ii) Clip the red clamp on the DCC to an exposed portion
of the line that you wish to trace. Make sure that you
make good electrical contact with the line.
iii) If you choose to use the ground rod, insert it into the
ground several feet away from the line. Clip the black
clamp of the DCC to the ground rod, again insuring
sound electrical contact. NOTE: Grounding the DCC
while using the transmitter conductively is recommend-
ed, since this will dramatically increase the strength of
the signal on the line.
iv) If you choose not to use a ground, stretch out the
black cable and let it lay freely on the ground. Although
the magnitude of the signal carried on the line will be
small, it usually will be strong enough for short traces
very close to the transmitter. Working without a ground
is often helpful when tracing indoors or in other con-
fined areas.
CAUTION:
Do not connect the red and black clips together when
using the DCC. Although short-circuiting the output
leads will not result in immediate damage to the trans-
mitter, it will quickly drain your batteries and cause the
internal circuitry to heat up. If such internal heating is
allowed to occur for an extended period of time, even-
tual damage may occur.
2. Tracing an Energized Line.
As the energized line carries the signal from the transmitter, a
cylindrical pattern of energy forms around the line (Figure 8).
In general, the strength of the signal is strongest at the cen-
ter of this cylinder and gradually decreases away from the
center. The 902 receiver employs a directional antenna, so
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