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Summary of Contents for SubSurface Instruments PL-VF Series
- Page 1 SERIES SERIES Pipe & Cable Locator - Variable Frequency Series User Manual Instructions, Functions and Warranty Information...
- Page 2 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.
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
able of ontents eneral nformatIon Table of Contents ..........03 Passive Radio Frequency Locating ....... 16 Introduction ............04 Passive Rectifier CP Locating ....... 16 Disclaimer of Liability ......... 04 Push Button Depth ..........17 Important Notices ..........04 Depth Measurement 45º Angle Method ....18 Prepare for Use .......... -
Page 4: 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. -
Page 5: Prepare For Use
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). -
Page 6: Programming Frequencies
& f hanging reset unCtions odes requenCies 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. eCeiver To select the programming options for software versIons and Greater •... -
Page 7: Transmitter Controls And Indicators
& i ransmitter ontrols ndiCators Frequency Relative Resistance, Signal Indicators Output Signal Indicator Indicator Voltage, Current Battery Condition Indicator Tx Output Jack Frequency Selector Power On & Off & SERIES Output Signal Level Control TX OUTPUT JACK The Red/Black Cord, Coupler and f connects here to create a circuit on the buried utility. -
Page 8: Direct Connect
ireCt onneCtion 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. -
Page 9: Inductive Connection
nduCtive onneCtion 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 t on. -
Page 10: Selecting The Tracing Signal
eleCting the raCing ignal The choice of frequency is dependent on the conditions of the locate. It is generally accepted that lower frequencies provide a more accurate locate. Therefore it is generally advised to use the lowest frequency that effectively conducts on the target line. Lower frequencies are less likely to bleed onto adjacent non-target lines, but low frequencies are less effective at locating higher-resistant conductors. -
Page 11: Receiver Controls & Indicators
pl-vf r & i eCeiver ontrol ndiCators Absolute Signal Strength Left Right Guidance Displays direction to null point of e.m. field. Relative Signal Strength Gain Level Indicator Bar Graph Operation Mode Displays selected operation Depth mode Battery Life Displays receiver's Antenna Locate Mode battery life. -
Page 12: Pathlink Controls
ontrols The optional P feature enables the user to remotely control the transmitter with the receiver. The frequency and power output of the transmitted signal can be controlled up to 800 meters (874 yards). If your unit does not have the PathLink module, the program will not allow the menu to select the option Turning On and Off PathLink To turn on the remote control feature, P , start with the unit on. -
Page 13: Selecting The Locating Mode
oCating odes There is a variety of locating modes available in the PL-VF unit. PEAK, PINPOINT PEAK, NULL LEFT/ RIGHT GUIDANCE, SONDE, DFF & ACC. To toggle through PEAK, PINPOINT PEAK & NULL simple press the mode button. To toggle to SONDE mode hold the MODE button for 5 seconds and release. DFF and ACC modes are only selectable when an appropriate accessory is plugged into the accessory port in the handle of the receiver. -
Page 14: Peak Locating Mode
Trace the path by walking away from the t at a moderate pace. Move the r to the ransmItter eceIver left and right while walking, following the Peak indications. As you trace the path, the Peak meter reading may slowly fade as you move away from the . -
Page 15: Left/Right Auto-Gain Mode
ight ireCtional oCating In this mode the unit will display directional arrows to the conductor. The audio indicator will provide a solid tone on one side of the conductor and a pulsed tone on the opposite side of the conductor. When the unit is centered in the electromagnetic field the tone will null and the depth will briefly display at the top of the LCD. -
Page 16: Passive 50/60 Hz Locating
50/60 h assive oCating is capable of locating power utility frequencies. This mode is useful for locating underground primary and secondary power utilities. In certain circumstances, this mode will also locate water pipes, sewer lines, cable television, and telephone. The reason is that common electrical grounds are sometimes found among these various utilities. -
Page 17: Push Button Depth
