3M Advanced Cable Locator 2250 User Manual

							August 2014
78-8097-6518-9 Rev D
3M™ Dynatel™
Advanced Cable 
Locator 2250
3M 
						

							Table of ConTenTs
Introduction ........................................................................\
........................ 2
Installing or Replacing the Batteries  .......................................................... 2
Initial Receiver Configuration  .................................................................... 3
Receiver Battery Test ........................................................................\
......... 3
Transmitter Battery Test ........................................................................\
..... 4
Using External DC Power ........................................................................\
.. 4
Locating a Buried Cable  ........................................................................\
.... 5
      Transmitter Setup  ........................................................................\
......... 5
      Direct Connect Method  ........................................................................\
 6
      3M™ Dyna-Coupler Method ............................................................... 8
      Induction Method  ........................................................................\
......... 9
      Receiver Setup  ........................................................................\
........... 10
      About Trace Modes ........................................................................\
.... 11
      Selecting Passive Power Frequencies  ................................................12
      Selecting Auxiliary Frequencies  ........................................................12
      Determining Cable Depth and Current  ..............................................13
      Using Current Indications During Locating  ......................................14
Locating an Active Duct Probe (ADP) .................................................... 15
      Determining ADP Depth .................................................................... 15      
Toning Aerial  Faults ........................................................................\
......... 16
      Transmitter Setup  ........................................................................\
....... 16
      Receiver Setup  ........................................................................\
........... 16
Cable or Pair Identification  ...................................................................... 17
      Transmitter Setup  ........................................................................\
....... 17
Cable Identification Receiver Setup  ......................................................... 17
Pair Identification Receiver Setup  ........................................................... 18
Optional Accessories ........................................................................\
........ 19
Technical Information  ........................................................................\
...... 20
Page 1 
						

							InTroduCTIon
The 3M™ Dynatel™ Advanced Cable Locator 2250 consists of a Transmit-
ter and a Receiver for locating buried cables or Active Duct Probes (sondes).  
It also measures and pinpoints conductor faults in aerial cables.  The 
Transmitter provides four frequencies to accommodate varying factors such\
 
as distance, cable type, or soil conditions. If desired, all four freque\
ncies 
may be transmitted at once.  The Transmitter also provides a separate Tone 
function for identifying cables and pairs.  The Receiver provides four locat -
ing modes to accomplish fast or difficult tracing and to pinpoint or verify a 
buried cable.  The Receiver detects 50 or 60 Hz AC Power signals and also 
measures the signal current in a cable and displays its magnitude.  The depth 
of buried cables or sondes may also be displayed.
Note:  For more detailed locating instructions and advanced locating 
techniques, ask your 3M sales representative or call 800/200-0265 for a free 
publication called Cable and Pipe Locating Techniques.
InsT allIng or rePlaCIng The ba TTerIes 
Battery Disposal:  Since regulations vary, consult applicable regulations or 
authorities before disposal.
6 'C' cells
6 'aa' cells
CautioN!  
Do not connect batteries improperly, charge or dispose of in fire.  
Batteries may leak or explode and cause personal injury.  Always 
remove batteries when storing the units.
Page 2 
						

							InITIal reCeIver ConfIguraTIon
Display depth units (inches, feet and inches, or centimeters) may be c\
hanged 
while holding 
 and pressing .  For each press, one of three units 
will display. To change the passive Power frequency, press and hold 
 
then press 
 to toggle between 50 or 60 Hz as displayed in the lower 
left corner of the display.
To change the Null bar graph display mode, press and hold 
then  
press  to toggle between normal Null bar graph display (Null flag will 
flash) and inverse Null bar graph display (Null flag is solid).  See section 
About Trace Modes (Page 11) for further information.
Page 3
reCeIver ba TTery TesT 
The Receiver batteries are tested for two seconds every time the unit is\
 
turned on. The time interval can be extended by pressing and holding 
.  
During the battery test, the bar graph should extend to the right of the\
 battery 
level mark, otherwise replace the batteries.
Note:   When batteries are low, the battery test indicator  
 will flash.
battery Test 
Indicator
battery level  Mark 
						

							TransMITTer baTTery TesT
To test the Batteries, press and hold .   Listen to the tone and watch the 
display.
    • solid tone and 'OK' indicates batteries good;
    • beeping tone and 'LO' indicates batteries low;
    • no tone and '- -' indicates replace batteries. 
Note:   The battery test indicates battery condition for normal output levels.  
If the unit resets when the high output level is selected, use the normal out -
put level or replace the batteries.
usIng exTernal dC Power and 5 wa TT ouTPuT
If the unit has the option A, the Transmitter can be operated from an external 
12VDC source as well as its internal batteries.  Use the supplied cigare\
tte 
lighter adapter cable to connect the DC power from a vehicle's battery 
source to the Transmitter's external power jack located next to the output 
jack.  
 
