SubSurface Instruments PL-VF Series User Manual

SERIESSERIES

Pipe & Cable Locator - Variable Frequency Series

User Manual

Instructions, Functions and Warranty Information

No part of this manual may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted, without the prior written consent of the SubSurface Instruments, Inc.

Please contact SubSurface Instruments, Inc. to request permission for reproduction and use of this manual for training purposes.

(920) 347.1788

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table of Contents

General InformatIon

Table of Contents ............................................... 03

Introduction ....................................................... 04

Disclaimer of Liability ......................................... 04

Important Notices .............................................. 04

Prepare for Use ................................................. 05

Programming Frequencies .................................. 06

Transmitter Controls and Indicators ..................... 07

Direct Connect ................................................... 08

FlexiCoupler Connection .................................... 08

Inductive Connection .......................................... 09

Blind Search ...................................................... 09

Passive Radio Frequency Locating ....................... 16

Passive Rectifier CP Locating ............................... 16

Push Button Depth .............................................. 17

Depth Measurement 45º Angle Method .............. 18

Current Measurement ......................................... 19

Tilted Magnetic Field Identification ...................... 19

Locating a Sonde or Camera Head ..................... 20

Attaching a Push Device to the Sonde ................. 20

Locating a Sonde ............................................... 21

Sonde or Camera Head Depth Measurement ...... 22

STAFF Fault Finder Controls & Indicators ............. 23

Fault Locating with a Frame or Staff .................. 24 - 25

Selecting the Tracing Signal ................................ 10

Receiver Controls & Indicators ............................ 11

PathLink Controls ............................................... 12

Selecting the Locating Mode .............................. 13

Peak Locating Mode .......................................... 13 - 14

Null Locating Mode ........................................... 14

Left/Right Auto-Gain Mode ................................ 15

Absolute Signal Strength .................................... 15

Gain Level Indication ......................................... 15

Passive 50/60 Hz Locating ................................. 16

Fault Beneath Paved Surface ............................. 26

PL-VF Transmitter & Receiver Specifications .......... 27

Factory Service .................................................. 28

Warranty........................................................... 28

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introduCtion

Congratulations on the purchase of your new SubSurface Instruments, Inc. PL-VF Series Cable, Pipe & Fault Locator. The PL-VF PLS Locator is specially designed to detect conductors such as buried pipes & cables. This device may detect buried power cables, CATV cables, gas and water pipes, sewer lines, telecommunication lines, fiber optic cables with sheath, sondes, inspection camera transmitters. You have chosen a quality product that is designed for years of field use without the need for annual or periodic calibration and service.

The basic principle of the locator's operation is as follows: The

TransmiTTer emits a signal to a conductive cable or pipe. The receiver detects the electromagnetic field that is generated by the transmitted signal. You can locate the relative position of the buried utility by following the tracing signal.

For safely & to help ensure the best locating results, please read & understand the manual in its entirety before using the product.

disClaimer of liability

SubSurface Instruments, Inc. shall not be liable to Distributor, Re Seller, or any other person for any incidental, indirect, special, exemplary or consequential damages, or injury of any type whatsoever, and caused directly or indirectly by Products sold or supplied by SubSurface Instruments, Inc..

WARNING!

important notiCes

Failure to follow these warning could result in serious injury or death.

Only persons qualied and trained to operate cable & pipe locators may operate this equipment.

Follow appropriate safety procedure, your companies policies and applicable safety codes and/or laws.

Do not connect to utilities, cables or pipes without authorization and training.

Use tool only for intended purpose as described in this manual

Do not expose tool to rain or moisture.

Do not expose to hazardous chemicals, hazardous gas or explosive environment.

SHOCK HAZARD - Lethal voltages may be present at the transmitter's output. Turn off transmitter before touching test lead or any un-insulated conductor. Make connection to ground and target conductor before turning on transmitter.

SHOCK HAZARD - Do not connect to live voltage or active utility lines. De-energize any circuits in or around the work area.

This tool is designed to detect electromagnetic eld emitted from cables and buried metallic utilities. There are

buried cables, pipes, and utilities this instrument CANNOT detect.

LOCATING is not an exact science. The only certain way to be sure of the existence, location, or depth of buried utilities is to carefully expose (dig up) the utility.

