Amprobe AT-5000 User manual

AT-5000
Underground Wire Tracer
Users Manual
Mode d’emploi•
Bedienungshandbuch•
Manuale d’uso•
Manual de uso•
Användarhandbok•

1
English
AT-5000
Underground Wire Tracer
Users Manual
AT5000_Rev002
© 2009 Amprobe Test Tools.
All rights reserved.

2
Limited Warranty and Limitation of Liability
Your Amprobe product will be free from defects in material and workmanship for 1 year from the date of purchase. This
warranty does not cover fuses, disposable batteries or damage from accident, neglect, misuse, alteration, contamination, or
abnormal conditions of operation or handling. Amprobe’s warranty obligation is limited, at Amprobe’s option, to refund of
the purchase price, free of charge repair, or replacement of a defective product . Resellers are not authorized to extend any
other warranty on Amprobe’s behalf. To obtain service during the warranty period, return the product with proof of purchase
to an authorized Amprobe Test Tools Service Center or to an Amprobe dealer or distributor. See Repair Section for details. This
warranty is your only remedy . All other warranties - whether express, implied or statutory - including implied warranties of
fitness for a particular purpose or merchantability, are hereby excluded. Neither Amprobe nor its parent company or affiliates
shall be liable for any special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages or losses, arising from any cause or theory. Since
some states or countries do not allow the exclusion or limitation of an implied warranty or of incidental or consequential
damages, this limitation of liability may not apply to you.
Repair
All test tools returned for warranty or non-warranty repair or for calibration should be accompanied by the following: your
name, company’s name, address, telephone number, and proof of purchase. Additionally, please include a brief description of
the problem or the service requested and include the test leads with the meter. Non-warranty repair or replacement charges
should be remitted in the form of a check, a money order, credit card with expiration date, or a purchase order made payable to
Amprobe® Test Tools.
In-Warranty Repairs and Replacement – All Countries
Please read the warranty statement and check your battery before requesting repair. During the warranty period any defective
test tool can be returned to your Amprobe® Test Tools distributor for an exchange for the same or like product. Please check the
“Where to Buy” section on www.amprobe.com for a list of distributors near you. Additionally, in the United States and Canada
In-Warranty repair and replacement units can also be sent to a Amprobe® Test Tools Service Center (see below for address).
Non-Warranty Repairs and Replacement – US and Canada
Non-warranty repairs in the United States and Canada should be sent to a Amprobe® Test Tools Service Center. Call Amprobe®
Test Tools or inquire at your point of purchase for current repair and replacement rates.
In USA In Canada
Amprobe Test Tools Amprobe Test Tools
Everett, WA 98203 Mississauga, ON L4Z 1X9
Tel: [phone] Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Non-Warranty Repairs and Replacement – Europe
European non-warranty units can be replaced by your Amprobe® Test Tools distributor for a nominal charge. Please check the
“Where to Buy” section on www.amprobe.com for a list of distributors near you.
European Correspondence Address*
Amprobe® Test Tools Europe
Beha-Amprobe GmbH
In den Engematten 14
79286 Glottertal, Germany
Tel.: [phone] – 0
*(Correspondence only – no repair or replacement available from this address. European customers please contact your
distributor.)

