GENERAL WARNINGS ALWAYS EXCAVATE WITH CARE C.Scope Locators detect services radiating a detectable signal. There may be some services that do not radiate a signal and cannot be located. Do not use the equipment outside of the temperature range -10˚C to +50˚C (14˚F to 122˚F) as the batteries may cease to function adequately. Geographical conditions such as hills and mountains may effectively screen signals and prevent a detectable Radio signal.
CXL3 and DXL3 Cable Avoidance Tools The CXL3 and DXL3 Cable Avoidance Tools can provide precise information about the position of buried services. The DXL3 also provides depth information. The combination of locating modes enables buried services to be detected quickly and reliably. On /Off Switch Mode selected: Depth measurement button (DXL3 model only)
SGA3 Signal Generator A CXL3/DXL3 Cable Avoidance Tool should be used in conjunction with the SGA3 Signal Generator in order to fully optimise it’s capabilities. The SGA3 has the facility of high and low output power and can operate with a pulsed or continuous output signal. Control Panel Direct Connection Socket Auxiliary Earth Lead Socket...
Locator Operating Modes: Power Mode In Power Mode the Locator detects power signals. These power signals are present on all current carrying electricity cables although not all are detectable. Power signals may also flow along other conductors such as metal gas and water pipes, telecom cables, metal fences and railway tracks.
Locator Operating Modes: Radio Mode In Radio Mode, the Locator detects signals from various radio transmitters. These signals flow through the ground and will tend to follow the line of least resistance such as a buried metallic service. When this happens the service can often be detected by using the Locator in Radio Mode.
Locator Operating Modes: Generator Mode In Generator Mode the Locator detects conductors radiating a signal Direct Connection applied by the Signal Generator or the signal radiated by a Sonde. The Signal Generator provides a way of sending a known signal along buried metallic services which can then be detected using the Locator.
Using the Locator: Batteries C.Scope Locators can be powered by either eight standard alkaline or Nickel-Metal Hydride rechargeable (NiMH) AA (LR6) size batteries. Battery Levels OK Locator Battery Check Switch the Locator on by pulling up on the On/Off trigger positioned on the underside of the handle.
Using the Locator: Holding the Locator When in use the Locator should always be held upright. Your middle or little finger should be used to squeeze, Never swing the Locator such that it moves away from and hold on, the On/Off trigger. Your index finger will the vertical.
Using the Locator: Searching There are three stages to the locating process; searching, pinpointing and tracing. 1. Turn the Mode Switch to the appropriate mode. 2. Hold in the On/Off trigger. The Locator should emit the audible battery test tone and the digital display should come on. Check the battery level indicator to confirm the batteries are usable.
Using the Locator: Pinpointing Having found a signal the next step is to pinpoint the source. The closer the Locator is to the signal source the stronger the response. To Pinpoint a Signal 1. Keeping the Locator vertical, walk through the area of the signal response.
Using the Locator: Tracing Having pinpointed a service it should now be possible to trace its route. 1. Carefully follow the direction of the signal holding the Locator at right angles to the line of the signal. It is necessary to constantly ‘slice’ the Locator from side to side in order to be sure of still being over the peak signal response.
Using the Signal Generator Using the Locator in Power and Radio Modes will only allow you to locate and mark the position of buried services that are producing a Power signal or re-radiating a Radio signal. Use of the Signal Generator should enable most, if not all, of the remaining buried metallic services to be detected and traced.
Using the Signal Generator: Batteries C.Scope Signal Generators can be powered by either four standard alkaline or by four standard Nickel-Metal Hydride rechargeable (NiMH) D (LR20) size batteries. Signal Generator Battery Check Switch the SGA3 Signal Generator on by pressing the On/Off Control. The Signal Generator should emit a loud continuous tone.
Using the Signal Generator: Direct Connection WARNING Never connect directly to electrical services. WARNING You may need to seek permission from the service owners before connecting on to some buried services. The Direct Connection Leads and Earth Stake that are supplied with the Signal Generator are used to apply a signal to any metal pipe at a suitable access point such as a valve, hydrant point, stop cock or exposed pipe length.
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Using the Signal Generator: Direct Connection 5. Connect the black Earth Lead to the Earth Stake (or an alternative earth point). If your earth point is too far away from the pipe access point for the black Earth Lead to reach then use the yellow 10 metre Auxiliary Earth Lead instead.
