3M Dynatel 500 User manual

CONTENTS
CONTENTS
IOPERATION
1-1 Introduction 1
1-2 Transmitter Controls 1
1-3 Receiver Controls 2
1-4 Transmitter Setup 4
1-5 Transmitter Operation 7
1-6 Receiver Operation 7
1-7 NULL Mode Operation 8
1-8 PEAK Mode Operation 10
1-9 Cable Depth Location 10
1- 10 Cable/Conductor Identification ... .14
II APPLICATIONS
2- 1Locating Slack Loops and
Butt Splices 16
2-2 Locating Unknown Laterals 17
2-3 Locating Cables from Pedestals
or Accessible Closures 17
2-4 Service Drop Path Location 19
2-5 Clear End Location 19
2-6Tips on Cable Hookups 19
III BATTERY OPERATION/REPLACEMENT
3- 1Battery Tests 20
3-2 Battery Replacement 20
3-3Battery Operating Information .... 22
IV FACTORY SERVICE INFORMATION
4- 1Factory Service 23
4-2 Packing Instructions 23
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Section I
OPERATION
CABLE AND
ACCESSORY
STORAGE
WELL
EXTERNAL
INPUT AND
HEADPHONE
OUTPUT
-JACKS
TRANSMITTER
OUTPUT JACK
A. Transmitter Unit b. Receiver Unit
Figure 1.Dynatel Model 500 Cable Locator
IV DYNATEL EGiff]

Section I
OPERATION
SECTION I
1-1. INTRODUCTION
The Dynatel 500 is aportable, battery-operated
tone set that locates the path of buried or
underground (UG) cables. Applications include
locating butt splices, slack loops, unknown
laterals, service drops, and encapsulated closures.
The cable locator can also be used for positive
cable or conductor identification, for finding the
depth of buried or UG cables accurately, and for
finding clear or severed cable ends.
The 500 locates cables without taking them out
of service. The transmitter generates ahigh-
frequency tone that can be put on acable or pair
without opening it or noising it up. The tone does
not interfere with signals or conversations already
on the cable, and it is not sensitive to a-c
power-induced noise. The transmitter has two
power ranges: normal (for most applications), and
high. Power level can be selected for soil condi-
tions or cable length. Ground connections are
generally unnecessary for the transmitter setup,
and no connections are required for the receiver,
which can be operated with one hand at normal
walking speeds.
ERATION
The tone receiver is avery sensitive, tuned unit
that receives only the signal from the transmitter.
The receiver output can be heard either through
the built-in loudspeaker, or through headphones.
In addition, the receiver meter indicates the
strength of the tone. The volume knob controls
the speaker output level, the headphone output
level, and the meter sensitivity. Headphones are
optional with the Dynatel 500.
The Cable Locator consists of atransmitter,
receiver, and accessory units. The transmitter and
receiver are made of durable yellow fiberglass for
light weight and high visibility, and water-
resistance in wet-weather operation. For compact
storage and carrying, the receiver and accessory
units fit into the transmitter case when not in use.
1-2. TRANSMITTER CONTROLS
The Transmitter has asingle switch located on the
panel next to the accessory storage well, as shown
in Fig. 2and described below:
(a) The TRANSMITTER output selector is a
4-position switch for testing batteries and
setting the transmitter output power level.
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Section I
OPERATION
The selector performs the following
functions (See also Section 3-3)
:
OFF: Turns off transmitter power.
NORMAL: Sets transmitter output power at
NORMAL level. Use this level for
maximum battery life.
HIGH: Selects HIGH transmitter output
level. Use this position for HIGH
transmitter output power; for lead
sheath cables, cable location over
long distances, etc. High power oper-
ation reduces battery life. (See also
Section 3-3)
BAT TEST: Battery test position; spring-return,
momentary-contact switch puts load
on the transmitter batteries. See
Section 3.
(b) The Transmitter output connector (not
shown) is astandard phone jack.
(c) The BATtery TEST indicator is used with
the BATtery test position of the
TRANSMITTER output selector (above).
See Section 3for battery test procedures.
