Triplett The Hound 2 User manual

TRIPLETT
TONE
HI
LO
CONTINUITY
TALK
WARBLE
OFF / LINE POLARITY
MULTI-WIRE CABLE
TERMINALS
TARGET
WIRES
PUSH
ON/OFF
– VOLUME +
TRIPLETT
TONE
HI
LO
CONTINUITY
TALK
WARBLE
OFF / LINE POLARITY
PUSH
ON/OFF
– VOLUME +
MULTI-WIRE CABLE
TERMINALS
TARGET
WIRE
Instruction
Manual
TRIPLETT
Triplett Corporation One Triplett Drive Bluffton, OH 45817
800-TRIPLETT FAX: [phone] www.triplett.com
Hound
The
DESCRIPTION:
The HOUND 2 (PN 3236) is a small, hand-held In-
ductive Amplifier (also called a “Probe”) that, when
used in conjunction with the Triplett FOX or LAN
FOX, aids in locating, tracing, and identifying wires,
cables, and other conductors. Often, wires can be
identified without piercing their insulation, and their
location can be determined behind intervening non-
conductive surfaces, such as plastic, wood, or dry-
wall. The HOUND 2, with its convenient Volume
Control and LED signal indicator, is useful for wire
tracing in numerous applications, and has been
used in the telephone, electrical, security, sound
reinforcement, automotive, and boating industries,
to name a few.
HOUND 2 PROBE FEATURES:
1) Contains a hi-gain, hi-impedance amplifier
2) Has a rugged, moisture resistant, mylar
cone speaker
3) Volume / Sensitivity control
4) LED signal indicator
5) Powered by a standard 9V battery
SPECIFICATIONS:
Battery: 9 volt alkaline, NEDA 1604A, such
as Eveready 522
Size: Diameter: 1.5" (body), 1.9" (at speaker)
Length: 8.25" (including probe tip)
Weight: Less than 8 ounces with battery
BATTERY REPLACEMENT:
Unscrew speaker grill cap. Remove speaker, be-
ing careful not to damage wire connecting to
speaker. Remove foam pad. Replace the battery.
Reassemble.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS:
Two different basic tracing methods are commonly
used. Figure 1 illustrates the “LINE/GROUND” con-
nection, and Figure 2 illustrates the “LINE/LINE”
connection.
FOX LINE/GROUND Connection:
The LINE/GROUND connection produces the stron-
gest tracing signal, but also creates “crosstalk” of
the signal into other wires in the cable. If the user
is trying to identify a cable, and not an individual
conductor in the cable, the LINE/GROUND method
usually produces the best results. This method has
been used to trace electrical wires (like Romex),
speaker wires, intercom wires, thermostat wires,
alarm wires, cable television wires, etc. through
drywall, wood flooring, and carpeting.
A “good” earth ground is usually not required. In
fact, a large metal object like an office desk, a file
cabinet, or a metal plate on the floor, can be used.
On vehicles, the metal chassis of the vehicle can
be used as the ground. A metal hulled boat can
use the hull as a ground, and a wood or fiberglass
hulled boat can use the surrounding water as a
ground (make connection to a metal fitting in con-
tact with the water or drop a wire into the water).
The ground connection is only required at the FOX
end of the cable or wire, however, a ground con-
nection at the far end is handy for positive identi-
fication of the target wire (read following text on
tracing).
To setup the LINE/GROUND connection, clip one
alligator clip (either color) of the Triplett FOX to
the “ground”, and the other alligator clip to the
wire being traced (see Figure 1).
FOX LINE/LINE Connection:
The LINE/LINE connection is useful for identifying
a pair of wires in a multi-wire cable, or for identi-
fying a pair of wires in a bundle of wires. When
wires are “paired” in a cable, they are often twisted
together in a manner that reduces crosstalk of any
signal on the wires into adjacent wire pairs. Tele-
phone cables are constructed in this manner, so a
LINE/LINE connection is often used to trace tele-
phone cables (see Figure 2). The FOX’s modular
plug applies a LINE/LINE connection when plugged
into its mating modular jack (connected to a tele-
phone line).
Initial Setup and Testing:
Whether the LINE/GROUND or LINE/LINE connec-
tion is used at the FOX, the use of the HOUND 2
for tracing the signal is the same. In general, the
HOUND 2 is used by bringing it into proximity with
the wire/cable that is being traced, listening for the
TONE signal from the FOX, and moving the HOUND
2in such a manner as to increase the loudness of
the TONE signal from the HOUND 2’s speaker.......
i.e. searching for the loudest TONE signal. The
HOUND 2’s Volume Control is adjusted to a com-
fortable level. Usually, it is set to maximum when
the tracing wires through walls and ceilings, and
is set to a lower setting when in close proximity to
the signal carrying wires. The HOUND 2’s LED
glows brighter when the sounder from the speaker
is louder. In situations where there is a lot of acous-
tic noise, observing the brightness of the LED may
prove more useful than attempting to hear the sig-
nal from the speaker.
