Ridgid SR-24, SR-20 User Manual

Operator’s Manual

SR™ Locators

WARNING!

Read this Operator’s Manual carefully before using this tool. Failure to understand and follow the contents of this manual may result in electrical shock, fire, and/or serious personal injury.

SR-24 is used to refer to both the SR-24 and the SR-20 throughout this manual. The SR-24 has integrated GPS and Bluetooth® technology. The SR-20 does not, but is otherwise functionally identical.

Original Instructions – English – 1

Table of Contents

Introduction

Regulatory Statements ��4 Safety Symbols ��4

General Safety Rules

Work Area Safety �� 5 Electrical Safety �� 5 Personal Safety ��5 Equipment Use and Care ��6

Pre-Operation Inspection

Specific Safety Information

SR‑24/SR‑20 Safety �� 7

System Overview

Description ��7 Standard Equipment �� 8 Components ��9

Operating Instructions

Quick Start �� 10 Powering the System �� 11 Receiver Operation Modes �� 11 Audio ��12 Display Elements �� 13 Understanding the Display ��17

Active Line Tracing

Direct Connect �� 19 Inductive Clamp �� 19 Induction �� 20 Induction and Air‑Coupling ��20 Tracing the Target Line ��21 Confirming Accuracy ��21

Passive Line Tracing

Passive Power ��22 Passive Radio Frequency Broadband ��22 OmniSeek ��23 Confirming Accuracy ��23

Sonde Locating

Locating the Sonde ��24

Depth

Depth Verification Test ��27 Depth Average �� 27

Improving and Confirming Accuracy

Signal Strength �� 29 Tracing Circuit ��31 Confirming Accuracy ��31

2 – English

Main Menu

Setting the Frequency �� 33 Bluetooth ��34 Connecting to a Transmitter with Bluetooth��37 Transmitter Control Screen ��38 SD Card ��40 Units of Measurement ��44 LCD Contrast �� 44 Custom Frequencies ��44

Settings

IO Menu �� 48 SR‑24 GPS ��49 Customizing Display Elements ��51 Information Options �� 54

Maintenance and Support

Cleaning ��55 Accessories �� 55 Transportation and Storage ��55 Service and Repair �� 56 Disposal ��56 Troubleshooting ��57

Appendices

Appendix A: Glossary of Terms ��58 Appendix B: Main Menu Map ��60 Appendix C: Data Logging Abbreviations ��61

English – 3

Introduction

The warnings, cautions, and instructions discussed in this operator’s manual cannot cover

all possible conditions and situations that may

occur. It must be understood by the operator

that common sense and caution are factors

which cannot be built into this product, but must

be supplied by the operator.

Regulatory Statements

The EC Declaration of Conformity (890‑011‑ 320�10) will accompany this manual as a sepa‑ rate booklet when required�

This device complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules� Operation is subject to the following two condi‑ tions: (1) this device may not cause harmful in‑ terference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation�

Contains Transmitter Module FCC ID: QOQWT41�

Safety Symbols

In this operator’s manual and on the product, safety sym‑ bols and signal words are used to communicate import‑ ant safety information� This section is provided to im‑ prove understanding of these signal words and symbols�

This is the safety alert symbol� It is used to alert you to potential personal injury hazards� Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury or death�

DANGER

DANGER indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury�

WARNING

WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury�

CAUTION

CAUTION indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or moderate injury�

NOTICE

NOTICE indicates information that relates to the protection of property�

This symbol means read the operator’s manual carefully before using the equipment� The oper‑ ator’s manual contains important information on the safe and proper operation of the equipment�

This symbol means always wear safety glasses with side shields or goggles when handling or using this equipment to reduce the risk of eye in‑ jury�

This symbol indicates the risk of electrical shock�

4 – English

General Safety Rules

WARNING

Read all safety warnings and instructions. Failure to follow the warnings and instructions may result in electric shock, fire, and/or serious injury.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!

