RIDGID NaviTrack Brick Operator's Manual

NaviTrack® Brick

Read this operator’s manual

result in electrical shock, fire

5 Watt Pipe and Cable Line

Transmitter

Operator’s

Manual

WARNING!

carefully before using this tool.
Failure to understan d and follow
the contents of this m anual may

and/or serious personal injur y.

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NaviTrack Brick Lin e Transmi tter

Table of Contents

GENERAL SAFETY INFORMATION ........................................................................................................................ 2

NAVITRACK BRICK COMPONENTS ...................................................................................................................... 5

KEYPAD AND DISPLAY............................................................................................................................................... 6

GETTING STARTED ................................................................................................................................................. 7

INSTALLING/CHANGING BATTERIES ............................................................................................................................ 7

OPERATION TIME ..................................................................................................................................................... 7

POWERING UP / DOWN ............................................................................................................................................. 7

BATTERY CHECK ...................................................................................................................................................... 7

SOUNDS OF THE NAVITRACK BRICK TRANSMITTER ..................................................................................................... 7

USING THE NAVITRACK BRICK LINE TRANSMITTER ........................................................................................ 8

DIRECT-CONNECT METHOD ...................................................................................................................................... 8

FCC LIMITS ........................................................................................................................................................... 10

USEFUL OPERATING TIPS ....................................................................................................................................... 10

INDUCTIVE CLAMP METHOD .................................................................................................................................... 10

INDUCTIVE MODE ................................................................................................................................................... 11

HIGH VOLTAGE INDICATOR ...................................................................................................................................... 12

USEFUL INFORMATION ........................................................................................................................................ 12

RESISTANCE AND IMPEDANCE ................................................................................................................................. 13

USING HIGH AND LOW FREQUENCIES ...................................................................................................................... 13

TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE ............................................................................................................................ 14

MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING ................................................................................................................................ 14

LOCATING FAULTY COMPONENTS ............................................................................................................................ 14

SERVICE AND REPAIR ............................................................................................................................................. 14

TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE .................................................................................................................................... 15

SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................................................................................... 16

DEFAULT SETTINGS ................................................................................................................................................ 16

STANDARD EQUIPMENT .......................................................................................................................................... 16

STANDARD REPLACEMENT PARTS ........................................................................................................................... 16

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NaviTrack Brick Lin e Transmi tter

Record the Serial Number of your unit below and retain for your records.

NaviTrack® Brick Line Transmitter

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NaviTrack® Brick Line Transmitter

Serial
Number

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NaviTrack Brick Lin e Transmi tter

personal injury

General Safety Information

WARNING

Read and understand all instructio n s. Failure

to follow all instructions listed b elow may

result in electric shock, fire, and/or serious

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

Work Area Safety

• Keep your work area clean and well lit.

Cluttered benches and dark areas may cause
accidents.

• Do not operate electrical devices or power

tools in explosive atmospheres, such as in
the presence of flammable liquids, gases, or
heavy dust. Electrical devices or power tools

create sparks which may ignite the dust or
fumes.

• Keep bystanders, children, and visitors

away while operating tool. Distractions can
cause you to lose control.

Electrical Safety

• Do not attach the leads to a high voltage

line.

• Do not operate the system with electrical

components removed. Exposure to internal
parts increases the risk of injury.

• Avoid exposure to rain or wet conditions.

Keep battery out of direct contact with water.
Water entering electrical d evices increases the
risk of electric shock.

• Properly dispose of the batteries. Exposure

to high temperatures can cause the battery to
explode, so do not dispose of in a fire. Some
countries have regulations concerning battery
disposal. Please follow all applicable
regulations.

Personal Safety

• Avo id traffic. Pay close attention to moving

vehicles when using on or near roadways.
Wear visible clothing or reflector vests. Such

precautions may prevent serious injury.

• Stay alert, watch what you are doing, and

use common sense. Do not use tool while
tired or under the inf luence of drugs, alco hol, or
medications. A moment of inattention while
operating tools may result in serious personal
injury.

