Direct Test Leads Connection Mode – Setting Up the Transmitter
1. Turn the Transmitter on by pressing the power button for two seconds.
2. Connect the black and red test leads to the Transmitter inputs. The Transmitter will switch automatically to
Direct Connection Mode and the display will show the direct connection icon
3. Insert the ground stake into the ground a few meters perpendicular to the line. Connect the black lead to
the ground stake with an alligator clip.
4. Connect the red test lead to the target line. If line is energized above 30 V the red warning LED will illuminate.
5. Press the
button repeatedly to select 8 kHz frequency (preferred for most tracing situations) or 33 kHz.
Refer to section 4.1 When to Use 8 kHz vs. 33 kHz Frequency for more information. Frequencies "A-LO"
and "A-Hi" are used with optional A-Frame cable ground fault finder accessory used to pinpoint ground
faults and are described later in the manual.
6. Press the "
/
" buttons to set the output to level one. Increase the level if the resulting signal strength
is poor. Increasing the signal unnecessarily may result in the signal "bleeding off" onto other services and
creating misleading "ghost" signals. It will also drain more power from the battery.
Note: When connected, the Transmitter will emit a beep tone. The better the connection to the line and
ground, the faster the beep tone will be. Check for a good connection by disconnecting and then reconnecting
the red lead. It is also possible to check the signal current being supplied by the Transmitter by entering the
Settings Menu and selecting the mA option.
Things that can affect the quality of connection are a rusty pipe connection point (clean the connection area
with a wire brush) or poor grounding. To improve the connection quality due to poor grounding, try inserting
the stake into damp ground. If necessary, dampen the surrounding ground with water. If grounding is still an
issue, try connecting test lead to a manhole cover surround. Avoid connecting to fence railings as these may
create return signal currents along the fencing that will interfere with the locating signal.
Note: If the signal level bars do not fill, this indicates that the impedance of the line is limiting the current
output. Increasing the output beyond this point will not increase the signal. If more signal is required, check
the quality of the connection to the line and ground.
When connecting to large diameter pipes and cables, it is sometimes not possible to find a suitable projection
to apply the alligator clip. If the material is ferrous, use a magnet to make contact to the line and then attach
the alligator clip to a magnet. For example: making a connection to a street lighting circuit. Usually it is
practice to connect the sheath of a lighting cable to the metallic inspection cover of a street lamp. Making a
connection to the inspection plate will induce a signal to the cable via the plate and sheath. Usually, there is
no projection on the plate on which to clip so using a magnet on the plate provides a suitable clipping point.
Direct Test Leads Connection Mode – Locating with the Receiver
1. Turn the Receiver on by pressing the power button for two
seconds.
2. Match the frequency of the Transmitter by pressing the
"
" button repeatedly. Select either 8 kHz or 33 kHz
depending on the Transmitter setup.
3. Follow the steps as described in the Receiver Locating section 3.1.
4. Use the Left/Right arrow indicators to quickly assess location of
the wire.
5. Optionally measure the depth of the wire. Refer to the Taking
Depth and Current Measurements section 4.3 for details.
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