We come to you – from Erding.

Overview of active and passive location methods, signal physics and operational limits. Passive search methods: passive radio and current measurement (50 Hz / radio), CPS/CPC measurement on gas pipes. Systematic large-area search using a grid pattern – first passive pre-location, then targeted active signal injection. Difference between signal injection methods: direct connection (galvanic/clamp) and signal clamp – you know which infrastructure is being traced. Inductive injection with the transmitter placed on the line – you do not know what is being traced. With passive reception there is also no certainty about the type of line. Practical field tips for pipe and cable location.

Afterwards participants can:

• Distinguish and correctly apply passive and active methods
• Understand passive radio and current measurement and CPS/CPC
• Plan grid search: passive pre-location, then active injection
• Distinguish direct connection, signal clamp and inductive injection
• Identify typical sources of error and interference signals
• Apply safety rules and practical field tips

Location of plastic and cast-iron pipes without their own conductor. Use of geophones and the tap technique (also called “woodpecker”): an electromagnetically driven pin strikes the water column, generating an acoustic signal and structure-borne sound that travels along the pipe and is detectable at the surface with a geophone. Safety notes for different pipe types: with old asbestos cement (AC) pipes an overly strong strike can cause the pipe to break.

Afterwards participants can:

• Understand sound propagation in pipelines
• Apply geophone and tap technique (woodpecker) in practice
• Safely locate plastic and cast-iron pipes
• Adjust strike force according to pipe type – handle AC pipes with care

Direct connection (galvanic) and inductive injection on metallic pipelines. Coupling behaviour of the various methods, injection onto adjacent installations and cross-coupling onto parallel lines. Sources of error and what to watch out for with each method.

Afterwards participants can:

• Apply direct connection (clamp) and signal clamp appropriately
• Assess coupling behaviour and signal strength
• Identify and account for cross-coupling onto adjacent lines
• Know sources of error in galvanic and inductive injection

Use of sondes (drain and drinking-water sondes) for position determination from inside the pipe. Differences between sonde types and their frequencies. Interpretation of the sonde signal and sonde behaviour on gradients and bends. Sources of error and practical tips for sonde location in the field.

Afterwards participants can:

• Distinguish sonde types (drain, drinking water, high pressure) and frequencies
• Correctly interpret the sonde signal and derive position
• Understand sonde behaviour on gradients, bends and slopes
• Identify sources of error and apply practical tips

Location of power, telecommunications and control cables using the peak, null and guide methods. Correct selection of receiving antenna for different applications (broadband, narrowband, depth antenna). Cable tracing along the route and depth measurement.

Afterwards participants can:

• Apply peak, null and guide methods appropriately
• Select receiving antenna according to application
• Make appropriate frequency and method choices for the situation
• Use depth measurement and current measurement correctly

GPS-assisted position capture of cables and lines in the field. Introduction to the Radiodetection RD8200SG – cable location and survey in one device. Introduction to various capture programmes: PointMan, RD Map+, Geolantis.360.

Afterwards participants can:

• Use RD8200SG for combined location and position capture
• Record GPS coordinates and transfer to capture programme
• Introduction to PointMan, RD Map+ and Geolantis.360

Difference between magnetometers (measure the earth’s magnetic field, detect anomalies) and magnetic locators (active permanent magnet, near-field detection). What can be located: iron pipes, manhole covers, valve boxes, gate valves, buried iron parts and marker stakes. Use of Schonstedt GA-52Cx and GA-72Cd.

Afterwards participants can:

• Distinguish and correctly use magnetometer and magnetic locator
• Know the area of application and locatable objects
• Correctly calibrate and operate Schonstedt devices
• Safely locate ferromagnetic objects in the field

Location and management of passive markers (Tempo, Kompex) for identifying buried infrastructure points: gate valves, fittings, cable joints.

