Greenlee BLL-200 User manual

999 4422.7 © 2001 Greenlee Textron IM 1505 5/01
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
MANUAL DE INSTRUCCIONES
MANUEL D’INSTRUCTIONS
Read and understand all of the instructions and safety
information in this manual before operating or servicing this tool.
Lea y entienda todas las instrucciones y la información sobre
seguridad que aparecen en este manual, antes de manejar estas
herramientas o darles mantenimiento.
Lire attentivement et bien comprendre toutes les instructions et
les informations sur la sécurité de ce manuel avant d’utiliser ou de
procéder à l’entretien de cet outil.
BLL-200
BURIED LINE LOCATOR
LOCALIZADOR DE LÍNEAS
SOTERRADAS
DETECTEUR DE LIGNE ENFOUIE

2
Description
The Greenlee BLL-200 Buried Line Locator is a compact, lightweight kit consisting of two
components—a transmitter and a receiver. The receiver can work alone for tracing buried
current-carrying conductors, or with the transmitter for tracing other conductive objects.
Applications include the following:
• HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning)
• telephone
• CATV (Cable Television)
• line voltage
• fiber optic with metallic shield
• security system wiring
• conduit
• water pipe
• finding unknown conductors
The transmitter also provides the ability to measure the depth of the buried conductor.
Buried debris, underground rebar (reinforcement bar), and areas crowded with conductors can
create a challenging tracing environment. This manual provides tips and strategies to help
reduce or eliminate the difficulties caused by these circumstances. Use of the BLL-200 is
explained under Introduction and Operation. The Introduction explains some of the general
concepts of the tool, and Operation goes into more detail on the use of the tool.
Safety
Safety is essential in the use and maintenance of Greenlee tools and equipment. This
instruction manual and any markings on the tool provide information for avoiding hazards and
unsafe practices related to the use of this tool. Observe all of the safety information provided.
Purpose
This instruction manual is intended to familiarize all personnel with the safe operation and
maintenance procedures for the Greenlee BLL-200 Buried Line Locator.
Keep this manual available to all personnel.
Replacement manuals are available upon request at no charge.
and are registered trademarks of Greenlee Textron.
KEEP THIS MANUAL

BLL-200
3
Important Safety Information
This symbol is used to call your attention to hazards or unsafe practices which could
result in an injury or property damage. The signal word, defined below, indicates the
severity of the hazard. The message after the signal word provides information for
preventing or avoiding the hazard.
SAFETY ALERT SYMBOL
Immediate hazards which, if not avoided, WILL result in severe injury or death.
Hazards which, if not avoided, COULD result in severe injury or death.
Hazards or unsafe practices which, if not avoided, MAY result in injury or property
damage.
Read and understand this material before operating or servicing
this equipment. Failure to understand how to safely operate this
tool can result in an accident causing serious injury or death.

4
Important Safety Information
Beware of the hazards associated with utility access areas and underground work
areas.
• Hazards can include explosive or flammable gases and toxic fumes.
• Observe the safety practices and procedures of your company, the local utility, and
any other governing body.
Failure to observe these warnings can result in severe injury or death.
Electric shock and fire hazard:
• Do not expose this unit to rain or moisture.
• Use this unit for the manufacturer’s intended purpose only, as described in this
manual. Any other use can impair the protection provided by the unit.
Failure to observe these warnings can result in severe injury or death.
Electric shock hazard:
Contact with live circuits can result in severe injury or death.

BLL-200
5
Important Safety Information
• Do not operate with the case open.
• Before opening the case, remove the leads from the circuit and shut off the unit.
Failure to observe these warnings can result in severe injury or death.
Beware of any vehicles or machines in motion at the work area. Be especially observant
when tracing a buried line that runs along or under a roadway, railroad tracks, or
through a construction site.
Failure to observe this warning can result in severe injury or death.
Electric shock hazard:
• Do not use the unit if it is wet or damaged.
• Use test leads or accessories that are appropriate for the application. See the
category and voltage rating of the test lead or accessory.
• Inspect the test leads or accessory before use. They must be clean and dry, and the
insulation must be in good condition.
Failure to observe these warnings can result in severe injury or death.
Electric shock hazard:
• Do not connect the transmitter to a circuit carrying more than the rated voltage.
• Do not contact the lead clips or any uninsulated portion of the accessory.
Failure to observe these warnings can result in severe injury or death.

