Almost all of our utilities nowadays are buried in the ground. Be it gas pipes, telephone lines, internet or electricity cables and more they're all found underground which has both its pros and cons. While the cables and pipes are protected they are more difficult to access. Well, because of this, you need a cable/ pipe locator. Also known as utility locators, these devices are able to detect the placement and location of a certain cable or pipe.
They do this with the help of an electromagnetic signal which is sent across the area you're using the device. Once the signal gets in contact with a utility it bounces off and comes back up and the locator detects that thanks to a receiver. The data from that signal shows at what depth the cable/ pipe is.
What to Look For in Underground Pipe Finders
Design
Although the design of an underground pipe detector won't matter as much as its functionality, it still plays an important role. In fact, nowadays, big and bulky detectors are to be avoided as their design signifies an older generation model which is not as capable as a modern-day underground pipe finder. Slimmer and sleeker models are what you should go for not because they look more modern but because they perform better too.
Clamp
One of the most important components of every underground pipe locator is its clamp. The type of clamp you go for will determine the type of detecting you'll be able to do and how well you'll be able to do it. But it's best that you go with an underground pipe finder that has an inductive clamp. Inductive clamps are used to trace conductive pipes as well as cables with older wires and old gas pipes too.
Limitations
The limitations of an underground pipe locator will tell you a lot about its capabilities. For example, if you get one with a high-frequency signal it can cause what are known as ghost signals which will bleed over to other lines that are on the ground and not in it.
Durability
You'll also want to get a detector that will last you a long time. Be it in bad or good weather conditions, an underground pipe locator should be able to work without issues for years to come. Usually, a certain brand and model that is mentioned the most is the one you should consider as it's common for a reason.
Size
The size of a cable and pipe detector will make or break your experience with it. While smaller detectors are more portable and easier to use for long periods of time, they are not always as capable as larger ones. Larger detectors can usually cover a larger area too since they have a bigger coil.
Active vs Passive Locating
There are two types of cable and pipe locating, passive and active. With active locating the cable or pipe you're targeting is electrically charged. Meaning the cable/ pipe is being sent a signal that then bounces off the cable/ pipe. This method requires the use of a transmitter that uses both a controlled and programmed frequency.
With passive locating, the precise location of a utility line is detected by the radio signals and frequencies that are already present in the utility. It's like the utility is sending the signals to the locator and not the other way around. Locators that rely on the passive method search for electromagnetic signals and try to distinguish between lines by sorting through those signals.
Locating Techniques
Direct Connection
When it comes to active locating there are two techniques that you can perform and one of them is called direct connection (conduction).
- With direct connection the transmitter or locator is placed in an area where it has direct access or connection to the target cable/ pipe. Then a second lead is connected to the ground and the frequency of the transmitter as well as its power output are adjusted.
- This ensures that the properties are able to match those of the target line. The target line is traced and marked on the surface of the ground by setting the frequency of the receiver to that of the transmitter. In this case, the audio gain control is adjusted too.
Clamp Connection
With a clamp connection (induction) technique the clamp is connected to the transmitter or locator and it's clamped to the exposed cable or pipe. Then, the coil in the clamp sends out a signal to the target line. With the receiver set to the exact same frequency as the transmitter. The pipe/ cable is then traced with a direct connection.
Conclusion
No matter how much experience you have using an underground pipe detector you can never go wrong by going with a basic one. Since basic detectors today are far more advanced than their predecessors. As long as you follow the above instructions no underground utility will go unnoticed no matter the detector you have in hand.
