TAKACHIHO MPL-21-E User manual

Pipe Locator MPL-21-E
Operation manual

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Table of Content
1. SAFETY......................................................................................................................................................2
2.Introduction...............................................................................................................................................4
3. Composition.............................................................................................................................................6
3.1 Main equipment & standard accessories ................................................................................6
3.2 Optional equipment.........................................................................................................................6
4. Description of parts & basic operation ...........................................................................................7
4.1 Transmitter.........................................................................................................................................7
4.2 Receiver ..............................................................................................................................................9
5. Operation of Transmitter....................................................................................................................11
5.1 Direct connection mode ..............................................................................................................11
5.2 External coil mode.........................................................................................................................12
5.3 Indirect (Inductive) mode.............................................................................................................13
6. Operation of Receiver .........................................................................................................................14
6.1 Null mode..........................................................................................................................................14
6.2 Peak mode........................................................................................................................................15
6.3 Depth measurement .....................................................................................................................16
6.4 Depth measurement using Triangulation ..............................................................................16
7. Inspection method...............................................................................................................................17
8. Specification ..........................................................................................................................................19
8.1 General specification....................................................................................................................19
8.2 Accuracy specification.................................................................................................................20

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1. SAFETY
Always locate with proper respect and caution. Equipment
misuse or carelessness can result in serious injury or damage to
property. Always follow safety rules.
HAZARD ALERT INFORMATION
BE AWARE OF SAFETY INFORMATION
This is a safety-alert sign. This is placed in the manual and on your
equipment to alert you to the potential for bodily injury or death.
SIGNAL WORDS
The safety-alert icon is used with the following signal words :
DANGER, WARNING, and CAUTION. When you see these words in the manual or on decals on your
equipment, carefully read and follow all instructions. Watch for these words and learn their meanings.
DANGER – Imminent hazards which, if not avoided, will result
in death or serious injury.
WARNING – Potentially hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION – Potentially hazardous situation which, if not
avoided, may result in minor personal injury or property damage.
OPERATOR PREPARATIONS
Important : Read and understand this manual before using cable locator MPL element.
Successful use of MPL element depends on good locating skills and correct understanding of receiver
response.
DANGER
WARNING
CAUTION

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GENERAL SAFETY
DANGER Do not attempt to connect to live power without proper protective equipment
and training.
DANGER ELECTRIC SHOCK Death or serious injury will result
NOTICE: Do not apply more than 250 volts across clips. More than 250 volts will damage
transmitter.
DANGER High Voltage. Cutting high voltage cable can cause DEATH or
ELECTROCUTION. Expose lines by non-destructive means before excavating.
DANGER Traffic hazards can result in death or serious injury. Avoid moving vehicles.
Wear high-visibility clothing.
WARNING Buried lines. Always confirm your depth estimate by exposing target line by
non-destructive means.
WARNING Jobsite hazards can cause DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY. Wear proper
safety equipment.
NOTICE : Remember this before searching and attempting any excavation activity.
NOTICE: Use only alkaline batteries in MPL element receiver and transmitter.
Batteries contain acid, which may leak if the batteries are allowed to remain in the equipment
when low or completely discharged. This acid can cause equipment damage.

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2.Introduction
This product is a high-performance digital measurement tool used to
measure the location and the depth of buried cables / metal pipes
from the ground. By adopting a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), the
digital correction of the measured data provides measurements with
high precision and stability.
- Principle of measurement method -
When current flows through a buried cable/pipe, an alternating magnetic field is generated
around it.
Location, depth, and current value of the buried pipe can be measured using the Receiver at
the surface.
- Features -
• There are two modes of location measurement (with error detection / protection function)
Null mode: This method detects the point of minimum sensitivity indicated with an arrow.
Two horizontal coils connected differentially allow you to locate the position
of the buried object without error.
Button input from operator is not necessary
Signal
Magnetic field
Pipe / Cable
Signal
Magnetic field
Pipe / Cable
Receiving level
Pipe / Cable
High
Low
Vn
Differential coil
V
n

