Radiodetection RD400PDL-2 User manual

RD400PDL-2/PXL-2
User Guide
Revision 0 - 04.97

RD400PDL-2/PXL-2 User Guide
About this User Guide
This User Guide is divided into sections as follows:
RD400PDL-2/PXL-2 Receivers
This section details where to find and how to use
the various operating controls and features, etc.,
relevant to the RD400PDL-2/PXL-2 receivers.
As there are several RD400PDL-2/PXL-2 variants,
some of the features described in the Receivers
section may not be available. Refer to the product
label for features available.
Receiver Use
This section describes how to use the RD400PDL-
2/PXL-2 to locate, trace, pinpoint, measure
depth/current and find current direction
(RD400PDL-2 only).
FaultFinding (RD400PDL-2 only)
This section describes how to locate and pinpoint
faults to ground on cables or cable sheaths using
the Accessory A-Frame and RD400PDL-2
Receiver.
EMS Marker Location
This section describes how to locate EMS Markers
using the RD400PXL-2 EMS Receiver.
RD433HCTx-2 Transmitter
This section details where to find and how to use
the various operating controls and features, etc.,
of the RD433HCTx-2 Transmitter.
Transmitter Use
This section describes how to apply a signal to a
target line using the RD433HCTx-2 Transmitter

RD400PDL-2/PXL-2 User Guide Precision Locators
On/Off (1)
One press for On, further press for Off. If after
5 minutes no control key has been pressed, there
is an audible warning followed by auto switch Off.
Batteries (2)
Display provides 4 segment continuous indication
of battery status. When battery replacement is
necessary, display shows flashing battery symbol
and 'Lo bat' followed by Receiver switching off.
Unscrew battery compartment cover and replace
12 x LR6 (AA) Alkaline batteries. Observing
correct battery polarity as indicated on battery
holder.
Shift Key (3)
Provides access to secondary functions on some
keys.
Self Test (4)
Press to initiate Self Test while Shift is held down -
'tSt' is displayed momentarily followed by 'PAS'
(Pass) or 'FAL' (Fail). If the Receiver fails the Self
Test consult your Dealer/Supplier.
Note: This does not confirm the calibration of the
Receiver.
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RD400PDL-2/PXL-2 User Guide
Precision Locators
Frequency/Mode (5)
Moves the mode pointer through choice of modes
available from those indicated along top of display
and custom frequencies (fa/fb) on the right.
Selects Power or Radio (passive modes) and
frequencies corresponding to Transmitter (active
modes).
Frequencies/Modes available:
CD frequency
Lf Low frequency
88192 Hz
33 32768 Hz
65 65536 Hz
Power
Radio
User defined frequency
User defined frequency
Speaker (6)
Press to increase or decrease loudspeaker level
while Shift key is held down.
Peak/Null (7)
Press to select either Peak response, Null
response or Accessory Socket (if an accessory is
connected. The pointer indicates selection.
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RD400PDL-2/PXL-2 User Guide Precision Locators
Left/Right Indication (8)
Indicates direction to target line in Null mode when
Receiver is used to locate with internal aerials or
A-Frame, except in Power mode.
Gain Down/Up (9)
Press either key (or operate touch gain control, if
fitted) to increase or decrease Receiver gain.
If bargraph indicates full scale press Down arrow
key to automatically reduce indication level.
A numeric representation of meter deflection
percentage is displayed above bargraph.
Actual Receiver gain level (0 to 100) is displayed
next to Gain symbol.
Backlight (10)
One press for On, further press for Off while Shift
key is held down.
Defaults to Off at switch on to conserve batteries.
Line/Sonde (11)
Press to select Line or Sonde mode. The pointer
indicates selection.
Warning
Failure to select appropriate Line/Sonde mode
will result in incorrect depth estimation.
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RD400PDL-2/PXL-2 User Guide
Precision Locators
Depth (12)
Press to display depth from Receiver to target
line/sonde when directly over line/sonde.
Depth measurement may not be available in all
modes on some PXL-2 models.
Current (13)
Press once to obtain current value (mA) of active
target line signal when directly over line, except in
Power or Radio modes.
CD - Read (PDL-2 only)
Press the Current key twice to select Current
Direction indication when in CD mode. Current
Direction will be indicated by the forward/backward
arrows on the LCD.
CD - Reset (PDL-2 only)
Hold down Shift key and press Current Key, LCD
will display 'rSt'.
Accessory Socket (14)
Pointer indicates when Accessory Socket has been
selected. On some Receiver variants selection is
automatic when accessory is connected and on
others selection must be made by pressing
Peak/Null key.
Error Codes
Error Codes are displayed where gain dB level
normally appears accompanied by an 'Err' message.
Operational Errors
Error #9 - Indicates that signal is too small or too
large to measure Depth/Current. Check Transmitter
settings.
Error #11 - Indicates a strong overhead signal.
Error #21 - Indicates that depth to target
line/Sonde is beyond Depth measurement range.
Error #22 - Indicates CD signal missing in CD
mode.
Error #44 - Indicates Lf signal missing in CD
mode.
Equipment Errors
When Error Codes #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #23
and #24 are displayed you must consult your
Dealer/Supplier.
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RD400PDL-2/PXL-2 User Guide Locator Use
Locate
Switch Receiver On. Options and facilities
available are indicated during display test.
Check Receiver battery indicator shows at least
one bar.
If required, initiate a Self Test.
Power Mode
Some cables radiate power energy signals.
Radio Mode
Some cables or other buried metal utility lines do
not radiate power energy signals but can be
detected by locating re-radiated radio signals.
No transmitter is needed to locate in the Power
and Radio modes.
Active Mode
Apply the transmitter signal and switch on. Select
desired frequency. Refer to 'Tx Use' section.
Select the required transmitter frequency on the
receiver.
Select Peak and Line modes.
Adjust gain so bargraph is approximately mid
scale.
Holding Receiver blade vertical at all times, sweep
area to be excavated with a steady and deliberate
motion.
If necessary adjust gain to keep meter on scale.
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RD400PDL-2/PXL-2 User Guide
Locator Use
When a signal is detected continue along search
route until signal strength reduces, returning to
position where signal is strongest.
Pinpoint
Rotate Receiver through 90° until minimum signal
is detected.
Receiver blade is now in line with target line.
Rotate Receiver back through 90° so that blade is
again across target line.
Move Receiver side to side and observe maximum
response over centre of signal.
Receiver blade is now over target line and across it.
Moving Receiver steadily from side to side, follow
line of maximum response, keeping blade vertical
and across the target line.