6
Important Safety Information
• Do not attempt to repair this unit. It contains no user-serviceable parts.
• Do not expose the unit to extremes in temperature or high humidity.
See Specifications.
Failure to observe these precautions can result in injury and can damage the unit.
Using this unit near equipment that generates electromagnetic interference can result
in unstable or inaccurate readings.
Do not connect the transmitter to a circuit carrying more than the rated voltage.
A blown fuse may result.

BLL-200
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Identification
Transmitter
1. Clamp
2. Connectors
3. Live Line LED (illuminates if circuit voltage is more than 50 V)
4. Power Lamp
5. Low Battery Lamp
6. Three-Position Switch (Line/Clamp Connection, Inductive Mode, and OFF)
Receiver
7. Display
8. Power Switch
9. Signal Strength Lamps
10. Mode Switch (Trace/Passive)
11. Three-Position Volume Switch (Off, Low, High)
12. Signal Reset/Depth Reading Button
2 3
4
56
8
9
7
9
10
11
12
1

8
Display Icons
Signal Strength Display
13. 01 through 99 Signal Strength
14. ~Passive Mode Indicator
15. +Signal Boost Indicator
16. BAT Battery Indicator (flashes when batteries are low)
14
15 13
16
18
17
19
Depth Reading Display
17. Feet
18. Tenths of Feet
Out-of-Range Display
19. Dashes
Symbols on the Unit
Warning—Read the instruction manual
Double insulation
Risk of electric shock

BLL-200
9
Introduction
The BLL-200 Buried Line Locator consists of two components—a receiver and a transmitter.
The receiver can work alone, in Passive Mode, for tracing any current-carrying wires or cables.
When used with the transmitter, the receiver works in Trace Mode to pick up the transmitter’s
unique signal on conductors such as wire, cable or metallic conduit.
The Receiver
The receiver is almost completely automatic, and provides three types of feedback to the
user —signal strength lamps, an LCD that displays signal strength as a numeric value, and a
speaker that produces a tone when the signal is near the maximum.
It also features a signal booster to pick up all but the weakest electrical signals. When the
booster is active, a plus sign appears on the LCD. The receiver can be used alone (Passive
Mode) or with the transmitter (Trace Mode).
The Transmitter
The transmitter produces a unique signal at 33.3 kHz that the receiver is tuned to. This unique
signal reduces the possibility of interference, and will not affect computers or other voltage-
sensitive equipment. The transmitter is versatile, providing three methods of transferring its
signal to the conductor: Direct Connection, Clamp, and Inductive Mode.
The most effective method is Direct Connection—using the leads included in the kit to connect
the transmitter directly to a conductor. The only disadvantage is that making a direct
connection isn’t always possible, since the user doesn’t always have access to the conductors
of the buried line.
When a direct connection is not possible, the next option is the clamp. Simply enclose the
conductor or conduit in the clamp and connect the clamp to the transmitter. This method
draws a higher amount of battery current, so the signal strength depends on the condition of
the batteries. Use fresh batteries for better results.
If it’s not possible to use the clamp, the last method is Inductive Mode. This method sends the
transmitter’s signal through the earth; the buried line acts like an antenna. This method isn’t as
effective as the clamp or Direct Connection, but usually provides better results than using the
receiver alone.
Soil Type and Moisture Content
The performance of the BLL-200 is largely dependent on soil type and moisture content.
Moist, compact soil provides the best results. If the soil is dry, moisten it before tracing to
achieve better results.
Alkaline soil and soil with high iron content provide a poor tracing environment.
The best solution for poor soil conditions is to establish the best possible ground and use a
direct connection to the transmitter.

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Operation
Using the transmitter and receiver together provides better overall results than using the
receiver alone. Use the transmitter and receiver together (Trace Mode) whenever possible.
Using the Receiver Alone (Passive Mode)
The receiver will detect buried metallic debris, unenergized electrical lines, and current-
carrying conductors. To provide better results when searching for current-carrying conduc-
tors, energize any circuits to find the buried line—turn on lights, HVAC, and other electrical
equipment. If searching for CATV cable, connecting a television to the cable may improve
results.
Note: Passive Mode tracing functions with or without the T-shaped antenna extended.
Extending the antenna creates better accuracy but requires more frequent signal resets.
1. Set the mode switch to PASSIVE.
2. Turn the power ON. The Signal Strength LEDs will illuminate, and the Passive Mode
Indicator will appear on the LCD.
Optional: Set the speaker volume to Off, Low or High.
3. Scan the area for buried lines. See Scanning Procedure.