Work Area Safety

• Keep your work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents�

• Do not operate equipment in explosive atmo-

spheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases, or dust. Equipment can create sparks

which may ignite the dust or fumes�

• Keep children and bystanders away while operat- ing equipment. Distractions can cause you to lose control�

Personal Safety

• Stay alert, watch what you are doing, and use common sense when operating equipment. Do not use

equipment while you are tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication� A moment of inattention while operating equipment may result in serious per‑ sonal injury�

• Use personal protective equipment. Always wear eye protection� The appropriate use of protective equip‑ ment such as a dust mask, non‑skid safety shoes, a hard hat, and hearing protection will reduce personal injuries�

• Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times� This enables better control of the equip‑ ment in unexpected situations�

• Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry� Loose clothes, jewelry, and long hair can be caught in moving parts�

DANGER

• Avoid traffic. Pay close attention to moving vehicles when using on or near roadways� Wear high‑visibility clothing or reflector vests�

Electrical Safety

• Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded sur-

faces such as pipes, radiators, ranges, and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electrical shock

if your body is earthed or grounded�

• Do not expose equipment to rain or wet condi- tions. Water entering equipment will increase the risk of electrical shock�

• Keep all electrical connections dry and off the ground. Do not touch equipment or plugs with wet hands to reduce the risk of electrical shock�

English – 5

Equipment Use and Care

• Do not force equipment. Use the correct equipment for your application� The correct equipment will do the job better and safer at the rate for which it is designed�

• Do not use equipment if the power switch does not turn it on and off. Any equipment that cannot be con‑ trolled with the power switch is dangerous and must be repaired�

• Disconnect the plug from the power source and/or

the battery pack from the equipment before making adjustments, changing accessories, or storing.

Preventive safety measures reduce the risk of injury�

• Store idle equipment out of the reach of children

and do not allow persons unfamiliar with the equipment or these instructions to operate the equipment. Equipment can be dangerous in the hands of

untrained users�

• Maintain equipment. Check for misalignment or bind‑ ing of moving parts, missing parts, breakage of parts, and any other condition that may affect the equip‑ ment’s operation� If damaged, have the equipment repaired before use� Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained equipment�

• Use the equipment and accessories in accordance

with these instructions; taking into account the working conditions and the work to be performed.

Use of the equipment for operations different from those intended can result in a hazardous situation�

• Use only accessories that are recommended by the manufacturer for your equipment. Accessories that may be suitable for one piece of equipment may become hazardous when used with other equipment�

• Keep handles dry, clean, and free from oil and grease. This allows for better control of the equipment�

Pre-Operation Inspection

WARNING

To reduce the risk of serious injury from electrical shock or other causes, and to prevent damage to your equipment, inspect all equipment and correct any problems before each use.

To inspect all equipment, follow these steps:

1� Power off your equipment�

2� Disconnect and inspect all cords, cables, and con‑

nectors for damage or modification�

3� Clean any dirt, oil, or other contamination from your

equipment to ease inspection and to prevent it from slipping from your grip during transportation or use�

4� Inspect your equipment for any broken, worn, miss‑

ing, misaligned or binding parts, or any other con‑ dition which might prevent safe, normal operation�

5� Check your work area for the following:

• Adequate lighting�

• The presence of flammable liquids, vapors, or dust that may ignite� If present, do not work in area until sources have been identified and cor‑ rected� The equipment is not explosion proof� Electrical connections can cause sparks�

• A clear, level, stable, and dry place for the oper‑ ator� Do not use the equipment while standing in water�

6� Examine the job to be done and determine the cor‑

rect equipment for the task�

6 – English

7� Observe the work area and erect barriers or cones

as necessary to keep bystanders away and, if near traffic, alert drivers�

Specic Safety Information

System Overview

WARNING

This section contains important safety information that is specific to the SeekTech SR-24/SR-20. Read these precautions carefully before using the SR-24/ SR-20 to reduce the risk of electrical shock, fire, or other serious personal injury.

SAVE ALL WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS

FOR FUTURE REFERENCE!