Using the Signal Generator: Direct Connection to street furniture Direct Connection to a Street Lighting Column or other street furniture The best method to determine the position and route of street lighting, car park lighting cables or any other item of street furniture with a power supply is by using a Signal Generator and the pipe connection method.
Using the Signal Generator: Signal Clamp Signal Clamp 1. Plug the Signal Clamp into the Connection Socket on the Signal Generator. 2. Turn the Signal Generator on. 3. Check that the jaws of the Signal Clamp are clean. Place the Signal Clamp AROUND the cable making sure that the jaws are able to fully close.
Using the Signal Generator: Signal Injector Signal Injector 1. Plug the Signal Injector into the Connection Socket on the Signal Generator and an electric outlet. 2. Turn the Signal Generator on 3. Turn the socket on. The audible tone from the Signal Generator will drop in pitch to indicate a successful connection.
Using the Signal Generator: Searching for the Direct Connected Signal The search pattern used to find the Signal Generator signal when applied by a direct connection method (Direct Connection Leads, Signal Clamp or Signal Injector ) is different to the normal search pattern used on Power or Radio Modes.
Using the Signal Generator: Tracing the Direct Connected Signal The tracing technique used to follow the Signal Generator signal when applied by a direct connection method (Direct Connection Leads, Signal Clamp or Signal Injector ) is almost exactly the same as the normal tracing technique used on Power or Radio Modes except that the signal that the Locator is detecting will get weaker the further away from...
Using the Signal Generator: Induction This is the standard method for inducing signals onto buried metallic services. It produces a strong signal directly below the Signal Generator but the signal strength drops off quite quickly either side of the Signal Generator.
Using the Signal Generator: Searching for an Induced Signal The search pattern used to find the Signal Generator signal when applied by Induction Mode is slightly different to the search pattern used on other modes. 1. Move AT LEAST 10 metres (33’) away from the Signal Generator position with your Locator.
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Using the Signal Generator: Searching for an Induced Signal 5. Walk in a straight line across the end line of the Signal Generator. When a signal is detected ‘pinpoint’ that signal as shown in the ‘Using the Locator’ section. If no signal is found move the Signal Generator 5 metres (16’) and try again.
Using the Signal Generator: Induction: Multiple Services It is important to check for the presence of adjacent services running close, or parallel, to the service that you have already located. 1. Check that there are no accessories plugged into the Connection Socket.
Using the Signal Generator: Using an Inductive Sweep If a large area needs to be searched for buried services then an ‘Inductive Sweep’ could be used. It is an ideal method for detecting the position of buried services as they cross the boundary of a large site.
Non-Metallic Pipe Tracing using a Sonde Non-metallic pipes such as sewers or drains, service ducts, plastic gas and water pipes are not electrically conductive and so will not be detectable using a Locator on Power or Radio Modes. It is also impossible to apply a detectable Signal Generator signal to the non-metallic pipe or, for that matter, to the water or gas within that pipe.
Non-Metallic Pipe Tracing using a Sonde: Batteries 33kHz General Purpose Sonde - - --- The General Purpose Sonde is powered by a single standard alkaline or Nickel-Metal Hydride rechargeable (NiMH) AA (LR6) size battery. 1. To turn the Sonde on, separate the two halves of the Sonde casing. Insert a new battery into the battery compartment with the positive end down.
Non-Metallic Pipe Tracing using a Sonde: Batteries 33kHz Duct Sonde - - --- The Duct Sonde is powered by a single AAA (LR03) size alkaline battery. Rechargeable batteries are not recommended for this product. 1. To turn the Duct Sonde on, use a large flat bladed screwdriver to unscrew the battery cover located within the hollow end of the Sonde casing.
Non-Metallic Pipe Tracing using a Sonde: Tracing a Sonde The technique used to determine the position of a Sonde is always the same irrespective of which Sonde is being used. Before inserting the Sonde into the pipe it is best to set up the Locator so that the Sensitivity is correctly adjusted to suit the pipe depth.
Non-Metallic Pipe Tracing using a Sonde: Tracing a Sonde 4. With the Locator turned on, walk from the pipe access point in the direction that the Sonde was pushed. A strong peak signal directly over the Sonde should be detected with two lesser ‘ghost’...
