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Fisher Research Labs TW-9000 Operator's Manual

Multi-frequency underground utility locator
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Multi-Frequency
Underground Utility Locator
High Capacity
Rechargeable
Battery System
OPERATOR'S MANUAL

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Summary of Contents for Fisher Research Labs TW-9000

  • Page 1 Multi-Frequency Underground Utility Locator High Capacity Rechargeable Battery System OPERATOR’S MANUAL...
  • Page 2 Do not rely on depth measurement for excavation. Operator skill and utility characteristics impact depth measurement accuracy. CAUTION: Use only the battery charging equipment provided by Fisher Research Labs. The use of alternative chargers could pose a safety hazard and shorten the battery’s lifespan. CAUTION: For highest accuracy, avoid taking depth measurements near bends or connections in the line.
  • Page 3 TW9000 AVERTISSEMENTS DE SÉCURITÉ AVERTISSEMENT! CET ÉQUIPEMENT EST DESTINÉ À ÊTRE UTILISÉ UNIQUEMENT PAR DU PERSONNEL FORMÉ PROFESSIONNELLEMENT ET PLEINEMENT QUALIFIÉ. AVERTISSEMENT! Lisez ce manuel de l’opérateur avant d’utiliser cet équipement. Le fait de ne pas tenir compte des avertissements de sécurité ou d’opérer AVERTISSEMENT! autrement que de la manière spécifiée peut entraîner des blessures graves ou des pertes de vie.
  • Page 4 TW9000 TRANSMITTER SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 1 Before applying any energy to the utility, the Operator must inform all other personnel working on the same utility. Also, if any persons could possibly come into contact with the energized utility, advise these people of the energized utility’s potential shock hazard and to avoid all contact with the utility.
  • Page 5 TW9000 CONTENTS Safety Warnings ..... . . 2-4 Introduction ......6 Product Overview .
  • Page 6 Fisher produced the first patented ground-penetrating metal detector in 1931. For over 90 years, the Fisher logo has been the mark of ground- penetrating excellence. Questions? please contact us at: Fisher Research Labs 1120 Alza Drive, El Paso, Texas 79907 Tel: 1-800-685-5050 | Fax: 915-225-0336 info@fisherlab.com | www.fisherlab.com Caution: Both Transmitter and Receiver must be set to your local power line frequency, 50Hz or 60Hz.
  • Page 7 TW9000 PRODUCT OVERVIEW The TW9000 underground utility locating system includes the following standard components: • Transmitter. Energizes buried utilities using operator-selectable connection methods. • Receiver. Detects active and passive magnetic fields emitted from energized buried utilities. Conductive Connection Kit. Cables and Ground Rod for conductive •...
  • Page 8 TW9000 STANDARD SYSTEM COMPONENTS Figure 4.
  • Page 9 TW9000 TRANSMITTER OVERVIEW The TW9000 Transmitter is a powerful state-of-the-art multi-frequency signal generator designed to efficiently energize buried utilities from an above-ground location. It provides three means of connecting to a utility: • Direct Connection. The preferred method of connection, capable of transferring the most power to the utility.
  • Page 10 TW9000 RECEIVER OVERVIEW The TW9000 Receiver detects active and passive magnetic fields emitted from buried utilities and sub-surface transmitters (sondes). Select from six operating modes, each configured to respond to the magnetic field characteristics inherent in different locating scenarios. Operating modes include: Peak &...
  • Page 11 TW9000 Transmitter TRANSMITTER - CONTROLS AND OPERATION Press to turn ON. Power Press-and-hold to turn OFF. REMINDER: New battery is shipped in sleep-mode. Wake up in charger before first use. Program Operating Parameters 1st Press: Auto-Power-Down timer to set the timer, in minutes. When the Auto-Power-Down timer is set to , the Transmitter will automatically turn off after the specified number of minutes have passed with no key-press activity.
  • Page 12 TW9000 Transmitter TRANSMITTER - CONTROLS AND OPERATION Measure For Direct Connection mode only 1st Press: Battery status and output level control. Displays the time remaining before recharging is required, in both hour/minutes and percent capacity remaining. 6:25 Example: bat min The values displayed apply to the frequency indicated at the top of the display.
  • Page 13 TW9000 Transmitter TRANSMITTER - CONTROLS AND OPERATION Volume Set the speaker volume from silent ( ) to high ( The volume control applies to the high voltage warning signal and key- press volume. Key-press volume cannot be silenced. Frequency Selection 5 12 Select operating frequency: kHz.
  • Page 14 TW9000 Transmitter TRANSMITTER DISPLAY DIRECT CONNECTION mode WHEN OPERATING IN Direct Connection Mode engaged Auto Power-Down Operating Battery Timer-On Frequency State of Charge Speaker Volume OPENING VOLTAGE THROUGH & POWER Limit reached (W) Watts or Operator (V) Volts chooses the preferred Operator-selected display using Desired Output...