RD400PDL-2/PXL-2 User Guide Locator Use
Mark target line position with chalk or paint.
Continue sweeping the area, following grid pattern.
Null
Select Null mode.
Walk along path of target line. Minimum response
with an increased response each side indicates
position of target line.
When the Receiver blade is across the target line,
on some receivers, the Left/Right arrows on
display will point in the direction of the target line.
Stop every 10 - 20 paces and check position.
Periodically switch back to Peak to confirm
position.
Note: Although the Peak position of a line is more
difficult to identify, it is usually more accurate than
the Null position.
Depth Reading to a Line
Depth readings can only be accurately performed
when using the active transmitter mode.
Pinpoint target line as previously described. Hold
Receiver vertically with blade resting on the
ground.
Ensure Line mode is selected.
Momentarily press the Depth key. Depth reading is
displayed for a few seconds.
Warning
Certain conditions can cause depth errors.
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RD400PDL-2/PXL-2 User Guide
Locator Use
Depth in Power Mode
As current on power cables may fluctuate Depth
readings in Power mode are NOT as reliable as
active transmitter Depth measurements.
Current
Active signal current can be measured in the same
active locating modes available with the Depth
feature.
Pinpoint the target line as previously described.
Press the Current key once. Current reading is
displayed for a few seconds.
CD (RD400PDL-2 only)
Set Transmitter to provide a CD signal.
Using Frequency/Mode key select CD mode, hold
Receiver over target line close to, and with back
to, Transmitter.
CD - Reset (RD400PDL-2 only)
Before using Current Direction information a CD
reset must be carried out. (Refer to the
appropriate Receiver section).
When reset, Receiver will indicate target line
current direction flowing away from Transmitter.
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