SeekTech SR-60
locator receiver is getting closer or further away from the Sonde.
If desired, force the sound to re-center at a medium level (in any mode) by pressing the Select Key during operation. See also the “Directional Sound” section, below.
Key Items in Using the SR-60
PROXIMITY SIGNAL reflects the proximity of the locator to the target utility; the closer the locator moves to the center of the detected field, the higher the Proximity Signal number gets. The Proximity Signal is calculated from the ratio of the signals received at the lower and upper antennas, adjusted for scalability.
SIGNAL STRENGTH represents the strength of the field being detected by the lower antenna node of the SR-60, converted mathematically for scalability. In a clear and undistorted field, you can locate based on Signal Strength alone.
DISTORTION is the degree to which the field detected is deformed. In an undistorted environment, current on a long conductor produces a field which is cylindrical, down the conductor. If multiple fields are present, the detected field is pushed or pulled out of shape and the different antennas will pick up different field strengths. On the SR-60, distortion is reflected by the Tracing Line growing unfocused instead of sharp, or by disagreement among the Guidance Arrows, Tracing Line, and Signal Strength.
TRACING LINE indicates the direction and degree of distortion in the detected field.
GUIDANCE ARROWS are driven by the signals received at the guidance antennas of the SR-60. When the fields detected by these side antennas are equal, the arrows will center. If one is receiving a stronger field signal than the other, the arrows will point toward the probable center of the target conductor. Moving in the direction indicated by the arrows will bring you closer to the center of the detected field. A small “guidance line” at the end of a guidance arrow indicates the degree of alignment with the conductor’s field. It will be at its maximum length when correctly aligned with the conductor, with the guidance antenna axis crossing the field at 90°. Rotational guidance arrows on the perimeter of the screen will indicate the direction you need to turn to align with the detected conductor.
DIRECTIONAL SOUND from stereo speakers will let you follow a line by sound, while staying visually alert for nearby traffic or obstacles. The Sound Pointer speakers are designed to be clipped to a jacket or
vest on either shoulder. Stereo sound from the speakers will fade to the left or right. The louder side indicates the direction toward the center of the detected field. Sound will balance when over the center of the line. The operator can stay centered on the line using sound signals instead of the visual cues on the screen. The SR-60 comes with clip-on speakers designed to be attached to the left and right shoulders of a safety vest for this purpose.
Shutting Down
Pressing the Power Key at any time during operation will start a count-down of 3 seconds, during which the shut-down tone will sound. At the end of the count- down, the SR-60 will shut down.
Figure 19: Count-Down Screen (Shutting Down)
Line Tracing with the SR-60
There are two major ways to look for lines underground with the SR-60. They are called Active and Passive. The difference is that in Active Line Tracing, a current is placed on a conductor using a transmitter, and that specific signal is then sought for using the locator. Passive tracing does not use a transmitter and seeks for any signal that may be picked up at particular frequencies.
Active Line Tracing
In active line tracing, underground lines are energized with a Line Transmitter. This active signal is then traced using the SR-60. A Line Transmitter is different from a Sonde in that it is used to energize a conducting target line, rather than acting as a target for a locate itself, the way a Sonde does. Line transmitters energize lines by direct connection with clips, or by directly inducing the signal using a clamp, or by inducing the signal using inductive coils built into the transmitter.
Direct Connect Mode: The transmitter is attached by direct metal-to-metal connection to the target conductor at some access point such as a valve, a