To begin using the HOUND 2, turn the volume all
the way up by rotating the VOLUME thumbwheel
towards the speaker. Depress the Power Button
on the HOUND 2. It is normal to hear a humming
or buzzing noise coming from the HOUND 2’s
speaker when it is in an area with fluorescent lights,
neon signs, transformers, etc. In fact, an easy test
to verify the HOUND 2 is working is to move it
toward an operating fluorescent light and note that
the buzzing sound gets louder, and the brightness
of the LED increases. When used out-of-doors,
away from power wires, the HOUND 2 may make
only a slight hissing noise.
Before attempting to trace a wire/cable, set the FOX
to the TONE mode, and depressing the HOUND 2’s
Power Button, bring the HOUND 2’s probe near
the FOX’s alligator clips. The TONE should be heard
from the HOUND 2’s speaker. If the TONE is not
heard, check the batteries of both the FOX and the
HOUND 2.
After verifying that the FOX is generating a TONE,
connect the FOX to the target wire/cable in the
desired fashion. Once again, test the FOX’s output
signal by depressing the HOUND 2’s Power But-
ton and bringing it’s probe near the FOX’s alligator
clips (this is called “probing” the wire/cable). The
TONE should be heard from the HOUND 2’s
speaker. If the TONE is not heard, the wire/cable
may be shorted. The HOUND 2 cannot trace a
shorted wire.
If the LINE/GROUND connection is being used, the
alligator clip connected to the ground should have
very little signal on it when probed by the HOUND
2. The other clip attached to the wire/cable should
have a strong signal on it.
LINE / LINE CONNECTION
Figure 2
LINE / GROUND CONNECTION
Figure 1
PUSH
ON/OFF
– VOLUME +
A
Probe Tip
B
LED Indicator
C
Volume Control
D
Power Button
E
Speaker Grill
F
Battery Connector
G
Foam Pad
H
Battery
I
Speaker
B
D
C
I
G
F
E
H
A
2

Technique 1: “Strength” Method: Disconnect both
ends of the resistive heating element from all other
connections. Ground one of the heating element
wires to earth ground. The ground of an electrical
outlet can be used. A plumbing, cable TV, or tele-
phone ground can also be used. If necessary, use
a jumper wire to make this connection (this jumper
can be hundreds of feet long). Connect the FOX
(set to TONE mode) to the ends of the heating ele-
ment wires (one of which is grounded). Polarity is
not important. Holding down the power button on
a HOUND 2, test the ground connection. The
ground wire should emit little or no FOX TONE.
Move the HOUND 2 over the surface of the ceiling
(within an inch of the surface), listening for the
TONE. The grounded side of the resistance wire
will not produce a TONE......the “live” side will.
Move the HOUND 2 across the ceiling, listening
for an abrupt change in TONE level from the
HOUND 2. The point at which the change occurs
is in line with the location of the break. To identify
the location more precisely, and determine the ser-
pentine pattern in the area in question, unscrew
the probe tip from the HOUND 2, and cover all of
the HOUND 2’s case, except the end to which the
probe was attached, with aluminum foil. Press the
power button of the HOUND 2, through the foil,
and place the exposed end of the HOUND 2 against
the ceiling, on the “live” side of the heater wire. By
following the path of the loudest signal, trace the
heater wire across the ceiling, and note where the
level changes abruptly........ this is the location of
the break.
Technique 2: “Null” Method (This method is only
useful if the OPEN is located in a straight run of
the heater wire): Disconnect both ends of the re-
sistive heating element from all other connections.
Connect the clips of the FOX to the ends of the
heating element. Polarity is not important. Hold-
ing down the power button on a HOUND 2, test
the connections. Both of the FOX clips should emit
a TONE signal. Move the HOUND 2 across the ceil-
ing, listening for sudden drop in TONE level from
the HOUND 2. The drop in level is the “null”. The
TONE level will be strong on either side of the null.
Follow the path of the null across the surface of
the ceiling by moving the HOUND 2 back and forth
slightly while moving across the ceiling. At the lo-
cation of the OPEN, the null will change direction
(jog) from the established path, often by about 45
degrees. The null will pass over the location of the
OPEN, and again change direction, returning to a
path that parallels, but is offset from, the original
path. The OPEN is located at the midpoint of the
null path in the jog between the parallel (but off-
set) null paths.
