Rycom 8879PLS User manual

800.851.7347 www.rycominstruments.com
8879PLS
Cable & Pipe Locator
User Manual
8879 PLS 5 Watt USer’S ManUaL030-00086-00

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Table of Contents
General InformatIon
Introduction2
DisclaimerofLiability2
PrepareforUse2
TransmitterControlsandIndicators                             3
DirectConnect4
FlexicouplerConnection4
InductiveConnection5
BlindSearch5
SelectingtheTracingSignal6
ReceiverControlsandIndicators                              7
LocatingtheCableorPipe8
SelectingtheLocatingMode8
PeakLocatingMode8-9
NullLocatingMode9
AbsoluteSignalStrength10
GainChangeIndication10
Passive50/60HzLocating10
PushButtonDepth11
DepthMeasurement45DegreeAngleMethod                 12
TiltedMagneticFieldIdentification                            12
8879PLSTransmitterSpecifications                            13
8879PLSReceiverSpecifications                              14
FactoryService15
Warranty15
PartsList15

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Introduction Congratulations on the purchase of your new 8879PLS Locator The 8879PLS
Locator is specially designed to detect pipes, sondes, telecommunication lines
buried utilities This device may detect buried power cables, CATV cables, gas
and water pipes, sewer lines, telephone cables, fiber optic cables with sheath,
sondes,inspectioncameratransmitters
TheTransmiTTeremitsasignalThereceiverdetectsthesignalYoucanlocatetherel-
ativepositionoftheburiedutility,sondeorcamerabyfollowingthetracingsignal
Prepare for Use
Unpackyournew8879PLSLocator Makesurethereisnoshippingdamageand
allthepartsareincluded
Locate the battery compartment on the back of the “head” of the receiver
OpenthecompartmentusingaphillipsscrewdriverInstallthesixDuracell®“C”
batteriesasmarked
Chargethetransmitterforatleast5hoursbeforeuse
Note:Forlongerbatterylifeandreliableoperationunderadverseconditions,use
onlyDuracell®alkalinebatteries
DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
RYCOM INSTRUMENTS, INC SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO DISTRIBUTOR, RESELLER, OR ANY
OTHER PERSON FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY OR CONSE-
QUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR INJURY OF ANY TYPE WHATSOEVER, AND CAUSED DIRECT-
LY OR INDIRECTLY BY PRODUCTS SOLD OR SUPPLIED BY RYCOM INSTRUMENTS, INC.
Electric shock hazard:
• Followappropriatesafetyprocedureandyourcompaniespolicies
• Toolisdesignedtodetectelectromagneticeldemittedfromca-
blesandburiedmetallicutilitiesThere are buried cables, pipes, and
utilities this instrument CANNOT detect.
• LOCATINGisnotanexactscienceThe only certain way to be sure
of the existence, location, or depth of buried utilities is to carefully
expose (dig up) the utility.
• De-energize any circuits in or around the work area.
• Donotexposetooltorainormoisture
• Usetoolonlyforintendedpurposeasdescribedinthismanual
• Turn off transmitter before touching test lead or any un-insulated
conductor
• Donotconnecttolivevoltageoractiveutilitylines
Failure to observe these warnings could result in
severe injury or death.
WARNING

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815 Hz
82 kHz
8 kHz
TX OUTPUT
I / O
I
LOADING
FOR INDUCTIVE MODE
PLACE ARROWS ALONG CABLE PATH
8878
I / O
I82 kHz
8 kHz
815 Hz
LOADING
8879PLS Locator Series
Transmitter Controls and Indicators
TX OUTPUTJACK
Thered/Black cord,CouplerandFlexicoupler connectsheretocreateacircuitonthebur-
iedutility
 
TX ON
AFrequencylightandOutputlevellightindicatesunitison
FREQUENCY SELECTOR
The82kHzreadingindicatesthatthe82kHzfrequencyisinuseThisfrequencyisthehigher
ofthefourThe82kHzfrequencyisoftenusedtolocatehighlyresistivecablesorpipesand
iscapableofjumpingdisconnectedshieldbondsorgroundsThe815Hzreadingindicates
thatthe815HzfrequencyisinuseThe815HzisthelowerfrequencyItislesssusceptibleto
locatingerrorscausedbyadjacentcablesorpipesAlso,byusingthe815Hzfrequency,
thelocatingrangeisgreaterThe8kHzand33kHzaremid-rangefrequenciesusedwhen
the815Hzistooweakandthe82kHzisbleedingofftoeasily