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Peak mode: This method detects the point of maximum sensitivity.
Two horizontal coils connected differentially allow you to locate the position
of the buried object without error.
• Two depth measurement modes
A) Standard Depth Measurement: Method of calculating depth from sensitivity received by
upper and lower coils
Measure the depth in real time by pressing the Depth key above the buried object.
This method also measures the strength of the current of the signal.
B) Triangulation method: Method to measure using received sensitivity at Peak mode
Differential coils allow low-error depth measurements in noisy locations or using indirect
methods.
• The frequency of the signal used is 82kHz, as this frequency can transmit a signal efficiently
and can be received with good sensitivity.
• When using this locator for non-metallic pipes, please use the Locating rod (optional accessory).
Receiving level
Pipe / Cable
High
Low
V
p
Differential coil
V
p

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3. Composition
3.1 Main equipment & standard accessories
Description
Q’ty
Remark
Transmitter Unit
1pc
Used as a signal generator.
Receiver Unit
1pc
Digital locator
Connecting cable
1pc
Used for Direct connection mode
Ground rod
1pc
Used for Direct connection mode
Operating manual
1pc
English version
Carrying bag
1pc
3.2 Optional equipment
Description
Q’ty
Remark
External coil
1pc
Used for External coil mode
Locating Directional Rod (LDR)
1pc
Used for non-conductive pipes such as
PVC, HDPE or fiberoptic ducts

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4. Description of parts & basic operation
4.1 Transmitter
Connector cover
Battery compartment
Output connector
Control panel
Battery indicator
Output power level
When external coil is
connected, top lamp
is blinking.
Power on/off key
Output select key
Low (10%)
Medium (30%)
Full (100%)
Sound select key
2: Sound on (Initial setting)
1: Transmitter sound off, Function sound on.
0: Sound off
Signal current Indicator for Direct connection mode
4: more than 45mA
3: 15mA~45mA
2: 5mA~15mA
1: 2mA~5mA
When Signal current is less than 2mA , bottom lamp will be blinking
2) Key function & Indicator lamp
1) Appearance
1
Beeping sound emitted for Good signal loop
Retaining screw

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3) Connector
While pressing the lock button, pull
out the plug to remove
4) Battery indicator & Battery replacement
Green Lamp indicates the battery status.
Continuous lighting：Battery condition is good.
Slow blink：Remaining battery life is low.
Fast blink：Batteries can no longer be used.
Replace all batteries when the remaining life is low.
Always ensure that the batteries are inserted
correctly before closing the compartment
Connect the plug with the lock
button facing upwards
Unscrew to open the cover of battery compartment and replace all batteries.
Use six D (LR20 / 13A) Alkaline batteries.

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4.2 Receiver
Null Null mode
Left / Right position locating mode
Peak Peak mode
Signal peak position locating mode.
Press “PEAK” key to set signal level to 70.0%.
Power on / off
Depth Depth measurement mode
Single press measures depth. Holding down
depth button measures the signal current.
1) Appearance
2) Control panel & Display
Battery
compartment
Control
panel
Speaker
Antenna part
When in use, set the antenna part as shown in the figure below
When storing the
receiver in the bag, turn
the antenna part in the
same direction as the
figure.
Bar-graph
Left or Right indicator
for Null mode
Sound setting
Back Light setting
Battery indicator
Gear-Icon
Locating mode
Receiving sensitivity /
Depth / Signal current value

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a) Press DEPTH key when Gear-Icon appears
just after start-up to enter sound settings menu.
b) Select Sound options by pressing NULL key.
S-0: sound off S-1: low volume S-2: high volume
c) Select Backlight options by pressing PEAK key.
L-0: Light off L-1: Light on
d) Press DEPTH key to start locating
Gear-Icon
Version
Setting screen
3) Sound & Backlight setting
Power on screen
Unscrew to open the cover of
battery compartment.
Take out the battery holder and replace the
batteries with new ones.
4) Battery indicator & Battery replacement
Battery 0％
Battery 100％
Always ensure that the batteries are inserted
correctly before closing the compartment
Replace all batteries when the battery life is low.
Use four AA (LR6 / 15A) Alkaline batteries.
Battery holder
Open
Close

