SureTrace™ Circuit Tracer Underground Tracing

Here is the link to the IDEAL SureTrace product page. https://www.idealind.com/us/en/shop/product-type/testers/circuit-tracers.html

This video will show you how to use the SureTrace™ Circuit Tracer to trace wires in ground. I am using the Remote Return Path method and separating the two conductors used to create a closed loop. This method works better then simple shorting one end of the cable and attaching the two leads of the tracer to them.
In this video I will specifically show you how to find a cable “In Ground” using the Sure Trace circuit tracer from IDEAL.
These circuit tracers are not underground cable locators. But, in favorable environments they can be used to trace buried cables, conduits, or metal pipe. In my example I will use it to trace the wires feeding my control valves in my sprinkler system. The wire feeding those valves is about 12 inches under the soil.
To set up for the tracing of the wire I’m going to first of all disconnect the power by unplugging the valve control panel. I plan on tracing the wire that feeds the 5th valve in the system. Keep in mind all these wires are buried in a trench together and feed the different valves along the way.
Step One is to connect one lead of the transmitter to the hot wire that feeds valve number five. To do so I will disconnect the wire that feeds valve five from the control board and connect one lead of the transmitter to it using the alligator clip adapter included in the SureTrace kit.
Step two is to create a closed loop by connecting the other lead of the transmitter to the other end of the hot wire that feeds valve five. To do this I’ve taken a long extension cord and using the adaptors and leads included in the SureTrace kit, connected the hot wire at valve 5 to one of the conductors in the extension cord and the far end of this conductor to the second output of the transmitter. This creates a closed loop and should provide the strongest signal to be traced.
Step three is to turn on the transmitter and receiver and hold the receiver next to the transmitter to ensure it is receiving a signal. Then begin tracing the wires along the ground following the strongest signal, adjusting the receiver sensitivity to obtain readings somewhere in the middle of its range.
In this example you can see the conduit entering the ground that contains the wires feeding the sprinkler system. I have a strong signal as I trace away from the side of the house until it drops off significantly. This indicates to me the cables direction has changed. By changing the orientation of the receiver I get very little signal in this direction but the signal increases in the opposite direction indicating the cable has made a 90° turn in the ground. By continuing to follow the strongest signal I can trace the wires to the different valve boxes in the yard and eventually follow the path to valve five.
Remember the orientation of the receiver to the wire being traced will affect the displayed signal strength. The receiver works best when it is in line with the wire being traced in the ground.
By moving the receiver side to side as it is in line with the wire in the ground you can pinpoint the location of the wire in the ground at the highest reading.
Following these tips will help you trace cables buried underground.
Call the IDEAL customer service line or visit our website to find out more about the circuit tracer and a local distributor you can buy one from.
Thanks for watching I’m Ron with IDEAL.
#RonKipperFromIDEAL #IDEALINDUSTRIES #SureTraceCircuitTracer #www.idealcircuit-tracer.com

Видео SureTrace™ Circuit Tracer Underground Tracing канала Ron Kipper From IDEAL