LOAD RATE INDICATOR
TheLoadRate Indicator symbolflashes toindicate theoutput circuitimpedance When
theindicatorblinks4timespersecond,itisindicatinganearlyshortcircuitWhentheindi-
catorblinks1timeevery3seconds,itisindicatinganearlyopencircuit
Note:HoldingdowntheOutputSignalLevelbuttonfor2SecondswillmutetheAudioLoad
Rateindicator
OUTPUT SIGNAL LEVEL CONTROL
TheOUTPUTSIGNALLEVELCONTROLadjusts the power outputfrom the TransmiTTer There
are5selectionsfromlowtohigh
SIGNAL INFORMATION SELCTOR
Theunitcandisplaytherelativeresistance,currentandvoltageofthetransmittedsignal
Theresistanceisbasedonthefeedbackfromtheselectedfrequencyandisnotanactual
impedancemeter The selections can betoggledbypressingtheSIGNALINFORMATION
button
Power On & Off
Tx Output Jack
Frequency
Selector
Battery Condition
Indicator
Load Rate
Indicators
Output Signal
Level Control
Relative
Resistance, Volt,
Current
kM
v
mA
DFF
kHz
F.1
F.2
CAUTION
Leathal Voltages May Be Present
SignalInformation
Selector

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Direct Connection
DirectConnectionisthemostreliablemethodofsignalapplicationThismethodisrelatively
freeofinterferenceThegreatestamountofsignalstrengthcanbeachievedbythismethod
Low,mid,andhighfrequencymaybeusedThefarendoftheutilitymustbegrounded
Connectthered TesT cordtoanexistinggroundpointoranexposedmetallicsectionofthe
utilityPlacetheGround rodapproximately10feetfromthispoint,atanangleof90ºtothe
buriedcableorpipePushtheGround rodintotheground8to10inchesConnecttheBlack
TesT cordtotheGround rod
Plugthered/Black TesT cordintotheTXOUTPUTJACKPresstheFREQUENCYButtonfor815Hz,
8kHz,33kHzor82kHzThePowerOutputIndicatorandtheFrequencylightofthechosen
frequencywilllightup
Coupler & Flexicoupler Connection
TheoptionalFlexicouplerandHard couplerareveryeasytouse,andservicesdonothaveto
beinterruptedTheoperationrangeisshorterthanforDirectConnectionmethodsThetrac-
ingsignalcanbeaffectedbyneighboringcablesandpipesThered/Black TesT cordorthe
Ground rodarenotneededforthismethod
Successfulcoupleroperationrequiresaninsulatedconductorthatisgroundedonbothnear
andfarends
LooptheFlexicoupleraroundthecableandconnectthetwoends,orclamptheHard coupler
aroundthe cableIt isimportant toconnect the coupleraround thecable needingto be
tracedConnectthecoupler aroundthewireclosertotheoutgoingcablenotnearthesys-
temgroundTheresultwillbeastrongersignalByconnectingnearthegrounding,therange
willalsobeshorter,anddifficultymayarisedeterminingonecablefromanother
Plugthecoupler TesT cordintotheTXOUTPUTJACKAlwaysusethe82kHzFREQUENCYonthe
receiverandtheTransmiTTer
CAUTION
TRANSMITTER
BLACK
BURIED CABLE
RED
FLEXICOUPLER
BURIED CABLE
TRANSMITTER
DO NOT CONNECT TO LIVE OR
ENERGIZED POWER CABLES

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Inductive Connection
Thismethodisconvenienttouse,andservicesarenotinterruptedNotestcordsorconnec-
tionsareneededThecableorpipemusthavegoodinsulationornon-conductivecoating,
ortheoperatingrangewillbeshort
TurntheTransmiTTer ONPress the82kHzbutton Place transmItter on Its sIde ascloseas pos-
sibletothepathofthecableor pipe AligntheARROWSonthe SIDE OFTHETRANSMITTER
inlinewiththecableorpipeFirst,locatethebroadTransmiTTerNull,thenmovetowardthe
expectedcablepathwhilelookingforthesignalcarriedbythecable
Starttracingthepathwiththereceiver25feetfromtheTransmiTTerSearchinthe90ºzoneas
shownaboveLocatethecableorpipe,andfollowthepathIfthesignalbecomesweak,
movetheTransmiTTertoapoint25feetbehindthelaststrongsignal,andcontinuesearching
TheBlind Searchlocatingtechniquesisusediftheoperatorisnotawareifaburiedutil-
ityexistsTwopeopleare needed forthis technique TheTransmiTTerand thereceiverare
Held25feetawayfromeachotherEachoperatorwalksatthesamespeedkeepinga
distanceof25feetfromeachotherWhenthereceivergivesanaudioresponse,thena
buriedutilityispresentbetweenthereceiverandtheTransmiTTer.
Blind Search
TRANSMITTER
25 Feet (7.5 Meters) Between Transmitter and Reciever
RECEIVER
TRANSMITTER
25 Feet (7.5 Meters) Between Transmitter and Reciever
RECEIVER

