Cable locating
In cable locating technology, this means locating metallic lines in the ground. These may be in service or out of service. Typically, power, coax or other cables that can electrically transmit data or power are located.
Basically, in cable locating technology a distinction must be made between two different locating methods: passive and active locating methods. With a cable locator without a transmitter unit (inductive transmitter or galvanic connection to the target line), only passive locating methods are possible. You will find a selection of cable locators in our rental section.
If you have any technical questions, we will be pleased to assist you.
Passive locating methods
Cable locators often have two passive locating modes: power (50 Hz) and radio / broadband. With these basic settings, all buried metallic lines that are earthed at both ends (including continuously earth-contacting lines such as earth tapes) can be located. The locating depth of the received signal depends on the signal current strength currently present on the cable (or steel pipe). With these modes, the average locating depth is up to 2.5 m.
Active locating methods
For this, not only the receiver is required but also a transmitter unit (inductive transmitter or galvanic transmitter). There are several methods for active locating. In principle, active signal injection offers several advantages. The depth of buried lines can be displayed and the required identification of different cable routes (with selective signal injection) is considerably simplified.
List of active locating methods
Inductive signal injection
For this purpose, the cable to be located is usually pre-located passively first. In this method, the transmitter unit is placed directly above the cable to be located. The transmitter induces a frequency onto the cable to be located, which can then be located with the receiver. It should be noted that cables located in the immediate vicinity of the transmitter unit are also energised with the signal.
Inductive signal injection with clamp (selective locating)
In this case, a signal clamp that is directly connected to the transmitter unit is placed over the cable to be located. The signal clamp selectively energises the cable, which has the advantage that the best signal is present on the cable to be located.
Direct signal injection (e.g. iron water pipe)
In this case it is essential that all lines are de-energised! In this method, the line is galvanically energised directly (with crocodile clips). This method achieves the best signal transmission and the cable is energised selectively.
This method energises the cable to be located selectively. The signal strength on the cable is the best of all locating methods, which makes it possible to follow the cable to be located over long distances (up to 10 km).
Cable locators often have two passive locating modes: power (50 Hz) and radio / broadband. With these basic settings, all buried metallic lines that are earthed at both ends (including continuously earth-contacting lines such as earth tapes) can be located. The locating depth of the received signal depends on the signal current strength currently present on the cable (or steel pipe). With these modes, the average locating depth is up to 2.5 m.
Active locating methods
For this, not only the receiver is required but also a transmitter unit (inductive transmitter or galvanic transmitter). There are several methods for active locating. In principle, active signal injection offers several advantages. The depth of buried lines can be displayed and the required identification of different cable routes (with selective signal injection) is considerably simplified.
List of active locating methods
Inductive signal injection
For this purpose, the cable to be located is usually pre-located passively first. In this method, the transmitter unit is placed directly above the cable to be located. The transmitter induces a frequency onto the cable to be located, which can then be located with the receiver. It should be noted that cables located in the immediate vicinity of the transmitter unit are also energised with the signal.
Inductive signal injection with clamp (selective locating)
In this case, a signal clamp that is directly connected to the transmitter unit is placed over the cable to be located. The signal clamp selectively energises the cable, which has the advantage that the best signal is present on the cable to be located.
Direct signal injection (e.g. iron water pipe)
In this case it is essential that all lines are de-energised! In this method, the line is galvanically energised directly (with crocodile clips). This method achieves the best signal transmission and the cable is energised selectively.
This method energises the cable to be located selectively. The signal strength on the cable is the best of all locating methods, which makes it possible to follow the cable to be located over long distances (up to 10 km).