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Rycom PATHFINDER PLS Series User Manual

Precision locating system
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User Manual
Pathfinder Precision Locating System
Manual Part # 030-00113-00

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Summary of Contents for Rycom PATHFINDER PLS Series

  • Page 1 User Manual Pathfinder Precision Locating System Manual Part # 030-00113-00...
  • 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 feel free to contact RYCOM Instruments, Inc. to request permission for reproduction and use of this manual for training purposes.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    able of ontents eneral nformatIon Introduction ..........2 Disclaimer of Liability .

  • Page 4: Introduction

    Congratulations on the purchase of your new RYCOM PATHFINDER PLS Series Cable, Pipe & Fault Locator. The PATHFINDER 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: Compliance

    Modifications: Any modifications made to this equipment not approved by RYCOM Instruments, inc. may void the authority granted to the user by the FCC to operate this equipment.

  • Page 6: Prepare For Use

    By registering your unit online at http://www.rycominstruments.com/extended.html within one month (30 Days) of purchase RYCOM 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 7: Programming Frequencies

    & f hanging reset unCtions odes requenCies The PATHFINDER PLS 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 up to 3.42: With the unit on, press and hold depressed the P ) button for 5 seconds.

  • Page 8: Transmitter Controls And Indicators

    815 Hz & i ransmitter ontrols ndiCators LOADING 8 kHz I / O 82 kHz Frequency Output Signal Output Level Load Rate Signal Information Selector Indicator Indicators Selector Level Control 8878 815 Hz TX OUTPUT 8 kHz LOADING PLACE ARROWS ALONG CABLE PATH I / O 82 kHz FOR INDUCTIVE MODE...

  • Page 9: 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 10: 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. ON. Select 33kHz through 478 kHz. Place t Turn the T as close as ranSmItter on ItS SIDe...

  • Page 11: 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 12: Receiver Controls And Indicators

    pathfinder pls 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 operation mode DEPTH ANTENNA LOCATE MODE Displays selected antenna mode.

  • Page 13: 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 14: Locating The Cable Or Pipe

    oCating odes There is a variety of locating modes available in the PATHFINDER PLS 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.

  • Page 15: Null Locating Mode

    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 T ransmiTTer Press and release the GAIN buttons as needed to compensate for changes in level (higher or lower).

  • Page 16: 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 17: Passive 50/60 Hz Locating

    50/60 h assive oCating The PATHFINDER PLS r is capable of locating power utility frequencies. This MODE is useful eceiver 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 18: Push Button Depth

    utton epth The only way to be sure of the depth of a utility is to exposes the utility. At any given time, the depth readout may be inaccurate. The PATHFINDER PLS Receiver can perform digital depth measurement. The depth is dis- played at the top of the LCD display in centimeters or feet and inches.

  • Page 19: Depth Measurement 45 Degree 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. Mark the path on the eceiver ground as precisely as possible using the Null Method.

  • Page 20: Tilted Magnetic Field Identification

    keWed 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 21 oCating a onde or amera Before you begin, you must choose a s that will match the same frequency onde or amera as the r . You will need a s with a frequency of 512Hz, 640Hz, 815Hz, 8kHZ or 33kHz to eceiver onde PATHFINDER PLS...

  • Page 22: 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 23 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 24: Staff Fault Finder Controls

    (fault) where the signal goes to ground through a break in the insulation. RYCOM offers two styles of GRPs. One option is the A-Frame accessory that connects to the receiver via the accessory port, or a stand-alone devices, the STAFF, is capable of operating without needing to be tethered to the reciver.
  • Page 25 grp f a-frame staff ault oCating With 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 26: Fault Locating

    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 27 aults eneath aved urfaCes A potential problem if a fault 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 28: Pathfinder Pls Transmitter Specifications

    pathfinder pls p athfinder 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 10 Watts (High) 250 Milliwatts (Low) 12 - “D”...

  • Page 29: Pathfinder Pls Receiver Specifications

    pathfinder pls p athfinder 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”...

  • Page 30: Factory Service

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

  • Page 31: Parts List

    1.816.353.2100 www.rycominstruments.com...

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