Sub-surface feature location & marking
CSS has recently acquired a 3M Dynatel 2273M-iD Cable, pipe and fault locator. This
is a precision, marking and location system for underground features. The locator
is able to find any feature that a current can run through. This system can be linked
to a Differential Global Positioning Systems to capture XY and Z co-ordinates for
underground features The 3M Dynatel 2273M-iD cable, pipe and fault locator incorporate
advanced electronics to quickly and efficiently locate conductor or sheath (earth
return) faults and trace the path of underground cables and pipes (with metallic
tracer wire). Lightweight, compact and well balanced, these precision tools allow
you to:
- Locate cable and pipe path
- Measure cable/pipe, or Sonde depth
- Display relative signal current in the cable or pipe
- Pinpoint conductor or sheath (earth return) faults and cable breaks
- Identify cable using toning
- Locate energized power and CATV cable
- Tone shorts and grounds in aerial cable
- Identify cable pairs through wet sections
The Ball Marker System
It is common knowledge that the location of sub-surface features is a problem. The
ball marker system is a PRO-ACTIVE system whereby programmable balls are planted
together with underground features. These balls can then be located with the 2273M-iD
Locator and the programmed information can be read, changed and updated.
This is a unique feature to the 3M Dynatel 2273M-iD. Each of the marker balls has
a unique ID tag attached. This means that a ball planted at a specific feature will
never get confused with another ball or feature.
The locator is able to sense the ball and locate its exact position over the joint.
The marker ball is positioned on top of the water pipe joint.
3M-iD Ball Markers work in all soil conditions and in the presence of all types of
congestion. Their four-inch diameter makes them easy to drop in a standard sized
trench. A free floating leveling design inside a watertight,
polyethylene shell ensures that the marker is always in an accurate horizontal position,
regardless of how it is placed in the ground. The mixture is readily biodegradable
and will not harm humans, wildlife or the environment.
