KEP PT-14 User Manual

v.1.0

PT-14

Tracer

USER MANUAL

KharkovEnergoPribor Ltd. | KEP Ltd.
[phone]
www.kep.ua | [e-mail]

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USER MANUAL

CONTENTS

GENERAL SAFETY SUMMARY ......................................................................................... 3

SAFETY TERMS AND SYMBOLS ...................................................................................... 3

1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 4

1.1 Application ............................................................................................................. 4

1.2 Description ............................................................................................................ 4

2 SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................................................ 5

2.1 Main technical data ............................................................................................... 5

2.2 Environmental condition ........................................................................................ 6

3 DESIGN ............................................................................................................................ 7

3.1 Appearance ........................................................................................................... 7

3.2 Packing .................................................................................................................. 8

4 OPERATION PROCEDURES .......................................................................................... 9

4.1 First use ................................................................................................................. 9

4.2 Battery charging .................................................................................................... 9

4.3 Selection and setting the main parameters via the MENU options ...................... 10

4.4 Operating Modes ................................................................................................. 12

4.5 Locating Methods ................................................................................................ 14

4.6 Depth and current intensity of the utilities ............................................................ 21

4.7 Testing of ground plots ........................................................................................ 23

5 METHODS OF LOCATING DAMAGED PIPELINES AND UTILITIES ............................ 26

5.1 Method of locating by current .............................................................................. 26

5.2 Fault finding with insulation control ...................................................................... 26

5.3 Cable breakdown location ................................................................................... 30

5.4 Picking-up cables and conductors ....................................................................... 34

5.5 Locating the line-to-ground faults of the overhead lines in the networks of 6 ~ 10

kW with isolated neutral. ................................................................................................ .... 35

6 TROUBLESHOOTING AND REMEDIES ........................................................................ 36

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WARNING. Warning statement identifies conditions or practices that

could result in injury or death.

CAUTION. Caution statement identifies conditions or practices that
could result in damage to the Tester or equipment to which it is
connected.

This is the user manual for tracer PT-14 (hereinafter referred to as
Tracer). It contains all of the information a new user will need to
operate the Tracer effectively as well as safety conditions while using
the Tracer.

Note that all illustrations at this document are just for user’s

consideration. The actual design of the Tracer may be different.
The manufacturer can make changes into the Tracer construction,

which will not affect its operation, without special announcement.

GENERAL SAFETY SUMMARY

Review the following safety precautions to avoid injury and prevent
damage to this product or any products connected to it. To avoid
potential hazards, use this product only as specified. Only qualified
personnel should perform service procedures.

 Do not operate with suspected failures. If you suspect

the product has been damaged, have it inspected by
qualified service personnel;

 Do not operate in wet/damp conditions;

 Do not operate in an explosive atmosphere. Keep

product surfaces clean and dry.

SAFETY TERMS AND SYMBOLS

These terms may appear on the Tracer or in the user manual:

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1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Application

The Tracer paired with the GT-75 and GT-15 Transmitters is
designed to locate and trace cable and pipe lines (hereinafter
referred to as Utilities).

1.2 Description

The Tracer:

 locates the planimetric position, orientation and misalignment of

 finds and traces the areas of faulty insulation of the utility line and

 picks the cable conductors and detects the short-circuited areas or

 logs readings with positional data received from external GPS

utilities with simultaneous indication of a target line depth and
intensity of current through the line in the TRACE mode;

locates the position and depth of the line in the «TRACE/ SONDE»

mode;

wire break (using the MD-01 mini-sensor);

module; transmits these data to a PC.
Without the aid of the Transmitter the Tracer:
 on the «50Hz» and «550Hz» frequencies locates cables by

detection Power signals naturally occurred on the utilities;
 on the «100Hz» and «300Hz» frequencies locates utilities and

finds areas of damaged insulation of pipes by detecting

Electrochemical protection signals;
 on the «55Hz» and «1450Hz» frequencies locates the areas of

ground fault of overhead lines by detection Power current

harmonics;
 in the «AIR» mode locates utilities by re-radiated broadcasting and

telephone signals within the frequency band from 48Hz to 14kHz;
 in the «RADIO» modes locates utilities by re-radiated broadcasting

signals within the frequency band from 10kHz to 36kHz.

