Radiodetection S6 Microsonde, S9 Minisonde, Standard Sonde, S18 Small Sonde, S13 Super Small Sonde User Manual

Sondes

USER GUIDE 90/NUG012ENG/08

This user guide covers Radiodetection’s

range of sondes and associated accessories,

including Flexrods and FlexiTraces, which

can be used in tracing the paths of pipes,

ducts, sewers and drains, and in the precise

location of blockages or collapses.

Specifications are provided together with sales part

numbers. All depths stated refer to maximum reliable working

depth – in some situations, the sondes will function at a

greater depth.

Radiodetection supplies a comprehensive range of sondes,

some locatable to depths of up to 15m (49') and with

diameters ranging from 6.4mm (0.25") to 64mm (2.52"),

to suit a wide variety of applications.

Radiodetection sondes can be fitted to a flexible rod for

insertion or pushing through pipes etc. and the smaller

sondes can be used with jetting machines and ‘blown’

through pipes or ducts to trace or locate blockages or

collapses. An optional plain end cap with eyelet can be

purchased for some sondes and is particularly useful when

pulling a sonde through a duct on the end of a string, or

when ‘blown’ through ducts.

M10 Male end cap

Sonde body

Plain end cap

with eyelet

S6 Microsonde

A micro sized sonde designed for use in very small diameter
applications – particularly microducts. Can be fitted to a
flexible rod using M5 female thread or jetted through duct.

Size: Length 83mm (3.27"), Diameter 6.4mm (0.25")
Location Depth: 2m (6.5')
Battery: CR425 – providing 8 hours continuous use
Signal: 33kHz continuous
Order codes: 10/SONDE-MICRO-33, comprising sonde,

flexible adaptor, 2 batteries, case and user guide

10/SONDE-MICRO-BATPACK – 10 CR425 batteries in case

S9 Minisonde

A mini sized sonde designed for use in small diameter
applications where diameter restricts the use of larger sondes.
Can be fitted to a flexible rod using M6 female thread.

Size: Length 138mm (5.4"), Diameter 9mm (0.35")
Location Depth: 4m (13')
Battery: CR535 – providing 8 hours continuous use
Signal: 33kHz continuous
Order codes: 10/SONDE-MINI-33, comprising sonde, 2 batteries,

case and user guide
10/SONDE-MINI-BATPACK – 10 CR535 batteries in case

Super Small Sonde (S13)

A very small sonde designed for use in small conduits and
ducts, and capable of passing around tighter bends. Used
with flexible rods or blown/pulled through pipe or duct.
Supplied as a kit.

Size: Diameter 12.7mm (0.5")
Length with plain end cap 70mm (2.75") with

M10 male end cap 87mm (3.43")
Location Depth: 2m (6.6')
Battery: 2 x V393 silver oxide

providing 8 hours
continuous use

Signal: 33kHz continuous
Pressure: 2 bar – 20m (65') of water
Order codes: 10/SONDE-S13-33, comprising sonde body,

M10 male threaded end cap, plain end cap,
2 batteries and case

10/SONDE-S13-BATPACK, pack of 10 V393 batteries

Small Sonde (S18)

A small sonde particularly useful in small diameter
applications. Used with flexible rods or blown/pulled
through pipe or duct.
Available as a complete kit.

Size: Diameter 18mm (0.7")
Length with plain end cap 82mm (3.2") with

M10 male end cap 97mm (3.8")
Location Depth: 4m (13')
Battery: 2 x CR1/3N or 1 x D1/3N providing 8 hours

continuous use
Signal: 33kHz continuous
Pressure: 2 bar – 20m (65') of water
Order codes: 10/S18-33-KIT, comprising sonde body,

M10 end cap, plain end cap and 2 batteries
10/SONDE-S18A-33, sonde body, M10 end cap

and 1 battery
10/S18-PLAINENDCAP
10/S18-BATTERYPACK, pack of 5 D1/3N type

batteries

Standard Sonde

The standard sonde combines compact size and strong
signal. Supplied with M10 male threaded end cap and
available in 512Hz, 8kHz or 33kHz options.

The 512Hz version is
particularly useful for
use in cast iron pipes.

Size: Length 105mm (4.1"), Diameter 39mm (1.5")
Location Depth: 5m (16')
Battery: 1 x AA providing 8 hours continuous use
Signal: 512Hz, 8kHz or 33kHz continuous
Pressure: 2 bar – 20m (65') of water
Order codes: 10/SONDE-STD-512, 512Hz version
10/SONDE-STD-8, 8kHz version
10/SONDE-STD-33, 33kHz version
10/AABATTERYPACK, pack of 5 AA batteries

Sewer Sonde

Robust sonde with a very strong enclosure, suitable for
abrasive applications such as for use in sewers.

