Schonstedt Rex User manual

Instruction Manual
Made in USA
P: [phone] l www.schonstedt.com l [email protected]
100 Edmond Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430

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October 2017 – Rev. 1.1
Im po rta nt No tic e
Schonstedt believes the statements contained herein to be accurate and reliable;
however, their accuracy, reliability, or completeness is not guaranteed.
Schonstedt's only obligation shall be to repair or replace any instrument proven to be
defective within three years of purchase. Schonstedt shall not be responsible for any
injury to persons or property, direct or consequential, arising from the use of any
instrument.

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Ta b le o f C o nte nts
C ha pte r 1: Intro duc tio n & O pe ra ting Mo d e s 1
Introduction .................................................................................................................... 2
Passive 50/60 Hz ............................................................................................................. 2
Conductive..................................................................................................................... 2
Inductive Clamp ............................................................................................................ 2
Inductive ......................................................................................................................... 3
Sonde ............................................................................................................................. 3
Operating Recommendations .................................................................................... 4
C ha pte r 2: Re x Re c e ive r 5
Automatic and Manual Gain ...................................................................................... 6
Directional Indication.................................................................................................... 6
Depth Measurement ..................................................................................................... 6
Searching for a Sonde .................................................................................................. 6
Controls ........................................................................................................................... 7
Visual and Audible Indicators ...................................................................................... 8
Connectors and Accessories ..................................................................................... 11
Battery Replacement.................................................................................................. 11
Specifications ............................................................................................................... 12
Regulatory Compliance and Declaration of Conformity ...................................... 13
C ha p te r 3: Re x Tra nsm itte r 14
Automatic and Manual Output Power..................................................................... 15
Output Current Measurement ................................................................................... 15
Line Voltage and Impedance Measurement.......................................................... 15
Controls ......................................................................................................................... 16
Visual and Audible Indicators .................................................................................... 17
Connectors and Accessories ..................................................................................... 18
Battery Charger ........................................................................................................... 19
Recommendations for Battery Charging and Storage .......................................... 21
Battery Replacement.................................................................................................. 21
Specifications ............................................................................................................... 23
Regulatory Compliance and Declaration of Conformity ...................................... 24
C ha p te r 4: Te c hnic a l Supp o rt/ Se rvic e Info rm a tio n 25
C ha p te r 5: Wa rra nty 27

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1
INTRODUCTION &
OPERATING MODES

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Intro duc tio n
In general, pipe and cable locators can operate in a variety of modes and
frequencies. The following is a brief description of the basic operating modes
supported by the Rex Pipe and Cable locator. In addition, the Rex Pipe and Cable
locator offers advanced features to suit almost any type of locating challenge, while
emphasizing portability, size, and convenience. The receiver collapses for portability
and expands for full functionality, and the transmitter packs up to 5 watts output
power, multiple frequencies, and an inductive antenna in a flat and lightweight
package that is similar to a notebook computer.
In the design of our locators, Schonstedt has incorporated more than sixty years of
experience in producing the world's finest locating products for aerospace, military
and infrastructure applications. All Schonstedt products are manufactured following
high standards of reliability, durability and performance.
For additional information on pipe and cable locating theory and techniques, check
the training section of our website at www.schonstedt.com/training.
Pa ssive 50/ 60 Hz
In the passive mode, the transmitter is not used at all. Instead, the receiver
searches for an appropriate harmonic of 60 or 50 Hz signals (factory preset).
These signals are typically present in energized power cables, making it
possible to locate them without using a transmitter to impose a tracing signal
onto them.
C o nduc tive
In the conductive mode, the transmitter imposes a signal of the selected
frequency onto the pipe or cable to be traced. It does so by making direct
contact with the pipe or cable at a point where the pipe/cable comes up to
the surface of the ground (a transformer box, a water hydrant, a telephone
switch box, a gas meter, etc.). The circuit is closed by providing a return path
with a stake that is buried in the ground near the transmitter.
Ind uc tive C la m p
In the inductive clamp mode, the transmitter imposes a signal of the selected
frequency onto the pipe or cable to be traced. It does so by energizing a
clamp that is placed so that it is completely encircling the pipe or cable at a
point where the pipe/cable comes up to the surface of the ground (a

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transformer box, a telephone switch box, a gas meter, etc.). The clamp then induces
a current onto the pipe or cable. In this mode, it is not necessary to provide a return
path for the induced current to the transmitter. The induced current will travel on the
pipe or cable for a certain distance, making it possible to trace it.
Induc tive
In the inductive mode, the transmitter imposes a signal of the selected
frequency onto the pipe or cable to be traced. It does so by energizing
an inductive antenna built into the case. The transmitter is placed on
the ground in a direction perpendicular to the pipe or cable being
traced. The inductive antenna then induces a current onto the pipe or
cable. In this mode, it is not necessary to provide a return path for the
induced current to the transmitter. The induced current will travel on the
pipe or cable for a certain distance, making it possible to trace it.
So nde
In the sonde mode, the transmitter is not used at all. This mode is used to
trace non-metallic pipes or metallic pipes where other modes are
inapplicable or inefficient. A small beacon transmitter, or sonde, is pushed
through the pipe, and the receiver searches for the signal emitted by the
sonde. Since the signal being traced by the receiver is produced by the
sonde and not travelling along the pipes, there are some differences in the
way the receiver is used. Due to the nature and strength of the sonde
signal, it is necessary to have some idea of where the sonde is (in order to
narrow the search area to a radius of several feet centered around the
sonde). Since the sonde is “guided” by a device that is under the control of
the work crew and it often has a camera attached to it, having a general
idea of where the sonde is located is typically not a problem.
For additional information on sonde locating and techniques, check the
training section of our website at www.schonstedt.com/training.
Micro Mini Sonde-512 Hz Mini Sonde-512 Hz