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Selecting the Tracing Signal
Thechoiceof815Hz,8kHz,33kHzor82kHzFrequencyisdependentontheconditionsof
thelocate
The815Hz,8kHz,33kHzand82kHzsignalseachhavetheiradvantagesItisrecommended
tobeginbyusingthe815Hzsignal,andcontinueaslongasyouareconfidentintheresultsIf
thesignalisveryweaktrytoadjusttheconnectionorgroundingIfthereisnoimprovementin
signalthentry8kHzRepeatadjustmentsofgroundandconnectionpointagainuntilswitch-
ingto33kHzandthen82kHz
815Hz(lowerfrequency)signalisusuallypreferredtothe8kHz(mid-rangefrequency)and
82kHz(highfrequency)signal,becauseitismuchlesssusceptibletolocatingerrorscaused
bynearbycables orpipes The815 Hzlocatingrangeis alsomuchlongerthan the82 kHz
signalThe815Hzsignalwillnottravelwellthroughdisconnectedshieldbondsorinsulated
pipebushing
8kHzand33kHztakesthebestofbothhighandlowfrequencyThismidrangefrequencyis
notverysusceptibletobleedofforcoupling,butitcanjumpimpedanceontheutilitybetter
thanthe815HzItisstillbesttouse815Hz,but8kHzisoneofthemostcommonfrequencies
usedtolocatecoaxialcableandtelecompairs
The 82 kHz (higher frequency) is sometimes better than the 815 Hz (lower frequency) for
locatingsharpcornersincablesorpipesThe82kHzsignalisalsobetterfor“jumping”discon-
nectedshieldbondsorgrounds,ortracingsignalmayindicateoneofthesecharacteristics
Thelocatingrangeisquiteshortforthe82kHzsignalsotheTransmiTTermustberepositioned
moreoftenduringthetracingoperationThisFrequencyisalsousefulforapplyingasignalusing
theFlexicoupler or THe Hard coupler.

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8879PLS Receiver Controls and Indicators
ON/OFF Button
TheunitwillloadsettingsfromprevioususageAutomaticshutoffafter10minuteofnouse
FREQUENCY Button
Togglesthroughavailableactiveandpassivefrequencies(modelspecific)
8879PLS-82kHz,33kHz,8kHz,815Hz,60Hz/50HzandRF(orCP)
MODE Button
Togglethroughavailablemode(modelspecific)
8879PLS-PEAK,PINPOINTPEAK,NULL,ACC(whenanaccessoryispluggedin)andSONDElocat-
ingmodes
 
DEPTH & CURRENT Button
DEPTH function will first momentarily display the depth mode (Line [LIN] or Sonde [SON]) and
thendisplaydepthmeasurementatthetopofLCDTochangetheDepthMeasurementfrom
EnglishtoMetric,holdtheDepthKeyfortensecondsCURRENTmeasurestherelativeamountof
transmittedcurrentandisdisplayedatthebottomoftheLCD
GAIN Button (UporDown)
AdjuststhegainupordownIfthesignalstrengthshowsas“---”onthedisplay,pressingthe
GAINwillautomaticallyadjustto85%onthescaledisplay
VOLUME (SHIFT Button+MODE Button)
TogglevolumethroughHigh,Medium,LowandOff
BACKLIGHT (SHIFT Button+FREQUENCY Button)
HoldtheSHIFTKeyandpresstheCURRENTkeytotoggleonandofftheback light
LOW BATTERY
The8879PLSLocator willindicatelowbatteryconditionbydisplaying"LOBAT"inthethreedigit
SignalStrengthDisplayatthetopoftheLCDscreen
DISPLAYSABSOLUTE
SIGNALSTRENGTH
ORDEPTH
ADJUSTSGAINUPOR
DOWN
ON/OFFBUTTON
MEASURESDEPTH
(+ShiftKey
MEASURES
CURRENT)
RELATIVESIGNAL
STRENGTHBARGRAPH
(singlebarshowsgain
setting)
mA
cm
SON
DFF
ACC
kHz
FREQUENCYSELECTOR
(+ShiftKey
toggleson/off
backlight)
OPERATIONMODE
Displaysselected
operationavail-
abletomodel
MODESELECTOR
(+ShiftKey
togglesvolume)
SHIFTKEY
Holdwhileselect-
ingsecondarykey
functions
DISPLAYSSELECTED
FREQUENCY