  • Page 15 TW9000 Transmitter TRANSMITTER DISPLAY INDUCTIVE mode ( WHEN OPERATING IN Inductive Using internal antenna; Mode Indicator no accessory connected Overload Indicator Detailed Battery Status COUPLING CLAMP mode ( WHEN OPERATING IN Coupling Clamp when Coupling Mode indicator Clamp connected Coupling Clamp is open;...
  • Page 16 TW9000 Transmitter TRANSMITTER Display Icons Icon Description High Voltage Warning. Indicates the presence of hazardous voltage at the transmitter terminals. The hazard can result from the connection to an unintentionally energized utility or from the Transmitter output. Auto Power Down. Illuminates when Auto Power Down function is on.
  • Page 17 TW9000 Transmitter TRANSMITTER Display Icons Icon Description Frequency. Displays the selected transmit frequency. Output Measurements. Displays the output measurements selected by the operator using the key. The measurement readings are displayed in (V)volts & (W)watts or (kΩ)kohms & (mA)milliamperes. These measurement readings are displayed when the Transmitter is in the Direct Connection mode only.
  • Page 18 TW9000 Receiver RECEIVER START-UP & PROGRAMMING • Press to turn ON (or press-and-hold). Power • Tap to toggle backlight ON or OFF. • Press-and-hold to turn OFF. Program Features and Power Line Frequency While you press-and-hold , tap Auto-Power-Down Battery conservation feature •...
  • Page 19 TW9000 Receiver RECEIVER OPERATION - GET READY 1. After the Transmitter is connected and energized, turn on the Receiver to set up and prepare to deploy. 2. Pick the transmit source: A. TW9000 Transmitter until appears. When appears, subsequent taps on will toggle through four locating modes: Peak &...
  • Page 20 TW9000 Receiver DEPLOY THE RECEIVER Trace the Utility in DIRECT CONNECTION or INDUCTIVE Mode 1. Select Frequency and mode 2. In Inductive Mode, stand 30 feet (9 meters) away from the activated Transmitter. 3. Hold the Receiver with the flat side of the blade facing the Transmitter. 4.
  • Page 21 TW9000 Receiver RECEIVER Display and Operation (continued) Signal Bar (using mode) The empty segments represent the location of the utility in relation to the operator’s position. When using Peak & Null mode, the signal bar is a left /right indicator presented as an angle-of-approach.
  • Page 22 TW9000 Receiver RECEIVER Display and Operation (continued) GAIN is continuously displayed when using Using , the operator must manage GAIN when the signal strength is very low or very high (indicating far-left or far-right of scale). When the signal strength is near center-of-scale, presses of cause SMALL GAIN ADJUSTMENTS to emphasize small changes in signal strength when moving the Receiver side-to-side.
  • Page 23 TW9000 Receiver RECEIVER Display and Operation (continued) When using Peak & Null and standing over the utility, the CURRENT is continually displayed, in milliamperes (mA), when a signal is detected. As the operator moves farther away from the Transmitter, the CURRENT degrades. The utility’s depth is displayed at bottom-right when the •...
  • Page 24 TW9000 Receiver RECEIVER Display and Operation (continued) To use the PASSIVE POWER mode: 1. Tap until the icon illuminates. 2. Tap to toggle through and select the power source. See page 19 for summary of selections. 3. Press to select Frequency. Refer to page 19 for available frequencies: Power Line Cathodic Protection...
  • Page 25 TW9000 Receiver RECEIVER Display and Operation (continued) Using PASSIVE POWER mode (continued) 5. Use audio and display feedback to locate utility. AUDIO • Volume increases as the Receiver approaches the utility. • Volume decreases as the Receiver moves away from the utility. SIGNAL STRENGTH.
  • Page 26 TW9000 Receiver RECEIVER Display and Operation (continued) To use the SONDE mode: 1. Tap until the icon appears. 2. Tap to select the operating frequency of the Sonde. 3. Power on the Sonde. 4. Verify that the Receiver detects the Sonde’s signal. 5.
  • Page 27 TW9000 Receiver RECEIVER Keypad Controls Description Power/Backlight Key. A long key-press turns the unit on or off. A short key-press turns the backlight on or off. Frequency Key. Sets the operating frequency to 512 Hz, 8 kHz, 33 kHz or 82 kHz. Cycles through each frequency with successive key-presses.
  • Page 28 TW9000 Receiver RECEIVER Display Icons (continued) Icon Description Peak & Null mode indicator. • Automatic mode. • Easiest to use. Wide Peak mode indicator. • For hard to detect utilities. • Wide area; high sensitivity. Narrow Peak mode indicator. • For congested utilities. •...
