Receiver Operational Controls
1
2
3
4
Depth measurement /
frequency selection
Sensitivity control
(increase sensitivity)
On/Off control
Sensitivity control
(reduce sensitivity)
Increment sensitivity down, or auto scale
down to 60% if off scale. When in frequency
select menu use this button to scroll
backwards through available frequencies.
Long press to switch on/off. Short press to
change speaker volume.
Increment sensitivity up, or auto scale to
60% if off scale. When in frequency select
menu use this button to scroll forwards
through available frequencies.
Short press to initiate depth measurement.
Long press to enter frequency select menu
then short press to exit menu.
D18-33kHz Sonde
• 0.75in
(18mm)
x 3.1in
(80mm)
long,
33 kHz, range 15ft
(4.5m)
• 2 x button cell batteries
D38-33kHz Sonde
• 1.5in
(38mm)
x 4.1in
(105mm)
long,
33 kHz, range 16.3ft
(5m)
• 1 x AA battery
D64-33kHz Sonde
• 2.5in
(64mm)
x 7.3in
(186mm)
long,
33 kHz, range 26ft
(8m)
• 1 x LR61 battery
D23F Flexible Sonde.
Available in 512Hz or 640Hz
• 1in
(23mm)
x 18in
(456mm)
long,
range 20ft
(6m)
• Flexible (3 section) Sonde for use in
metallic or non-metallic pipes
• 1 x AA battery
Optional Accessories Sondes
NOTE
The battery condition is indicated on the battery icon.
Replace batteries if necessary. See Changing Batteries
Section.
Power Mode Operation
Switch on the receiver by pressing the On/Off pushbutton. Allow the unit
a few seconds to switch on.
The frequency selected is shown on the display. If this is not the desired
locate frequency (i.e. 50 or 60Hz) change as instructed below.
Changing the Locate Frequency
Press and hold the depth measurement/frequency selection pushbutton
until the frequency menu is entered. The display will show the present
frequency selected in large numbers in the center of the screen. Use the
“+” or “–” pushbuttons to select the desired frequency. Press the depth
measurement/frequency selection pushbutton to re-enter the locate
screen.
Locating a Cable in the Power (50/60Hz) Mode
Hold the locator vertically in the area that is required to be searched.
Adjust the sensitivity of the locator by pressing the “+” or “–” pushbuttons
to keep the locator response on scale.
Hold the locator in front of you in the orientation shown below.
Sweep the locator left to right along the suspected route of the cable. As
the locator approaches the cable the meter reading will increase.
Pinpoint the position by detecting the largest signal.
To confirm the direction of the cable, rotate the locator until the largest
signal is detected. The direction of the cable is then directly ahead,
pointing forward, away from the display.
Continue to locate the cable along the route. Depth measurements are
not possible in the power (50/60Hz) mode, if pressed by accident it will
show N/A.
WARNING
The power mode is used to detect signals radiating
from cables or services that are carrying a 50 or
60Hz load. It is possible for a cable to be live but not
carry a load. In this case there may not be a signal to
be detected.
Similarly, if a cable is exactly balanced the resulting
signal radiating from the cable may be zero and
therefore not detectable.
Do not use the VM-540 to identify cables if they are
live. Always dig with caution.
Sonde Locating
Connect the Sonde to a suitable push rod. There is typically a 10mm
thread on the end of the Sonde for this purpose.
Switch on the Sonde and position it within the pipe access chamber
leaving it still visible.
Hold the locator above the Sonde at ground level. Adjust the sensitivity
of the locator by pressing the “+” or “-” pushbuttons to keep the signal on
scale. Rotate the receiver until the maximum signal is detected.
