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            Sonde and Line Locating with SeekTech & NaviTrack Receivers

            Created by Guy Smith, Modified on Mon, 16 Oct, 2023 at 12:05 PM by Guy Smith

            SeekTech vs. NaviTrack

            NaviTrack receivers are designed to locate SeeSnake camera sondes and have basic line locating abilities suitable for occasional use. SeekTech receivers have the same sonde locating capabilities plus advanced line locating features for professional applications where speed and precision are mandatory.

            Line vs. sonde – what’s the difference?

            Sonde and line trace signals have two essential properties: strength and shape. SeekTech and NaviTrack receivers measure both. Signal strength is displayed as a number and the signal’s shape is used to graphically map the position, direction, and depth of the cable, pipe, or sonde.

            Sonde signal

            • Radiates from a single point
            • Shape: dipole field radiates from one end (pole) of the sonde to the other
            • SeekTech and NaviTrack receivers precisely map this field to determine pipe direction and sonde location/depth

            Line trace signal

            • Runs the length of the pipe or cable
            • Shape: round (in ideal conditions), runs the length of the conductor
            • SeekTech and NaviTrack receivers read the signal field and visually indicate its position, direction, and relative roundness/degree of distortion

            Equipment

            • Receiver – used to locate a sonde or utility line
            • Transmitter – generates the signal or “tone” needed to energize a metallic pipe or cable
            • Inductive clamp – optional transmitter accessory that transfers energy onto a pipe or cable through induction when direct metal to metal connection is impractical or unsafe
            • Sonde – a small transmitter (aka: duct probe or remote transmitter) that can be positioned inside a pipe or duct and precisely located with a receiver

            Sonde Locating

            Our sonde locating video will have you locating like a pro in less than 7 minutes. The NaviTrack Scout is used in the video and all NaviTrack and SeekTech locators use the same process: 

            Line locating

            Our resources cover basic concepts. Comprehensive training is available (and highly recommended) through 3rd party providers like Staking University.

            Line locating circuits

            These twelve words are the key to creating a locating circuit and diagnosing issues with it:

            “Alternating current flowing on a conductor produces a signal we can locate.”

            To create a locating circuit and get a signal we can locate we need:

            • Alternating current – the signal or tone provided by our transmitter
            • Conductor – material that conducts electricity, i.e. not plastic
            • Flow – a complete, uninterrupted, path for signal energy – out from the transmitter, down the utility, and back to the transmitter’s other lead through earth ground

            What is a “good” line locating signal?

            ROUND + STRONG = GOOD.

            A “good” signal is strong enough for the receiver to lock onto and its field shape is round. Imagine a Hula Hoop – that’s what a perfect signal would look like if we could see it. When the signal is perfectly round the conductor carrying the signal is in the center of that circle.

            Challenge your assumptions

            Line locating assumes the signal accurately indicates the utility’s position, it’s up to you to challenge this assumption:

            • Is the signal field round? 
              1. The receiver graphically shows the signal’s relative roundness/degree of distortion
            • Is the signal on the utility you want to locate or has it jumped onto a different line?
              1. Follow the signal to its logical termination – a gas line should lead you to something related to gas, not water

            Line locating videos

            Understanding how your receiver responds to the signal is the key to a fast, accurate utility line locate:

            SR-20/SR24 product training:

            You can’t create a locating circuit without a good ground and we have four videos on this topic:

            What if your transmitter leads aren’t long enough – what can you do?

            Depth reading: depth is the estimated distance from the receiver’s antenna to the signal source. If your receiver isn’t touching the ground your depth is not accurate. When your sonde is resting on the bottom of a pipe or conduit the top of the pipe is shallower. Never use the indicated depth as a guide when digging, always treat depth as an estimate!

            Plastic is an insulator and insulators don’t conduct. So what are your options for locating a plastic water pipe? Here are a couple of ideas that may work:

            Tracing a deep or weak signal? You need more focus:

            Clipping indicator – danger below!

            Aggressive Passive! SeekTech receivers have a patented passive locating mode you won’t find anywhere else. Use it after you call 811 as a final check to find lines that may have been missed.

            SeekTech transmitters can energize lines inductively, without metal-to-metal contact between the transmitter and the utility.

            SeekTech receivers give you the flexibility to customize your frequency selections:

            Tracing Your SeeSnake Pushrod

            If you have a line transmitter you can connect it to a SeeSnake monitor and use your receiver to trace the SeeSnake pushrod. This four part video series shows you how.

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