3M 2273E, 2250E User Manual

Dynatel™ 2250E/2273E
Advanced Cable and
Fault Locator

Operators Manual

September 1999
78-8097-6500-7-B

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction ............................................................................... 2

Installing or Replacing the Batteries ........................................ 2

Initial Receiver Configuration .................................................. 3

Receiver Battery Test ................................................................ 3

Transmitter Battery Test ........................................................... 4

Using External DC Power and 5 Watt Output .......................... 4

Locating a Buried Cable ........................................................... 5

Transmitter Setup ................................................................ 5

Receiver Setup .................................................................... 10

Determining Cable Depth and Current ..................................... 13

Locating Sheath Faults .............................................................. 14

Locating an Active Duct Probe ................................................. 16

Locating EMS Markers ............................................................. 17

Toning Aerial Faults .................................................................. 18

Cable or Pair Identification ....................................................... 19

Optional Accessories ................................................................. 21

Technical Information ............................................................... 22

Page 1

INTRODUCTION

The 3M™ Dynatel 2250E/2273E Advanced Cable and Fault Locator
consists of a Transmitter and a Receiver for locating buried cables or
Active Duct Probes (sondes). It also measures and pinpoints sheath faults
in buried cables (2273E only) and conductor faults in aerial cables. The
transmitter provides four frequencies to accommodate varying factors such
as distance, cable type, or soil conditions. If desired, all four frequencies
may be transmitted at once. The Transmitter also provides a separate Tone
function for identifying cables and pairs. The Receiver provides four
locating modes to accomplish fast or difficult tracing and to pinpoint or
verify a conductor. The Receiver detects 50 or 60 Hz AC Power signals and
low frequency (LF) radio signals re-radiated from local broadcast
transmitters.

It also measures the signal current in a conductor and displays

its magnitude. The depth of buried cables or sondes may also be displayed.

Note: For more detailed locating instructions and advanced locating
techniques, ask your 3M sales representative for a free publication called
Cable and Pipe Locating Techniques.

INSTALLING OR REPLACING THE BATTERIES

6 'LR14'

cells

6 'LR6'

cells

Do not connect batteries improperly, charge or dispose of in fire.

Caution!

Batteries may leak or explode and cause personal injury. Always
remove batteries when storing the units.

Battery Disposal: Since regulations vary, consult applicable regulations
or authorities before disposal.

Page 2

INITIAL RECEIVER CONFIGURATION

Display depth units (inches, feet and inches, or centimeters) may be
changed while holding

and pressing .

For each press, one of
three units will display. To change the passive Power frequency, press and
hold

then press to toggle between 50 or 60 Hz as displayed in
the lower left corner of the display.
To change the Null bar graph display mode, press and hold
press

to toggle between normal Null bar graph display (Null flag will

then

flash) and inverse Null bar graph display (Null flag is solid). See section
About Trace Modes (page 11) for further information.

RECEIVER BATTERY TEST

Battery Test

Indicator

Battery Level

Mark

The Receiver batteries are tested for two seconds every time the unit is
turned on. The time interval can be extended by pressing and holding
During the battery test, the bar graph should extend to the right of the

battery level mark, otherwise replace the batteries.

.

Note: When batteries are low, the battery test indicator

Page 3

will flash.

TRANSMITTER BATTERY TEST

To test the Batteries, press and hold . Listen to the tone and watch
the display.

Note: The battery test indicates battery condition for normal output
levels. if the unit resets when the high output level is selected, use the
normal output level or replace the batteries.

• solid tone and 'OK' indicates batteries good;

• beeping tone and 'LO' indicates batteries low;

• no tone and '- -' indicates replace batteries.

USING EXTERNAL DC POWER AND 5 WATT OUTPUT

The Transmitter can be operated from and external 12VDC source as well
as its internal batteries. Use the supplied cigarette lighter adapter cable to
connect the DC power from a vehicle's battery source to the Transmitter's
external power jack located next to the output jack.

Note: The internal batteries will not be recharged with external DC.

5 Watt Output

An external DC source is required for 5 watt output. To select 5 watt
operation, press
operation. The High Output flag will turn on for 3W and flash for 5W.

once for high output (3W) and again for 5 watt

Page 4

LOCATING A BURIED CABLE

Transmitter Setup

Note: Key descriptions can be found inside the Transmitter lid.

Perform a battery test and then connect the Transmitter using one of the
three methods below to put tracing signal on a cable.

Danger!

Voltage higher than 240 volts will damage equipment and cause personal
injury and death. Make all direct test connections before turning on the
Transmitter. Then activate the Transmitter in the Ohms mode and check
the display for voltage readings. Follow standard procedures for
reducing the voltage.

Warning!

Potential for electrical shock exists when handling connecting cables
while the Transmitter is in the TRACE, FAULT or TONE modes. Turn
the transmitter off before handling connecting cables.

Page 5

DIRECT CONNECT METHOD

Make sure the Transmitter is off. Plug the Direct Connect Cable into the
front panel jack. Connect the Black clip to the ground rod. Place the
ground rod in the earth perpendicular to the suspected cable path. If
necessary, extend the black lead with the Ground Extension Cable. Next,
remove the ground bonding and attach the Red clip to the shield.

Note: Never attach or remove the direct connect cable from the
Transmitter front panel jack while the red and black clips are connected
to a cable.

Press to turn the Transmitter on in the Ohms mode . It will
measure the continuity of the cable under test. The results are displayed in
ohms and as a tone (solid tone = good ground; beeping tone = usable
ground; no tone = poor or no ground).

Note: In the ohms mode, the Transmitter can detect voltage as well as
ohms. If voltage is detected, the display will alternate between displaying
ohms and volts. When displaying ohms, the flag over the
visible. When displaying volts, the flag over the 'V' will be visible. When
the voltage magnitude is sufficient to impair the accuracy of the ohms
measurement, only voltage will be displayed. If the voltage is AC, a sine
wave
rapid beeping tone will be heard.

will be visible on the display. If a high AC voltage is detected, a

will be

Page 6

Press to select Trace mode. Press again to select one or all of the
four frequencies. The display will alternate between displaying the

selected frequency and the output signal current. It is best to choose the
lowest frequency for direct connect with far-end ground and a high
frequency for direct connect with no far-end ground.

Press

to select high output level for longer tracing distances and

deep cables.

Transmitter setup is finished, now go to LOCATING A BURIED

CABLE - R

ECEIVER SETUP (PAG E 10).

Page 7