• Gloves should always be worn for health

and safety reasons. Sewer lines are
unsanitary and may contain harmful bacteria
and viruses.

• Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and

balance at all times. Proper footing and

balance enables better control of the tool in
unexpected situations.

• Use safety equipment. Always wear eye

protection. Dust mask, non-skid safety shoes,
hardhat, or hearing protect ion must be used f or
appropriate conditions.

• Use proper accessories. Do not place this

product on any unstable cart or surface. The
product may fall causing serious injury to a child
or adult, or causing serious damage to the
product.

• Prevent object and liquid entry. Never spill

liquid of any kind on the product. Liquid
increases the risk of electrical shock and
damage to the product.

Battery Precautions

• Use only the size and type of battery

specified. Do not mix cell types (e.g. do not
use alkaline with rechargeable). Do not use

partly discharged and fully charged cells
together (e.g. do not mix old and new).

• Recharge batteries with charging units

specified by the battery manufacturer. Using
an improper charger ca n overheat and rupture
the battery.

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Line Transmitter Use and Care

• Use equipment only as directed. Do not

operate the transmitter unless proper training
has been completed and the owners manual
read.

• Always transport the transmitter in the hard

case provided. This helps prevent product
damage due to shipping.

• Do not immerse the antennas or case in

water. Store in a dry place. Such measures

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NaviTrack locator/reciever. The locator is a

Several utilities may be underground in the

not be liable for any injury or any direct,

reduce the risk of electric shock and equipment
damage.

• Store idle tools out of the reach of children

and other untrained persons. Tools are
dangerous in the hands of untrained users.

• Maintain tools with care. Properly maintained

tools are less likely to cause injury.

• Check for breakage of parts, and any other

conditions that may affect the transmitter’s
operation. If dam aged, have the tool serviced

before using. Many accidents are caused by
poorly maintained tools.

• Use only accessories t hat are recommended

by the manufacturer for your tool.
Accessories that may be suitable for one tool
may become hazardous when us ed on another
tool.

• Keep handles dry and clean; free from oil

and grease. Allows for better control of the tool.

• Protect against excessive heat. The product

should be situated away from heat sources
such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or
other products (including amplifiers) that
produce heat.

qualified service personnel under any of the
following conditions:

o If liquid has been spilled or obj ects have

fallen into product;

o If product does not operate normally by

following the operating instr uc tions;

o If the product has been dropped or

damaged in any way;

o If the product exhibits a distinct change in

performance.

CAUTION

Remove batteries entirely before shipping.

Service

Tool service must be performed only by

•

qualified repair personnel. Service or
maintenance performed by unqualified repair
personnel could result in injury.

• When servicing a tool, use only identical

replacement parts. Follow instructions in the
Maintenance Section of this manual. Use of
unauthorized parts or failure to follow
maintenance instructions may create a risk of
electrical shock or injury.

• Follow instructions for changing

accessories. Accidents are caused by poorly
maintained tools.

• Provide proper cleaning. Remove battery

before cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or
aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for
cleaning.

• Conduct a safety check. Upon completion of

any service or repair of this product, ask the
service technician to perform safety checks to
determine that the product is in proper
operating condition.

• Damage to the product that requires service .

Remove the batteries and refer servicing to

DANGER

Important Notice

The NaviTrack Brick is intended for use with a
diagnostic tool that senses electromagnetic fields

emitted by objects under ground. It is m eant to aide
the user in locating these objects by recognizing
characteristics of the f ield lines and displa ying them
on the screen. As elec trom agnetic f ield l ines c an be
distorted and interfered with, it is important to verify
the location of underground objects before digging.

same area. Be sure to follow local guidelines
and one-call service procedures.

Exposing the utility is the only way to verify its
existence, location, and depth.

Ridge Tool Co., its affiliates and suppliers, will
indirect, incidental, or consequential damages

sustained or incurred by reason of the use of
the NaviTrack Brick transmitter.