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O pe ra ting Re c o m m e nd a tio ns
When using the Rex Pipe and Cable Locator, follow these tips and recommendations
to improve and facilitate your locating experience:
1) Whenever possible, use the conductive mode. It provides the strongest and best-
coupled signal.
2) When operating in conductive mode:
Try to bury the ground steak on a line perpendicular to the utility to be traced.
Verify that a good circuit has been established by:
Checking the output current from the transmitter.
Manually adjusting the output power to affect the output current.
Making adjustments to the conductive clips to improve the connection.
3) When operating in the inductive mode, place the transmitter antenna (located
inside the handle) over the buried cable or pipe in the direction indicated by the
label (perpendicular to the suspected direction of the pipe or cable).
4) If using the inductive clamp mode, place the clamp so that it completely
encircles the desired cable or pipe. Make sure the clamp can fully close so that
both ends touch.
5) When operating in the passive mode, be aware of your surroundings and possible
interference from overhead power lines, other buried cables, pipes or utilities
carrying 50 or 60 Hz signals, and nearby transformers or substations.
6) In all operating modes, always set the gain at the minimum setting that shows a
clear peak over the target. Optimum results will most likely be obtained with a
signal strength reading between 200 and 800. A consistent reading of 995 or
higher indicates the signal is too strong and the receiver gain and/or transmitter
power should be reduced.

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REX RECEIVER

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Auto ma tic a nd Ma nua l G a in
The Rex receiver has the ability to operate in an automatic or manual gain mode. In
the automatic gain mode, the sensitivity of the receiver is adjusted automatically,
based on the strength of the detected signal, to produce a relatively constant and
strong signal strength indication. In the manual gain mode, the user can adjust the
sensitivity up or down to suit different locating scenarios.
Dire c tiona lIndic a tio n
The Rex receiver is equipped with directional indicators (arrows). These visual and
audible indicators help the user locate the pipe or cable by showing which direction
he/she should move in order to get closer to the target. These indicators are not
available in the Sonde mode.
De pth Me a sure m e nt
The Rex receiver has the ability to measure the approximate depth of the target pipe
or cable being traced. When a depth measurement is made, the receiver must be
fully extended and the bottom tip of the receiver must be touching the ground.
Depth measurements should only be made when the directional indication says that
the target is close and the receiver’s signal strength is maximized (peaked) over the
target. Special considerations are required for the Sonde mode.
Se a rc hing fo r a So nd e
Once in the surroundings of a sonde, it is important
to differentiate whether you are positioned along
the axis of the sonde (the direction of the pipe) or
off to either side. In the sonde mode, the
directional indication is not functional; the signal
strength is the only indication available.
Rotate the receiver back and forth and move in
the direction that produces the maximum (peak)
signal strength. As the receiver gets closer to the
sonde, the signal strength increases and it will hit a
peak when the receiver is directly over the sonde.
Slowly rotate the receiver to fine tune the peak
signal strength, which will occur when the plane of
the sensors is parallel to the axis of the sonde. For
verification, rotate the receiver 90 degrees and see

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that it produces a “null" (signal strength very close to zero), and then counter-rotate
90 degrees to go back to the original position.
To measure depth, simply place the tip of the unit on the ground and press the DEPTH
button when the signal strength is at a peak. The achievable depth depends on a
number of factors, but typically it is possible to read depth up to 5 to 15 feet (1.5 to
4.2 m).
C o ntro ls
The Rex Receiver controls are designed to be intuitive and require a minimum of
training for effective use. The receiver can easily be operated with one hand.
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1O N/ VO LUME - This switch powers on the receiver and automatically sets the
volume to High. Additional depressions of this switch will cycle the volume through
Off (no sound), Medium, and High settings.
2O FF - This switch removes power from the receiver.
3UP/ DO WN A RRO WS - When the receiver is operating in manual gain mode,
pressing the UP or DOWN arrows will increase or decrease the gain from its current
setting. When the receiver is operating in the automatic gain mode, the first press
of the UP or DOWN arrow will switch the receiver to the manual gain mode.
4AUTO - When the receiver is operating in the manual gain mode, pressing the
AUTO button will switch the receiver to operate in the Automatic gain mode. In
this mode the receiver adjusts its sensitivity as a function of the strength of the
detected signal.