FujiFilm PL-G.MAX User manual

OPERATION MANUAL
FUJI PIPELINE AND CABLE LOCATOR
PL-G.MAX

INTRODUCTION..............................................1
TESTING AND MAINTENANCE......................2
1. COMPONENT
Component ................................................. 4
Optional Accessories .................................. 5
2. EQUIPMENT
2-1 Transmitter
2-1-1 Main Unit ................................................ 6
2-1-2 Operation Panel ...................................... 6
2-1-3 Display Screen ........................................ 7
2-1-4 Replacement of Battery............................ 8
2-2 Receiver
2-2-1 Main Unit ................................................ 9
2-2-2 Operation Panel ...................................... 9
2-2-3 Display Screen ...................................... 10
2-2-4 Replacement of Battery ..........................13
3. PRINCIPLE AND USAGE
3-1 Principle of Operation .......................... 14
3-2 Proper use of Direct & Induction Mode ..... 15
3-3 Proper use of Frequency ..................... 16
3-4 How to cancel Auto Power OFF .......... 17
4. INSTALLATION OF TRANSMITTER
4-1 Direct Mode
4-1-1 Transmitter Main Unit ........................... 18
4-1-2 Installation in Loop Mode (option use).... 20
4-1-3 Detection by External Coil (option use) .. 21
4-2 Induction Mode.......................................... 22
5. OPERATION OF RECEIVER
5-1 Measurement mode & Operational procedure
5-1-1 Measurement Mode .............................. 23
5-1-2 Operational procedure of receiver.......... 23
5-2 Display screen & Measuring method of Receiver
5-2-1 Maximum & Bar & Sonde Mode............. 24
5-2-2 Pipe Axis Display.................................... 26
5-2-3 Continuous Depth Measurement............ 27
5-2-4 Pull up Measurement ............................ 28
Bluetooth Depth & Data Collection................ 29
5-2-5 Transverse Depth Measurement ............ 30
5-2-6 Detection by Sonde ............................... 31
5-2-7 Radio Mode ........................................... 32
5-2-8 AC/CP Mode ......................................... 33
6. OPERATION IN EACH SITE SITUATION
6-1 Detection by Induction Mode
6-1-1 With 2 surveyor ........................................ 34
6-1-2 With 1 surveyor ........................................ 36
6-2 Depth and current of close parallel pipes...... 37
6-3 Detection of parallel pipes in close proximity. 38
6-4 Measuring depth near end or bend of pipeline40
6-5 Confirmation of burial depth of pipeline......... 40
6-6 Detection of Elbow’s, T’s and bends in pipe.. 41
6-7 Detection of branch pipes.............................. 42
6-8 Crash barrier and curbstones are nearby...... 43
6-9 Congested pipes............................................ 44
6-10 Near electric power substation .................... 45
6-11 Near buildings ............................................ 45
6-12 Intersection ................................................ 46
6-13 Rail track side ............................................ 46
6-14 Subway passing under buried pipe.............. 47
6-15 Plumbing in factory .................................... 47
6-16 Reinforcement bars in pavement ............... 47
7. TROUBLESHOOTING ............................. 48
8. MESSAGES DISPLAY ON LCD.............. 49
9. DETECTION PERFORMANCE ............. 50
10. SPECIFICATIONS .................................... 51
11. WARRANTY ............................................... 53
INDEX

- 1 -
INTRODUCTION
Welcome Message
Applications
The Fuji Tecom PL-G MAX Pipeline and Cable locator can be used to detect all continuous underground metallic
cables, pipes, electric lines, and metallic water pipelines.
Thank you very much for purchasing the Fuji Tecom PL-G MAX Pipeline Locator.
It is highly recommended that you read this instruction manual to ensure safe and
effective operation of the locator.
This instruction manual will go over the many features of the Fuji Tecom PL-G Max,
along with recommended approaches in locating pipes in different scenarios.