  • Page 29 TW9000 Receiver RECEIVER Display Icons (continued) Icon Description Signal Bars: Graphically indicates the strength of the detected utility’s signal by the number of bars displayed. A “push bar” feature is included that briefly holds the previously displayed peak bar for reference. Frequency Setting: Displays the selected operating frequency.
  • Page 30 TW9000 UTILITY LOCATING BASICS METHOD OF DETECTION The TW9000 employs the electromagnetic method of underground utility detection. With this detection method, a power source causes AC electrical currents to flow through the circuit paths formed by a buried conductive utility line or tracer wire and the return paths of the surrounding soil.
  • Page 31 TW9000 Utility Locating Basics CIRCUIT PATH CHARACTERISTICS The electrical characteristics of the circuit formed by the transmitting power source, utility and ground-return have a direct impact on the quality of the signal the operator uses to trace the utility. The operator who is aware of the environmental factors influencing the underground magnetic fields can optimize locating results by selecting the most appropriate modes and frequencies, and controlling the amount of current applied.
  • Page 32 TW9000 Utility Locating Basics MAGNETIC FIELD SHAPES AND DISTORTION Under ideal conditions, an energized buried utility generates a concentric magnetic field around itself. See Figure 8 below. Due to the simple geometry of this concentric field, the utility locating system can very precisely communicate the location, direction and depth of the buried utility.
  • Page 33 TW9000 Utility Locating Basics Some causes of a distorted magnetic field include: • Crooked and multiple circuit paths • Interference from signals coupled into nearby utilities or large metallic objects • Ground returns When tracing any utility, best practice is to compare the “Peak” and “Null” signals. When the “Peak”...
  • Page 34 TW9000 Utility Locating Overview USING THE TRANSMITTER For active tracing, the TW9000 Transmitter must be safely and properly connected to a non-energized target utility. Then, the optimal frequency and power output settings must be selected. There are three methods of utility connection: •...
  • Page 35 TW9000 Using the Transmitter Direct Connection mode (continued) WARNING Never connect directly to live conductors. This equipment for use by professionally trained and fully qualified personnel only. To Operate with Direct Connection: STEP 1. Verify that the line you are connecting to is not energized. STEP 2.
  • Page 36 TW9000 Using the Transmitter COUPLING CLAMP mode In some cases, a direct bare-metal connection to a utility may be unavailable, or it may be necessary to isolate the power transferred to a single line among a close grouping of lines. In these situations, a Coupling Clamp can be used to transfer power inductively from the Transmitter to the utility, without direct connection.
  • Page 37 TW9000 Using the Transmitter WARNING! Do not clamp around live (energized) UNINSULATED conductors. Note: While Transmitter output level settings are displayed graphically on the LCD, output measurement readings using are unavailable in the Coupling Clamp mode. To use the Coupling Clamp connection: STEP 1.
  • Page 38 TW9000 Using the Transmitter INDUCTIVE mode In some cases, there will be no direct connection or clamping locations on a utility. In these situations, the TW9000 Transmitter provides an Inductive mode to transfer power to the utility without making direct contact. Inductive mode is the default mode of connection when nothing is plugged into the Transmitter’s accessory jack.
  • Page 39 TW9000 Using the Transmitter Inductive Mode operation (continued) STEP 3. Place the Transmitter over the assumed location of the utility and align it so that the Utility Direction Arrow on the Transmitter handle is pointing in the direction of the utility. Utility Direction Arrow Figure 13.
  • Page 40 TW9000 Improving Inductive Coupling (continued) Figure 14. Improving Inductive Coupling USING THE RECEIVER The TW9000 Receiver has a variety of operating modes and adjustable settings to help you optimize performance across environmental conditions and locating scenarios. For best results, familiarize yourself with each mode of operation. RECEIVER Operating Modes Each press of cycles through each of the six operating modes.
  • Page 41 TW9000 Using the Receiver RECEIVER Operating Modes (continued) AUDIO FEEDBACK IN PEAK & NULL MODE CONSTANT LOW CONSTANT LOW PITCH BEYOND 45° PITCH BEYOND 45° Figure 15. Pitch Triangulation During utility tracing, the LCD displays a signal strength reading with corresponding bar graph indication.
  • Page 42 TW9000 Using the Receiver RECEIVER operating modes (continued) Narrow Peak mode Narrow Peak mode is useful when tracing in areas congested with other utilities. Although less sensitive than the Wide Peak mode, it is better at distinguishing among multiple target utilities and nearby interfering objects. The Narrow Peak mode is similar to Wide Peak mode, differing only in its use of a differential sensor configuration.