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ALWAYS TURN UNIT OFF BEFORE

Do not handle the transmitter while you are

305 line transmitter is designed to

withstand up to 250 VAC 50/60 Hz excitation

The user is cautioned not to deliberately
connect to live power lines. If the transmitter
indicates the presence of high voltage, use
high voltage precautions to carefully

awareness dictates

DANGER

ALWAYS HOOK UP LEADS FIRST BEFORE
POWERING THE UNIT ON TO AVOID SHOCK.

DISCONNECTING LEADS.

Note: The unit must be disconnected from any

external conductors before attempting to access
the battery case or change the batteries. The
NaviTrack Brick is protected by an interlock which
isolates the unit when the battery case is open ed,
but standard safety
disconnecting the leads rather than relying solely
on this feature.

ELECTRIC SHOCK MAY RESULT FROM
FAILURE TO CONNECT LEADS BEFORE
POWERING THE UNIT ON.

connected directly to ground yourself.

Wear appropriate heavy soled footwear as you
would when working with any high-voltage
equipment.

Note: The line transmitter is normally powered by

internal batteries, and is designed to protect the
user from voltages up to 250 VAC that may be
accidentally encounter e d. Batt er y power is the s o le
power option available on the NaviTrack Brick. The
High Voltage LED will light if the unit encounters
more than approximately 62 VAC (RMS).

WARNING

In compliance with Federal Standard EN-50249,
the ST-

between the two leads.

disconnect the line transmitter from the high
voltage source.

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Keypad

NaviTrack Brick Components

Connection

Leads and

Clips

Battery Case

Frequency,
Mode and
Power LEDs

Battery Case

Inductive Clamp Jack

Ground Stake

Figure 1: Components of the NaviTrack Brick

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Indicator

tive level of output power; displays

Used to switch the NaviTrack Brick into

Keypad and Di s play

High Voltage

Warning

Frequency
Indicator

Induction
Mode

Power
Indicator

Power
On/Off /
Power
Selection

• Frequency Indicator: Indicates frequency in use.

• Power Indicator: Indicates the rela

estimated battery power level on start-up.

• Frequency/Mode Selection: Selects desired frequency; used to initiate
high-frequency mode.

Induction
Mode Toggle

Figure 2: Keypad and Display

Frequency
Selection

• Power On/Off: Used to power the NaviTrack Brick on and off, and to set
current level.

• Induction Mode Toggle:
Inductive Mode.

• Induction Mode Indicator: Illuminated when unit is in Inductive Mode.

• High Voltage Warning: Warning light when high voltage is encountered

(> ~62V AC RMS).

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Getting Started

Installing/Changing Batteries

To install batteries into the NaviTrack Brick line
transmitter, rotate the knob on the battery holder
counter-clockwise until the battery holder door
unscrews. Pull straight back on the knob to rem ove
the cover. Insert the 6 “C” batteries as sh own on the
inside decals .

applications). Operation at lo w temperatures will also
reduce battery life.

Batteries often reco ver after being subjected to h igh
loads. If time is allowed, batteries may recover
enough to offer additional hours of operation.

Powering Up / Down

Turn the power ON by depr essing the Power key
on the keypad. The current frequency and power­level LEDs will light up. A beep will sound.

Power the unit OFF by depressing the Power
on the keypad for 2 seconds. Three tones will sound.

Automatic Shut Down

To save energy, the NaviTrack Brick will
automatically shutdown af ter an inter va l which vari es
with the power setting:

Low Power 4 hours
Medium Power 2 hours
High Power 1 hour

key

Figure 3: Battery Orientation and Cover

Fit the cover into the case and push down firmly while
turning dow n the knob clockwise to close. Ensure the
cover is firmly screwed into place.

Note: When replacin g batteries use 6 C cells that
are the same type. Do not mix Alkaline with NiC d
(NiCad or Nickel Cadmium) for example. Be sure
to replace with batter ies wher e all of the cells have
the same amount of charge. Do not use half used
alkalines with brand new.

CAUTION

Always remove batteries entirely before
shipping the Brick.

