Using DIRECT (Conductive) Energizing
The most common method to
energize a line is via DIRECT connection in which the user injects the
signal from the active transmitter output into the line using a
connection cable To energize a line by DIRECT hook up the user
should first make sure that there is an accessible electrically exposed
part of the line to which to connect This could be a metallic water riser
or the bare end of a tracer wire for instance
Also the user should make sure that the line does not present a high
voltage relative to ground at the exposed point or any other condition
that might be hazardous to the equipment or to oneself
Follow these steps to energize the line via DIRECT connection:
(a) Before turning on the transmitter
insert the plug of a DCC into a
SIGNAL jack (SIGNAL[ ] jack
preferred) Set the case near the
exposed part of the target line as
shown above
(b) Attach the red clip lead to the
exposed part of the target line (see
above)
(c) Connect the black lead to a metallic stake that has been securely
plunged into the ground The amount of current generated on the
target line depends largely on the nature of this ground
connection For longer traces place the ground stake as far away
from the red clip as possible If little signal is required for the
tracing job then the user can even leave the black lead unattached
and laying on the ground some distance from the red lead This is
referred to as an “off ground” condition