Size: Length 168mm (6.6"), Diameter 64mm (2.5")
Location Depth: 8m (26')
Battery: 1 x PP3 providing 15 hours continuous use
Signal: 33kHz continuous or pulsed

(Reverse battery to change signal)
Pressure: 0.2 bar – 2m (6.6') of water
Order codes: 10/SONDE-SEWER-33
10/PP3BATTERYPACK, pack of 5 PP3 batteries
10/SONDE-SEWER-SHELL, external shell for

heavy-duty applications

Super Sonde

Robust sonde with a very strong enclosure, suitable
for abrasive applications and for
use in deep sewers.

Size: Length 318mm (12.5"), Diameter 64mm (2.5")
Location Depth: 15m (49')
Battery: 1 x PP3 providing 5 hours continuous use
Signal: 33kHz continuous or pulsed (Reverse battery to

change signal)
Pressure: 0.2 bar – 2m (6.6') of water
Order codes: 10/SONDE-SUPER-33
10/PP3BATTERYPACK, pack of 5 PP3 batteries

Notes:

Sondes are intended to be used for location purposes only
and should be used in this way. Failure to do so may result
in damage to the sonde and may invalidate the warranty.

Sondes are not classified as ‘intrinsically safe’ for use in
applications where hazardous gases are present.

The majority of Radiodetection sondes transmit on
33kHz and as such can be used with a wide range of
Radiodetection locators. For 512Hz and 8kHz sondes, please
check with the specific locator user guide for compatibility.

BendiSonde

A 3-section sonde that is particularly useful in cast iron pipes
and applications where flexibility is required.

Size: Length 475mm (18.8"), Diameter 23mm (0.9")
Location Depth: 6m (20')
Battery life: 1 x AA providing 15 hours continuous use
Signal: 512Hz continuous
Pressure: 2 bar – 20m (65') of water
Order codes: 10/SONDE-BENDI-512 – sonde with M10 male

end cap

10/AABATTERYPACK, pack of 5 AA batteries

Radiodetection (USA) 28 Tower Road, Raymond, Maine 04071, USA

Tel: [phone] Toll Free: [phone] [e-mail]

Radiodetection Ltd. (UK) Western Drive, Bristol BS14 0AF, UK
Tel: [phone] [e-mail]

www.radiodetection.com

90/NUG012ENG/08

Copyright © 2018 Radiodetection Ltd. All rights reserved. Radiodetection is a subsidiary of
SPX Corporation. Radiodetection is a trademark of Radiodetection Ltd. Due to a policy of

continued development, we reserve the right to alter or amend any published specication
without notice. This document may not be copied, reproduced, transmitted, modied or

used, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of Radiodetection Ltd.

LOCATING A SONDE

A new battery or a freshly recharged battery should be used
at the beginning of each day and preferably at the start of a
job. Check that the sonde and locator are operating at the
same frequency and working correctly.

A quick test for both sonde and locator is to position the
sonde at a distance equal to its rated depth range from the
locator. Point the locator at the sonde with its blade in-line
with the sonde, and check that the bar graph on the locator
displays more than 50% with the sensitivity of the locator set
to maximum.

Note: The blade
of the locator
must be in line
with the sonde,
the opposite to
cable locating.

With the sonde attached to the flexible rod, insert it into the
drain or duct to be located, keeping the sonde just in view.
Hold the locator vertically and directly over the sonde, with
the blade in-line with the sonde.

Adjust the sensitivity of the locator to give a bar graph display
reading between 60% and 80%.

A sonde radiates
a peak field from
the centre of its
axis with ghost
signals at each
side of the peak.
Move the locator
a little way to
one side and
then along the
axis of the sonde
forwards and
backwards to
detect the ghost
signals.

It is a good idea to locate the ghosts as finding them positively
confirms the position of the main peak. To lose the ghosts
subsequently, reduce the sensitivity of the locator a little to
leave only the main peak detectable.

With the locator sensitivity set as desired, propel the sonde
along three to four paces and stop. Place the locator over
the estimated position of the sonde and:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(a) Move the locator

backwards and
forwards with the blade
in line with the sonde
and stop when the
locator display indicates
a clear peak response.

(b) Rotate the locator as if

the blade were a pivot,
stop when the display
indicates a clear peak
response.

(c) Move the locator from

side to side until the
display indicates a clear
peak response.