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5. Operation of Transmitter
5.1 Direct connection mode
A specific route can be detected in Direct Connection mode. Use the two
pronged connecting cables (3 m/10 ft.) which are included in the carrying case
as a standard accessory.
When the connecting cable is connected to the Transmitter, Direct Connection mode is
automatically selected.
Red clip
Wire cable / Metal pipe
Bottom lamp is blinking,
before clips are connected
Check the grounded point. Find the best place to
ground to have a good signal loop indication.
Clean connection area if rusted or painted
to ensure a good electrical connection.
Note: Placethe Earth/Groundasfaras
possible and at a rightangle to the
target line.
Black clip
Ground stake
Attach the Direct connecting cable
90
Note: Keep Receiver at least5m/16ft. away from
the signalconnectionpoint
5m /16 ft.
Connect the cable clips to the target line and ground stake.

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5.2 External coil mode
External coil supplied as an optional component. Use this mode if object is
accessible but a direct connection is impossible.
An induced current, generated by the coil in the External coil attachment, is
applied directly to the exposed part of the cable / pipe to be located.
Applicable to: Live Telecom cable or Live Power cable. Armored Fiber optic
cable with an aluminum-sheath.
When the external coil is connected to the Transmitter, External coil mode is automatically
selected.
Transmitting coil
Telecom / Power cable
(Diameter up to 10cm / 4”)
*The jaws do not have to be closed around the cable.
Top lamp is blinking
Set the external coil
Connect the External coil to the target line
Note: Keep the Receiver at
least 5 m/16 ft away from the
coil clamp when starting the
locating work.
5m /16 ft.
(Thiscoilmethodis differentfromthe conventional
clampthatmust havejaws perfectlyclosed. Different
sizeclampsarenot needed.Thiscoilmethoduses
Indirect/ Inductiveprinciple.)

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5.3 Indirect (Inductive) mode
If there is not direct access to the target line, the transmitter can generate signal
current into the object by an electromagnetic field output from the bottom of the
transmitter
When nothing is connected to the transmitter, Indirect mode is automatically selected.
Place the Transmitter over or near the area of the target object.
*Place the Transmitter in an upright position at a 90° angle to the target line as shown in the figure below.
Target line
90
Target line
90
Top view
An electromagneticfield is outputfromthe
coil builtintothe transmitter.
POWER
Note: Keep Receiver more than 10m / 30ft. away from
transmitter when starting the locating work. An "Air
coupling" between Receiver and Transmitter adversely
affects the measurement.
More than 10 m
/ 30ft. away
Note: Do not place Transmitter
on a manhole cover or other
steel covering.
electromagneticfield

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6. Operation of Receiver
6.1 Null mode
Move in the direction of
the arrow.
Direction of the object
Reception strength
Bar-graph
When directly above the target line, both arrows appear indicating the center,
the bar-graph indicates maximum, and BEEP sound is emitted.
Press NULL key.
OUT OF RANGE
Reception strength
indicator is blinking.
Null mode screen description
Starting Null mode
Locating method in NULL mode
Determining the direction of the
target line
Target line
Single continuous
sound on the left side of
the target line
Two-tone Alternating
sound on the right side of
the target line.
Target line
Beep
160
210
520
Locating may be difficult because the display
changes too quickly. In such a case, operate
the receiver while holding down NULL key.
Locate the point with strongest reception
by turning the receiver to left and right as
shown in the figure above.
When buried object is shallower
than 30cm/1ft.
th

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6.2 Peak mode
Reception strength
OUT OF RANGE
Percentage of the reception
strength is not indicated.
Bar-graph
Maximum (peak)value, theprecise position and direction, are obtained
when the receiver is located on the top of the target line
*The reception strength is automatically
adjusted to 70.0% after pressing PEAK key,
Starting PEAK Mode
When 99.9% is displayed, press the PEAK key to adjust the sensitivity
Target line
Peak mode screen description
Press PEAK key.
Locating method in PEAK mode
To adjust the sensitivity of the reception strength.
99.9%
100%
70%
Receiving level
Target line
Note: 99.9% is not the maximum peak value.
Press PEAK key