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Parameter

Value

Frequency,

Hz

Sensitivity,
min, µA/m*

Rated values of operating frequencies
(with Transmitter); sensitivity on the
selected frequency

273

526
1024
8928

32768 (33k)

500
300
150

25

5

Rated values of operating frequencies
(with Transmitter), Hz

50, 100, 300, 550 and 1450

Dynamic range of input signals, dB, min

102

Bandwidth for each operating
frequency, max, Hz

at the level of

minus 3dB

at the level of

minus 60 dB

9

24

Utility depth, m

from 0.10 to 6.00

Operating frequency current in the
utility

from 10mA to 10.0A

Admissible error of the depth of single
extended utility line, max

± {[4+0.3h(h+1)]%+0.1m},

where h is a measured depth

Admissible error of planimetric location
of a single line at the depth of 2 m, min

± 0.1

Operating frequency voltage at the
SONDE jack input

from 0.01mV to 1.70V

Sensitivity at the SONDE jack input at
the signal-noise ratio of 6dB, mV, min

0.05

Limits of admissible main error of
voltage measurement, max, % + dgt

± (3 + 3)

Input resistance at the SONDE jack
input, MOhm

1

Overall dimensions, max, mm

700 × 300 × 140

Continuous operation under the normal
conditions with full battery, min, h

5

Weight, max, kg

1.8

* Note. Rated for the “Broad peak” method. The signal-noise ratio is 6 dB

2 SPECIFICATIONS

2.1 Main technical data

The main technical data of the Tracer are shown in Table 1.
Table 1 – Main technical data of Tracer

The Tracer provides signal gain adjustment with the step of 6 dB
(each step provides doubled gain).

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Factors

Storage and

transportation

Operating

Ambient temperature, ˚С

- 50 … + 70

- 20 … + 55

Atmospheric pressure, mm Hg

460 to 800

Relative humidity, %

90 (at 30 ˚С / non-condensing)

Power supply voltage is from 7.5V to 5.2V. The Tracer is powered
form a rechargeable Ni-Mh battery with the rated voltage of 6 V and
capacity of 2000mA∙h. The Tracer may be powered from the pack of
five replacement batteries of the AA type put into the battery
compartment. You may also use five AA - type batteries with the
voltage of 1.2V.

The batteries may be replaced without breaking a seal.
The Tracer has a battery level indicator, and it goes off automatically

to avoid excessive discharge when the battery is low.
The Tracer is switched to a battery charging mode when the power

supply unit is connected. The Tracer secures the battery against
overcharge when the battery is on its place.

The Tracer provides wireless Bluetooth communication with external
GPS Bluetooth module and PC.

2.2 Environmental condition

Ordinary values of the environment climatic factors for operating the
Tracer are specified in Table 2.

Table 2 – Tracer environment conditions

The Tracer can only be transported in proper packaging, in
accordance with section 3.2 of this user manual. When transporting
the Tracer, avoid vibrations and other physical impact on the Tracer.

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1

Jack for the power supply unit;

2

Jack for headphones;

3

Battery compartment cover;

4

SONDE jack for replacement sensors;

5

Front panel.

1 2 3 4 5

3 DESIGN

3.1 Appearance

The exterior of the Tracer is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 – Exterior of Tracer

The Tracer is supplied with the sun-protective cover. The cover is
fixed in the handle area with a Velcro tape.

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1

" " button. ON/OFF Tracer;

2

"MENU" button. Navigation key – enters/exits the menu;

3

Display;

4

" " button. Stores displayed parameters and GPS coordinates for further
transmission to a PC;

5, 6

" ", " " buttons. Adjusts signal gain; scrolls through the MENU options;

7

" " button. Sets optimum signal gain in the TRACE or SONDE channels
(depending on actual control area). Measures the utility depth and intensity of
current. Switches on/off the selected option in the MENU mode;

8

" " button. Adjusts the sound volume;

9

"F" button. Switches the available operating frequencies;

10

"MODE" button. Selects available locating modes. Switches the control areas to
change operating frequencies and amplify signal between the TRACE and SONDE
channels in the TRACE-SONDE mode.

