SERIES Pipe & Cable Locator - Track Tracer Series User Manual Instructions, Functions and Warranty Information
Copyright Copyright © 2018 SubSurface Instruments, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. (920) 347.1788 www.ssilocators.
Table of Contents General Information Table of Contents................................................ 03 Gain Change Indicator........................................ 11 Introduction........................................................ 04 Low Battery........................................................ 11 Disclaimer of Liability.......................................... 04 Locating the Cable or Pipe.................................. 12 Important Notices........................................
Introduction Congratulations on the purchase of your new PL-TT Locator. The PL-TT Locator is specially designed to detect buried utilities. This device may detect buried power cables, CATV cables, gas and water pipes, sewer lines, telephone cables, fiber optic cables with sheath, sondes, inspection camera transmitters. The basic principle of the locator's operation is as follows: The Transmitter emits a signal, the Receiver detects the signal.
Prepare for Use Unpack your new PL-TT Cable & Pipe Locator . Make sure there is no shipping damage and all the parts are included. Locate the battery compartment on the top of the Receiver. Open the compartment by unscrewing the gray cap. Install the six Duracell® “AA” batteries as marked. Reattach the battery cap making sure not to over tighten it. Locate the battery compartment on the bottom of the Transmitter. Open the compartment using a Phillips screwdriver.
Changing Preset Functions, Modes & Frequencies Note: This setup procedure is not required unless the user desires to change factory settings. The PL-TT operating programs and frequency sets are user programmable and can be changed at anytime through a quick selection process. Receiver To select the programming options for the Receiver: • Press and hold depressed the Power On Button. • Pressing the FREQUENCY Button will toggle through available frequencies. Passive 512Hz, 8kHz, 33kHz, 82kHz.
PL-VF3 Transmitter Controls & Indicators Relative Resistance, Voltage, Current Frequency Indicator Output Signal Indicator Signal Indicators Battery Condition Indicator Inactive Port DFF DFF F.1 F.1 F.2 F.2 CAUTION kHz kHz mA mA vv kM kM Lethal Voltages May Be Present Frequency Selector Tx Output Jack SERIES Power On & Off & Output Signal Level Control TX OUTPUT JACK The Red/Black Cord and Hard Coupler connects here to create a circuit on the buried utility.
Direct Connection 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. The far end of the utility must be grounded. Connect the Red Test Cord to an existing ground point or an exposed metallic section of the utility.
Inductive Connection 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 Transmitter ON. This method of signal application only works on frequencies from 33kHz through 478 kHz. Place Transmitter on its side as close as possible to the path of the cable or pipe.
PL-TT Receiver Control & Indicators Absolute Signal Strength Polarity Relative Signal Strength Bar Graph (Single bar shows Gain Setting) Displays Selected Frequency Low Battery Icon On / Off Button Displays Operation Mode selected operation and/or selected frequency available Mode Button (Hold for Depth) Frequency Button Adjust Gain Up or Down ON/OFF Button The unit will load settings from previous usage.
Absolute Signal Strength The PL-TT Locator Receiver provides the operator with a direct measurement of the Receiver's signal strength. The measurement is displayed with two numerical digits located at the top of the LCD display. The measurement ranges from 0 (weak) to 99 (strong) signal strength. Absolute Signal Strength is independent of the GAIN setting or meter reading. It gives the operator information about the actual amount of signal being radiated from the conductor and received by the Receiver.
Locating the Cable of Pipe Make sure the Transmitter is connected and in the ON position. Then move approximately 15 feet (4.5 meters) away from the Transmitter along the path. (Move about 25 feet (7.5 meters) for the Inductive search mode.) Hold the Receiver so that you can easily see the LCD bar graph and the control panel. Make sure the Receiver and the Transmitter Frequencies are both set for the same Frequency, 8kHz, 33kHz or 82kHz.
Depth Measurement 45º Angle Method Move to the location you want to measure depth. Stay at least 15 feet away from the Transmitter. Move the Receiver left to right across the path until the cable is located. 1. Mark the path on the ground as precisely as possible using the Null method. 2. Place the Receiver on the ground with the LCD meter facing up. Position the unit so that the sight lines on the lower tube are straight up and down orienting the unit at a 45º angle. 3.
Locating a Sonde or Camera Head 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 to use with the PL-TT Locator Receiver. To select SONDE locating mode press the MODE key until the SONDE ICON is displayed on the LCD. Once in SONDE mode press the FREQUENCY button to select the available SONDE frequency (512Hz). The key to Sonde locating success is practice and patience.
Locating a Sonde Hold the Receiver antenna directly above and in line with the Sonde, as shown below. The Receiver sensitivity needs to be adjusted for a meter reading indication between 60% to 80%. The radiation pattern of the Sonde is shown below. The PEAK signal is when the Receiver is held directly over the Sonde with the antenna in line with the Sonde. Both Ghost signals can be located behind and in front of the Sonde. By locating the ghost signals, the user is confirming the accuracy of the locate.
Ferrous Metal Detection The PL-TT offers a ferrous metal detection capability. To select this mode press the Mode key until the Fe is shown on the LCD. The gain controls will adjust the sensitivity. This mode will only detect ferrous metals containing iron. This mode may need to be calibrated after shipment from the factory due to the change in the earth's magnetic field. To calibrate first move to a location free of any metal and select the Fe mode.
PL-TT Specifications Transmitter Operating Frequency 200Hz - 480kHz Operating Temperature -4°F to 133º (-20ºC to +55ºC) Hook-up Method Direct Connection Inductive Coupling (with optional coupler) Load Matching Automatic from 5 Ω to 20,000 Ω Output Power 3 Watts (High) 250 Milliwatts (Low) Battery Types 8 - “C” alkaline batteries Battery Life Greater than 30 hours* Dimensions 8.4” x 5.57” x 2.6” Weight 2.2 Lbs (2.
Factory Service The SubSurface Instruments, Inc. Model PL-TT was designed for dependable operation without periodic adjustment and/or calibration. If, however, your PL-TT 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. The required information may be obtained by phone, e-mail, fax or through our website.
SERIES www.ssilocators.
AN INNOVATIVE DESIGN FORCE IN SUBSURFACE DETECTION & LOCATION SubSurface Instruments is an innovating force that engineers, manufactures and distributes high-frequency and magnetic locators, pipe and cable locators, leak detectors, leak correlators, bore hole gradiometers and specialty locators. SSI’s most recent innovation, the AML or All Materials Locator, locates buried PVC pipes, PE Pipes, plastic or nearly any other subsurface object more efficiently than ever before.