- 2 -
Testing and Maintenance of Fuji Tecom Pipe Locators
This document details the recommended testing procedures for preventative maintenance and troubleshooting opera-
tions of Fuji Tecom Pipe Locators.
We recommend performing this procedure on a weekly basis, or prior to use if the tool has not been checked within the
recommended weekly basis.
Test Procedures
*Test results should be retained in a log book.
1. Set up a test location, with a known underground facility
2. Ensure you put fresh batteries in transmitter and receiver before conducting tests.
3. Examine all old batteries when replacing with new batteries for evidence of leakage
4. Put a permanent mark for transmitter location for initial test and all subsequent tests
5. Turn transmitter on and place over underground facility with correct orientation
6. Precise placement and orientation of the transmitter is necessary to repeat test results
7. Permanently mark 2-3 set distances from the transmitter (approx.. 20 feet apart) where readings will be taken
with the receiver, for initial test and all subsequent tests
8. Using the receiver go to first marked receiver location on underground facility, place the footplate of the re-
ceiver on the ground over centerline of underground facility
9. Take a depth reading by pressing depth button, wait for prompt to pull up. With on foot on footplate, pull re-
ceiver upwards extending the slide pipe fully.
10. Allow receiver to compute the values
11. With the depth displayed, record all required information including, Depth, sensitivity and Current Measure-
ment
12. Repeat at other pre-marked locations
13. Repeat steps 5-10 using locate tools additional frequencies by first changing the frequency on transmitter and
then the receiver.
14. The locate tool should be tagged and sent in for service and calibration if a change is identified in the following
readings.
Test Results
•Any Location change in the (X?Y orientation, or left or right over the test line) the Receiver should consistently
read a maximum reading indication when directly above or on the test points
•Depth reading of +or – 10% ( Z orientation or depth of test line)
•Sensitivity readings at the receiver are a function of output from the transmitter (it tells you if the transmitter is
working properly). To test and confirm repeatability of sensitivity, the transmitter must be precisely placed in
the exact location and orientation as of where the original test data was documented. Sensitivity reading may
vary depending on the placement of the transmitter. The distance from the receiver to the transmitter will also
vary significantly if the receiver is not precisely at the same location and orientation as the original test data
points. Battery strength may affect sensitivity to some degree.
•Current Measurement readings at the receiver are a function of reception of the signal from the pipeline.
The current measurement indication changes when moving along the test line away from the transmitter.
Orientation of the transmitter to the receiver will change the current response. Distance from the transmitter
to the receiver will change the current measurement. To replicate original test readings, precise placement of
both transmitter and receiver is required.
Good Practices
•Remove batteries if the tool will not be used for extended periods of time
•Keep the tool in clean condition and specifically avoid metallic dust.

