60 cycle/Power modes

**ProfessionalLocator** · February 26th, 2011, 05:15 PM

In the last three weeks I have talked with several new Utiliquest locators who work in the Northern Virginia area. They all used 60 cycle mode to mark power. I pointed out that his was not a good method to rely on and would result in damages. They all replied that this was the way they were taught to mark the electric. I had to explain to them the different methods of hooking up to the electric. They never were taught that you could use a ring clamp at the meter and were uncertain of how to use the leads on power.

I guess it was just cheaper to spend less time training them by just showing them 60 cycle. And yes, I do know at least one of them has gotten an electric damage like this.

**Locates with a cape!** · February 27th, 2011, 10:25 AM

thats just scary....wait til they find one of those primaries that down power mode up lol

**headcipher** · February 27th, 2011, 10:56 AM

Anyone else found a h2o service or main that ran hotter than the electric in 60 cycle?

**Turk182** · February 27th, 2011, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by headcipher

Anyone else found a h2o service or main that ran hotter than the electric in 60 cycle?

Yes, you can do the same with some gas mains.

**headcipher** · February 27th, 2011, 08:51 PM

Have you had gas mains that would 60 cycle that weren't rectified? That would definitely worry me.

**FailedSafetyAudit** · February 27th, 2011, 08:56 PM

High praise indeed! You seem very happy with it, and have slightly contributed to the pool of opinions that is currently influencing my buying decisions.

Are you equally as satisfied with the radio mode and dual simultaneous radio/power mode? How's the CATV passive mode as well? (If you had an RD8000PDL and not PXL).

**FailedSafetyAudit** · February 27th, 2011, 08:57 PM

****ing hit the wrong goddamn button. That reply was aimed at Paint'n & Flag'n.

**Turk182** · February 28th, 2011, 04:46 PM

Originally Posted by headcipher

Have you had gas mains that would 60 cycle that weren't rectified? That would definitely worry me.

Yes, if the main is fairly large, just the gas flowing through the pipe creates enough static to get it to signal if the gain is high enough. I never put paint on a power moded gas main, but I know guys that have.

**headcipher** · March 1st, 2011, 09:53 AM

Many large gas mains should be isolated from any electric and should ever carry a 60 cycle signal. The exception is usually with rectified Gas mains. Rectified Gas Mains have a signal forced onto them at 120hz which is merely double of a 60hz or 60 cycle. Those should be the only mains which carry a charge. It is true that static can build up in a gas line, but that should only result in a spark, not in a solid alternating current signal.

**headcipher** · March 1st, 2011, 01:31 PM

I forgot to say that mains are rectified for cathodic protection against corrosion.

**Dave72** · March 1st, 2011, 07:48 PM

Its possible they use something different over there.. but here the 'rectifier' generates a dc voltage to apply to the pipelines. This helps boost the current flow at the anodes and gets them rotting (instead of the 'cathode'..ie, the pipe) when normal electro-chemical action isnt enough.