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prepare for use

Unpack your new PL-VF Locator. Make sure there is no shipping damage and all the parts are included.

Locate the battery compartment on the back of the of the Open the compartments using a Phillips screwdriver. If your unit is a rechargeable system, remove the terminal isolation paper to allow the battery spring to contact the battery terminal. If the unit is configured for alkaline batteries, Install the six alkaline Duracell® “C” batteries as marked in the receiver and twelve Duracell® “D” batteries as marked in the

For rechargeable units, please charge for at least 5 hours before use. Remove the terminal isolation paper inside the battery compartments to allow the battery spring to contact the battery terminal.

Note: For longer battery life and reliable operation under adverse conditions, use only Duracell® alkaline batteries.

Note: The battery type used must be selected in the programming menu of the transmitter and the receiver. For instructions on how to select please see page 4.

receiver and on the bottom of the TransmiTTer.

TransmiTTer.

By registering your unit online at http://www.ssilocators.com/warranty-registration within one month (30 Days) of purchase, SubSurface Instruments, Inc. will extend the warranty period from one year to 4 years. This instrument is under warranty for one year from the date of delivery against defects in material and workmanship (EXCEPT BATTERIES). We will repair or replace products that prove to be defective during warranty period.

This warranty is void if, after having received the instrument in good condition, it is subjected to abuse, unauthorized alterations or casual repair.

No other warranty is expressed or implied. The warranty described in this paragraph shall be in lieu of any other warranty, including but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. We are not liable for consequential damages.

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Changing preset funCtions, modes & frequenCies

The PL-VF operating modes, frequencies and other functions are user programmable and can be changed at anytime through a quick selection process in the programming menu.

reCeiver

To select the programming options for

• With the unit on, press and hold the Power on button for 4 seconds. Once released "PRO"' will be displayed at the

top of the LCD.

• To scroll through the main menu headings, press the

• To enter a selection's sub-menu press the uP arrow (GaIn uP) Key.

• To browse a selection’s menu, press the frequency/functIon Key.

• If the sub-menu, once the desired option is selected, then exiting the sub-menu after toggling to the desired setting, will save the selection.

• To exit a selection's sub-menu use the

• Exit the programming menu from the main menu by pressing the mode.

software versIons 5.0 and Greater:

frequency/functIon Key.

down arrow (GaIn down) button.

Power on button. This return to the normal operation

transmitter

To select the desired frequency set for software versIons 3.43 and Greater:

• Press and hold depressed the

• Pressing the the Frequency Indicator section of the LCD.

• Release the

• Press the

• To select and store the desired frequency press and hold the selected frequency will be displayed on the LCD.

• Continue to toggle through and select the desired frequencies,

• Press the operation.

frequency Button will toggle through available configurations. Repeat pressing until 'U5' is displayed in

Power on Button. 'PRO' will be displayed on the LCD.

frequency Button to toggle through the available frequencies.

Power on Button to shut the unit off. This will save the selected frequencies for availability during normal

Power on Button.

frequency Button for 2 seconds. The count of the

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DFF

kHz

F.1 F.2

DFF

kHz

F.1 F.2

transmitter Controls & indiCators

Relative Resistance, Voltage, Current

Tx Output Jack

Power On & Off & Output Signal Level Control

TX OUTPUT JACK

Output Signal Indicator

Frequency Indicator

Signal Indicators

Battery Condition Indicator

Frequency Selector

WARNING!

The Red/Black Cord, Coupler and flexIcouPler connects here to create a circuit on the buried utility.

FREQUENCY SELECTOR

This button toggles through the available frequencies. The selected frequency is displayed on the LCD. When dual frequency transmission options are selected, indicated by the F1 & F2 icons to the right large numeric segments, the frequencies will flash from one to another.

SIGNAL INDICATOR (visual & audible)

The Signal Indicator symbol flashes to indicate signal output.

The quick triple beep audible tone indicates the circuit is open and no signal is being transmitted. A steady continuous beep indicates a closed circuit and signal is transmitted . When the indicator blinks 4 times per second, it is indicating a nearly short circuit. When the indicator blinks 1 time every 10 seconds, it is indicating a nearly open circuit.

