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
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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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CABLE LOCATOR
BAT TEST
OUTPUT
OFF —\/—NORMAL
TRANSMITTER
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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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