3
1. INTRODUCTION
The Magna-Trak 101
®
magnetic locator is a flux-gate type of magnetometer which
incorporates a unique patented technology that enables the factory to balance the
magnetic sensing coils to a finite condition. This patented method of magnetic
balancing is advanced in the state of the technology.
The Magna-Trak 101 implements “peak response” over ferromagnetic objects by
yielding an increasing audio signal as the object is approached and passed over.
This instrument is the product of many years of experience and service provided by
CST to the industry.
2. THEORY OF OPERATION
The Magna-Trak 101 locator finds ferromagnetic objects by sensing the magnetic field
radiated by the object. The locator contains two sensor coil assemblies that are
precisely spaced and electronically balanced to achieve a near magnetically-balanced
operating condition. In a uniform magnetic field, such as the earth’s field, the two
sensor coils maintain a magnetically-balanced status, because both of the coils
experience the same magnetic lines of force. However, when a ferromagnetic object
is approached, the field strength and angle of the magnetic lines upon each sensor is
different. This difference, although minute, is enough to offset the critical balance
and produce an audible indicating signal (
Fig. 1
).
When no ferromagnetic objects are present, the speaker emits a steady low fre-
quency tone. As the object is approached, the audio frequency increases until the
center of the object is directly beneath the locator’s lower tip sensor. The frequency
peaks and then decreases as the object is passed. The peak indicates the exact
location of the object.
Nonferrous objects do not affect the locator. Objects made of brass, aluminum,
copper, etc. are ignored.
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Fig. 1
Sensor coils unbalanced by magnetic field of iron stake.
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