- 3 -
Troubleshooting known errors that may occur
“Push Down” is displayed when the receiver is at center of the line and the depth button pressed. This may indicate
the footplate assembly has unthreaded, so check and screw it tight if it has become loose. Another possible cause is
due to a dirty optic sensor. This will prevent the receiver from being able to read the position of the slide pipe
“Over Current” is displayed on the transmitter. This issue may stem from multiple issues, but this transmitter is not
working to manufacturer specs.
Difficult to extend and depress slide pipe. The slide pipe should move freely, with minimal resistance and noise. Be
sure to continually clean slide pipe of moisture and debris, to keep it from jamming up and bringing dust, dirt and water
inside the housing of the receiver.
Acid Damage. When changing batteries always check that battery compartments are free of dirt, moisture and acid
damage. All batteries and equipment should be taken inside during cold temperatures and you should never heat up
cold batteries. Monitoring of the battery housing for traces of acid damage can help avoid serious damage, if an issue
arises see below for “leaking Battery Procedure”
Weak Signal. This issue can occur in the transmitter or receiver and will be noticed during the testing by comparing it
to previous values recorded. If a drastic change is noticed in location, depth or current measurement or sensitivity are
found, the locate tool should be tagged and sent in for service / calibration.
If any of the above problems occur ensure that the locate tool is tagged and sent in for service/calibration.
Leaking Battery Procedure
Whenever replacing batteries, thoroughly examine dead or low batteries for evidence of leakage. Look in battery
compartments and look for evidence of residue. Do not put new batteries in transmitter or receiver if any residue is
observed. In the event of leaking batteries, remove them to reduce further damage.
If an incident has occurred:
1. Remove batteries. Do not replace with new batteries.
2. Neutralize and clan battery compartment with baking soda, 3-4 tablespoons in battery compartment.
3. Close battery compartment and shake
4. Open battery compartment shake out any excess baking soda and clean battery terminals with soft brush
5. The locate tool should be sent in for service/calibration after this procedure is complete.
Wet Locate Tool Procedure
Receiver
1. Remove the battery pack
2. Extend slide pipe fully out and towel off any moisture
3. Lay receiver on its side, in a warm dry environment
4. Do not place in close proximity of a heat source
5. Do not stand it right side up, or upside down, as any condensation may migrate to the circuit boards in the
head or the top of the receiver
Transmitter:
1. Remove all batteries and towel out any moisture in the battery compartment or anywhere else on transmitter.
2. Lay transmitter flat with battery compartment open to dry, in warm dry environment.
3. Do not place in close proximity to a heat source
4. The locate tool should be tested after drying is complete
Repair and Calibration Protocol
Prior to sending tool in for service and or calibration, call and explain issue to Fuji Pipe Locators Ltd
[phone] or [e-mail]

- 4 -
COMPONENT
This instrument comes with the following components.
Please confirm all components are present with your
purchase.
Fuji Tecom takes all possible measures to ensure quality,
but if any of the components are missing, please contact
the store you bought your locator from immediately.
1. Transmitter Unit
2. Receiver Unit
3. Ground Stake (30 cm).
4. Warning Flag.
.Direct Mode Cable.
5. Direct Mode Cable
6. Soft Carrying Bag.

- 5 -
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
The following accessories are available for the Fuji Tecom
PL-G MAX Locator.
1. External Induction Coil and Cable.
For locating energized power lines.
2. External Coil Bar
3. External Power Supply Cable
4. Cable Drum with 50 meter cable.
For the Loop Cable Mode
5. Sonde (Small & Large)
6. Headphone
7. Soft Carrying Bag with earth function

- 6 -
EQUIPMENT
2-1 Transmitter
2-1-1 Main Unit
2-1-2 Operation Panel
①Power Switch Key (On/Off Switch)
②Loop Check Key (pg. 20)
③Frequency Selection Key.
④Output Power Control Keys.
⑤LCD
Warning Flag Holder
LCD Display
Operation Panel
Direct Mode
Connector Access
External Power
Connector Access
Battery Case Cover Access

- 7 -
EQUIPMENT
⑥ Direct Mode Receptacle & External Inductive
Clamp
⑦ External Power Receptacle to 12 Volt Supply
NOTE: plugging into the direct mode receptacle will
cause the transmitter to automatically switch to
direct mode “DIR”.
2-1-3 TRANSMITTER DISPLAY
Transmitter output automatically goes from Inductive Mode
“IND” to Direct Mode “DIR” when direct Mode Receptacle is
being used, as shown in the images to the left.
Displays frequencies of choice.
Induction Mode : 83kHz or 27kHz.
Direct Mode : 83kHz or 27kHz or 8kHz or MIX.
MIX means the simultaneous
output of 83kHz, 27kHz and 8kHz.
Output Mode Display.
IND = Induction Mode.
DIR = Direct Mode.
Displays power source shown as:-
= Internal D Size Residual Battery Condition.
= External 12 volt Power Supply
Output Level in 8 steps from 0 to 7.
Output Power Condition in the Direct Mode.
⚫Output Power Supply Value: 0.00 to 999 mA
.
The transmitter has an Auto OFF Function that
shuts down after One Hour.
To turn on “Continuous”, hold down the Frequency key and turn on
the transmitter. Keep holding the Frequency key until “Continuous”
appears on the screen.
When you turn off the transmitter, the tool will default back to the
auto-off setting.