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6.3 Depth measurement
Once the precise location of the targett line has been determined, press the Depth
key to display the distance from the bottom of the Receiver to the target line.
Note: Depth reading is a calculation of received signal strength.
6.4 Depth measurement using Triangulation
This measurement method uses Peak mode.
Set the signal level to 70% directly above the line. While holding the locator vertically, move
it to the left and right until the meter drops to 50%. Mark these points and measure the
distance between them. The distance between the two points is equal to the depth.
While holding down the Depth key,
the signal current value is displayed.
90
Center of the pipe
Hold the Receiver vertically, place the receiver on the ground.
Press the Depth key, depth is measured continuously for 10 seconds.
Depth
Depth
Signal current
Measuring the signal current
This distance is equal to the depth.
Depth

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7. Inspecting equipment
Receiver: Null mode
Transmitter: Indirect mode. Set the output power to LOW.
Set the distance between transmitter and receiver to 1.5m / 5ft.
Receiver: Peak mode
Transmitter: Indirect mode. Set output power set to LOW
Set the distance between transmitter and receiver to 1.5m / 5ft.
Set the distance between transmitter and receiver to 0.6m / 2ft
If 99.9% is displayed, press PEAK key to adjust sensitivity
What to check for:
A) Null mode: Arrows indicate the direction of the center line.
What to check for:
C) Peak mode: “HI “ is displayed when the
receiver is too close to the transmitter.
1.5 m / 5 ft.
What to check for:
B) Peak mode: Bar-graph indicates
maximum value above center line.
0.6 m / 2 ft.

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Transmitter: Direct connection mode
Connect the connecting cable to the transmitter.
Turn on the transmitter.
Set the output power to FULL.
Connect the red and black clips of the connecting cable to each other.
NOTE)
This inspection method is intended to check if there is a failure in the equipment.
This inspection method does not guarantee the accuracy of the equipment.
What to check for:
D) Beep sounds to indicate the connection status of "Good SIGNAL LOOP".
E) All lamps on the Signal current indicator turn on.
Beep Beep
All lamps turn on

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8. Specification
8.1 General specification
Transmitter (TX)
Output frequency
82.175 kHz0.02%
Output power
1 watt maximum
Operating Modes
Direct connection mode, Inductive mode
External coil mode (optional )
Battery type
Six Alkaline LR20 “D”
Battery Life
Direct mode
: 50 hours (Output 4 mA , 20C / 68F)
Full Power(1W)
: 20 hours (20C / 68F)
Battery Status
Low battery indication
Audio Indication
Internal Speaker : Alarm, Beeping sounds
Output protection
AC 250V
Operating Temperature
-20C to 50C / -4F to 122F
Dimensions
(H)244 mm x (W)220 mm x (D)92 mm / 9.61" x 8.66" x 3.62"
Weight
2.6 kg / 5.8 lbs. approx. Including eight batteries
Protection grade
IP54 (Protection from splashed water)
Receiver (RX)
Locating frequency
82.175 kHz20Hz
Battery type
Four Alkaline LR6 “AA”
Battery Life
30 hours (20C / 68F, speaker sound off, backlight off)
Battery Status
Continuous indication
Power save function
Automatically power off after 30minutes of inactivity
Visual Indication
LCD : Bar graph , digital number & character, include backlight
Depth Display Range
0 to 5 m /16 ft. Depth readout unit: meter / feet & inch
Current value
Current value flowing on the conductor is displayed for line
identification in milliamps.
Audio output
Internal Speaker with volume adjustment.
Operating Temperature
-20C to 50C / -4F to 122F
Dimensions
(H)661 x (W)228 x 195 mm (26.0" x 8.98" x 7.68")
Weight
1.1 kg/ 2.4 lbs. approx. including four batteries
Protection grade
IP54 (Protection from splashed water)