Operation Time

Typical operation time varies for the Brick line
transmitter, depending on factors such as load, and
current transmitted. Other factors that affect the
operation time will include chemistry of the battery
(many of the new high performance batteries, such
as the “Duracell ® ULTRA” last 10%-20% longer than
conventional alkaline cells under high demand

Battery Check

At start-up, the Brick will check available po wer and
will indicate estimated batter y levels by lighting one,
two, or three LEDs in the right hand column (power
level) on the control panel. One LED indicates low
batteries, two indicates medium charge, and three
LEDs indicates full batter y charge is availa ble. These
levels are only estimates based on a rapid internal
check. A rapid series of beeps will sound if the
battery levels run low in operation.

Sounds of the NaviTrack Brick
Transmitter

Sounds are associated with specific events.
They include:

• Beeps – Beeps when current is flo wing; rate
increases with current increase.

• Beeps – Turn ON (4 beeps)/OFF (3 beeps).

• Short Double Tone – Inductive Clamp

connected.

• Long-Short-Short Tone – Inductive Mode.

• Rapid series of beeps – Low Battery Warning

The sound may be toggled on or off by pressing the
Frequency and Power buttons simultaneously.

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Always connect leads before turning the

Using the NaviTrack Brick Line
Transmitter

The NaviTrack Brick transmitter is part of Ridgid’s
NaviTrack cable and pipe locating system. The
NaviTrack Brick is used to energize a pipe or line with
an “active” electrical sig nal, so that the underground
line may be traced with a c ompatible receiv er (such
as the NaviTrack II). This allows the line’s loc ation to
be correctly mark ed so it can be exposed for rep air
or avoided during excavation.

The NaviTrack Brick line transmitter can apply an
active tracing signal to a target conductor in three
ways:

Direct Connect – The transmitter’s leads are
connected directly to the target conductor and a
suitable ground.

Inductive Clamp – The jaws of the induc tive clamp
encircle the target conductor; there is no metal-to­metal contact. The inductive clamp is connected to
the transmitter via the jack at the transmitter’s right
end. (The inductive clamp is an optional accessory.
See page 10).

Inductive Mode (internal coils) – the tr ansmitter is
placed over, and in-line with, a con ductor. Its i nternal
antenna broadcasts a signal to the target conductor
below ground, inducing a current into the target
conductor. See page 11.

DANGER

transmitter on to avoid electrical shock. Ensure
transmitter is well grounded.

Figure 4: Connecting the Ground Stake

2. Connect the other lead to the target
conductor.

Figure 5: Connecting to a Line

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Figure 6: Alternative Connection Method

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ENERGIZED WITH A POTENTIALLY

CTRICAL CURRENT. To

the ground lead should be

llations which use plastic pipes will

duce more

WARNING

NEVER CONNECT TO LINES KNOWN TO BE
DANGEROUS ELE

increase safety,
attached first. If there were an unknown high
voltage running throug h the target line, this would
allow a means of redirec ting the c urrent a way from
the transmitter and operator.

Note: Insta
typically have a trace wire ins talled along the pipe
for tracing purposes. Simply clip the transmitter
lead to the trace wire.

Power the NaviT rack Brick up by pressing the P ower
Key. A multi ple tone will sound on pow ering up . Af ter
a short silence, the un it will begin beeping regularl y,
indicating current is flowing.

3. Select a Frequency on the Brick.

The NaviTrack Brick line transmitter offers four
choices of frequency. Frequency is chosen by
pressing on the Freq uency Selec t ke y which wi ll light
the LEDs in sequence.

Available frequencies are:

1kHz
8kHz

33 kHz
262 kHz
European version: 93 kHz (93,623 Hz.)

Figure 7: NaviTrack Brick Showing 8kHz, Medium

Power

To set the unit on 262 kHz, pres s the Frequency Key
four times in a rapid succession. The 33 kHz LED wil l
flash rapidly to indicat e that the 262 kHz (European
version: 93 kHz) frequency has been set.

