Radiodetection PCMx User Manual

© 2021 Radiodetection Ltd 4
Introduction
2.1 About this manual
The PCMx locator comes supplied with a PCM
magnetometer attachment and while connected the
locator will operate as a PCMx locator. If the attachment
is removed, the locator will operate as a RD8100PDLG
cable and pipe locator. This manual focuses solely on
providing pipeline surveyors with comprehensive
operating instructions for the Pipeline Current Mapper
(PCMx) transmitter and locator system. If you wish to use
the product as a RD8100PDLG you will need to use the
RD8100 operation manual, available on the
Radiodetection website.
Before operating the system, it is very important that you
read this manual in its entirety, noting all safety warnings
and procedures.
Additional documentation
The full product specification and related manuals are
available to download from:
www.radiodetection.com.
2.2 Overview of the PCMx
system
 Radiodetection’s PCMx system enables the pipeline
industry surveyor to evaluate the effectiveness of
pipeline Cathodic Protection (CP) installations.
 Enables shorts caused by contact with other metallic
structures and coating defects to be identified.
 Provides an accurate evaluation of the condition of
the coating of a section of pipe.
 Reduces false indications and thereby minimizes
unnecessary excavations.
 The PCMx provides a method to locate faults and
poor coating that is draining the current, resulting in
improved potentials and minimizing damaging side
effects.
 A PCMx with the addition of an A-Frame can
perform a Close Interval Potential Survey (CIPS) as
current flow and voltage potentials are related but
other factors vary this relation.
 Provides data logging and on-site review of readings
and graphs via Bluetooth® to a tablet or smart
phone.
 Can be supplied with an accessory A-Frame, and
used to pinpoint coating defects.
 Reduces operational and maintenance costs and
speeds up survey time.
2.3 PCMx system features
 Consists of two portable transmitters, a handheld
locator and a magnetometer foot.
 The transmitters apply special groups of low
frequency signals to the pipeline.
 The locator locates these unique signals on the
pipeline and displays the signal’s current magnitude
and direction without having to connect the locator to
the pipeline.
 The magnetometer foot maps the 4Hz signal. With
the foot removed, the PCMx is automatically
configured as an RD8100 PDLG cable and pipe
locator.
 Accurately and easily locates and maps the pipeline
even in areas where there is contact with other
metallic structures, interference, or congestion.
 Provides a current profile and current direction that
is virtually the same as the CP currents on the
pipeline.
 Provides a categorized evaluation of holidays in pipe
coating and faults in cable sheaths.
 Reduces false indications and thereby minimizes
unnecessary excavations.
 Provides data logging and on-site review of readings
via Bluetooth® to a phone or tablet to enable graphs
to be display during the survey.
 Can be supplied with an accessory A-Frame, used
to map surface voltage gradients and categorize
fault severity.
 Reduces operational and maintenance costs and
speeds up survey time. Eliminates the need for the
operator to perform ‘current spans’ and manual
calculations to determine CP currents along the
pipeline that require connection to the pipeline.
 It is designed for the Pipeline Industry with guidance
and support from Gas Industry leaders.
2.4 PCMx transmitters
 There are two transmitters, the Tx-25 PCM and the
Tx-150 PCM.
 The Tx-150 PCM transmitter allows for long-range
signal detection of up to 30km (20 miles).
Significantly fewer pipeline connection points are
needed thereby reducing the time required to
evaluate a section of pipeline.

Radiodetection PCMx Specifications

General

Brand	Radiodetection
Model	PCMx
Category	Measuring Instruments
Language	English