1. Conductive & Non-conductive pipe locating concepts
Please ask your questions anytime…

2. Basic Concept of Pipe & Cable Tracing
Receiver
Strong Signal
Decaying Signal
Red Clip
Far-End
Ground
Current Flow
Near-End Ground Removed
Transmitter
Black Clip
Ground Rod
Soil
Current Flow
In conductor tracing, the trace conductor is connected to the output of the Transmitter. The CABLE and EARTH (Ground) must form an electrical circuit where signal current can flow through.
As the current flows through the cable, its entire length radiates a signal allowing one to trace the cable path using a Receiver.
Also, as the signal travels further out, its strength gradually deteriorates until it is fully dissipated to EARTH (Ground).

3. TERMS COMMONLY USED IN PIPE & CABLE TRACING
TRACE CONDUCTOR - any metallic component of a cable which is used to trace the pipe or cable path. (Ex: Cable Shield, a conductor of a power cable, or a telephone wire or pair inside a telephone cable, water pipe, etc.)
TRACE FREQUENCY - is the selected transmit frequency (Low, Medium, High or Ultra High) to trace the conductor path.
NEAR-END GROUND - is the grounding point of the trace conductor which is located closer to the Transmitter.
FAR-END GROUND - is the remote grounding point of the trace conductor which is located further away from the Transmitter.
TARGET UTILITY - the conductor being traced.

4. BASIC SENSOR TYPES USED IN PIPE AND CABLE LOCATORS
PEAK SENSOR - provides maximum signal when placed right above the trace conductor. Signal decreases when moving towards either side.
NULL SENSOR- provides minimum (null) signal when placed right above the trace conductor. Signal increases when moving towards either side.

5. RECEIVER OPERATION (Basic Theory - con’t...)
The signal’s amplitude from the PEAK sensor is used to drive the numeric digits and to frequency modulate the audio tone.
POSITIVE
ZERO
NEGATIVE
RECEIVER
Location #1:
Numeric indicator - reads higher compared to location #2 or #3.
Audio Tone - highest pitch (frequency) beeping approximately 3-4 times per second.
Locations #2 and 3:
Numeric indicator - reads lower compared to location #1.
Audio Tone - lower pitch (frequency) than position #1.
UPPER
ANTENNA 2 1 3
LOWER
ANTENNA
SOIL
TARGET CONDUCTOR

6. MORE TERMS COMMONLY USED IN PIPE & CABLE TRACING
ISOLATED UTILITY FIELDS: When the target utility EM field is not affected by intersecting joints or by the presence of other utilities and is pretty much cylindrical around the target utility and symmetric.
DISTORTED OR CONGESTED UTILITY FIELD: When EM fields other than the primary EM, induced onto the target utility by the transmitter, are in the vicinity of the target utility, they combine with the primary EM resulting in an asymmetrical, non-cylindrical EM field.
These EM fields may naturally exist in the area (power cables, radio stations,etc.) or maybe the result of the transmitter signal inducing currents onto adjacent, non-targeted utilities.

7. CONDUCTOR TRACING IN CONGESTED ENVIRONMENTS Example: Sharing signal on a common bond o via return path
A congested environment such as the one shown here, where there is another conductor running parallel to the main conductor being traced, presents some challenges to the locating task.
The lower peak sensor will still peak at each conductor, as shown in locations 1 and 3, but at location 3 the numeric indicator (the strength of the received signal) should be less. The audio frequency will also be correspondingly lower.
OTHER CONDUCTOR
TARGET CONDUCTOR
GHOST CONDUCTOR

8. MORE TERMS COMMONLY USED IN PIPE & CABLE TRACING
TARGET DEPTH: The distance from the soil surface to the top of the target utility. Knowing the distance between the lower peak antenna and the upper peak antenna, and assuming we have an “Isolated Utility Field” (cylindrical), it is possible to calculate the depth based on the measured signal strength difference between the two antennas
FACTORS THAT AFFECT DEPTH MEASUREMENT ACCURACY:
Ground composition and density
Ground moisture
Distorted or congested utility fields
Conductivity, size and aging of target utility
Distance from transmitter source (weak vs. strong signal)

9. TRACING RANGE (Ideal conditions - Direct Connect With Far-End of Cable Grounded)
FREQUENCIES
THEORETICAL RANGE
512 Hz ,000 ft. (4 miles)
8 kHz ,000 ft. (2 miles)
83 kHz ft. (2/3 mile)
375 kHz ft. (.1 mile)

10. INDUCTIVE CLAMP (COUPLER) METHOD
TRANSMITTER HOOKUPS
DIRECT CONNECT METHOD
INDUCTIVE CLAMP (COUPLER) METHOD
INDUCTION METHOD

