The best utility locator (2023)

All utility contractors expect the same thing from their utility locators: accuracy and efficiency. To do this, it is important that contractors seek resources and innovations that will help them find their dealerships more safely, quickly, and consistently.

First, a utility company must consider the specific type of underground object they are trying to locate.

Amagnetic locatorfinds ferrous metal objects. "These finders will find anything that a magnet can stick to," says Scott Rauen, sales manager for SubSurface Instruments. "In the gas industry, contractors use them to locate things like valve covers, test point covers and manholes that can be buried."

However, a magnetic finder will only come in handy when looking for metal. "OneFinder of all materialsyou can find everything, including PVC pipes,” emphasizes Rauen. "These locators are popular with contractors in the water, wastewater and natural gas industries." SubSurface's AML models use patented radio wave technology to locate underground objects.

electromagnetic location devicesare also popular with utility workers. These locators detect the magnetic field around a utility system generated by a radio frequency. This high frequency can occur naturally (passive localization) or by induction from a transmitting device (active localization). Subsite Electronics, part of The Toro Company's Ditch Witch Division, offers two electromagnetic locators, the UtiliGuard 2 and the 830R/T.

According to Rauen, the SubSurface Instrument product range consists of six modelspipe and cable locatorsare also important drivers in all segments of the utility industry. Although well built and packed with plenty of modern technology, the PL-TT is another affordable locator for contractors who only need to use part-time. The PL-G is a specialized locator geared towards the oil and gas industry. The PL-2000 is ideal for the water industry. But when it comes to segments that include power and natural gas, Rauen says the PL-VF models suffice.

"The PL-VF3 in particular is currently our best-selling product," emphasizes Rauen. "But for anyone who needs to find minor faults in their electrical cables, I would normally recommend the PL-VF10. This gives the contractor 10W of power instead of 3W.”

Bodenradar (GPR)is another type of utility locating equipment. According to Chris Thompson, senior product manager at Subsite Electronics, this type of technology has been around since at least the 1980s, but like anything technology-driven, it's constantly improving.

“Our 2550GR device is very useful for locating plastic that you couldn't send an electromagnetic signal to anyway,” Thompson points out. “We'll also see utility contractors using it for what they call pre-sweeping. A contractor issues a ticket stating that an area is vacant. But the really good contractors pre-scan with a GPR to make sure nothing is missed along the intended path.”

GPRs work by inducing a radar signal into the ground. This signal bounces back letting the contractor know if they are hitting something in the ground.

“GPR is a very job-specific technology because the contractor has to work in conductive ground,” explains Thompson. “GPR will not work well in soils like wet clay. But in places like Florida and along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, utility companies have been very successful with this type of machine.”

According to Thompson, there are a few tricks to maximize the performance of a GPR device. "It's important to use a good laptop with a Cat 5 connection to get the best image on the screen," says Thompson.

durability and reliability

Utility contractors work hard and often work in hostile environments. Utility locators should be designed to match the everyday conditions one is most likely to encounter.

"We know contractors throw these things in the back of trucks," says Thompson. “That's why we test all our tracking devices. Our trackers are also IP65 rated to protect them from dust and water ingress.

"But I would say, first of all, it's really important that we have an incredible dealer network through the Ditch Witch organization," Thompson continues. "On the rare occasion that a problem arises, the dealer is there to help solve it."

Intelligent technology helps to reduce these rare occurrences to a minimum.

For example, SubSurface Instruments' AML PRO Series all-material locators feature a durable ABS housing. ABS is a type of plastic known for its resistance to impact and chemicals, as well as its superior strength and rigidity. ABS also has excellent electrical properties.

SubSurface's ML-3 and ML-3L magnetic trackers are also built to last. They are housed in an aeronautical aluminum monotube. "One of these trackers can get hit by a 10,000-pound vehicle and start tracking again when you pick it up," says Rauen.

The ML-3 and ML-3L are also 100% waterproof. "Water and electronics don't usually get along," says Rauen. “If rain gets into a device, the circuit boards will short out. With a waterproof tracker, you shouldn't have any problems with water as long as you keep the battery compartment tightly closed.”

Ease of use for utilities

Subsite's Thompson says ease of use is another key benefit ofutilities.

Multi-frequency electromagnetic locators like Subsite's UtiliGuard 2 offer the utility more flexibility. "For example, if you have a pipe with a lot of connections, or maybe a cable where there's some noise in the environment, you can switch to a frequency where you can attenuate the noise and still pick up the line," Thompson explained .

On the other hand, single frequency locators can also offer an advantage in certain situations.

“We've found utility companies really like our 830R/T when working with gas lines,” says Thompson. “I'm not sure what the specific characteristics of these lines are, but contractors tell us the 830R/T finds them very efficient. In fact, this device works so well that we created a viewfinder that only transmits on 830. The advantage is that you get a much clearer transmission because the antenna is only tuned to 830.”

With any electromagnetic locator, the user interface is an increasingly important issue to consider – especially as the workforce changes all the time.

"A lot of the people doing localization today are younger and familiar with many types of digital screens," says Thompson. “With our UtiliGuard 2 we tried to mimic something similar – something that lights up and lets the operator know when they're in a good location. We want to make this user interface as intuitive as possible.”

According to Thompson, a more intuitive user interface also helps address a unique feature of the utility site industry.

“There are two broad categories of utility locator users,” explains Thompson. “One is the professional who works at an 811 service and does rentals all day. Then you have people working with utilities, trying to verify locations, or tracing private properties that may not be part of the 811 system. These people typically wear five different hats in a single day. A more intuitive user interface requires much less training. Also, it's easier to remember how to use the device after a while without using it. It's like riding a bike, once you learn it you really don't forget it.”

Innovation in utility location devices

An improved user interface touches on another design feature utilities should pay attention to: technological innovation. Utility locating devices, particularly electromagnetic locators and ground-penetrating radar systems, are “technological” in nature. But as fast as technology advanced, device manufacturers rushed to keep up.

For example, Subsite Electronics has added GPS to its UtiliGuard 2. “Our GPS module is accurate to within 3 meters,” Thompson points out. “Location allows you to record a GPS location instead of scanning a large area. So if you come back later you usually know where it is.

Sometimes a utility wants to be more than 10 feet accurate. Because of this, Subsite also added Bluetooth technology to the UtiliGuard 2. “If the utility really needs 1 to 3 cm accuracy, they can pair the UtiliGuard 2 with other GPS providers that can provide that,” says Thompson.

Another feature upgrade that comes with GPS functionality is logging and mapping. "We enhanced UtiliGuard 2 to support ArcGIS or any other type of mapping a contractor wants to do," says Thompson.

Even when equipped with the best utility locating equipment, Thompson says a utility's biggest obstacle will always be safety. "When you bury utilities, it's imperative that you lose what's already there," Thompson points out. "That's why the 811 is so important for loss prevention." In the utility industry, a simple phone call can be the best tool there is for locating utility lines.

Featured in this article:

• Bottom electronics
• underground instruments

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24.03.2021