Locating the Cable or Pipe
MakesuretheTransmiTTerisconnectedandintheONpositionThenmoveapproximately15
feet(45meters)awayfromtheTransmiTTer alongthepath(Moveabout25feet(75meters)
fortheInductivesearchmode)
HoldthereceiversothatyoucanseetheLCDbargraphandcontrolseasilyMakesurethe
receiverandtheTransmiTTerFREQUENCYarebothsetforthesameFREQUENCY,either815Hz
(lower),8kHz, 33kHz or82kHz(higher) Orselect thepassive locatingmode whichdo not
requirethetransmitter
Selecting the Locating Mode (Peak or Null)
PresstheMODEbuttontoselectthedesiredPeakorNulllocatingmethod
Peak Mode Locating
KeepthereceiverinaverticalpositionMovethereceiver lefttorightacrossthepathWhen
thereceiverisdirectlyabovethecableorpipe,rotatethereceiverforamaximumsignalAs
youmovethereceiverawayfromthecablepath,themeterreading(andaudiofrequency
response)willdropoff
Ifyourotatethereceiverwhileoverthecable,asharpNULLwillidentifythecable’sdirection
Itisalignedwiththeflatsideofthereceiver
CABLE
PATH
MAXIMUM
RECEIVER
SIGNAL DIRECTION
CABLE
NULL SHOWS
PATH
CABLE
Null Mode
Buried cable
Buried cable
Signal over cable
Peak Mode
(End view)
Receiver Max
(End view)
Receiver Min
Signal over cable

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If you can no longer trace the path, even with the GAIN set to maximum, connect the
TransmiTTertothefarendofthepathandtracebacktothepointwhereyoulostthesignal
MarkthestraightsectionsofthepatheveryfewfeetMarksharpcurves,loops,andcable
bundleseveryfew inchesSharp changesinthepath causethe receiverPEAKand NULL
indicationstobehavedifferentlythanwhentracingastraightpathPracticeonthepath
thatyouknowhasturnsandlateralsinitThiswillhelpyoutorecognizetheconditionswithin
thefield
TracethepathbywalkingawayfromtheTransmiTTeratamoderatepaceMovethereceiver
totheleftandrightwhilewalking,followingthePEAKindications
Asyou trace thepath,the PEAKmeter readingmayslowly fadeasyou moveaway from
theTransmiTTerPressandreleasetheGAINbuttonsasneededtocompensateforchangesin
level(higherorlower)Oneofthefollowingmayoccur:
  a) a junction where the signal divides and goes several directions.
b) a break in the cable or shield.
c) a change in the depth of the cable or pipe.
d) an insulated pipe fitting.
e) a slack loop of cable.
Peak Mode LocatingContinued
Move the receiver left to right across the cable path When the receiver is direct-
ly above the cable or pipe, a NULL (lowest meter reading and lowest audio tone)
will occur When moving the receiver to left or right of the NULL point, the meter
reading will rise to a maximum point (PEAK) The audio tone will also be at its
highestpitchWhenthereceiverismovedbeyondthePEAK,themeterreadingwillbeginto
fade
TracethepathbywalkingawayfromtheTransmiTTeratamoderatepaceMovethereceiver
totheleftandrightwhenwalking,followingtheNULLindications
As you trace the path, the PEAK meter reading may slowly fade as you move away from
theTransmiTTerPressandreleasetheGAINbuttonsasneededtocompensateforchanges
insignallevelIfthePEAKmeterreadingssuddenlychangesinlevel(higherorlower),oneof
thefollowingmayhaveoccurred:

a) a junction where the signal divides and goes several directions.
b) a break in the cable or shield.
c) a change in the depth of the cable or pipe.
d) an insulated pipe fitting.
e) a slack loop of cable.
Ifyoucannolongertracethepath,evenwiththeGAINcontrolsettomaximum,connect
theTransmiTTertothefarendofthepath,andbegintracingthepathback
Null Mode Locating
Markthestraight sectionof thepath everyfew feetMark sharpcurves,loops,and cable
bundles every few inches Sharp changes in the path causes the receiver PEAK and NULL
indicatorstobehavedifferentlythanwhentracingastraightpathPracticeonthepaththat
youknowhasturnsandlateralsinitThiswillhelpinrecognizingtheconditionswithinthefield