4. Check the Circuit and Adjust Power
Level

Confirm the circuit is grounded by ensuring that the
connection to the ground stake is secure and the
stake is firml y embedde d in t he gro und. T o adj ust the
power level, press the po wer button brief ly. The Brick
will cycle through the low, medium, and high power
levels.

Note – Higher power settings pro
current, which gives a str onger signa l. Less c urrent
prolongs battery lif e. Signal strength meas ured by
the receiver is directly proportional to the amount
of current on the line. Mor e current will produce a
stronger signal received by the receiver.

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Use only as much current as is needed to get a
strong reading on the receiver.

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Power Settings

There are 3 power sett ings that the user can choos e
from:

• Low power (approximately .5 watt)

• Medium power (approximately 1.5 watts)

• High power (approximately 5 watts)

Low power will provide the least current with the
longest battery life. Actual power output will var y with
circuit resistance and f requency used. These values
assume a nominal 320-ohm load.

CAUTION

If the transmitter is producing low or no current due
to poor circuit conditions, the signal may be too
low to be detected by the receiver locator and
inadequate for tracing.

5. Check the Receiver.

Confirm that the transmitter and receiver are set to
the same frequency. Hold the receiver near the
transmitter cables and confirm a signal is being
received.

• A good ground has lower resistance, which

allows more current and a stronger signal. For a
better connection to ground, insert the
grounding spike as far as possible. Moist
ground is a better co nduc to r than dry soil, so try
wetting the area if necessary.

• The transmitter’s leads can act as antennas,

broadcasting a stron g sign al. If l ocati ng clos e to
the transmitter, keep the leads short by stowing
the excess length on the transmitter’s body.
This will reduce the amount of interfering
signals from the leads. Where possible, place
the transmitter away from the area of the
intended locate. This is especially true in
Inductive Mode, to avoid coupling through the
air with the receiver.

• Start by using the lowest frequency and the

least amount of current needed to effectively
illuminate the line. Lower frequencies travel
farther because they do not dissipate as
quickly. Higher frequencies generally make it
easier to illuminate a line, but they don’t travel
as far. They are much more likely to couple
onto other utility lines, d istorting the signal and
reducing the accuracy.

Inductive Clamp Method

FCC Limits

47 CFR 15.213 requir es that from 9k Hz up to ( but not
including) 45kHz, peak output power sha ll not ex c eed
10W. From 45kHz to 490k Hz, it m us t not exceed 1W.
When the ST-305 is set to 262 kHz (European
version: 93 khz), the power output levels are limited:

Low: 0.3 watt
Medium: 0.6 watt
High: 1 watt

These values assume a nominal load of 320 ohms.

Useful Operating Tips

•

The lower the resistance, the m ore current will
be put on the line. A good circuit is one that
allows enough current to f lo w so th at the locator
gets a solid, clear signal.

• To help lower the resistance of the circuit,

scrape away dirt, paint, and corrosion before
connecting to the target conductor or to the
grounding spike.

Figure 8: NaviTrack Brick with Inductive Clamp

When using an inductive clamp, plug the inductive
clamp jack into the recep tacle provided at th e end of
the transmitter. The induction-mode LED will flash
when a clamp is connected. Note that for a clear
signal using an inductive clamp, both ends of the
utility should be grounded.

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Clamp the inductive clamp around an accessible
portion of the line chosen to trace. The clamp will
induce a signal into the conductor when the
transmitter is powered on.

Select frequency and power as with the Direct
Connect Method. Operational frequency choices for
use with an Induct ive Clamp are 1 kHz, 8 kH z, and
33 kHz.

Note: A slig ht tilt to the axis of the c onductor can
help reduce the probability of air-coupling:

Transmitter

Conductor

2. Power the transmitter on. Push the Inductive
Mode switch to induce a signal onto the line
without a direct connection. (A long beep will
sound when entering Inductive Mode.) The
Inductive Mode LED will light .

3. Clips and leads are not used. Note that for a
clear signal using induction, both ends of the
utility should be grounded.

