Why does my locator signal seem wide?

Sensitivity (gain) is likely too high. Lowering sensitivity tightens the signal field and makes the center easier to identify.

Why does the peak move as I walk?

This can occur when signal is coupling onto nearby conductors or when grounding is poor.

Does a locator show the pipe itself?

No. A locator detects the electromagnetic field around a conductor, not the physical pipe.

What if the tone never drops off?

The receiver sensitivity is set too high or the signal is bleeding onto adjacent utilities.

Can different frequencies affect pinpointing?

Yes. Higher frequencies tend to spread more easily onto nearby conductors, while lower frequencies stay tighter to the intended line.

Pipehorn 800-HL Archives | Pipehorn Locating Technology

Simple vs. Complex Utility Locators: What Gets the Job Done?

Simple vs. Complex Utility Locators: What Gets the Job Done? There’s no shortage of “advanced” utility locators on the market. More frequencies. More modes. More screens. More features. The technology has come a long way, but it can be too much at times. Crews dealing with broken tracer wire, poor conductors, or uncertain marks often […]

Safety Sweep: How Crews Use Pipehorn to Find Unmarked Utilities Before Digging

Calling 811 and verifying locate marks is the first step before excavation. But experienced crews know that not every line is easy to locate. Sometimes there is damaged tracer wire. Sometimes there is an abandoned service no one knew was there. Sometimes marks are missing, or the route just does not make sense. That is […]

Tag: Pipehorn 800-HL

Simple vs. Complex Utility Locators: What Gets the Job Done?

Safety Sweep: How Crews Use Pipehorn to Find Unmarked Utilities Before Digging