- 8 -
EQUIPMENT
2-1-4 Replacement of Battery
When the battery indication displayed on the LCD is reduced to
Zero, replace “ALL”batteries.
■How to change the batteries.
NOTE: Confirm the polarity of battery when the batteries
are mounted in the Battery Case.
The residual power is
indicated on the LCD.
OK.
Change batteries

- 9 -
EQUIPMENT
2-2 Receiver
2-2-1 Main Unit
2-2-2 Operation Panel
①Power Switch Key.
②Frequency Selection Key.
③Mode Selection Key.
④Sensitivity Adjustment Key.
⑤Depth Measurement Key.
⑥Back Light Key.
⑦Sound Volume Control Key.
Adjust speaker volume with short presses
Turn vibrations ON or OFF with long presses
⑧LCD.
⑨LED.
⑩Headphone Plug Connector
*Located at the back side of Receiver.
LCD
Operation Panel
Handle to operate
Battery Case Cover
Antenna
Headphone Plug Connector
Speaker
Foot Plate
⑩

- 10 -
EQUIPMENT
2-2-3 Display Screen
Ⓐ：Frequencies
83kHz．27kHz．8kHz．
Ⓑ：Selected exploration method
Maximum Mode =
Continuous Depth Mode =
()
Bar Antenna Mode =
Sonde Mode =
Ⓒ：Sensitivity Level transmitted from the Transmitter
00～40
Ⓓ：Battery level display
Ⓔ：Vibration on / off
ON OFF
Ⓕ：Speaker volume level
Low ⇔High
Ⓖ：Pipe direction
Ⓖ
Ⓐ
ⒺⒻ
Ⓒ
Ⓓ
27kHz
S21
048

- 11 -
EQUIPMENT
Selected Frequency
Vibration and Volume
Transmitter Sensitivity Level
Battery Remaining Quantity
Maximum Mode Display
Maximum Mode
Display
Pipe Direction
Level Value
Bar Graph
Bar Antenna Mode Display
Bar Antenna Mode
Display
BAR
Sonde Mode Display
Sonde Mode
Display
Continuous Depth Display
Continuous Depth
Display
Current Index Value
(0 ~ 100)
Received Level
2.3
m
Depth 0.0 ~ 5.0m
51
72

- 12 -
EQUIPMENT
Pull-Up Depth Display
NOTE: Depth measurement is not available in
BAR Mode.
■How to check Current Index Value
Display shows the “current value” of the
pipeline detected by the Receiver
Transverse Depth Display (pg. 30)
3.5m
Current Index Value
(0 ~ 100)
Depth 0.0 ~ 5.0m
Pull Up Depth
Display
000
051
Level Value
Marker

- 13 -
EQUIPMENT
2-2-4 Replacement of Battery
When the battery icon on the LCD display is reduced to Zero as
shown, please replace all batteries
■How to change the batteries.
NOTE : When the Battery indication reduces to Zero, the Receiver
Turns OFF automatically.
The residual power is
indicated on the LCD.
OK.
Change batteries

- 14 -
PRINCIPLE & USAGE
3-1 Principle of Operation
Briefly explain the principle of a metallic pipe and cable detector.
Electromagnetic waves are propagating through the ground at relatively low frequencies. This detector utilizes this property.
A current is generated in a pipe by a transmitter, and a magnetic field is generated by the induced current.
This detector picks up the magnetic field by a receiver to detect a buried pipe.
Magnetic Field
Transmitter
Receiver
Pipeline
Magnetic Field
Inducted current