2
1-3. RECEIVER CONTROLS
The Receiver controls are shown in Fig. 3and
described below (See also Section 3-3):
(a) The RECEIVER MODE selector is a
6-position switch that controls the
receiver operating modes. The selector
performs the following functions:
OFF: Turns off receiver power.
BAT: Battery test position; momentary-
contact, spring-return switch puts
load on receiver batteries. See
Section 3for battery test
procedures.
NULL: Selects receiver NULL mode opera-
tion; for use in cable location. See
Section 1-7. In NULL mode, receiver
meter reading and the tone from the
loudspeaker both decrease sharply
when receiver is directly over the
cable.
PEAK: Sets receiver for PEAK mode opera-
tion; for use in cable location. See
Paragraph 1-8. In PEAK mode, both
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Section I
OPERATION
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DYNATEL
CABLE LOCATOR
BAT TEST
OUTPUT
OFF —\/—NORMAL
TRANSMITTER
©
Figure 2. Transmitter Controls
See Section 1-2
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Section I
OPERATION
the tone from the loudspeaker and
the meter reading are the highest
when the receiver is directly over the
cable. This is not .as sharp (definite)
an indication as the NULL. Note
that for best results in PEAK mode,
the receiver handle must be
PARALLEL to the cable.
SET: SET mode operation is used for
cable depth location. See
Section 1-9.
EXT: EXT position used for operation of
receiver with Dyna-Coupler ®.See
Section 1-10.
(b) The Receiver Signal Level Meter indicates
the strength of the tone being received.
Needle deflects to the right for strong
signal (PEAK); needle deflects to the left
for NULL or weak signal. Yellow center
zone (SET) is for cable depth finding
(SET mode). BAT OK zone is used for
battery testing.
(c) The Volume Control Knob controls the
meter sensitivity, loudness of tone from
the receiver loudspeaker, and the head-
phone output level at the headphone jack.
(d) The Loudspeaker provides an audible tone
level indication. An overlapping cover
protects the speaker in wet weather.
(e) The PHONE Jack (not shown) is an out-
put connector for use with a600-ohm
headset (optional).
(f) The EXT Jack (not shown) is asignal
input jack for use with Dyna-Coupler®
(in EXT mode).
(g) The Battery Access Cover Screw secures
the battery access cover. For the battery
changing procedure, see Section 3-2.
1-4. TRANSMITTER SETUP
GENERAL. There are three ways for the trans-
mitter to put tone on acable: by induction, by
direct connection, or with the special Dyna-
Coupler® .Instructions for all three methods are
included in the following paragraphs. Remove the
receiver unit from the transmitter carrying case;
close the carrying case in rain or snow.
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Section I
OPERATION
Figure 3. Receiver Controls
See Section 1-3
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Section I
OPERATION
INDUCTION. Set the transmitter on the ground
over the cable, and turn it ON. The transmitter
case handle must be parallel to the cable run. No
access to the cable is necessary.
Note: To ensure accuracy, observe the
following precautions:
a) Do not use the receiver within
25-50 ft of the transmitter.
b) Be certain that the transmitter is
placed over the cable to be
located. Use the Dyna-Coupler ®
or adirect connection if other
cables or pipes are in the same
area.
DYNA-COUPLER® .If access to the cable is
available, this is the easiest and most accurate way
to put tone on only one cable. Connect the
coupler assembly to the Transmitter Output Jack
with the 12-foot cable assembly (Fig. 4). Then
open the coupler jaws and place them around the
desired cable (or conductor). The tone will be
loudest on just that one cable. It is unnecessary to
remove common bonding or ground, or to open
the cable or conductor.
Figure 4. Opened Dyna-Coupler®
In the Background, the Coupler Cable is Shown
Connected to the Transmitter Output Jack
6DYNATEL@Q][l]

Note: Be sure the Dyna-Coupler®
jaws are fully closed aJI the way around
the cable. If the jaws do not close
around the cable, very little tone will
be on the cable. If the jaws do not
close, the cable is too big. There is no
minimum cable size.