SR-24/SR-20 Safety

• Read and understand this operator’s manual and

the instructions for any other equipment in use including, but not limited to, transmitters, clamps, and sondes. Failure to follow all instructions and

warnings may result in property damage and/or seri‑ ous personal injury�

Description

SR-24 is used to refer to both the SR-24 and the SR-20 throughout this manual. The SR-24 has integrated GPS and Bluetooth® technology. The SR-20 does not, but is otherwise functionally identical.

The RIDGID SeekTech SR‑24 receiver gives utility locat‑ ing professionals the information they need to confident‑ ly determine the position of underground utilities�

• Do not use this equipment if operator or SR-24/ SR-20 is standing in water. Operating the SR‑24/ SR‑20 while in water increases the risk of electrical shock�

• Do not use where a danger of high voltage contact is present. The SR‑24/SR020 is not designed to pro‑ vide high voltage protection and isolation�

• Exposing the utility is the only way to be certain of its location. Several utilities may be underground in the same area� Be sure to follow local guidelines and One Call service procedures�

NOTICE

Ridge Tool Company, its affiliates and suppliers, will not be liable for any injury or any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages sustained or incurred by reason of the use of the SR-24/ SR-20.

The SR‑24’s Omnidirectional antenna system measures electromagnetic signals and calculates the signal’s ori‑ entation strength, depth, and degree of distortion or in‑ terference� The display and the multidimensional audio cues give you a locating experience that is immediately intuitive�

For an added degree of confidence, the SR‑24 continu‑ ously monitors the electromagnetic field for interference from conflicting signals that could distort its shape� When the SR‑24 detects distortion, the SR‑24 emits audio cues and displays on‑screen guidance so that appropri‑ ate action can be taken to avoid mismarking the utility’s position�

Built on the trusted and time tested SR‑20 platform, the SR‑24 has integrated GPS and Bluetooth® technology, giving a real‑time stream of data to Bluetooth enabled devices, including smart phones, tablets, and high preci‑ sion GPS instruments�

English – 7

SeekTech SR-24 and SR-20 Specifications

SeekTech SR-24 Specifications

Dimensions

Length 285mm [11�2in]

Width 109mm [4�3in]

Height 790mm [31�1in]

Weight without batteries 1�5kg [3�3lb]

Power

Power rating

Battery type

Power consumption

LCD

Resolution

Display size

6 V, 375 mA (SR‑20) 6 V, 450 mA (SR‑24)

Four size C, 1�5V alkaline (ANSI/NEDA 14A, IEC LR14), or 1�2V NiMH or Ni‑ Cad rechargeable batteries

2�25 W (SR‑20) 2�7 W (SR‑24)

Monochrome 240 × 160 pixels

45mm × 65mm [1�8 in × 2�6 in]

Bluetooth

Type Class 1

Profile RFCOMM

Transmit power 19�1 dBm

Operating spectrum 2402 – 2480 MHz

Receiver sensitivity ‑92 dBm

Operating range

GPS

Processor

Accuracy

Tracking ‑163 dBm

Autonomous acquisition ‑147 dBm

Operating spectrum 1559 – 1610 MHz

Up to 1,000m [3,281ft]

48‑channel SiRFstarIV GSD4e

<2�5m [8�2ft]**

**According to the documentation supplied by the man-

ufacturer of the internal SiRFstarIV GPS module, its nominal accuracy is “<2.5m (65 percent, 24 hour static, -130dBm).”

Contrast ratio 700:1

Brightness

Environmental

Operating temperature

Storage temperature

Relative humidity 5% to 95%

USB

Cable Mini‑B, 1�8 m [6ft]

Type

SD Card Micro 16 GB

500 Cd/m2

‑20°C to 50°C [‑4°F to 122°F]

‑20°C to 60°C [‑4°F to 140°F]

2�0

Standard Equipment

• Operator’s manual

• Instructional DVD

• Four size C alkaline batteries

• Marker chips

• Mini‑B USB cable

8 – English

Components

Handle

Speaker

Battery Compartment

Folding Antenna Mast

Unfold the antenna mast and lock the folding joint into place� When the job is complete, press the red release latch to fold the antenna mast� Secure the folding mast into the clip for storage or transportation�

Serial Number Label

Antenna Mast

Release Latch

Marker Chips

Upper Antenna

Folding Joint

NOTICE

You must unfold the antenna mast to use

the SR-24. To prevent damage to the mast, do not snap or whip the SR-24 to open or close it. Only open and close the SR-24 manually.