Note:   The internal batteries will not be recharged with external DC. 
5 Watt output
An external DC source is required for 5 watt output.  To select 5 watt oper -
ation, press 
 once for high output (3W) and again for 5 watt operation.  
The High Output flag will turn on for 3W and flash for 5W.
Page 4 
						

							loCaTIng a burIed Cable
Transmitter setup
Perform a battery test and then connect the Transmitter using one of the 
three methods below to put tracing signal on a cable.
Note:  Key descriptions can be found inside the Transmitter lid. 
DaNger!
Voltage greater than 240 volts will damage equipment and cause personal 
injury and death.  Make all direct test connections before turning on the 
Transmitter.  Then activate the Transmitter in the Ohms mode and check 
the display for voltage readings.  Follow standard procedures for reducing 
the voltage.
WarNiNg!
Potential for electrical shock exists when handling connecting cables 
while the Transmitter is in the TRACE, FAULT or TONE modes.  Turn 
the Transmitter off before handling connecting cables.
Page 5 
						

							Make sure the Transmitter is off. Plug the direct connect cable into the front 
panel jack.  Connect the Black clip to the ground rod.  Place the ground rod 
in the earth perpendicular to the suspected cable path.  If necessary, extend 
the black lead with the Ground Extension Cable.  Next, remove the ground\
 
bonding and attach the Red clip to the shield.
Press 
 to turn the Transmitter on in the Ohms mode .  It will mea-
sure the continuity of the cable under test.  The results are displayed in ohms 
and as a tone (solid tone = good ground; beeping tone = usable ground;  no 
tone = poor or no ground).
Note:   In the ohms mode, the Transmitter can detect voltage as well as ohms. If a 
low voltage is detected, the display will alternate between displaying o\
hms and volts. 
When displaying ohms, the flag over the 
 will be visible.  When displaying volts, 
the flag over the 'V' will be visible.  When the voltage magnitude is sufficient to impair 
the accuracy of the ohms measurement, only voltage will be displayed. If the voltage 
is AC, a sine wave 
 will be visible on the display. If a high AC voltage is detected, 
a rapid beeping tone will be heard. Note:   Never attach or remove the direct connect cable from the Transmitter front 
panel jack while the red and black clips are connected to a cable.
direct Connect Method
Page 6 
						

							Press  to select Trace mode.  Press again to select one or all of the 
four frequencies. The display will alternate between displaying the selected 
frequency and the output signal current.  It is best to choose the lowes\
t 
frequency for direct connect with far-end ground and a high frequency for 
direct connect with no far-end ground.
Press 
 to  select high output level for longer tracing distances and 
deep cables.     
Transmitter setup is finished, now go to  LoCatiNg a BurieD CaBLe 
- 
ReceiveR Setup (Page 10).
Page 7 
						

							3M™ dyna-Coupler Method
Cable Path
Connect the Dyna-Coupler to the Transmitter front panel jack using the 
coupler cable.  
Clamp the Dyna-Coupler around the cable below any bonds just before the 
cable enters the earth. The jaws of the coupler must fully close.
Press  to turn Transmitter on. Press again to select 8, 33, or 200 kHz.
Select high output level by pressing  . 
 Transmitter setup is finished,  now go to LoCatiNg a BurieD CaBLe  
- ReceiveR Setup (Page 10).
Page 8 
						

							Induction Method
Place the transmitter on the ground over the target cable with the lid hinge in 
line with the cable path.  Press 
 to turn the Transmitter on.  
Press again to select either 33 kHz or 200 kHz. For greater tracing rang\
e, 
select high  output level by pressing  
.
Note:  If the Receiver is less than 50 feet from the Transmitter, it can pick 
up signal through the air.  For best results, keep the Receiver away from the 
Transmitter by at least that distance.
Transmitter setup is finished, now go to  LoCatiNg a BurieD CaBLe - 
ReceiveR Setup (Page 10).
Page 9