3
AT-5000
Underground Wire Tracer
CONTENTS
Introduction................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
Precautions and Safety Measures.............................................................................................................................................................. 7
General.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 7
Symbols used in this manual................................................................................................................................................................ 7
Safety Precautions ................................................................................................................................................................................ 7
Unpacking and Inspection......................................................................................................................................................................... 8
T-5000 Transmitter System Overview ........................................................................................................................................................ 8
Controls ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8
T-5000 LCD Display Indicator Icons ...................................................................................................................................................... 9
T-5000 Transmitter Main Menu.......................................................................................................................................................... 10
Output Mode Menu ........................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Frequency Menu ................................................................................................................................................................................. 11
System Settings Menu ........................................................................................................................................................................ 13
My Preset State Menu ........................................................................................................................................................................ 15
About T-5000 Menu............................................................................................................................................................................ 15
Sheath Fault Locating (SFL) Optional Accessory A-5000 .................................................................................................................. 15
R-5000 LCD Display indicators............................................................................................................................................................ 16
R-5000 Menu System................................................................................................................................................................................ 17
Frequency Selection............................................................................................................................................................................ 17
Mode Menu......................................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Settings Menu .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 20
Bluetooth Wireless Interfaces.................................................................................................................................................................. 25
Bluetooth Settings – Discoverable..................................................................................................................................................... 25
Operation Mode ................................................................................................................................................................................. 25
Options................................................................................................................................................................................................ 26
Paired Devices ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 26
Pairing a Transmitter and Receiver.................................................................................................................................................... 27
Shortcuts Menu ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 27
Data Logging Menu................................................................................................................................................................................. 28
R-5000 Frequency System ........................................................................................................................................................................ 30
R-5000 Gain System ............................................................................................................................................................................ 31
R-5000 Volume System............................................................................................................................................................................. 31
Guidance Compass ................................................................................................................................................................................... 31
Center Line Position................................................................................................................................................................................. 32
Operation ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 32
Applications and principles of direct coupling....................................................................................................................................... 34
Direct Coupling................................................................................................................................................................................... 35
Direct Coupling using the SC-5000 Clamp......................................................................................................................................... 36
Inductive Coupling.............................................................................................................................................................................. 36
Locating Passive Lines (Radio and Power Modes)............................................................................................................................. 37

4
Locating unknown cables................................................................................................................................................................... 38
Depth and Current Measurements.................................................................................................................................................... 39
Battery Pack (R-5000)............................................................................................................................................................................... 40
Battery Pack (T-5000) ............................................................................................................................................................................... 40
R-5000 Receiver Technical Specifications................................................................................................................................................ 41
T-5000 Transmitter Technical Specifications ........................................................................................................................................... 42

5
➊Active Frequency
➋Signal Select
➌ Auto or Manual Gain
➍Distance Sensitive Left/Right Guidance Needle
➎ON/OFF Power Button
➏Soft Keys
➐4-Way Navigation Button
➑Guidance Compass
➒Battery Indicator
➓Audio Volume Indicator
➊Controls
➋Operational Interface LCD
➌ Battery Compartment
➍RS232 Serial Port and Fuse
R-5000 Receiver
R-5000 Operational Interface
T-5000 Top Panel View
➊Detection Sensor
➋Battery Compartment
➌ Smart Connector
➍4-Way Navigation Control
➎ON/OFF Power Button
➏Soft Keys
➐Operator Interface

6
➊Direct Connection
➋Audio Volume
➌ Battery Status
➍Signal Select
➎Constant Power
➏Active Frequency Menu
➐Frequency in use
➑Power output in use
➒Power output level
➓Resistance output level
T-5000 Side Panel View
T-5000 Operational Interface LCD
➊Direct connect or Clamp
➋Safety Ground
➌ Charger or External 12 Vdc
(External Power supply is not included:
12V, 5.5A, Plug standard:2.1 x 5.5 x 11mm,
center positive)