USB Port

Gradient Antennas

Lower Antenna

Micro SD Card Slot

USB Port Cover

English – 9

Light Sensor LCD Screen

Operating Instructions

DANGER

Exposing the utility prior to digging is the only way to verify its existence, location, and depth. If excavating a utility, periodically recheck the measured depth and position to avoid damaging the utility and to identify additional utility signals that may have been overlooked.

Quick Start

SR-24 is used to refer to both the SR-24 and the SR-20 throughout this manual. The SR-24 has integrated GPS and Bluetooth technology. The SR-20 does not, but is otherwise functionally identical.

Keypad

SR-24 Keypad

Key Function

Power Key/Right Arrow Key

Frequency Key/Left Arrow Key

Menu Key

Up Arrow Key

Down Arrow Key

Volume Key

Select Key

The SR‑24 functions by measuring an electro‑ magnetic signal and estimating the position of its source� The SR‑24 can locate the signal transmitted by a RIDGID SeekTech transmitter or Sonde, other manufacturer’s transmitters, or passive signals from surrounding metallic conductors�

1� Insert four fully charged, size C, alkaline bat‑

teries into the battery compartment and turn the knob clockwise to close�

2� Unfold the antenna mast and lock it into place�

3� Power on by pressing the Power Key �

4� Set the receiver and the transmitter to the

same frequency�

5� Begin tracing the line at a logical starting place

such as the transmitter hook up point�

Note: Refer to the Active Line Tracing, Passive Line Tracing, and Sonde Locating sections that follow for information on how to locate buried utilities with the SR-24.

10 – English

Powering the System

Battery operation time varies with battery rating and use� Four size C, alkaline batteries can power the SR‑24 for 10 to 15 hours�

NOTICE

Use batteries that are all the same type. Mixing alkaline and rechargeable batteries can cause over heating and battery leakage.

To install or change the batteries, follow these steps:

1� Turn the knob on the battery compartment count‑

er‑clockwise and pull straight out�

2� Insert four size C batteries as shown on the label in‑

side the battery compartment�

Note: Make sure the batteries drop completely into the compartment.

3� Fit the cover back onto the battery compartment,

press the cover down, and turn the knob clockwise to close�

Low Battery Warning

When the batteries are low, a low battery warning ap‑ pears on the screen and a tone sounds every 10 minutes before the SR‑24 powers off� When the low battery warn‑ ing appears, replace the batteries�

Note: If you are using rechargeable batteries, the voltage may drop quickly at the end of its charge resulting in a shortened warning period before power failure.

Receiver Operation Modes

The SR‑24 can operate using two modes: Line Trace Mode and Sonde Mode�

Line Trace Mode

In Line Trace Mode you can Active Line Trace by inten‑ tionally applying a signal onto the target line through metal‑to‑metal conduction or non metal‑to‑metal induc‑ tion with a transmitter�

Also in Line Trace Mode, you can Passive Line Trace by detecting signal energy coupled onto metallic con‑ ductors from nearby energy sources such as power lines� Passive Line Trace Mode includes Passive Power, Radio Broadband, and OmniSeek Broadband Modes� Broadband frequencies target any signal in a range of frequencies�

Note: Active signals within a broadband range are also detected.