ON/OFF & OUTPUT SIGNAL LEVEL CONTROL

The ON/OFF & OUTPUT SIGNAL LEVEL CONTROL turns the unit on. With a short press it will adjust the power output from the Transmitter. There are 3 selections on the standard power settings. Holding down the Output Signal Level button for 2 Seconds will turn the unit off.

High Power Output is a SHOCK HAZARD - Lethal voltages at the transmitter's output. Turn off transmitter before touching test lead or any un-insulated conductor. Make connection to ground and target conductor before turning on transmitter.

SIGNAL INFORMATION SELECTOR

The unit can display the relative resistance, current and voltage of the transmitted signal. The resistance is based on the feed back from the selected frequency and is not an actual impedance meter. The selections can be toggled by pressing the sIGnal InformatIon button.

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must be bonded

Must Be Bonded

direCt ConneCtion

CAUTION

DO NOT CONNECT TO LIVE OR ENERGIZED POWER CABLES

Direct Connection is the most reliable method of signal application. This method is relatively free of interference. The greatest amount of signal strength can be achieved by this method. Low, mid, and high frequency may be used. The far end of the utility must be grounded.

Connect the

red test cord to an existing ground

Transmitter

point or an exposed metallic section of the utility. Place the

Ground rod approximately 10 feet from this point, at an angle of 90º to the buried cable or pipe. Push the ground 8 to 10 inches. Connect the

ord to the Ground rod.

Plug the

red/Bl ack TesT cord into the tx outPut JacK. Select the desired frequency. The

Signal Output Indicator will flash once signal is

Ground rod into the

BlacK test

Black cord connects

to transmitter ground rod

Red cord connects to utility

(unbond this end for best results)

Buried Utility

to Locate

Far end of

buried utility

established.

Coupler & flexiCoupler ConneCtion

The optional interrupted. The operation range is shorter than for Direct Connection methods. The tracing signal can be affected by neighboring cables and pipes. The Red/Black Test Cord or the Ground Rod are not needed for this method.

Successful coupler operation requires an insulated conductor that is grounded on both near and far ends.

Loop the connect the two ends, or clamp the Hard Coupler around the cable. It is important to connect the coupler around the cable needing to be traced. Connect the coupler around the wire closer to the outgoing cable not near the system ground. The result will be a stronger signal. By connecting near the grounding, the range will also be shorter, and difficulty may arise determining one cable from another.

Plug the Coupler into the

Some couplers are frequency specific, others can operate on medium and high frequencies.

flexIcouPler and Hard Coupler are very easy to use, and services do not have to be

Transmitter

flexIcouPler around the cable and

Near End of

Buried Utility

Inductive Coupler

Wraps Utility

Buried Utility

to Locate

Far End of

Buried Utility

tx outPut JacK.

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DFF

kHz

F.1 F.2

induCtive ConneCtion

This method is convenient to use, and services are not interrupted. No test cords or connections are needed. The cable or pipe must have good insulation or non-conductive coating, or the operating range will be short.

Turn the

transmItter on. This method of signal application only works on frequencies from 33kHz through 478 kHz. Place transmItter on iTs side as close as possible to the path of the cable or pipe. Align the arrows on the side of the transmItter in line with the cable or pipe. First, locate the broad TransmiTTer Null, then move toward the expected cable path while looking for the signal carried by the cable.

Start tracing the path with the

receiver 25 feet from the transmItter. Search in the 90º zone as

shown above. Locate the cable or pipe, and follow the path. If the signal becomes weak, move the transmItter to a point 25 feet behind the last strong signal, and continue searching.

blind searCh

The Blind Search locating techniques is used if the operator is not aware if a buried utility exists. Two people are needed for this technique. The

transmItter and the receIver are Held 25 feet away from

each other. Each operator walks at the same speed keeping a distance of 25 feet from each other.

When the receiver gives an audio response, then a buried utility is present between the receIver and

transmItter.

the

TRANSMITTER

DFF

F.1 F.2

kHz

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25 Feet (7.5 Meters) Between Transmitter and Reciever

RECEIVER

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+ 19 hidden pages

SubSurface Instruments PL-VF Series User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual