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Rycom SnapTrack User Manual

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User Manual for Version v5.7
Manual Part # 030-00113-00 Rev C

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  • Page 1 User Manual for Version v5.7 Manual Part # 030-00113-00 Rev C...
  • Page 2 No part of this manual may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted, without the prior written consent of the RYCOM Instruments, Inc. Please contact RYCOM Instruments, Inc. to request permission for reproduction and use of this manual for training purposes.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    SnapTRACK Transmitter Specifications ......28 SnapTRACK Receiver Specifications ......29 Factory Service.

  • Page 4: Introduction

    Congratulations on the purchase of your new RYCOM SnapTRACK Series Cable, Pipe & Fault Locator. The SnapTRACK 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

    Unpack your new SnapTRACK 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 r and on the bottom of the eceiver .
  • Page 6 The SnapTRACK 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 5.7 and greater: With the unit on, press and hold the P •...

  • Page 7: Transmitter Controls And Indicators

    & i ransmitter ontrols ndiCators Frequency Output Signal Level Indicator Indicator Output Method Relative Resistance, Indicator Voltage, Current Battery Condition Indicator Tx Output Jack Frequency Selector Power On & Off & Output Signal Level Control TX OUTPUT JACK The r , 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: Blind Search

    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 traCK r & i eCeiver ontrols ndiCators ABSOLUTE SIGNAL STRENGTH Left Right Guidance Displays direction to null point of e.m. field. RELATIVE SIGNAL GAIN LEVEL INDICATOR STRENGTH BAR GRAPH OPERATION MODE Displays selected DEPTH operation 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 on.
  • Page 13 There is a variety of locating modes available in the SnapTRACK unit. PEAK, PINPOINT PEAK, NULL LEFT/RIGHT GUIDANCE, SONDE, DFF & ACC. To toggle through PEAK, PINPOINT PEAK & NULL sim- ple press the mode button. To toggle to SONDE mode hold the MODE button for 5 seconds and release.
  • Page 14 Trace the path by walking away from the T at a moderate pace. Move the r ransmiTTer eceiver the 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 Peak and Null modes, thus quickly identifying the match or discrepancy between the Peak and the Null reading. bsolute ignal trength The SnapTRACK r provides the operator with a direct measurement of the r ’ signal eceiver eceiver strength.

  • Page 16: Passive 50/60 Hz Locating

    The SnapTRACK RECEIVER is capable of locating the rectified signal of Cathodically Protected utilities at 120Hz and 100Hz. This method is useful because of its speed and convenience. Start at a known ref- erence point and keep in mind that other conductors in the area may produce this same locating signal.
  • Page 17 At any given time, the depth readout may be inaccurate. The SnapTRACK Receiver can perform digital depth measurement. The depth is displayed at the top of the LCD display in centimeters or feet and inches. Push button depth is useful in quickly estimating the depth of the conductor during path locating.

  • Page 18: Current Measurement

    The ransmiTTer operator will find two or more paths and must determine which is the target conductor. By using the current measurement feature of the SnapTRACK r , the operator can determine the eceiver amount of 815 Hz, 8 kHz, 33kHz or 82 kHz current flowing on the conductors, regardless of the depth.

  • Page 19: Tilted Magnetic Field Identification

    ilted agnetiC ield dentifiCation When adjacent cables or pipes are present, they will sometimes create locating errors. Some of the Transmitter signal is picked up by the adjacent conductors and is redirected so that it combines with the original signal. The result is a Tilted Magnetic Field. This is often the reason that numeric depth readouts are sometimes created in error.
  • Page 20 . You will need a s with a frequency of 512Hz, 640Hz, 815Hz or 33kHz to use eceiver onde SnapTRACK with the Locator Receiver. To select SONDE locating mode press and hold the MODE key for 5 seconds. When released the SONDE ICON will be displayed on the LCD.

  • Page 21: Locating A Sonde

    oCating a onde Hold the r antenna directly above and in line with the s , as shown below. The r eceiver onde eceiver sensitivity needs to be adjusted for a meter reading indication between 60% to 80%. The radiation pattern of the s is shown below.
  • Page 22 epth easurement of amera ead or onde Once the l 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 s with the antenna in line eceiver onde with the s...
  • Page 23 (fault) where the signal goes to ground through a break in the insulation. The SnapTRACK transmitter can operate with RYCOM's STAFF, a directional GRP locating system. A stand-alone devices, the STAFF, is capable of operating without needing to be tethered to the receiver.

  • Page 24: Fault Locating

    staff ault oCating With the Locate the conductor path before attempting to fault locate. If, during the path locate, an unusual amount of signal loss occurs, this may indicate signal loss to ground within the immedi- ate area. Lower frequencies will show a greater signal loss at a fault, but higher frequencies may be needed to locate if the resistance is too high.
  • Page 25 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 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 traCK s peCifiCations ransmitter Operating Frequency 200Hz - 480kHz -4°F to 133º (-20ºC to +55ºC) Operating Temperature Direct Connection Hook-up Method Inductive Coupling (with optional coupler) Transmitter Induction Load Matching automatic from 5 to 20,000 Ω Ω Output Power 3 Watts (High) 250 Milliwatts (Low) 8 - “C”...
  • Page 28 traCK s peCifiCations eCeiver Operating Frequency 200Hz - 480kHz • 50Hz 60Hz • RF Antenna Mode Null (vertical coil) • Peak (horizontal coil) Audio Indication Variable pitch audio Operating Temperature -4°F to 133º (-20ºC to +55ºC) Battery Type 6 - “C” Duracell alkaline batteries Battery Life Continuous 40 hours...

  • Page 29: Factory Service

    The Rycom Model SnapTRACK was designed for dependable operation without periodic adjustment and/or calibration. If, however, your SnapTRACK 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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