
22 23
Transmitter menu options
• VOL: Adjust the speaker volume from
0 (mute) to 3 (loudest).
• FREQ: Enable or disable individual
frequencies.
• BOOST: Boost transmitter output for a
specied period of time (in minutes).
• INFO: Shows the software version
• LANG: Select menus language.
• OPT F: Run SideStepauto™to auto-
select a locate frequency for the
connected utility.
• BATT: Set battery type: ALK, NiMH or
Li-ION and enable / disable Eco mode.
• MAX P: Set the transmitter to output its
maximum wattage.
• MODEL: Match the transmitter setting
to the model of your locator.
• MAX V: Set the output voltage to
maximum (90V).
• ILOC: Enable, disable or pair iLOC
connections (Bluetooth models only).
Locating pipes
and cables
For more detailed descriptions of using the
locator and transmitter, and for detailed
locate techniques, refer to the RD8200SG
Operation Manual.
The RD8200SG locator is designed to
operate with the ‘blade’ of the locator
perpendicular to the path of the cable or
pipe being located.
The transmitter will then apply a discrete
signal to the line, which you can trace
using the locator. This method provides the
best signal on an individual line and enables
the use of lower frequencies, which can be
traced for longer distances.
WARNING! Direct connection to live
conductors is POTENTIALLY LETHAL.
Direct connections to live conductors
should be attempted by fully qualied
personnel only using the relevant
products that allow connections to
energized lines.
Induction
The transmitter is placed on the ground
over or near the survey area. You select the
appropriate frequency. The transmitter will
then induce the signal indiscriminately to
any nearby metallic conductor. In induction
mode, using higher frequencies is generally
recommended as they are induced more
easily onto nearby conductors.
Transmitter Clamp
An optional signal clamp can be placed
around an insulated live wire or pipe up
to 5"/215mm in diameter to transfer
the transmitter signal to the utility. This
method of applying the transmitter signal
is particularly useful on insulated live wires
and removes the need to disconnect the
supply to the cable.
WARNING! Do not clamp around
uninsulated live conductors.
WARNING! Before applying or
removing the clamp around a power cable
ensure that the clamp is connected to
the transmitter at all times.
Locating with Active
Frequencies
Active frequencies are applied to the
target pipe or cable using the transmitter,
and provide the most eective way of
tracing buried pipes or cables.
Generally speaking, it is better to use a
low frequency on larger, low impedance
utilities, and move to a higher frequency
on smaller, high impedance utilities.
The lowest power setting required to
trace the target utility should always be
used to minimize the risk of false trails.
The transmitter can apply a signal using
three dierent methods:
Direct connection
In direct connection, you connect the
transmitter directly to the pipe or cable
you wish to survey using the red Direct
Connect lead supplied. The black lead is
generally connected to earth using the
supplied ground stake.
Locating with Passive
Frequencies
Passive frequency detection takes advantage
of signals that are already present on
buried metallic conductors. The RD8200SG
supports four types of passive frequencies:
Power, Radio, CPS and Cable TV (CATV)
signals. You can detect these frequencies
without the aid of the transmitter.
Antenna Modes
The RD8200SG oers a choice of 5 antenna
modes, each of which is designed for
specic uses, depending on what task is
being carried out.
To scroll between locate modes, press
the key.
PEAK: For accurate locating, the
peak bargraph provides a visual
readout of the signal strength. The peak
signal is found directly over the buried utility.
PEAK+: Choose to combine the
accuracy of the Peak bargraph with
Null arrows, which can indicate the presence
of distortion, or with proportional Guidance
arrows for rapid line tracing – switch
between them by holding the key.
GUIDANCE: Proportional arrows
and a ballistic ‘needle’ combine
with audio left/right indication for rapidly
tracing the general path of a buried utility.
BROAD PEAK: Operating similarly
to Peak mode, but giving a result
over a wider area. Used to detect and
trace very weak signals, for example very
deep utilities.
NULL: Provides a quick left/right
indication of the path of a utility.
As Null is susceptible to interference, it is
best used in areas where no other utilities
are present.