utton epth The only way to be sure of the depth of a utility is to expose the utility. At any given time, the depth readout may be inaccurate. The Pl-vf r can perform digital depth measurement. The depth is displayed at eceIver the top of the LCD display in centimeters or feet and inches. -
Page 18: Depth Measurement 45º Angle Method
45º a epth easurement ngle ethod Move to the location you want to measure depth. Stay at least 15 feet away from the t ransmItter Move the r left to right across the path until the cable is located. eceIver 1. -
Page 19: Current Measurement
urrent easurement The PL-VF Receiver contains a feature that is very useful in identifying a desired cable in a field of various conductors and/or utilities. It is not unusual for the target conductor (the conductor connected to the Transmitter) to induce a signal into nearby conductors in a crowded field. In these instances, the radiated signal on the conductors close to the surface of the earth, may be stronger than the Transmitter signal on the target conductor buried deep in the ground. -
Page 20: Locating A Sonde Or Camera Head
oCating a onde or amera Before you begin, you must choose a Sonde or Camera Head that will match the same frequency as the Receiver. You will need a Sonde with a frequency of 512Hz, 640Hz, 815Hz or 33kHz to use with the PL-VF Locator Receiver. -
Page 21: Locating A Sonde
oCating a onde Hold the r , as shown below. The r antenna directly above and in line with the s eceIver onde eceIver sensitivity needs to be adjusted for a meter reading indication between 60% to 80%. is shown below. The PEAK signal is when the r The radiation pattern of the s is held onde... -
Page 22: Sonde Or Camera Head Depth Measurement
epth easurement of amera ead or onde Once the Line has been located, the depth can then be found. Refer to the figure below for a reference. Start by moving the r along the path behind the Sonde with the antenna in line with the Sonde eceIver and find a NULL between the PEAK ghost signals. -
Page 23: Staff Fault Finder Controls & Indicators
staff r & i eCeiver ontrols ndiCators Signal Strength Displays absolute signal strength from 0 to 99. Directional Arrow Indicates direction of fault. Low Battery Indicator ON/OFF Button Reference Stores and displays starting signal strength when pressed Button ON/OFF Turns the unit on and off. Button REFERENCE When pressed it stores the signal strength and sets the reference mode. - Page 24 a-frame staff ault oCating With the Fault locating determines the position of an insulated break on an underground conductor. Some signal will return to the Transmitter via the Ground Rod through a break in the insulation. It is generally a good idea to locate the conductor path before attempting to fault locate. If, during the path locate, an unusual amount of signal loss occurs, a part of the signal has escaped to ground in the last several feet.
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Page 25: Fault Locating With A Frame Or Staff
a-frame staff ault oCating With the • Locate path of faulted conductor • Remove power from faulted conductor & disconnect loads and ground from both ends of target conductor and neighboring conductors • With transmitter off connect red lead to the faulted conductor and black lead to independent ground rod placed behind and in line with the conductor path. -
Page 26: Fault Beneath Paved Surface
aults eneath aved urfaCes A potential problem could exist if a fault should lie beneath a paved surface. In this case, the Ground Return Probe or staff will be used in the dirt at the side of the paved area. Since the return current in the soil begins its return from the fault - like the spokes of a wheel laying on the ground - equal amounts of current will enter the GRP if it is placed on the ground and positioned broadside to the fault. -
Page 27: Pl-Vf Transmitter & Receiver Specifications
pl-vf s peCifiCations ransmitter Operating Frequency 200Hz - 480kHz Operating Temperature -4°F to 133º (-20ºC to +55ºC) Direct Connection Hook-up Method Inductive Coupling (with optional coupler) Transmitter Induction Load Matching Automatic from 5 Ω to 20,000 Ω Output Power 3 Watts (High) 250 Milliwatts (Low) Battery Types 8 - “C”... -
Page 28: Factory Service
The SubSurface Instruments, Inc. Model PL-VF was designed for dependable operation without periodic adjustment and/or calibration. If, however, your PL-VF is not working properly, return it to the factory for repair. A RMA (Return Material Authorization) is not required, but there is some necessary information needed to ensure your unit is repaired and returned properly.
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