SideStepauto™

The transmitter can be used to recommend a general purpose locate frequency for the intended locate task by measuring the impedance of the target cable or pipe.

SideStepauto™ helps to improve locate accuracy by determining the best signal. SideStepauto can also help to prolong battery life.

SideStepauto operates only in Direct Connection mode.

Using SideStepauto:

To enable SideStepauto:

Connect the transmitter to the target utility, then

1. Press the key to enter the menu.
2. Scroll to the OPT F menu using the or keys.
3. Press the key to enter the OPT F menu.
4. Scroll through using the or keys until START is displayed.
5. Press the key to start SideStepauto and exit the OPTF Menu.
6. Press the key to exit the menu.

NOTE: SideStepauto has to be enabled for each Direct Connection using the START option. At any time the user may manually change the frequency using thekey.

Transmitter power output

The transmitter supports several power output modes to help you select the optimal settings for your requirements whilst helping to prolong battery life.

Adjusting power output

To adjust the power output:

1. Press the or  keys to increase or decrease power output.

Boost (Tx-10 only)

Boost allows the Tx-10 transmitter to output its maximum output power. Boost mode can be set to operate for a specified period of time.

To configure boost:

1. Press the key to enter the menu.
2. Scroll to the BOOST menu using the or  keys.
3. Press the key to enter the BOOST menu
4. Set the BOOST duration using the or You can choose 5, 10, 15 and 20 minute periods or ON for continuous operation.
5. Press the key to accept your changes and exit the BOOST menu.
6. Press the key to exit the menu.

To enable boost:

1. First configure the boost duration using the procedure above.
2. Press and hold the key until BOOST appears on the transmitter LCD.
3. The transmitter will automatically exit boost mode after the selected duration.

To disable boost:

1. Press the key to disable boost.

Transmitter Eco mode

When using alkaline D-Cells in Tx-5 and Tx-10 transmitter models you can extend the effective use of the batteries by enabling Eco mode.

In Eco mode the power output of the transmitter reduces when the batteries can no longer provide the required output power.

When Eco mode is active and the power output has been reduced, the display alternates between ‘POWER‘ and the current output power level.

The transmitter will emit three beeps every time the power is reduced. It will then continue emitting two beeps each minute whilst it operates at a reduced power level.

To enable or disable Eco mode

1. Press the key to enter the menu
2. Scroll to the BATT menu using the or  keys and enter it by pressing the key. 
3. Scroll through the battery options using the or  until ALK is displayed.  Press the key.
4. Use the or  until ECO is displayed and press the  key to enable Eco Mode.

Or

Select NORM and press the  key to disable Eco mode.

     5. Press the key to exit the menu

Maximum Voltage

On high impedance applications such as small diameter cables, tracer wires, etc, sometimes it can be difficult to get a signal to flow when using the direct connection method. Increasing the output voltage of the transmitter can maximize the amount of signal coupled onto the utility.

The transmitter can operate in either low voltage (30V) or in high voltage (90V). In normal operating mode the transmitter will operate in low voltage mode.

Warning: When operating the transmitter in high voltage mode, always make sure that the transmitter is switched off when connecting or disconnecting direct connection leads.

To set maximum output voltage to 90 volts:

1. Press the key to enter the menu
2. Scroll to the MAXV menu using the or keys
3. Press the key to enter the MAXV menu
4. Set the MAXV to HIGH using the or keys
5. Press the key to accept your changes and exit the MAXV menu
6. Press the key to exit the menu

When in high voltage mode the transmitter will display a high voltage warning triangle. 

Each time the transmitter is switched off the transmitter will revert back to the default low voltage setting.

Measure mode

The transmitter has the capability of providing impedance measurements by determining the resultant impedance across the crocodile clips of the Direct Connection lead while connected to the utility. These measurements can be useful when assessing sheath fault severity. It is also possible to measure potential voltage that may be present on utilities to warn of potentially dangerous or harmful voltages present.

In measure mode the measurement is derived from an AC signal applied to the utility from the transmitter

Impedance & voltage measurements

1. Connect the Direct Connection leads to the utility and switch on the transmitter.
2. Hold down the key until MEAS is displayed and the measuring icon is activated. The transmitter display will now indicate the voltage level measured across the connection leads.
3. Press the key once and the display will indicate the impedance measured across the connection leads. The measurement icon will display the following symbols:

Impedance and voltage measurements

     4. To exit MEAS mode hold down the key until the display reverts back to the normal operating screen.

Impedance measurements using active frequency

1. Connect the Direct Connection lead to the utility and switch on the transmitter.
2. Select the preferred frequency and output the signal.
3. Press the key once and the display will indicate the impedance measured across the connection leads and also the output power of the transmitter.
4. Press the key once to return to the normal operating screen.