To understand these techniques, and their appli-
cation, it is suggested that the user experiment with
the tracing techniques using a large piece of card-
board (at least 3' x 3') and some wire. Use of re-
sistance wire is not necessary.... any wire will work.
Layout a serpentine pattern on the cardboard, zig
zagging the wire back and forth, and holding it
down with masking tape. Bring the ends of the wire
off of the cardboard several feet, and attach them
to the clips on the FOX. Create an OPEN in the
wire by snipping the wire at a location of your
choice. Apply technique 1 and 2, and familiarize
yourself with the test method.
HINTS:
The HOUND 2 works by capacitively sensing the
electrostatic field radiated by wires carrying a sig-
nal (tone). The greater the radiated field, the bet-
ter the HOUND 2’s ability to locate a wire. Any-
thing that reduces the intensity of the field will
impair the HOUND 2’s effectiveness in locating a
wire.
In general, several things affect field intensity . . .
shielding, signal (tone) amplitude on the wire, and
wire dress. In instances where a system is shielded
(shielded wires, metal junction boxes, metal con-
duit, etc.), the effectiveness of the HOUND 2 is
impaired. In multi-wire cables, grounded wires,
or wires connected to low impedance circuits, ad-
jacent to the target wire can act as shields, reduc-
ing the HOUND 2’s ability to sense properly.
Spreading the wires apart will reduce the shield-
ing effect and allow the HOUND 2 to work better.
Defects in a cable or wires, such as shorts or
opens, will reduce the signal amplitude and hence
the HOUND 2’s ability to locate the target wire.
Terminating a wire or line in a low impedance also
reduces signal amplitude and the HOUND 2’s lo-
cating ability. It is also possible for wire dress to
cause nullification of the field. This may happen
with tightly twisted pairs or wires.
If the target wire is connected to other wires and
circuits, for example, to switches, lights, relays,
transformers, etc., the FOX TONE will pass through
these devices and out onto other wires connected
to these devices..... making tracing of the target
wire very difficult, if not impossible.
The HOUND 2 will not trace wires through a metal
conduit. It can, however, identify the wires after
they exit from the conduit.
84-732 Rev A 9/01
ONE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
The Triplett Corporation warrants instruments and test equipment manufac-
tured by it to be free from defective material or workmanship and agrees to
repair or replace such products which, under normal use and service, disclose
the defect to be the fault of our manufacturing, with no charge within one year
of the date of original purchase for parts and labor. If we are unable to repair or
replace the product, we will make a refund of the purchase price. Consult the
Instruction Manual for instructions regarding the proper use and servicing of
instruments and test equipment. Our obligation under this warranty is limited
to repairing, replacing, or making refund on any instrument or test equipment
which proves to be defective within one year from the date of original pur-
chase.
This warranty does not apply to any of our products which have been repaired
or altered by unauthorized persons in any way so as, in our sole judgment, to
injure their stability or reliability, or which have been subject to misuse, abuse,
misapplication, negligence, accident or which have had the serial numbers al-
tered, defaced, or removed. Accessories, including batteries and fuses, not of
our manufacture used with this product are not covered by this warranty.
To register a claim under the provisions of this warranty, return the instrument
or test equipment to Triplett Corporation, Service Department, One Triplett Drive,
Bluffton, Ohio 45817, transportation prepaid. Upon our inspection of the prod-
uct, we will advise you as to the disposition of your claim.
ALL WARRANTIES IMPLIED BY LAW ARE HEREBY LIMITED TO A PERIOD OF
ONE YEAR FROM DATE OF PURCHASE, AND THE PROVISIONS OF THE WAR-
RANTY ARE EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER WARRANTIES EXPRESSED
OR IMPLIED.
The purchaser agrees to assume all liability for any damages and bodily injury
which may result from the use or misuse of the product by the purchaser, his
employees, or others, and the remedies provided for in this warranty are ex-
pressly in lieu of any other liability Triplett Corporation may have, including
incidental or consequential damages.
Some states (USA ONLY) do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental
or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply
to you. No representative of Triplett Corporation or any other person is autho-
rized to extend the liability of Triplett Corporation in connection with the sale of
its products beyond the terms hereof.
Triplett Corporation reserves the right to discontinue models at any time, or
change specifications, price or design, without notice and without incurring
any obligation.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights
which vary from state to state.
If the LINE/LINE connection is being used, both
alligator clips should have about the same signal
on them.... although it will be noted that neither of
the signals are as strong as the signal produced
by the LINE/GROUND connection.
Tracing Wires in Walls, etc.
With the HOUND 2’s Power Button depressed,
bring the HOUND 2 near the suspect wire/cable.
The FOX signal can often be heard a foot or more
away from the wire. If searching for wires in walls,
move the HOUND 2 along the surface of the wall,
noting the location of the strongest TONE pickup.