2 1 3 5 6 4 7 8 9

10

The exterior of the front panel of the Tracer is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 – Front panel

3.2 Packing

Tracer and the operating documentation are wrapped with packaging
film in a way preventing dust and moisture from getting in and placed
in a packing crate.

The crates are supplied with labels containing the name of the Tracer
as well as shipping and storage instruction signs.

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WARNING!

Always observe safety rules when you work with live cables.
Do not apply voltage of more than 42V to the open metal parts or
jacks of the Tracer.

WARNING!

Before charging, make sure that a rechargeable battery is put into
the battery compartment. If the battery case contains non­rechargeable batteries when charging, this may cause damage to
the Tracer.

The ambient temperature shall be from plus 10 ºС to plus 30 ºС

when charging. Charging at other temperatures may reduce battery
life.

4 OPERATION PROCEDURES

4.1 First use

If the Tracer was stored at low temperatures, it shall be kept at the
operating temperature for no less than 1 hour before use.

Take the Tracer out of its case and examine protective covers and
fasteners. Check the Tracer body and external power supply unit for
the mechanical damage.

The Tracer locates utilities and cable faults by the induction method.
Replacement sensors facilitate finding damaged insulation by the

voltage of current bleeding via the ground.

4.2 Battery charging

The alternating magnetic field induced by the utility and/or the
voltage generated in the replacement sensors are transformed into a
signal form. This signal is amplified and processed by the digital
signal processor. Then the signal levels are displayed in a form of
line bars and digital values in dB or Volts. The indication may be
supported with the audible signal.

The Ni-Mh batteries of the 5H-AA 2000B-1 type with the rated
capacity of 2000mA∙h are used to supply the device.

Charging rate is displayed as a battery icon.

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If you want to charge the battery, connect a power supply unit plug
(included in the delivery set) to the corresponding jack of the Tracer.
Plug the power supply in. Full battery is shown with completely
highlighted BATTERY bar graph indicator.

Charging time is from 6 to 8 hours. If the Tracer is out of use for a
long time, recharge the batteries quarterly.

Note. Charging of standard battery is with the current from 400mA to
500mA. When charging the batteries with other rated capacity, always
check the temperature. If it rises quickly, stop charging.

4.3 Selection and setting the main parameters via the MENU options

Press the "MENU" button to enter or exit the menu. The menu is
navigated with the signal gain buttons or sound volume buttons. The
options may be selected and changed with the «H» button.

4.3.1 In the INDICATION submenu (see Figure 3b)
 the TRACE option (see Figure 3c) is used to select the signal peak

type (see Figure 3d) and to switch on/off the peak or null
indication;

 the SONDE option (see Figure 3e) is used to expand the scale 1:4

and to select signal level at the of the SONDE jack input in dB or
Volts.

4.3.2 In the SOUND submenu (see Figure 3f) you may select an auditory
accompaniment of the indication:

 as a single-frequency tone when the volume is proportional to the

signal level;

 as a crack sound like in GM counter when the frequency of cracks

is proportional to the signal level;

 as a direct audible signal from antenna on the frequencies of

«50 Hz» and «AIR». This function provides operation by ear.

In the TRACE mode the sound backs up the peak signal intensity.
When Peak mode is OFF, the sound level corresponds to the null
signal. In the TRACE-SONDE mode, the sound backs up the signal
at the SONDE jack input.

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USER MANUAL

a)

b)

c)

d)

e)

f)

g)

h)

>

Indication…

Sound…
Measurements…

GPS
Exit

Indication
>

TRACE scale…

SONDE scale…

Back

TRACE scale
>

Peak type…

COMPASS

Peak scale
Null scale
Back

Maximum type
>

Sharp

Broad

Expansion 1:4
Back

SONDE scale
>

Scale in Volts

Scale in dB

Expansion 1:4
Back

Sound
>

Tone

Dosimeter

Live
Back

Measurements
>

Auto measurement H,I

Frequency set

Back

273Hz 100Hz
526Hz 300Hz
1024Hz 550Hz
8928Hz 1450Hz
φ 8928 RADIO
AIR 33kHz
50HZ

Figure 3 – Menus