- 15 -
PRINCIPLE & USAGE
3-2 Direct mode & Induction mode
【How to select modes】
☞Condition of pipeline
Case 1 : There is a part exposed on the ground
➡ Direct Mode
Case 2 : There are no parts exposed on the ground
➡ Induction Mode
【Direct Mode】
Connect the target pipe and the transmitter with a cable and apply
the electric current directly to the pipeline and generate a mag-
netic field that can be detected by the receiver.
【Induction Mode】
A magnetic field is generated by the transmitter, and an electric
current is generated in the pipeline from the magnetic field and
simultaneously secondary magnetic field is generated to be
detected by the receiver.
Inducted current
Current
Magnetic Field

- 16 -
PRINCIPLE & USAGE
3-3 Proper use of Frequency
There are 3 frequencies available.
Direct Mode: 83kHz, 27kHz, 8kHz, MIX
Induction Mode: 83kHz, 27kHz
The lower the frequency becomes the longer the distance
between transmitter and receiver.
■Direct Mode
Appropriate selection of frequency
83kHz: for short pipes, branch pipes, and pipeline detections
with mechanical Insulated joints.
27kHz: for cables, and pipeline detections with welded joints
8kHz: for cables and long-distance pipeline detection with
electrical conduction joints, and trace wires
MIX for 3 types: Simultaneous output (83kHz, 27kHz, 8kHz)
POINT : Use the MIX Mode to select the best frequency.
POINT : When in the Mix Mode, the Transmitter operates at
a lower output.
■Induction Mode
Appropriate selection of frequency
83kHz: The default frequency for ordinary pipeline detection and
congested areas with multiple utilities.
27kHz: for Long-distance single pipeline tracking. Select this
frequency if the fluctuation of the bar graph is stable.
【Determining the best frequency】
Switch frequencies to identify the magnitude stability
from the Fluctuation Width (level bar)
When the fluctuation width of the bar graph is large (unstable): Selected frequency is inappropriate
Level numeric value (ex.)
Fluctuation width (Big)
Fluctuation width (Small)
Level numeric value (ex.)
I
I
40 90
40 90

- 17 -
PRINCIPLE & USAGE
3-4 Transmitter Auto Power Off & Continuous Power On Mode
•AUTO-OFF MODE: When the Transmitter is turned ON, it
automatically defaults to operation in auto-off mode. After one
hour of use, the Transmitter will turn off to preserve battery life.
Simply turn the Transmitter back on to continue locating.
•CONTINUOUS MODE: If you wish to keep the Transmitter on
during use, the Transmitter will stay “ON” until the batteries are
depleted.
The following are instructions on how to enable “CONTINUOUS”,
with the mages on the left acting as guides.
1. Turn off the Transmitter
2. Hold down the Frequency key
3. Turn on the Transmitter (While still holding down Frequency)
4. The Transmitter LCD screen should display “CONTINUOUS”,
and the tool is now functioning continuously.
NOTE:
Turning off the transmitter can not be set to “CONTINUOUS” as a
default setting, follow aforementioned steps when this mode is
required.

- 18 -
INSTALLATION OF TRANSMITTER
4-1 Direct Mode
4-1-1 Transmitter Main Unit
1. The Red cable is connected to the pipeline.
The Black cable is connected to the Grounding stake.
2. Turn on the Power Switch . When the power switch is turned
on, the sound signal “Tick Tack” is repeated four times. Confirm
the residual battery power (A)
3. Choose the frequency from the following: (27 kHz, 83kHz, MIX,
8kHz).
•27kHz is useful for locating straight pipelines over a longer
distance. This produces wider X/Y detection above the
pipeline.
•83kHz is most commonly used. It is useful for congested
areas and pipelines of a shorter distance. This produces a
clear, tight X/Y orientation above the pipeline.
•8kHz is used only in the IDT mode, useful for locating
tracer cables and branch pipelines.
•MIX is the simultaneous output mode of 27kHz, 83kHz, and
8kHz.
5. Set the Output Level with the Key as shown.
6. Confirm the Output Level by connecting the Direct Mode Cable
to the Transmitter.
Output levels of around 3.0mA means a good connection.
0.00 mA is displayed when the Direct Mode Cable is
disconnected. A numeric value greater than 0.00 mA will
appear if the Direct Mode Cable is connected.