4. The transmitter will emit a series of regular
beeps as long as it is in Inductive Mode.

Figure 9: Inductive Clamp Attached to a Conductor

Inductive Mode

1. Be sure that the transmitter is positioned
correctly over the line.

Orientation
Guide

Figure 10: Orientation to the Line – Inductive Mo de

Figure 11: NaviTrack Brick in Inductive Mode at 33

kHz

5. Lower frequencies couple poorly; therefore the
NaviTrack Brick transmitter in Inductive Mode
defaults to 33KHz. Higher power is usually
required for a clear signal in Inductive Mod e.
Pressing the power button will cycle through
the three available power levels: 1 kHz, 8
kHz, and 33 kHz.

To avoid tangled cords, wrap the cords back around
the ends of the NaviTrack Brick when storing, lead
end last, and secure the ends under the prongs
provided on the transmitter.

NOTE: If using the Brick in Inductive Mode, be
certain to switch Inductive Mode off if you are
going to use the unit in direct connect mode. Air
coupling can create very confusing signals if you
inadvertently have the unit set to Inductive Mode
and are trying to use it in direct connect mode.

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Coupling through Air

When a line transmitter is set to Inductive Mode, it
energizes a wire or pipe under it b y emitting a pulse
of energy at the selected frequency. This pulse
forms an electromagnetic field which induces a
current into the conductor (the pipe or wire)
underneath it. The field builds and collapses at the
frequency at which the pulse is generated by the
transmitter.

A secondary field is s et up ar ound the pipe or wire b y
the current induced into it. This secondary field is
normally round in shape, just as it would be if you
connected the transmitter directly. But the primary
field from the transm itter, which does the i nducing, is
not round, and is no t the sam e as the field set up on
the pipe or wire.

The field generated by the transmitter in Inductive
Mode has a shape something like a football. When
the transmitter is sitting o n the ground, r oug hl y half of
that field extends bel ow it. The ends of the “football”
extend out past the cen tral axis of the transmitter in
the same direction as the pipe or wire under it.

Note: The inductor core of the ST-305 emits the
signal when the unit is transmitting in Inductive
Mode. A hard hit or a dr op could possibl y damage
the core. To test that the core is intact using a
SeekTech SR-20 receiver:

1. Power transmitter on.

2. Set frequency output to 33kHz.

3. Set power level to high power.

4. Power receiver on.

5. Set to receive 33kHz.

6. Move receiver 12 inches from transmitter.
If the inductor core is undamaged, the receiver

should show a Signa l Strength reading larger than

2000.

High Voltage Indicator

Figure 12: Air-Coupling in Inductive Mode

Near the transmitter, the receiver reads on the

local dipole field around the tra n smitter.

If the receiver is within this field, it will read clearly
and well on the trans m itter, rather than on the pipe or
wire being traced. The transmitter and the receiver
will couple through the air for a limited distance
around the transmitter. T his problem does not occur
with direct coupling, and is not impor tant when using
an inductive clamp. But it can be an issue when using
the transmitter in pure ly Inductive Mode (i.e., witho ut
a clamp.)

It is important to set up the transmitter, when using
the Inductive Mode, a good 30 f eet (10m) away from
the region where traci ng occurs, and to be aware of
the difference betwee n the transmitter ’s field and the
induced field being traced. They will both have the
same frequency, but the transmitter’s field is lim ited
to the region around the transmitter itself.

Whenever the line transmitter encounters voltage
higher than 62 VAC, it will f lash a red LED at the top
of the keypad. Should this oc cur carefully disconnect
the transmitter using high-voltage precaut ions.

Figure 13: High Voltage Warning LED

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Useful Information

Resistance and Impedance

A circuit has a certain amount of resistance to
current; this is measured in ohms. (

resistance reduces the am ount of curr ent that can be
put on an underground line. Factors that affect
resistance in the tra nsmitter circuit are c onductiv ity of
the line itself, breaks or faults in the line, insulation
problems with the line, and ho w well t he tr a nsmitter is
grounded. (Poor gro unding makes the return path of
the circuit more resistive).