For best results, do not use the Dyna-Coupler®
on acable that is clear at both ends. Connect a
jumper between one of the conductors (or the
sheath) and ground. If no ground point is avail-
able, or if the cable length is short, use adirect
connection to the sheath or to one conductor.
Dl RECT CONNECTION. Connect the phone plug
on the 5-foot output cable to the TRANS-
MITTER OUTPUT jack, then connect the red clip
lead of the output cable to the cable shield. If the
cable is not shielded, open any one conductor in
the cable, and connect the red clip lead to that
conductor. Keep the black clip lead clear. Then
set the transmitter on the ground. If the trans-
mitter cannot be placed on the ground, then
connect the black clip to ground. This completes
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Section 1
OPERATION
the transmitter setup instructions. See Section 2,
Applications, for suggestions on using the Cable
Locator.
1-5. TRANSMITTER OPERATION
The only transmitter control is the TRANS-
MITTER output selector. Turn the transmitter
ON by turning the selector either to NORMAL or
HIGH. The NORMAL and the HIGH positions on
the TRANSMITTER output selector determine
the transmitter output power. For most situa-
tions, set the switch to NORMAL. Use HIGH
power only for extra power, such as locating
cable paths over very long distances, in very wet
ground when the signal falls off rapidly, or when
the soil is sandy and dry, and it is difficult to put
tone on the cable. Also see Section 3-3.
1-6. RECEIVER OPERATION
The receiver has only two controls: aVOLUME
control and aRECEIVER MODE selector. To
turn the receiver ON, set the RECEIVER MODE
selector to any one of the four positions clock-
wise from OFF. Also see Section 3-3.
7

Section I
OPERATION
1-7. NULL MODE OPERATION
Generally, the NULL mode is the most sensitive.
In NULL mode, the tone received is least when
the receiver is directly over the cable; the loud-
speaker is the quietest, and the meter indicates a
null (the needle goes to the left side of the
meter). When the receiver is moved to either side
of the cable, the tone from the loudspeaker
increases, and the meter needle swings to the
right.
To operate in NULL mode, set the RECEIVER
MODE selector to NULL, and bring the receiver
into the general area of the cable. The cable can
then be located by moving the receiver to the
point where the tone is minimum, and the level
meter is NULL. FOR BEST RESULTS, HOLD
THE RECEIVER LEVEL. When the cable has
been located, it can be followed with the receiver
in NULL mode. See Fig 5.
The control knob at the front end of the handle
controls both the loudspeaker volume and the
meter sensitivity. Cable location accuracy is
increased by turning up the volume control (this
also increases the meter sensitivity). As the
volume control is increased, the null becomes
sharper.
The receiver is most sensitive in NULL mode.
However, if the tone is put on the cable by
induction, and the cable is in ajoint trench, or
there are aerial cables nearby, the pulling effect
may make the cable location inaccurate. For best
results, put the tone directly on the cable with
the Dyna-Coupler® or with adirect connection.
This eliminates the possibility of the receiver
indicating anull in the wrong position. Another
possibility is to double check the cable position
by switching from NULL mode to PEAK mode.
THIS IS ALWAYS RECOMMENDED WHEN
USING NULL MODE.
When using the induction method, do not
attempt to locate cable in the immediate vicinity
of the transmitter. If it is necessary to use the
receiver in an area near the transmitter, then the
transmitter should be moved down the cable.
8DYNATEL^mm

Section I
OPERATION
Figure 5. Cable Location for Peak &Null Modes
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Section I
OPERATION
1-8. PEAK MODE OPERATION
To operate the receiver in PEAK mode, set the
RECEIVER MODE selector to PEAK. In this
mode, the tone from the receiver is the loudest
when the receiver is right over the cable.
Similarly, the meter indication is the highest
when the receiver is right over the cable. Use the
volume control knob to control receiver
sensitivity.
Note: When using the receiver in PEAK
mode, be sure that the handle is
PARALLEL to the cable run. If you
turn the handle so that it is ACROSS
the cable run, the receiver output will
decrease, and it won't be as accurate.
See Fig. 5.
Note that while the PEAK mode is not quite as
sensitive as NULL mode, it may allow faster cable
path location, and it is convenient for certain
applications described in Section 2.