Line Trace Mode

Active Frequencies

128 Hz

Default

User Programmable 10 Hz – 35 kHz

Passive Frequencies

Default North America

Default Europe

Default Japan

Power Preprogrammed

User Programmable 10 Hz – 35 kHz

1 kHz 8 kHz 33 kHz

60 Hz < 4 kHz

50 Hz < 4 kHz

50 Hz

60 Hz < 4 kHz

50 Hz

50 Hz 60 Hz

60 Hz

60 Hz 100 Hz 120 Hz

Radio Frequency Broadband

OmniSeek Broadband Modes (All three simultaneously)

4 kHz – 15 kHz > 15 kHz

< 4 kHz 4 kHz – 15 kHz > 15 kHz

English – 11

Sonde Mode

Use Sonde Mode to locate a sonde that is inside a pipe, conduit, or tunnel�

Sonde Mode Frequencies

Default 512 Hz

16 Hz 640 Hz

Preprogrammed

User Programmable 10 Hz – 35 kHz

Note: Sonde Mode and Line Trace Mode can sometimes use the same frequency. Make sure the mode icon next to the frequency that you are using is the mode you intend to be locating with. Depth measurements will be in error if the incorrect mode is used.

850 Hz 8 kHz 16 kHz 33 kHz

User Programmable Custom Frequencies

The SR‑24 comes preprogrammed with a selection of frequencies that are set by default in Active Line Trace Mode, Passive Line Trace Mode, and Sonde Mode� You can also create custom frequencies to use the SR‑24 with transmitters from most manufacturers�

Note: Refer to the Custom Frequencies section for more information.

Audio

Volume Control

To increase and decrease the volume level of the SR‑24’s audio cues, first press the Volume Key � You can then either press the Volume Key to cycle through volume set‑ tings, or press the Volume Key once and use the Up and Down Arrow Keys to adjust the volume set‑ tings� Press the Select Key to exit the volume settings screen�

In all modes, if the sound level reaches its maxi‑ mum frequency range (pitch), it rescales to the mid‑ dle of its frequency range� The modulation of fre‑ quency is used to indicate signal strength�

Line Trace Modes

The SR‑24 emits sounds related to the estimated posi‑ tion of the utility� If the utility’s estimated position is on the left side of the receiver, you will hear a warbling sound� If the utility’s estimated position is on the right side of the receiver, you will hear the same warbling sound plus short clicks�

In Active Line Trace Mode and Passive Line Trace Mode, the SR‑24 emits a higher pitch as it approaches the tar‑ get� The rising pitch indicates an increasingly strong Signal Strength�

When local conditions distort the shape of the signal field, the Tracing Line is fuzzy and the audio contains static� The degree of fuzziness and the amount of static in the audio reflect the amount of distortion detected in the signal field�

12 – English

Sonde Mode

In Sonde Mode the pitch rises and falls relative to chang‑ es in the Signal Strength� As the SR‑24 moves away from the sonde, the pitch falls� As the SR‑24 moves closer to the sonde, the pitch rises�

Display Elements

Line Trace Mode Display

The display elements shown below appear in Passive Line Trace Mode , Active Line Trace Mode , and Radio Broadband Mode �

Proximity Number

Currently Set Frequency

Receiver Operation Mode

GPS Estimated

Positional Error

GPS

Measured Depth

Tracing Line

(example shows distortion)

Line Trace Mode Display Elements

Icon Name Description

Active Line Trace Mode

The Active Line Trace icon indicates the SR‑24 is set to an Active Line Trace frequency�

Current Measurement (mA)

Battery Status

Backlight

Guidance Line Bluetooth

SD Card SD Card Usage Bar Graph

Signal Strength

Guidance Arrows

Passive Power Line Trace Mode

Passive Radio Frequency Broadband Line Trace Mode

Passive OmniSeek Line Trace Mode

Proximity Number

Current Measurement (mA)

Signal Strength

Signal Angle

Measured Depth

The Passive Line Trace icon indicates the SR‑24 is set to a Passive Power Line Trace frequency�

The Passive Radio Frequency Broadband Line Trace icon indicates the SR‑24 is set to a Passive Radio Frequency Broadband Line Trace frequency�

The Passive OmniSeek Line Trace icon indicates the SR‑24 is set to a Passive OmniSeek Line Trace frequency range� Refer to the OmniSeek

section for more information about OmniSeek Line Tracing.