  • Page 43 TW9000 Using the Receiver RECEIVER operating modes (continued) Wide Peak Figure 16. Peak and Null Modes Sonde mode The Sonde mode operates in conjunction with an auxiliary Sonde probe that is inserted into the utility line. Sondes are typically mounted to inspection cameras or other feeding devices to trace pipes and sewers, and locate blockages.
  • Page 44 TW9000 Using the Receiver RECEIVER operating modes (continued) Sonde mode Operation (continued) STEP 6. Properly align the Receiver to the direction of the Sonde. See Figure 17 on page 45. 6a. Lower the Receiver’s sensing blade to the ground and position it with the wide section of the blade parallel to the pipe (handle perpendicular to pipe).
  • Page 45 TW9000 Using the Receiver RECEIVER operating modes (continued) Figure 17. Optimal Sonde/Receiver Alignment Figure 18. Sonde Signal Strength Response...
  • Page 46 TW9000 Using the Receiver RECEIVER operating modes (continued) Passive Power Mode WARNING! Use extreme caution when working near powerline utilities. The Passive Power mode is used to trace buried utilities that are energized by AC power currents, not by the TW9000 Transmitter. The Receiver detects the magnetic fields generated by these power currents at their fundamental powerline frequency and associated harmonics.
  • Page 47 TW9000 Battery Management REPLACING THE RECEIVER BATTERIES The TW9000 Receiver is powered by the rechargeable battery provided, or as a back-up, by two D-cell alkaline batteries. Insert D-cell batteries with positive terminals facing outward Rechargeable Battery and Adaptor Rechargeable battery doubles operation time Figure 19.
  • Page 48 TW9000 Battery Management RECEIVER RECHARGEABLE BATTERY KIT The standard 26650 Lithium-Ion battery provides more than double the operating time of two D-cell alkaline batteries. (D-cell battery capability is available as a backup.) The Receiver Rechargeable Battery Kit includes: One 26650 Lithium-Ion Battery. Battery Holder/Adaptor (this holds the 26650 battery for insertion into the Receiver).
  • Page 49 TW9000 Battery Management RECHARGING THE RECEIVER BATTERY STEP 1. Remove the discharged battery from the tube-shaped Battery Holder/Adaptor......STEP 2. Attach the USB cable to the AC Power Adaptor (or other user- provided power adaptor) and connect to the Charger. STEP 3.
  • Page 50 TW9000 Battery Management REPLACING THE TRANSMITTER BATTERY The TW9000 Transmitter is powered by a rechargeable 14.4 volt Lithium-Ion battery located in a sealed compartment. Pull on battery tab to remove battery from compartment Door Release Knob Figure 21. Transmitter Battery Replacement STEP 1.
  • Page 51 TW9000 Battery Management RECHARGING THE TRANSMITTER BATTERY The Transmitter battery fits into a cradle for charging, as illustrated below. The Lithium-Ion battery must be charged before its first use. For additional safety and maintenance information, refer to the instructions provided with the charger. AC-Cable with Wall Plug Lithium-Ion Battery Cradle...
  • Page 52 TW9000 Battery Management RECHARGING THE TRANSMITTER BATTERY (continued) LED Indication Description One-time Red/Orange/Green Light The self-test is complete. The charger is ready for use. Red/Green Blinking The battery is not recognized. If the battery is extremely discharged, it will reactivate and start charging within 15 minutes.
  • Page 53 TW9000 U.S.A. INDUSTRY LINKS Nulca www.NULCA.org Underground Utility Locating Professionals Formerly known as the National Utility Locating Contractors Association, now “Nulca – representing utility locating professionals”. Nulca was formed in 1994 by several contract locating companies to advance utility locating throughout North America.
  • Page 54 TW9000 Item Description Specification 2 Mechanical 2.1 Receiver Weight 3.8 lbs. 2.2 Transmitter Weight 5.6 lbs. 3 Power Supply 3.1 Transmitter Battery Pack, Li-Ion Battery Pack, 4S2P, 14.4V ,99Wh, Rechargeable 6.9Ah 3.2 Transmitter Max Input Power 17 Watts at 14.4V 3.3 Receiver Battery, 26650 Battery Protected 5500mAh Li-ion Rechargeable...
  • Page 55 TW9000 Item Description Specification 6 Transmitter Operating Modes 6.1 Direct Connection The direct connection accessory red lead is connected to the utility and the black lead is connected to a ground rod inserted into the ground. 6.2 Coupling Clamp Connection The Coupling Clamp accessory is clamped around the pipe or cable.
  • Page 56 TW9000 LIMITED TWO-YEAR WARRANTY Fisher Research Labs warrants this instrument to be free of manufacturing defects for a period of two years after the date of purchase. This warranty gives you specific legal rights; you may also have other rights, as determined by your state or country. The manufacturer may elect to either repair or replace an instrument returned during the warranty period.