passive 50 60 Hz Locating 16 Passive Radio Frequency Locating 16 Passive Rectifier CP Locating 16 Push Button Dep...

Page 4: ...by Products sold or supplied by SubSurface Instruments Inc Failure to follow these warning could result in serious injury or death Only persons qualified and trained to operate cable pipe locators ma...

Page 5: ...se only Duracell alkaline batteries Note The battery type used must be selected in the programming menu of the transmitter and the receiver For instructions on how to select please see page 4 By regis...

Page 6: ...normal operation The PL VF operating modes frequencies and other functions are user programmable and can be changed at anytime through a quick selection process in the programming menu To select the...

Page 7: ...EL CONTROL The ON OFF OUTPUT SIGNAL LEVEL CONTROL turns the unit on With a short press it will adjust the power output from the Transmitter There are 3 selections on the standard power settings Holdin...

Page 8: ...The Red Black Test Cord or the Ground Rod are not needed for this method Successful coupler operation requires an insulated conductor that is grounded on both near and far ends Loop the Flexicoupler...

Page 9: ...rt tracing the path with the Receiver 25 feet from the Transmitter Search in the 90 zone as shown above Locate the cable or pipe and follow the path If the signal becomes weak move the Transmitter to...

Page 10: ...work on the highest of the medium frequencies 33kHz and high frequencies Low Frequencies are usually preferred to the mid range frequencies and high frequencies because they are less susceptible to l...

Page 11: ...rtain modes and some modes will only be available with certain frequencies The available selectable frequencies can be edited within the programing menu Mode Select A long press press and hold for 2 s...

Page 12: ...start with the unit on Press and hold depressed the Function button Power On Off for 10 seconds Pro will display at the top of the LCD Using the Gain Down key scroll through the primary menu to PathL...

Page 13: ...or a maximum signal As you move the Receiver away from the cable path the meter reading and audio frequency response will drop off The Left Right arrows operate off of the Null reading By utilizing th...

Page 14: ...level higher or lower One of the following may occur a a junction where the signal divides and goes several directions b a break in the cable or shield c a change in the depth of the cable or pipe d...

Page 15: ...inted This measurement can also be used to monitor signal loss as the conductor is being traced The Gain up and down buttons are used to increase and decrease the gain in small amounts If the meter re...

Page 16: ...tilities where radio frequencies have coupled to the utility This mode is useful for sweeping a green area for utilities In certain circumstances this mode will locate water pipes cable television gas...

Page 17: ...way to be sure of the depth of a utility is to expose the utility At any given time the depth readout may be inaccurate The following are methods and procedures that will aid in increasing the reliab...

Page 18: ...the Bubble Level centered 4 When the receiver indicates a Null reading mark the location of the receiver s foot 5 The distance between the Receiver and the cable path is the depth of the pipe or cabl...

Page 19: ...The PL VF Receiver contains a feature that is very useful in identifying a desired cable in a field of various conductors and or utilities It is not unusual for the target conductor the conductor conn...

Page 20: ...recommended to allow the Sonde to move easier Or if you need to attach the Sonde to a sewer auger it is recommended you use duct tape and apply as the shown in the figure below If taping the Sonde on...

Page 21: ...ting when the PEAK reading is found Then rotate the Receiver as shown in the figure below When pivoting the Receiver do not change the vertical position The Receiver will indicate a peak when the Rece...

Page 22: ...e Sonde and find a NULL between the PEAK ghost signals Mark this point A Then move the Receiver along the path in front of the Sonde and find another NULL Mark this point B Next measure the distance b...

Page 23: ...tween the ground rod and the fault the arrows will not properly display direction until the unit comes within range of the fault or ground rod SIGNAL STRENGTH The Signal Strength is displayed in a val...

Page 24: ...AND DIRECTLY ABOVE THE CABLE PATH CABLE SIDE VIEW BOTH SPIKES SHOULD EVENLY PENETRATE THE GROUND AND MAKE GOOD ELECTRICAL CONTACT Set the Transmitter to fault mode by pressing and holding the frequenc...

Page 25: ...iver with the GRP plug in the GRP to the jack in the handle of the receiver Then press and hold the mode button for 10 seconds to select the to select DFF mode Note numeric reading as reference to sig...

Page 26: ...directional indication changes the fault will lie on a straight line projected at a right angle from the center of the GRP The GRP adjustments can be made by slightly rotating the Ground Return Probe...

Page 27: ...mitter Receiver Operating Frequency Antenna Mode Audio Indication Operating Temperature Battery Type Battery Life Dimensions Weight Signal Strength Gain Control Dynamic Range Depth Measurement 200Hz 4...

Page 28: ...2 A brief description of the trouble 3 A return shipping address billing mail address any special shipping instructions Packing Instructions Remove and discard all batteries Place the unit to be repa...

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