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Tracing Underground
These circuit tracers are not underground cable locators. But, in some environments they can be used to
trace buried cables, conduit, or metal pipe.
1) Connect the transmitter to the circuit to be traced and power it on.
a) If possible, create a closed circuit by attaching a load at the end of the circuit or past the area
you need to trace.
b) If possible, ground the adjacent conductors to eliminate capacitive-coupling effects that can
cause signal bleed-over.
c) Utilize a remote return path to maximize the signal produced.
2) Turn on the receiver and use the maximum sensitivity default ( ).
3) Holding the receiver at waist level and flat (display skyward) in respect to the earth use a sweeping
straight line motion perpendicular to the buried cable and center yourself on the highest reading.
Next, rotate the receiver through a full 360 degrees and note the orientation of the highest reading.
Mark this spot and move about 10 feet in the direction you expect the cable to be buried. Repeat the
side to side scan, center over the highest reading and repeat the 360 degree rotation to ensure that
you are over the cable. Repeating this sequence of scans will help ensure that you are tracking the
location of the cable. For very precise location finding, place the receiver just above ground level and
follow this procedure over a shorter distance and the back of the receiver to find the strongest signal
underground.
a) If the signal is too strong, reduce the sensitivity range.
b) If the signal is too weak, then check the quality of the ground connections (<100Ω) and repeat
step #3.
4) Continue following the highest reading until the end of the circuit is found.
OR
Service
Panel
Outside
Receptacle
Keep two
paths separate
from each other
25 Feet
Distance
Connect to
Ground Rod
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