The Proximity Number represents the nearness of the target line to the SR‑24� The larger the number, the closer you are to the target line�

Current Measurement (mA) appears in miliamps when the SR‑24 is directly over the line�

Strength of the signal detected by the Omnidirectional antennas� Observe the Signal Strength to determine the maximum signal strength� At the maximum signal strength, the receiver is over the target line�

Signal Angle appears in place of Current Measurement (mA) when the detected signal is at an angle greater than 35°�

Measured Depth shows the approximate depth of the target line� The depth appears in either meters (m) or feet (ft)� In addition to the measured depth reading, Depth Average displays a Depth Average Report on screen� Refer to

the Depth Average section for more information.

English – 13

Line Trace Mode Display Elements

Icon Name Description

The orientation and offset of the Tracing Line indicate the direction of the target line relative to the position of the receiver� The Tracing Line Distortion

Tracing Line

Distortion Line

Response is enabled by default� When the Tracing Line Distortion Response is enabled the Tracing Line also represents the amount of distortion detected by the receiver and the approximate axis of the target line� Increasing levels of field distortion are represented by increasing degrees of fuzziness�

The Distortion Line represents the signal from the Upper Antenna node� Compare the Tracing Line and the Distortion Line to estimate the degree of distortion on the signal� The Distortion Line is disabled by default and only appears if the Tracing Line Distortion response is disabled�

Guidance Arrows

Guidance Line

Cross Hairs

Rotation Arrows

SD Card and Usage Bar Graph

GPS The GPS icon indicates the internal GPS feature is enabled�

GPS Estimated Positional Error

No GPS Signal Lock Internal GPS signal is not locked and is searching for satellites�

When the Guidance Arrows are touching, they indicate the point where the strength of the field is equal on both sides of the receiver�

The Guidance Line shows the alignment of the Tracing Line and when the orientation of the SR‑24 is close to the orientation of the utility�

The Cross Hairs are placed at the center of the Active View Area to represent the receiver’s location�

When the receiver is out of alignment with the target line, two rotation arrows appear to indicate the direction you should turn the receiver to realign with the target line� Correct orientation of the receiver is required for the Guidance Arrows and Guidance Line to function properly� The Rotation Arrows only appear when the receiver is not in line with the target line�

The SD Card and Usage Bar Graph icon indicates the SR‑24 is logging to the installed SD Card� The Usage Bar Graph shows disk space usage�

GPS Estimated Positional Error is the number next to the GPS icon� It indicates the Estimated Positional Error of the internal GPS� Refer to the SR‑24 GPS section for more information�

14 – English

Battery Status

Backlight The Backlight icon indicates the Backlight is on�

Bluetooth

The Battery Status icon indicates the amount of charge remaining in the batteries�

The Bluetooth icon indicates the Bluetooth feature is enabled and the SR‑24 is connected to and paired with a Bluetooth enabled device�

Sonde Mode Display

The display elements shown below appear in Sonde Mode �

Pipe Direction

Signal Strength

Currently Set Frequency

Receiver Operation Mode

GPS Estimated

Positional Error

GPS

Measured Depth

Zoom Ring

Signal Strength

Currently Set Frequency

Receiver Operation Mode

Sonde Equator

No GPS Signal Lock

Measured Depth

Signal Angle Battery Status

Backlight

Pole

Bluetooth

SD Card and Usage Bar Graph

Cross Hairs

Equator Line

Signal Angle Battery Status

Poles

Equator Line SD Card and Usage

Bar Graph Bluetooth

Sonde Mode Display Elements

Icon Name Description

Sonde Mode

Signal Strength

Signal Angle

Measured Depth

Pole The pole icon represents the location of a pole of the sonde’s dipole field�

Cross Hairs

Pipe Direction The pipe direction represents the approximate orientation of the sonde’s axis�

The sonde icon underneath the currently set frequency, indicates the SR‑24 is set to a sonde frequency�

Strength of the signal detected by the omnidirectional antennas� Observe the signal strength to determine the maximum signal strength�

The signal angle displays the measured polar angle of the SR‑24 to the sonde dipole field�

Measured depth shows the approximate depth of the target line� The depth appears in either meters (m) or feet (ft)�

The cross hairs are placed at the center of the active view area to represent the receivers location�

English – 15

Sonde Mode Display Elements

Icon Name Description

Sonde Equator

Equator Line The equator line represents the equator of the sonde’s field�

Zoom Ring The Zoom Ring appears when the receiver moves close to one of the Poles�

SD Card and Usage Bar Graph

GPS The GPS icon indicates the internal GPS feature is enabled�

GPS Estimated Positional Error

No GPS Signal Lock

Battery Status

Backlight The Backlight icon indicates the Backlight is on�

Two sonde equator icons appear along the equator line once the first pole has been located�

The SD Card and Usage Bar Graph icon indicates the SR‑24 is logging to the installed SD Card� The Usage Bar Graph shows disk space usage�

GPS Estimated Positional Error is the number next to the GPS icon� It indicates the Estimated Positional Error of the internal GPS� Refer to the SR-24 GPS

section for more information.

Internal GPS signal is not locked and is searching for satellites�

The Battery Status icon indicates the amount of charge remaining in the batteries�

Bluetooth

Note: Refer to the Customizing Display Elements section for instructions on how to customize display elements and for information about additional display options.

The Bluetooth icon indicates the Bluetooth feature is enabled and the SR‑24 is connected to and paired with a Bluetooth enabled device�

16 – English

Understanding the Display

Refer to the SR‑20 Instructional Video for a demonstra‑ tion of how the display elements work during a locate and to see how they work together to make your locates accurate and efficient� The video is on a DVD included with the SR‑24 manual pack or can be viewed online:

www�RIDGID�com/us/en/instructional‑videos

Guidance Arrows and the Guidance Line

The Guidance Arrows reflect the difference in the Signal Strength measurement made on either side of the SR‑24� They point in the direction of the strongest signal� The Guidance Line appears between the arrows when the receiver is aligned with the target line�

The Guidance Line gets longer as the receiver aligns with the direction of the target line� For best guidance accuracy, align the Tracing Line and Guidance Line be‑ tween the Guidance Arrows� As a general rule, if there is a moderate mismatch between the Tracing Line and Guidance Line, the Guidance Line will be closer to the actual utility position� Any mismatch is an indication of distortion�

Tracing Line

The Tracing Line shows the location and direction of the target line’s signal, change in direction of the target line, and the amount of distortion on the target line�

If the signal is clear and the detected field is undistorted, the following occurs:

• The Tracing Line appears as a clear, single line�

• The Guidance Arrows point to the center of the

screen�

• The Guidance Line aligns with the Tracing Line�

If the Tracing Line appears fuzzy, the field may be distort‑ ed by interfering electromagnetic fields� As the distortion increases, the Tracing Line appears increasingly fuzzy and the audio cue increases static noise�

English – 17

Distortion

Electromagnetic receivers like the SR‑24 require a sig‑ nal directly from the target utility without modification by environmental factors to obtain optimal accuracy� Environmental factors can include the presence of near‑ by metallic conductors or the addition of electromagnetic fields from other sources like fields radiating from adja‑ cent utilities� These factors may distort the shape of the field received by the SR‑24 and are experienced by the SR‑24 as distortion� The SR‑24 uses its Omnidirectional antennas and gradient antennas to measure distortion and provide audio and on‑screen indicators�

Nearby metallic conductors can distort the shape of the target line’s electromagnetic field� The SR‑24 gives three different indicators to alert you that distortion is present�

Take extra precautions when distortion is present to confirm the accuracy of the locate.

Note: Refer to the Improving and Confirming Accuracy section for information on improving the locate.

The Tracing Line Distortion Response activates when dis‑ tortion is detected� The Tracing Line Distortion Response makes the Tracing Line appear fuzzy when distortion is present� The fuzzier and more spread out the Tracing Line is, the greater the distortion�

Note: To change the Tracing Line Distortion Response sensitivity settings, refer to the Customizing Display Elements section.