7
INTRODUCTION
The Amprobe AT-5000 is a state-of-the-art utility cable locator precisely designed with many powerful features to provide you
with optimum information about your application.
Having confidence in an instrument is an important part of to use the instrument. All Applications are different and unique. An
understanding of the system’s operation Could mean the difference between several minutes or several hours on the job.
Please read this manual carefully. Take the time to learn how the instrument operates. The operation is user friendly and easy to
learn. Test it in a variety of situations. You will soon have the confidence to use it on a daily basis to solve the problems that were
unsolvable before.
PRECAUTIONS AND SAFETY MEASURES
General
This instrument has been designed in compliance with EN 61010-1:2001 directive. For your own safety and to avoid damaging
the instrument we suggest you follow the procedures hereby prescribed and to read carefully all the notes preceded by the
symbol .
Before and during measurements please be very diligent in following instructions below:
Do not measure voltage or current in wet or dusty places;•
Do not measure in presence of gas, explosive materials or combustibles;•
Do not touch the circuit under test if no measurement is being taken;•
Do not touch exposed metal parts, unused terminals, circuits and so on;•
Do not use the instrument if it seems to be malfunctioning (i.e. if you notice deformations, breaks, leakage of substances, and•
absence of messages on the display and so on);
Use only cables and accessories approved by Amprobe.•
Symbols used in this manual
Important instructions concerning the protection of staff and equipment as well as technical safety within this document are
labeled with one of the following symbols:
 Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury or material
damage.
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
Notes have important information and useful tips on the operation of your equipment. Non-observance may result
in incorrect measurement results.
Safety Precautions
This manual contains basic advice for the installation and operation of Amprobe Underground cable locator and accessories.
The manufacturer is not liable for damage to material or humans due to non-observance of the instructions and safety advice
provided in this manual. Therefore, this manual should be provided and reviewed by all personnel associated with the cable
locating equipment.
Safety Practices
Familiarize yourself with all required safety practices of the local utility company, or other owner of the plant before entering an
access area, or connecting an Amprobe transmitter. Ensure that the line is de-energized and out of service, before connecting
the transmitter directly to any conductor. NEVER make a direct connection to a live power cable. Follow the appropriate safety
procedures to avoid the risk of injury if using a clamp on energized electrical or control lines. Pay special attention when using a
locator in high traffic areas.
Intended Application
Safe operation is only realized when using the equipment for its intended purpose. Using the equipment for other purposes
may lead to human danger and equipment damage.
The limits described under the technical data section may not be exceeded.
Malfunction Behavior
The equipment may only be used when working properly. When irregularities or malfunctions appear that cannot be solved
consulting this manual, the equipment must immediately be put out of operation and marked as not functional. Amprobe must
be contacted for technical support and/or service. The instrument may only be operated when the malfunction is resolved.
Dangers when operating with HV:
Special safety attention is needed when operating HV facilities, especially non-stationary equipment. The regulations VDE 0104
about setting up and operation of electric test equipment, i.e. the corresponding EN 50191 as well as country-specific regulations
and standards must be observed.
Safety installations may not be by-passed nor deactivated.
Operation requires a minimum two people whereas the second person must be able to activate the emergency switch in case of
danger.
To avoid hazardous electric charges of metallic parts in the vicinity, all metallic parts must be grounded.
To avoid drawing dangerous arcs, switching should only be done in a de-energized condition.

8
The equipment and all accessories must be connected according to applicable standards VDE, EN or DIN as well as country-
specific regulations.
UNPACKING AND INSPECTION
Your shipping carton should include:
1 x R-5000 Receiver
1 x T-5000 Transmitter
1 x CK-5000 Test leads and Ground Stake
1 x Instruction Manual
1 x Carrying case Nylon Bag
T-5000 TRANSMITTER SYSTEM OVERVIEW
Controls
Control Description
Power ON – Push to turn the transmitter ON or OFF. An amber LED illuminates when the transmitter
is ON.
Circuit Condition – Available only in direct connection mode. Push to toggle through and view the
actual condition of the circuit in volts, milliamps, watts, and ohms.
Output Level – Push to change the output level. Push repeatedly or use the left/right navigational
button to increases or decrease the output level.
Signal Select – Push to turn Signal Select ON or OFF for positive line identification.
Frequency Select – Push to toggle through the active frequencies.
Sheath Fault Locate (SFL) – Push to turn the SFL feature ON or OFF. A red LED illuminates when the
feature is ON.
4-Way Navigation Control – Push to select and navigate through the operational menu screens
and active frequency menu.