Afterwards participants can:

• Know marker types and frequencies (33/66/83/135 kHz)
• Set, read and evaluate markers
• Correctly operate the marker reader

Use of ground penetrating radar (GPR) for the investigation of unknown lines, voids and subsurface structures. Devices from Sensors & Software (Noggin, Conquest 100/200). Signal interpretation and evaluation software EKKO_Project.

Afterwards participants can:

• Physical fundamentals of radar wave travel time
• Antenna selection, grid planning and data acquisition
• Hyperbola recognition and depth calculation
• Combination GPR + EM for complete route clarification
• Evaluation with EKKO_Project

Systematic procedure for cable fault location: fault characterisation, measurement chain setup, insulation testing, overview of all common measurement methods and their areas of application in practice.

Afterwards participants can:

• Know cable types and typical fault patterns
• Measure insulation resistance and loop resistance
• Select measurement method appropriately for the situation

Classic resistance bridge method (Murray, Varley) for precise pre-location of low- and high-resistance faults. Calculation of fault position from the bridge ratio and conductor resistance.

Afterwards participants can:

• Set up and balance Murray and Varley bridges
• Calculate fault position from measured value
• Account for loop resistance and conductor cross-section

Pulse reflectometry (TDR) with devices from SPRINGBOK and Radiodetection. Evaluation of reflectograms, characteristic impedance matching and cable register management.

Afterwards participants can:

• Understand the pulse-echo method physically
• Parameterise the TDR device (VOP, pulse width, range)
• Interpret reflectogram and measure in faults
• Identify joints, branches and terminations

Testing the outer protective jacket (PE sheath) of plastic cables for sheath faults. Voltage testing, current-distance measurement and step voltage method for fault isolation.

Afterwards participants can:

• Apply sheath test voltage and measure test current
• Apply step voltage and potential field method
• Isolate and mark fault location in the field

Identification and assignment of individual cables in cable troughs, joints and conduits using the cable identification antenna. Current direction detection: identifying cables in a bundle and determining current directions. Use of cable identification devices with signal evaluation and phase detection.

Afterwards participants can:

• Connect and operate cable identification device and antenna
• Identify individual cables in a bundle using current direction detection
• Evaluate phase position and current flow direction
• Observe safety rules when working on live lines

High-voltage-assisted methods for pre-location and pinpointing of high-resistance faults. Ley effect (acoustic pinpointing), twist method for screen faults and surge current generator use in combination with TDR.

Afterwards participants can:

• Safely operate high-voltage surge generator
• Locate acoustic Ley signal in the field
• Apply twist method for screen faults
• Combine TDR + surge current for difficult faults

Fundamentals of sound propagation in pressure pipes, generation of leakage noise, influencing factors (material, pressure, nominal diameter) and overview of all acoustic search methods.

Afterwards participants can:

• Understand sound generation and propagation speed
• Distinguish ground microphone, geophone and hydrophone
• Know the operational limits of the various methods
• Plan and work through a systematic search grid

Practical use of ground microphones and electronic geophones (Fast). Systematic area search and directional listening for precise localisation.

Afterwards participants can:

• Correctly place, listen with and evaluate the geophone
• Distinguish leakage noise from interference noise
• Work through an area search grid systematically
• Isolate leak location to within ±1 m

Two-channel cross-correlation with correlators (Fast Aquaphon). Parameterisation of pipe material, nominal diameter and section length for precise leak positioning – including deep plastic pipes.

Afterwards participants can:

• Understand the correlation principle mathematically
• Attach sensors to hydrants and gate valves
• Enter correct sound velocity for pipe material
• Evaluate correlogram and verify result

Use of gas detection devices from Fast and Sensitor manufacturers for leak location on buried gas pipes. Device operation, gas detection techniques (surface survey, manhole measurement), device response times, sources of error and handling overload.

Afterwards participants can:

• Correctly operate and calibrate gas detection device (Fast, Sensitor)
• Apply surface survey and manhole measurement techniques
• Know device response time and response behaviour
• Recognise device overload and respond correctly
• Avoid typical sources of error in gas detection
• Observe safety rules when working on gas-carrying lines