11. DIRECT CONNECT METHOD (Accessories Used)
RED CLIP
BLACK CLIP
GROUND ROD

12. DIRECT CONNECT HOOKUP 2. Connect the RED clip to the conductor.
CURRENT FLOW
FAR-END
GROUND
NEAR-END GROUND
REMOVED
TRANSMITTER
GROUND ROD
BLACK CLIP
SOIL
SOIL
CURRENT FLOW
1. Place the GROUND ROD into soil and connect the BLACK clip to it.
2. Connect the RED clip to the conductor.
3. Turn the unit ON. Refer to manual to use the current measurement and/or the output power indicator to estimate the condition of the circuit and improve your connection. This will help you decide the best frequency to use.
Note: Separate common bonds if safe, accessible and practical

13. DIRECT CONNECT HOOKUP (Cont..)
GROUND STAKE POSITIONING:
Having a good circuit is crucial.
Proper placement of the ground stake is essential.
Good contact with soil (wet the ground if necessary)
Oriented at 90 degrees from the direction of the target utility.
Farthest possible from commonly bonded unwanted utilities.

14. DIRECT CONNECT HOOKUP ( DO’S & DON’TS )
CONDUCTOR
OPEN-END
RED CLIP
DISTRIBUTED CABLE CAPACITANCE C C C C C C C
TRANSMITTER
GROUND
ROD
BLACK CLIP
SOIL
CURRENT FLOW
1. If far-end of conductor is open or not accessible for grounding - use the Higher trace frequencies, only. Note: This procedure is only applicable if length of cable is long enough (few hundred feet/meters) to permit the high frequency current to flow through the distributed capacitance of the cable.

15. DIRECT CONNECT HOOKUP ( DO’S & DON’TS )
SHORT CONDUCTOR
SHORT CONDUCTOR
RED CLIP
FAR-END
GROUND
RED CLIP
FAR-END
WIRE CONNECTION A B
TRANSMITTER
TRANSMITTER
50 FEET (15 m)
CURRENT FLOW
GROUND
ROD
BLACK CLIP
BLACK CLIP
SOIL
CURRENT FLOW
CURRENT RETURN WIRE
To trace very short conductors of cable, less than 100 feet (30 m):
The far-end of the trace conductor must always be grounded to EARTH/SOIL (illustration A).
If EARTH/SOIL is not accessible, a WIRE can be used as the current return path, but it must be placed 50 feet (15m) or more away from trace conductor (illustration B).

16. INDUCTIVE CLAMP (COUPLER) METHOD (Accessories Used)
Coupler available in 4” Diameter

17. COUPLER HOOKUP T1 T2
CONDUCTOR
SECONDARY CURRENT FLOW
FAR-END
GROUND
NEAR-END
GROUND
COUPLER
TRANSMITTER
SOIL
PRIMARY CURRENT FLOW
SECONDARY CURRENT FLOW
NOTE:
Do not remove NEAR-END and/or FAR-END GROUNDS. Doing so will break or open the trace circuit and “no” current can flow.
Only the Highest frequencies (8kHz or higher,preferably 27kHz or higher) will work with the Coupler. The AUDIO or Low frequencies (512Hz) will “not”.

18. INDUCTION METHOD & HOOKUP
TRANSMITTER
INTERNAL
TRANSMIT COIL
FAR-END
GROUND
CABLE SHIELD
CURRENT FLOW
PRIMARY
NEAR-END
GROUND
SOIL
SECONDARY CURRENT FLOW
Note:
To achieve best results, Transmitter must be placed over and as close as possible to the conductor and should be perpendicular to the cable path, as shown on the transmitter instructions attached to the case.
NEAR-END and FAR-END of the trace cable/conductor must be GROUNDED to SOIL to maintain continuity of the trace circuit.
Use only the two highest frequencies, only (20kHz or higher frequency).
Induction Method is not recommended in congested areas because the signal can be easily induced to any other cable or pipe which is close and in parallel to the target cable.
Operate the Receiver no less than 25 feet (8 meters) from Transmitter to avoid direct reception of signal.

19. Non-conductive locating
PVC pipes – water & wastewater
HDPE – oil & gas lines
Clay pipes - wastewater
Cast Iron – water & wastewater
Drain tile – buildings & field
Concrete pipes
Tanks, manholes, foundations, large roots

20. Non-conductive locators
GPR AML Ultra-Trac APL Limited soils All soils Limited soils Less 6’ +12’ depth Less 8’ depth Depth estimated Triangulates No depth 50 lbs. 3 lbs. 20 lbs. Price Price Price $15K-$22K $6K - $8K $16K-$18K

21. AML PLUS & AML PRO
Ground penetrating signal originally designed by NASA for 1st moon landing
2.45 gHz UHF radio transmitted frequency
Receives rebounding 2.45 gHz UHF
Hand held – no cables or clamps
Weighs less than 4 lbs.
Sold in 50 States & 44 countries since 2006

22. AML + (All Material Locator) Features

23. AML PRO (All Materials Locator)

24. QUESTIONS ???
Made in USA – DePere, WI 3 years warranty Patented UHF inverted cone signal FCC, IC, CE/EU approved Thanks for your interest …. Don Hager Regional Mgr