When it comes to one of the most widely used pieces of underground equipment in the construction industry, find out how to the Ditch Witch works.
Do you struggle to find the location of underground piping and pipeline networks? Are you constantly digging in the wrong places and wasting valuable resources?
If you’d like to cut down on wasted labor and improve your pipeline locating services, you need to leverage the power of the ditch witch locator.
This can transform how you uncover pipes, subterranean systems, and other underground locations. By improving your locator skills, you can become a top gremlin for locating buried utility infrastructure.
Keep reading to learn more about how the ditch witch locator works.
Overview of the Ditch Witch Locator
The locator is a technological equipment used in many industries. It is a device that is capable of tracking underground utility lines, pipes, and cables. It is a versatile tool that can detect and map the location of various underground items.
It can detect up to 500 feet of depth in any type of soil or terrain. The locator also has several sensors. This includes inclinometers detecting the angle of underground objects.
The Technology Behind the Locator
This locator employs advanced technologies and methodologies to detect underground obstacles. This includes ground-penetrating radar, radio magnetism, and corona discharge to identify underground obstacles.
It also includes dynamic target and pilot tracking technology.
Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR)
GPR is a non-destructive geophysical method that employs high-frequency electromagnetic waves. It detects and measures changes in subsurface soil and rock composition.
It works by sending out electromagnetic waves that travel through the surface and reflect back off of objects beneath the surface. The locator then displays and records this information in a visual format that can be interpreted by an operator.
Radio Magnetism
Radio magnetism is an important technology behind the locator. The device consists of two parts: the transmitter stick and the receiver.
The transmitter stick emits a magnetic current through an electrode, which is connected to a wire with detectors. The detectors will then sense the fluctuations of the field generated by the current and report them to the receiver. The receiver then processes the data and uses it to determine the exact location of the object.
Corona Discharge
This technology helps people locate and mark objects underground without unnecessary digging. The device consists of an antenna, a transformer, a transmitter, and a receiver, which are all connected together.
The transmitter and receiver establish a powerful corona field by using a high-frequency current. When an underground metal object is detected by the field, the receiver picks up a signal and sends this to the transmitter. This is then mapped on a display device.
Dynamic Target Tracking Technology
This technology uses sensors combined with radar and acoustics to detect signals from metallic and nonmetallic objects. It quickly relays the location and depth of the object to the user’s device. Its highly sensitive radar gives the user unrivaled accuracy.
This feature is perfect for detecting underground utilities. The user also has the ability to customize the system to meet specific job requirements. By utilizing this technology, the user can save time and money needed for a job.
Pilot Tracking
Pilot tracking is a process that uses electrical signal readings from a guiding transmitter and a receiver. The guiding transmitter sends signals to the receiver. This provides the operator with real-time feedback about the location of the bit and the path it is following.
The electrical signal readings get stronger as the bit gets closer to the desired target. This increases the accuracy of the machine as well as the productiveness and labor efficiency of the job at hand. If you are looking for the perfect tracker, click here for pilot tracking.
The Components of a Ditch Witch Locator
The locator consists of four main components: a base unit, a transmitter, a receiver, and a probe. These components work together to effectively map underground objects.
Base Unit
The base unit comes with several components that make it so useful. This includes the central processor, computer memory, internal power supply, and GPS module.
Also included are a display, control buttons, and a microphone to help capture sound waves for readings. Each component works in harmony and helps make the unit a reliable tool in the job of creating and maintaining underground utilities.
Transmitter
The transmitter is a radio frequency signal generator and receiver combined in one unit with an integrated power supply. The generator works as a transmitter that generates a signal which is then received by a receiving unit to get the location of an object.
The transmitter offers a range of up to 500 ft in typical soil conditions. It can be either wired or wireless, offering multiple options for optimization. It is a key component of the locator as it enables operators to map out underground utilities.
Receiver
The receiver is a crucial component in the whole system. It is an electronic device that helps capture signals from a radio transmitter and transform them into a readable form. It provides a visualization of detailed underground utility locations on its LCD screen.
This component handles detecting signals from a transmitter and locating the underground utilities on the display. It allows the user to monitor, measure and adjust a wide variety of system settings. This includes sensitivity, interference levels, and signal range.
Probe
The probe is the actual instrument that is pushed into the ground. It contains a receiver that accepts signals from a transmitter and helps detect the depth, frequency, and direction of underground utilities.
The probe also has other sensors attached to it. This includes temperature, pressure, and geophones. These are useful in differentiating underground materials.
Understanding a Ditch Witch Locator
A ditch witch locator is a remarkable tool that locates utilities, pipes, and cables with superior imaging. This locator is essential for anyone looking for an effective utility locating system.
This technology helps decrease the potential for damage to these lines while also increasing efficiency. Try it today and see the difference it can make!
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