Repeat (a), (b) and (c) in
smaller increments with
the locator blade resting
on or near the ground. The
locator should now be
directly above the sonde
with the blade in line with
the sonde. Now mark the
position.

Propel the sonde a further three to four paces along
the drain or duct and pinpoint and mark. Repeat this
procedure along the route at similar intervals. It should only
be necessary to change the locator sensitivity while tracing
the sonde if there is a change in the depth of the drain or
duct, or the distance between locator and sonde.

MEASURING DEPTH TO A SONDE

Pinpoint the sonde as previously described and rest the
locator on the ground and in-line with the sonde. Adjust the
sensitivity to provide a bar graph deflection between 60%
and 80%. Refer to the specific locator user guide on how to
obtain a sonde depth measurement.

If the locator does not provide depth measurements or the
sonde is too deep for the locator to display or calculate a
depth measurement but can still be located, the following
method may be used to calculate the sonde’s depth.

Pinpoint the sonde. Move the locator in front of the sonde
and while in line with the sonde, increase the sensitivity of
the locator slightly to find the ghost signal. Between the main
peak and the ghost there is a Null or minimum signal. Now
move behind the sonde and repeat, find the Null between the
ghost and main peak. See points ‘A’ and ‘B’ on the diagram.
The higher the sensitivity of the locator the sharper the nulls
appear. Measure the distance between point ‘A’ and ‘B’ and
multiply by 0.7 to give an approximate depth measurement.

FLEXITRACE

™

The Radiodetection FlexiTrace
is a flexible rod containing
conducting wires running
the full length of the rod, with
a transmitting sonde at the
end. FlexiTrace is inserted
into pipes and ducts where
size restricts the use of larger
diameter sondes and used to
trace the line of a pipe, duct
or to locate blockages and
collapses to a depth of 3m.

To use the FlexiTrace, the rod or sonde can be energised
by using a Radiodetection transmitter and located using a
suitable Radiodetection locator.

By connecting the output of the transmitter across both stud
terminals of the FlexiTrace, only the sonde will be energised
and can be used for pinpointing blockages etc.

By connecting the transmitter output to one of the stud
terminals and a ground through an earth stake, the entire
length of rod can be energised, enabling the tracing of the
length of FlexiTrace rod inside the pipe or duct.

Please contact your local Radiodetection dealer for more
information on our range of FlexiTrace products.

FLEXRODS

The Radiodetection Flexrods are used for
inserting and pushing Radiodetection
sondes into and along pipes, ducts,
drains and sewers etc.

The Flexrod is a glass fiber
rod in a polypropylene
sleeve that is resistant to
abrasion, most solvents,
oils and acids.

The rod is wound onto
a steel spool which has
a manual brake to help the
user maintain control of the rod.

The Flexrod can be used in place of drain rods for some
applications and can be fed into and withdrawn from the
drain more quickly than conventional drain rods.

An optional adaptor is available to fit the M10 end of the
Flexrod and has a blank end ready for machining or tapping
to fit an appropriate drain tool.

Please contact your local Radiodetection dealer for more
information on our range of flexrod products.

SONDE AND FLEXROD CONNECTORS

AND COUPLINGS

Spring coupling

The spring coupling has a M10 male thread and
a M10 female thread. The spring coupling
fits between the end of a Flexrod and
the sonde and is used to reduce
the shock to the sonde when
hitting the wall of a pipe or to
ease the sonde around bends.

Order Code: 10/SU0335

Flexrod adaptor

A brass fitting with a 10mm female on one end and a 12mm
female thread on the other. Used to screw onto a flexrod with
12mm male thread and enables
a Radiodetection sonde with
10mm male thread to connect to
a Flexrod.

Order Code: 04/B-103-4-100F

Blank connector

A brass fitting with a 10mm female
thread on one end and a blank end
on the opposite. A Radiodetection
sonde screws into the 10mm female
thread and the blank end can be
machined to suit the connection
requirements of specific rods.

Order Code: 10/SU0343

Pair of floats

Each float has a 10mm
female to connect onto
the 10mm thread at
each end of the Sewer
and Super sonde. Enables the sonde to float inside a pipe,
especially useful in sewers where there is running water.
By attaching cord to the float the sonde distance and speed
can be controlled along the pipe.

Order Code: 10/SU0344

Plastic or cane rod connector

A brass fitting with a 10mm female
thread on one end and a ¾ inch male
standard cane rod thread. Used to
attach a Radiodetection sonde onto a
standard cane or drain rod.

Order Code: 10/SU0339