Non-Metallic Pipe Tracing: Plastic Pipe Tracer s / Flexible Tracer The Plastic Pipe Tracers and Flexible Tracer can be used in small diameter non-metallic pipes that normal Sondes cannot fit into. Two methods of detecting and tracing can be used: line tracing and end tracing.
Non-Metallic Pipe Tracing: Plastic Pipe Tracer s / Flexible Tracer End Tracing The very tip of the Plastic Pipe Tracer/ Flexible Tracer can be energised with the signal from a Signal Generator. It is acting much like a Sonde and offers a very reliable way of pinpointing the position of the tip.
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Depth Measurement of Metallic Services (DXL3 only ) The DXL3 can be used in conjunction with the Signal Generator, Sonde, Plastic Pipe Tracer or Flexible Tracer to indicate the depth of a buried service. Depth cannot be measured on the Power or Radio Modes. WARNING The depth indication MUST NOT be used to decide if mechanical digging over the buried service is appropriate.
Depth Measurement of Metallic Services (DXL3 only ) 4. Press and hold down the depth button. The depth will be shown on the display, measured in metres. 5. The depth can be verified by lifting up the Locator whilst keeping the depth button depressed.
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Depth Measurement of Non-Metallic Pipes using Sonde s/ Plastic Pipe Tracer s/ Flexible Tracer (DXL3 only) NOTE The following instructions apply equally to all Sondes, Plastic Pipe Tracers and the Flexible Tracer in End Tracing Mode. 1. Pinpoint the exact position of the Sonde or Plastic Pipe Tracer / Flexible Tracer tip. Take care to ensure that you are not over one of the two ‘ghost’...
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CXL3 and DXL3 Locator Function Checks It is recommended the following checks are carried out regularly: Battery Condition Check the Locator battery condition by depressing the On/Off Switch beneath the handle. The display will show at least two solid segments if the batteries are OK. Ensure power on tone is heard. Power Mode Select Power Mode.
SGA3 Signal Generator Function Checks Battery Condition Turn the Signal Generator on. Good batteries will be indicated by a loud, clear audio tone. Bad batteries give an interrupted audio tone. Induced Mode This can only be checked in conjunction with a Locator as described on the previous page. If the unit does not meet the performance expected, repeat the test with another Locator to determine whether the Signal Generator is at fault.
Depth Measurement Locator Function Checks (DXL3 only) Depth Measurement An area clear of services and metal structures should be chosen (beware of reinforced concrete car parks). A search with the DXL3 in all modes will help confirm the absence of other services. An insulated cable or wire (not supplied) over 20metres (70’) is laid out on the ground and the far end connected to a ground stake and earthed.
General Symbols Warning - Refer to manual. Waste electrical products should not be disposed of with household waste. Please recycle where facilities exist. Check with your local authority or retailer for recycling advice. (In the UK visit www.recycle-more.co.uk ) Conforms to EC safety requirements. Tested to harmonised standards.
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CXL3 and DXL3 Locators Technical Specifications Controls On/Off Switch: Spring loaded trigger switch under handle Function Select Switch (Three position): P – Power Mode; R – Radio Mode; G - Generator Mode Sensitivity Control Depth Button: Push button for live display of depth - DXL3 only Audio Indication Removable and user replaceable loudspeaker module Visual Indication...
SGA3 Signal Generator Technical Specifications Controls All operation is by push button control as follows: On/ Off Power Level: 2 available power levels via High and Low Power buttons Pulse/Continuous Output: toggles between pulse or continuous output using one push button Audio/Mute: toggles between high or low level audio output using one push button Audio Indications Audio Feedback on button push...
Maintenance Handling C.Scope Locators and Signal Generators are rugged instruments designed for the rigours of every day use. However, to ensure that the specified accuracy is maintained, it is essential to treat the instruments with care by avoiding shocks, vibration and excesses of temperature. The construction of C.Scope Locators and Signal Generators incorporate weather proof seals, however, they are not guaranteed to prevent water ingress if the equipment...
Support Services : Trainin g/ Servicin g/ Repairs Training This Instruction Manual is comprehensive but cannot fully replace expert tuition. Excellent training is available directly from C.Scope and via authorised C.Scope agents, cost effectively, at your chosen location. C.Scope recommend operators are trained before using the equipment.
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