Grounding can be af fected by soil cond itions, length
of grounding rod, or how the line transmitter is
connected to the grounding rod. Good grounding
improves your signal b y reducing the total resistance
the transmitter encounters.

Impedance is a form of resistance which is caus ed b y
a back-force in the electrical field caused by
alternating current ( AC). Impedance can be thought
of as “AC resistance”, and adds to the resistance in
the circuit in proportion to the frequenc y being used
(i.e., higher AC frequencies add more impedance
than lower ones).

Using High and Low Frequencies

Understanding the beha viour of different frequencies
under different conditions can be im portant in doing
effective and accurate locates.

In both direct-connect and Inductiv e Mode, the Brick
is essentially doing the same thing – imposing a
wave of traceable energ y onto the target p ipe or line.
This electrical energy rises and falls a c ertain num ber
of times per second, which in t urn ca uses a magnetic
field to build and collapse aroun d the conductor at a
regular rate. This rate is known as the frequency of
the generated current a nd of its consequent magnetic
field.

Frequency is expressed in terms of hertz, which
means cycles per sec ond, or kilohertz, thousands of
cycles per second.

Low Frequencies

The Brick will generate frequencies as low as 1
kilohertz. Low frequencies are especially useful for
several reasons. First, they will travel farther at a
detectable level along a continuous pipe or wire

Ω) Higher

conductor than a h igh f requenc y wil l. Secondly, lower
frequency fields lose less ener gy to the area around
the conductor. If you can get a c lear signal on your
receiver using a low frequency it is generally
preferable, b ecause you will b e able t o trac e it further
and it will tend to confine itself to the original
conductor more than a h igh-f requency signal will. But
a low-frequenc y signal is more l ik ely to be in terrupt ed
by gaps in the line or poor insulation, or hidden by
other magnetic fields in the area. It is a “weaker”
signal in that respec t. While it doesn’t j um p as rea dil y
onto other lines, it will dissipate if traveling on a li ne
with poor insulation, bare-concentric cable, or bare
pipe exposed to earth, and will follow the path of least
resistance, which is not alwa ys the path intended by
the operator. This can make tracing the original
conductor difficult.

High Frequencies

The Brick will generate frequencies as high as 262
kilohertz. (European versions ar e limited to 93 kHz.)
There are certain conditions where only higher
frequencies will serve. High-frequency signals are
especially valuable when you are tracing a line that
has some sort of interruption—such as a gask et, or
decayed insulation – in the continuity of the
conductor. The reas on is that a high-frequency sign al
can “jump” some barriers and continue without
dissipating as much signal as a lower frequency
would.

A high-frequency signal can also be valuable in
getting a signal on a recei ver when there is a poorly
grounded circuit, compared to the signal the same
receiver will detect at a lower frequency. While all
currents tend to follo w the path of least resista nce, a
high-frequency current will “buck” this tendency to
some degree, reaching across incidental barriers.

The disadvantage to higher frequencies is that they
also jump onto other conductors. If you have two
wires side by side in a trench, a higher frequency
used to trace one of them may illuminate both of
them. Additionally, nearby metallic objects, or even
highly metalized soil, m ay pick up a higher f requency
and distort the picture at t he locator. If a gas line is
being “illuminated” with a high frequency current, it
may bleed over onto a water line or a power cable
running nearby, confusing the picture of where the
original line is.

As a general rule, detectin g with lower f requencies is
more reliable for t he reasons given above, IF you can
get a good signal.

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NaviTrack Brick Lin e Transmi tter

Transportation and Storage

To avoid tangled cords, wrap the cords back around
the ends of the Brick when storing, lead end last, and
secure the ends under the prongs provided on the
transmitter.

Before transporting m ake sure that the un it is turned
OFF to preserve battery power.

Also make sure that the NaviTrack Brick line
transmitter is secur e and does not bounce around or
get bumped by loose equipment.

CAUTION

Always remove batteries entirely before
shipping the NaviTrack Brick.