1-9. CABLE DEPTH LOCATION
To find the depth of aburied or underground
cable, use the following procedure:
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Section I
OPERATION
1) With the receiver in PEAK mode and the
receiver handle in line with the cable path,
carefully locate the cable position; then
place the receiver on the ground directly
over the cable.
2) Put the RECEIVER MODE selector in
SET, and adjust the receiver VOLUME
control so that the meter needle is
centered on the meter in the yellow area
labeled SET.
3) Set the RECEIVER MODE selector to
PEAK. Note that the meter reading and
the tone from the loudspeaker will both
increase.
4) Raise the receiver straight up from the
ground until the meter needle returns to
the SET area on the dial.
5) Measure the distance from the bottom of
the receiver to ground. This is equal to the
depth of the cable below the surface of
the ground. See Fig. 7.
6) To locate the depth of underground cable
in aduct, be sure to subtract the diameter
of the duct from the depth of the cable.
This helps prevent damage to the duct.
The above cable depth location technique is
limited by how high the operator can hold the
receiver. If the cable goes under adrainage ditch,
for example, it may be too deep to use the above
method. In this case, use the following triangula-
tion method:
1) With the transmission in NULL mode,
locate the cable position. Double check it
in PEAK mode.
2) Mark the position on the ground.
3) Hold the receiver so that the handle is
PARALLEL to the cable path, and the
bottom of the receiver is at 45 degrees
relative to the ground. See Fig. 8.
4) Walk to one side of the cable until
receiver indicates aNULL again.
5) Mark the position on the ground beneath
the receiver.
6) The distance between the first mark and
the second mark equals the depth of the
cable.
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Section I
OPERATION
FIRST THIS. ..
PLACE RECEIVER ON GROUND
OVER CABLE.
SET RECEIVER MODE TO SET.
ADJUST THE VOLUME CONTROL SO
THE METER INDICATES SET.
2) THEN THIS. ..
SET RECEIVER MODE TO PEAK.
LIFT RECEIVER UNTIL METER
NEEDLE RETURNS TO SET.
T
/77777777777777777777777777777777777 GROUND DISTANCE A
EQUALS
DISTANCE B
<g> CABLE (£"
Figure 7. Cable Depth Location
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Section I
OPERATION
1) FIRST THIS. ..
SET RECEIVER MODE TO NULL.
/77777777777777777?,
1ST MARK
'
NULL DIRECTLY
OVER CABLE
V777777777777777777 GROUND
CABLE
2) THEN THIS.
RECEIVER NULL
WHEN HELD @45°
FOR BEST ACCURACY,
HOLD CLOSE TO
GROUND.
1ST
MARK
77d&77777777777777<
/
I
CABLE
V777777777777777777777?
2ND
MARK
/DISTANCE
'B
1DISTANCE A
EQUALS
DISTANCE B
Figure 8. Cable Depth Location (Triangulation Method)
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Section I
OPERATION
Note: The accuracy of this method
depends on two things:
a) The handle of the receiver must be
parallel with the cable path, and it
must be level.
b) The bottom of the receiver must
be held at exactly 45 degrees.
If the receiver is held incorrectly, the cable depth
measurement may be incorrect.
1-10. CABLE/CONDUCTOR
IDENTIFICATION
By putting tone on the cable to be identified, the
Dyna-Coupler® can then be used with the
receiver, positively identifying the conductor or
cable with the tone. Use the following procedure:
1) Put the tone on the cable. Use either a
Dyna-Coupler® ,or make adirect con-
nection. See Section 1-4.
14
Notes: a) If aDyna-Coupler® is used
to put the tone on the cable,
then asecond coupler will be
required for cable
identification,
b) For underground or buried
cable, put the coupler
between any common
bonding point, and the point
where the cable goes
underground.
2) With the coupler cable, connect the
Dyna-Coupler® to the receiver EXT
input jack. Set the RECEIVER MODE
selector to EXT. See Fig. 9.
3) To identify the cable, place the Receiver
Dyna-Coupler® around each cable one
at atime to locate the one with the
greatest tone. This identifies the cable
positively.
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