When the Distortion Line is enabled, the tracing line fuzz‑ iness is turned off� The Tracing Line becomes a solid line and the Distortion Line (dashed line) appears when dis‑ tortion is present� The dashed Distortion Line represents the signal detected by the Upper Antenna and the solid Tracing Line represents the signal detected by the Lower Antenna�

Distortion is likely if the Distortion Line does not align with the Tracing Line� The Distortion Line and the Tracing Line may move randomly if the SR‑24 receives a weak signal�

You can set the Tracing Line Distortion Response to high “H,” medium “M,” low “L” (default), or “OFF�” Set the Tracing Line Distortion Response to high to increase its sensitivity to distortion�

18 – English

Active Line Tracing

In Active Line Tracing Mode, the SR‑24 detects signals generated by a line transmitter, such as the RIDGID SeekTech ST‑33Q+� Transmitters can energize a target line with a tracing signal in three ways: Direct Connect (metal‑to‑metal contact), with an Inductive Clamp, or using the transmitter’s internal transmitting antenna through Induction�

Note: For complete instructions on generating a locating signal with a transmitter, refer to the operator’s manual that came with the line transmitter you are using.

Direct Connect

Energizing a target line by direct connection requires metal‑to‑metal contact�

1� Use the clip’s built‑in scraper to remove paint, dirt,

or debris from the connection point to ensure good metal‑to‑metal contact�

2� Attach one of the transmitter’s lead clips to the tar‑

get line�

Note: A weak ground connection can cause a poor tracing circuit. Refer to the Improving the Tracing Circuit section for more information on grounding.

4� Begin tracing the line�

Note: Refer to Tracing the Target Line section for instructions on how to trace the target line.

Inductive Clamp

To use the Inductive Clamp, connect it to the transmit‑ ter and close the clamp around the exposed pipe� The transmitter energizes the clamp and induces a current onto the target line� The clamp must be fully closed for it to operate properly�

3� Push the grounding stake into the ground as far as

possible and attach the transmitter’s other lead clip to it�

With the transmitter’s lead clips attached to the tar‑ get line and the grounding stake, a circuit is created for the signal to travel� The circuit allows current to flow, energizing the target line�

English – 19

Induction

To induce a signal onto the target line, place the trans‑ mitter over and in line with the target line� The transmit‑ ter must be oriented with respect to the line, as shown below, to operate properly (orientation is specific to the transmitter model)�

The transmitter’s internal transmitting antenna generates a signal that energizes correctly oriented, nearby metal‑ lic objects�

To improve the circuit, ensure that both ends of the target line are grounded and place the transmitter away from other metallic conductors that may be nearby�

Note: For complete instructions on generating a locating signal with a transmitter, please consult the operator’s manual for your line transmitter.

Induction and Air-Coupling

WARNING

Air-coupling can lead to false locates.

With Induction, the transmitter broadcasts a signal in all directions� If the receiver is too near to the transmitter, the signal broadcast through the air will be stronger than the signal from the target line underground� This is called air‑coupling and it can prevent you from getting an accu‑ rate locate�

The impact of air‑coupling varies with each locate and can occur at ranges greater than 20m [70ft] if the utili‑ ty is deep or poorly grounded� Very weak inductive cou‑ pling and deep utilities result in greater air‑coupling rang‑ es� Always confirm the detection of utilities and the depth measurement readings by testing for air‑coupling� Read the following sections for instructions on how to test for air‑coupling�

Testing for Air-Coupling

When the receiver is severely air coupled it will warn you by hiding the Tracing Line and Guidance Arrows� Even if you see these displayed, the receiver may still be dis‑ playing results corrupted by air‑coupling� There are two ways you can test for air‑coupling: the 45° tilt test and the depth verification test�

To perform the 45° tilt test, follow these steps:

1� With the SR‑24 aligned with the target line, touch

the Lower Antenna to the ground and tilt the SR‑24 at a 45° angle toward the transmitter�

2� Note the depth�

3� With the Lower Antenna still touching the ground, tilt

the SR‑24 away from the transmitter at a 45° angle�

4� Note the depth�

If the tilted depth reading changes significantly compar‑ ing the two cases, air‑coupling is occurring�

Note: The depth reading will not be an accurate reading of the target line’s depth.

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