Doing any type of digging be it on the intersection or just in an open area, it's wise to know what is below you before you start. In case there is a utility line you don't want to be the one that ends up damaging it and causing families to be left with no drinking water or electricity. This is where an underground service locator can help you avoid any of these inconveniences.
Underground service locators work thanks to radio waves which they send out. If the radio waves hit something they travel back and that's when the service locator detects them. You don't have to do any physical labour, just hold the locator above the area you want to work on and walk around to check if there is anything in your way and if so at what depth is it. But not any service locator is going to be the ideal one for your search.
What to Look for in an Underground Cable Locator
Depth
The first and one of the most important things is to know the maximum depth at which an underground service locator is able to detect cable and utility lines. A quality underground cable locator is able to perform accurate readings as deep as 5 meters. But not all locators are made the same you just make sure you get one that will suffice for your use.
Detection
There are two types of detection systems or modes as people call them, that every cable locator can have. It will be either passive or active location detection. Active location detection sends out signals which bounce back to the locator from the surface of objects. Passive location detection involves listening in on signals sent out by buried utilities. The difference is that passive location detection isn't able to detect every cable or line as not every cable or line emits radio waves or has a live current in them.
Durability
While you won't use an underground cable locator to dig holes it is still a good idea to get one that is both shock-resistant and waterproof. This way your detector will last a long time without a drop in performance. In this case, it's best that you for an IP67 rated model which is dustproof and has protection against low-pressure water jets.
Size & Weight
You'll want your cable detector to be as lightweight as possible without sacrificing protection and durability. A heavy locator may come with better protection but it can be a burden to carry around especially after a long day of work.
Frequency
The frequency range of your underground cable and line locator determines the types of service lines you can detect. It's recommended that you look for an underground locator with multiple frequencies. This way you'll be able to detect multiple types of underground utility lines and cables. Most mid-range models will have a frequency range between 50 Hz and 200 Hz while high-end models come with a range between 10 Hz and 35,000 kHz. But sometimes you'll need to ask an expert representative for the frequency which can help you get the exact model you need that will operate in the correct frequency range.
Features
There are some features that you'll definitely want to have on your locator unit. Overload protection is one of them, a feature that will help keep your locator accurate even when there are overhead lines that can be in the way. Strike alert is a built-in feature that can alert you when you've found buried objects that can be hazardous when you start digging. The data from this can be recorded if a locator has a depth estimate feature. Look for a GPS/ GNSS receiver in the model you're after. This feature automatically adds positional data to your log records and it will show the location of the cable detector when you detected a certain utility line.
Display
To ensure that the readings you get while working are clear and easy to read even on a bright sunny day, make sure to get a large LCD display with backlighting. This way you won't have to squint your eyes or go under a shade to see the readings on the display. You can even go for a display that shows bar graphs as well as a numeral SSI reading so it shows signal strength more clearly. Some LCD displays will even have a compass display to show the direction of buried utility lines.
Stick
While this isn't part of every underground utility locator, it is quite a convenient accessory. A stick is going to make your life a lot easier when you need to map the path of a buried utility line. You won't have to bend over a long period of time to mark the line every time you need to mark a path. There's no back pain to worry about when using a stick.
