Vivax Metrotech vLoc3-Pro Installation guide

V1.1 (Sep 2019)
Locator Training - vLoc3-Pro
with Loc3-10Tx and Loc3-5Tx Transmitters

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Table of Content
•Product introduction
•The Locate Signal
•Signal Sources
•Passive Signal Sources
•Active Signal Sources
•Loc3-10Tx, 10-Watt Transmitter
•Transmitter - Connection types
•Applying The Transmitter Signal –
Frequency Selection
•Charging the receiver battery
•Receiver setup menu
•Receiver locate screens
•Receiver display warnings
•Detecting the Locate Signal
•Locating Modes
•Distorted Fields
•Measuring Depth
•Measuring Depth and Current
•Locating Sondes
•Signal Direction
•Data Logging
•Bluetooth
•Transferring Data from the Locator
•Passive Electronic Marker System
(EMS)
•Fault Locating
•Checking Your Locator
•Accessories
•Battery Care & Maintenance
•Safety
•Glossary
•Vivax-Metrotech Locations
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Product Introduction

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vLoc3-Pro
Receiver
Connection lead set
Ground stake
Optional signal clamps
Product Introduction
Loc3-10Tx
10-Watt Transmitter
Loc3-5Tx
5-Watt Transmitter

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Product Introduction
What’s in the box
1- vLoc3-Pro Receiver
2- Mini-USB Lead
3-Li-ion Battery
4- Battery Charger
5- AAAlkaline Batteries
6- AA Battery Holder
7- Charger Plug
8- User Manual
1–Loc3-5Tx or Loc3-10Tx Transmitter
2–Alkaline Battery Tray
3–Ground Stake
4–Connection Lead
5- Mini-USB Lead
6–Six D Cell Alkaline Batteries
7–Optional Battery Charger
8–Optional Li-ion Battery Tray

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The Locate Signal

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The Locate Signal
•Is produced by the flow of alternating current (AC) which creates an
electromagnetic field
•This electromagnetic field radiates from the line and is known as the signal

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•If there is no AC current flowing, there will be no locate signal
The Locate Signal

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•Signals are created by the current flowing from the transmitter which travel along the
conductor (line/cable/pipe) and back to the transmitter.
•The current typically uses the ground to complete the current. The ground stake is used to
complete the circuit through the ground.
The Locate Signal

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•We think of the signal traveling from the transmitter and back to the ground stake. In fact
the signal is continually changing direction, flowing back and forth.
•The rate at which it changes is called frequency, so for instance, 50Hz means the signal
changes direction 50 times per second, 8000Hz (or 8 kHz) means 8000 times per second.
(The “k” denotes 1000).
•The frequency is chosen depending on the application.
The Locate Signal

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•Signals may use other pipes and cables to return to the transmitter because
they represent a lower resistance than the ground.
The Locate Signal

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Signal Sources

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Signals used for locating can originate from a transmitter (active locating), or a variety of
other sources (passive locating).
Signal Sources

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Passive Signal Sources

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•Power
- Power transmission & distribution
networks (50/60Hz & related harmonics)
•Radio
- Radio transmissions (15 kHz –27 kHz & related
harmonics)
•Application specific
- Signals from specific applications
(Cathodic protection, CATV, etc.)
Passive Signals

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When to Use Passive Modes
Always Call Before You Dig and follow your own company’s work & safety practices
Always follow local, state or national regulations and your own company safety and work
practices
•Search for unknown buried lines when applying a transmitter signal is not practical to
verify the presence of adjacent lines
•For small localized digging (planting a fencepost or road sign)
•A last check before digging

Passive Signal Sources - Power
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Power Signals
•From cables carrying electric current
•From pipes or cables carrying return
electric current
•Cables may be live but carry no current.
•Pot-ended cables carry no current.

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Radio Signals
•Mainly generated by high power, low frequency (LF)
communication transmitting towers
•Buried pipes and cables act as antennas that re-radiate the signal
•Radio signals travel further distances if both ends of the utility are
grounded
Passive Signal Sources –LF Radio

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Application Specific
•Some pipes and cables radiate signals that are used
as a carrier signal such as cable TV (CATV), or to
provide cathodic protection to pipes
Passive Signal Source - Cathodic Protection & CATV

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Passive Locating - Passive Sweep
•Passive locating is generally used to avoid rather than identify buried lines
•Using only the receiver, sweep the area in the search pattern shown
•Sweep in Power mode, then Radio mode.