Using the HOUND 2, trace the wire through the
wall by following the strongest TONE pickup.
If the end of the wire/cable is exposed, for example,
in a junction or wall box, use the HOUND 2 to de-
termine if the FOX TONE is present. If so, you may
have found the cable you are looking for. You may
find that several cables in different junction boxes
produce similar strength TONEs. This phenomenon
is caused by crosstalk.... or “bleeding” of the TONE
signal into other wires or cables in proximity to
the target wire. Sometimes, the junction box con-
tains several different wires/cables, which due to
size constraints of the box itself, cannot be sepa-
rated apart far enough to identify the wire/cable
with the TONE signal on it. To assist in identifying
the target wire, use the “Remote Tone Kill” tech-
nique.
The FOX supports the use of the Remote Tone Kill
test method. When the wire or wires (pair) that
the FOX is connected to, are shorted out, locally
or remotely, the TONE signal from the FOX is
“killed”.
In situations where it is difficult to identify the tar-
get wire, because of crosstalk from other wires,
the target wire can be identified by shorting the
TONE to ground (if the LINE/GROUND connection
is being used) or shorting out the wire pair with
the TONE on it (if the LINE/LINE connection is be-
ing used). If you have found the correct wire(s),
the TONE will be completely killed. If the TONE is
still heard, but reduced somewhat in level, you have
not found the target wire(s). This method is not
foolproof, and experimentation, common sense,
and experience must be used to apply it properly.
However, in many instances, it will provide trace
verification. A caution..... if you are at a location
where the only wire is not the target wire, but it
has a signal on it due to crosstalk.... it may appear
that you have killed the FOX TONE when you short
out the wire. To make sure, leave the short on the
wire in question, and go back to FOX, and test the
alligator clips with the HOUND 2. If the TONE is
still there, you have not shorted the target wire.
Note: Even with the FOX’s alligator clips shorted
out, the case of the FOX unit will still radiate some
TONE. Do not confuse this with the TONE coming
from the alligator clips. Perform a few experiments
by shorting out the clips and probing the FOX with
the HOUND 2 so you know what to expect.
Tracing Wires within a Cable:
When searching for specific wires within a bundle
or cable, it is necessary to separate the individual
wires apart from each other at the end of the cable
opposite the FOX location. Probe the wires with
the HOUND 2, attempting to identify the wire with
the strongest TONE on it. Adjust the HOUND 2’s
VOLUME control as necessary. It is not necessary
to pierce the insulation of the wire. The wire with
the strongest TONE is the target wire. In some
cases, crosstalk into the other wires will make it
difficult to determine which wire has the strongest
TONE on it. Use the Remote Tone Kill method, pre-
viously described, to identify the target wire.
If tracing a pair of wires, such as those used for a
telephone line, a lineman’s talkset (also called a
“handset”, “buttset”, or “craftset”) can be used to
positively identify the pair. Connect the suspect pair
to the talkset. If you have located the target pair,
the FOX TONE will be heard, strong and clear, in
the earpiece of the talkset.
Other Applications:
In general, the FOX and HOUND 2 cannot be used
to trace wires buried underground or in concrete.
This is because the moisture content of the earth
or of concrete allows the surface to be electrically
conductive, causing it to act as a shield around
the buried wire. If the moisture content of the soil
or concrete is extremely low, it might be possible
to trace a wire close to the surface. This can only
be determined by experimentation at the installa-
tion site.
The FOX and HOUND 2 have been used to locate
OPENS in resistive heating elements embedded in
plaster walls and/or ceilings. It is best to have a
layout of the serpentine pattern of the heating wire.
If the layout is not known, it is best if the user has
knowledge of typical layout patterns. This will aid
greatly in finding the OPEN.
Various techniques have been tried experimentally,
but two basic techniques usually give the best re-
sults.
General Rules for Effective Tracing:
1) Do what works best. Try both LINE/GROUND
and LINE/LINE tracing.
2) Separate wires when possible.
3) Move wires away form shielding when
possible.
4) Un-terminate wire if necessary.
5) Turn off noise sources to reduce buzzing
THE HOUND 2 AND ACCESSORIES:
The Hound 2 Probe 3236
The Fox 3380
The Hound 3390
Fox & Hound Kit (includes case) 3385-K
Fox & Hound 2 Kit (includes case) 3245-K
LAN Fox & Hound Kit (includes case) 3249-K
LAN Fox & Hound 2 Kit (includes case) 3248-K
F&H Carrying Case 10-3983
***WARNING***
The FOX and HOUND 2 are designed to work on
non-energized (except telephone lines) wires or
cables. Attempting to test energized wires may
damage the FOX and HOUND 2, cause user injury,
or both.