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The SeekTech ST-33QR multi-frequency line transmitter is part of RIDGID's state of the
art cable and pipe locating system.
The ST-33QR can energize buried utilities with
its direct connect leads... With the optional inductive clamp... Or with its built-in inductive
antenna. When inducing with its built-in antenna,
the ST-33QR generates a signal that's up to 8 times
stronger than typical transmitters. This high
inductive output lets you induce more current at
lower frequencies for greater distance and less bleed onto
adjacent lines. The ST-33QR can be powered by D-cell
batteries, either alkaline or rechargeable...
With an optional AC power adapter... Or with the available 18V battery pack.
The transmitter can produce up to 10 Watts of
output power when using AC or rechargeable batteries, and up to 5 Watts when using
alkaline batteries.
In this tutorial, we'll take a quick look at the
transmitter's features and demonstrate its operation. Before using the equipment, be
sure to read the operator's manual, which contains
important information not covered in this video and will help getting the most out of your equipment.
In our first example, we'll demonstrate the conductive, or direct connect method of inducing
a signal onto a utility. In this method, one of the transmitter's leads
is connected to the target utility, and the other
is connected to the transmitter's ground stake,
creating a complete circuit. We'll drive the ground stake in as far as
possible... and then connect one of the transmitter's leads to it. We recommend always
connecting to the ground first as a safety precaution. Next we'll connect the other lead
to our connection point on the target utility.
And here's a quick tip. If you can't find a
convenient place to clip on, the transmitter's lead
clips are equipped with powerful magnets that can hold them securely to the connection point.
Our connections have been made, so we'll press the power key to turn the transmitter on.
The transmitter is set to 33 kilohertz (kHz).
We want to use 8 kilohertz, and we'll select that
with the frequency key. The transmitter's current
output is 100 milliamps (mA), and we can use
the Up and Down arrow keys increase or decrease the power output. In this case we'll use 50mA.
The transmitter's set up, so we'll power up the receiver.
We'll select a line tracing frequency to match the transmitter...
and then we'll verify that we're receiving the transmitter's signal.
We're seeing plenty of signal, so we can locate this line.
Next we'll demonstrate how to energize a line inductively, using the transmitter's built-in coil antenna
When switched to inductive mode, the
transmitter generates a signal that penetrates the
ground and gets onto any metallic lines in the
area. To set up for an inductive locate we'll position
the transmitter in-line with the suspected path
of the buried utility. We'll turn the transmitter on
and then we'll set it to Inductive mode, which
gives us a choice of 8 or 33 kilohertz.
We'll choose 8 kilohertz for this job. The transmitter
defaults to 50% power output, which should be adequate for this locate.
When locating inductively, the transmitter broadcasts a signal in all directions, and
if we're too close to it, the signal broadcast through
the air will be much stronger than the signal
from the target utility beneath us. This is called
air coupling, and it can prevent us from getting
an accurate locate.
Looking at our SeekTech receiver, we can see that we're getting a strong signal, but the
elements inside the mapping display are missing. That's because SeekTech receivers hide these
elements unless the signal is stronger at the
lower antenna than the upper antenna. In this case the signal is equally strong
at both antennas and the receiver is letting us know
that we are severely air coupled by hiding these
elements. To minimize air-coupling, we'll need to begin
our locate some distance away from the transmitter.
The distance will vary with each locate scenario, and there are a couple of ways we can test
for air coupling before marking the line.
We're positioned over the target utility, and the
first thing we'll look at is our depth reading. If we
raise the receiver by about a foot, our depth reading should increase by the same amount...
Which it does. Next we'll Focus on the signal strength. If
we raise the receiver off the target line, the
signal should drop off significantly, even if we
aim it directly toward the transmitter. In this case
we're confident that we're not air coupled and we
can begin our locate.
The final method we'll demonstrate is energizing a line with the inductive clamp. With the
inductive clamp, you can induce a signal onto a conductor
when you can't connect to it directly. The clamp
plugs into the quarter inch phone jack located under the rubber cover below the keypad.
When we power up the transmitter it will automatically switch into inductive clamp
mode, and we'll have a choice of 2 frequencies,
8 and 33 kilohertz. In this case we'll
select 8 kilohertz. We'll place the clamp around
the target conductor... And make sure both of
the clamp's LED's are lit. The LEDs tell us that
the clamp is receiving a signal from the transmitter,
and that its jaws are fully closed. We'll power up the receiver... And verify
that its frequency matches the transmitter and that
we're seeing the transmitter's signal.
In the past few minutes, we've introduced you to
the ST-33QR transmitter. For additional training, visit www.SeekTech.com, where you'll find
in-depth multimedia tutorials on topics like
circuits, grounding, induction, and frequency. On behalf
of the RIDGID SeekTech team, thank you for buying the ST-33QR transmitter, and thank
you for watching this video.