The NaviTrack Brick line transmitter should be stored
in a cool dry place.

Note: If storing the NaviTrack Brick line transmitter
for an extended period of time, the batteries should
be removed.

Maintenance and Cleaning

1. Keep the NaviTrack Brick line transmitter
clean with a damp cloth and some mild
detergent. Do not immerse in water.

2. When cleaning, do not use scraping tools or
abrasives as they may permanently scratch
the display. NEVER USE SO LVENTS to clean
any part of the system. Substances like
acetone and other har sh chemicals can c ause
cracking of the case.

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NaviTrack Brick Lin e Transmi tter

pletely dark, or
93 kHz signal not

T rouble Shooting Guide

PROBLEM REMEDY

LEDs appear com­completely light when

unit is ON.

Receiver will not pick
up the line trans­mitter’s signal.

Unit will not turn ON.

Try Powering the unit OFF and then back ON.
Allow the unit to cool if it has been exposed to excessive heat from sunlight.

Check that the correct frequenc y has been selected on both units . (See manual for the
specific receiver.) Higher or lower frequencies may be tried.

Check to make sure that the receiver and the line transmitter are in the same mode.

Make sure that the proper func tions ar e activate d on the r eceiver . e.g. ac tivating the line
trace function for line tracing.(See manual for the receiver.)

Adjust power upward if possible.
Ensure grounding is adequate.
If using inductive mode, check for core damage using the test on page 12.
Check orientation of batteries.
Check that the batteries are fresh or charged.
Check to see that the battery contacts are OK.

received

Check that receiver is set to the actua l 93kHz freguenc y of 93,696 Hz. Some receivers
use a different frequency for 93 kHz (93,622.9). Update locator software.

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NaviTrack Brick Lin e Transmi tter

Specifications

Weight:

1.6 lbs (.772 Kg) w/o batteries, 2.5 lbs.(1.1 Kg)
w/batteries.

Dimensions:

Depth ..................... 4.7” (11.9 cm)

Width ..................... 7.75” (19.6 cm)

Height .................... 3” (7.6 cm)

Power Source:

6 Alkaline or rechargeable batteries.(C-Cells).

Power Settings:

25 mA to 5W.

Output Power:

Nominal 5 watts.

Default Settings

42V Maximum (RMS).
1 kHz, 8kHz, 33 kHz selectable.

Standard Equipment

Item Cat. #

NaviTrack Brick Transmitter 20168
Direct connect leads w/ clips 22753
Operator’s Manual None
6 C-cell batteries (Alkaline) None

Standard Replacement Parts

Ground Spike 22528
Alligator Clip 18443
Cable 22743
Battery Holder Cover Assembly 22748

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What is covered

RIDGID® tools are warranted to be free of defects in workmanship and material.

How long coverage lasts

This warranty lasts for the lifetime of the RIDGID® tool. Warranty coverage ends when the product becomes
unusable for reasons other than defects in workmanship or material.

How you can get service

To obtain the benefit of this warranty, deliver via prepaid transportation the complete product to RIDGE TOOL
COMPANY, Elyria, Ohio, or any authorized RIDGID® INDEPENDENT SERVICE CENTER. Pipe wrenches and
other hand tools should be returned to the place of purchase.

What we will do to correct problems

Warranted products will be repaired or replaced, at RIDGE TOOL’S option, and returned at no charge; or, if after
three attempts to repair or replace during the warranty period the product is still defective, you can elect to receive a
full refund of your purchase price.

What is not covered

Failures due to misuse, abuse or normal wear and tear are not covered by this warranty. RIDGE TOOL shall not be
responsible for any incidental or consequential damages.

How local law relat es to the warranty

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation
or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific rights, and you may also have other rights,
which vary, from state to state, province to province, or country to country.

No other express warranty applies

This FULL LIFETIME WARRANTY is the sole and exclusive warranty for RIDGID® products. No employee, agent,
dealer, or other person is authorized to alter this warranty or make any other warranty on behalf of the RIDGE
TOOL COMPANY.

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