please explain this ????

[RD_Wrangler]

The field produced by DC current cannot be detected by a coiled receiver antenna. So the truck battery makes no difference. Neither does the DC current on the the phone cable.

You can send transmitter energy in both directions irregardless of grounding if you utilize a higher frequency. True for hooking onto pair wires, as well.
In the original scenario, perhaps the direct connect was with a low frequency and the coupler was used with a higher transmitter freq (RD Wrangler).

Grounding dictates transmitter current flow. With a direct connect, there is only a single remote ground. With the coupler (or dropping the box for that matter), there are two remote grounds. That's why different things may occur when comparing direct connect to induction.

The transmitter's signal follows the path of least resistance.Transmitter power doesn't have much to do the path of least resistance when compared to the differences between transmitter frequencies or to the differences between direct connect and induction.

Only other thing to consider: you can experience signal cancellation when energizing a pair wire situated inside a well grounded sheath. Doesn't always happen but it can. It'll look like you don't have a locate.

Your statement may be true in regards to dc-ing a non-energised or "spare" pair, but when dc-ing to a hot-pair, signal flow to the CO plays a huge part in the directional flow of the transmitter signal. As you said, transmitter signal follows the path of least resistance. The path of least resistance is toward the CO. The only way you could reverse the directional flow would be to isolate the pair by disconnecting it completely from the "out cable" thus disrupting the signal to the CO. Since most phone companies frown on cutting service to active customers, I'd discourage that.

For future reference, locating gas mains can have a similar situation. If you dc to a service/test station/etc. and the signal travels in one direction down the main but not the other, pay attention to the location and numbers of cathodes on the main and which direction seems to have more. The more cathodes in a general direction, the more signal will travel in that direction, at times drawing it all, particularly if you are near a dead-end.

[USIC1]

Just to clarify. In my original post, the use of "dc" was short hand for direct connect.

EG : dc-ing to the sheath = direct connect to the sheath.

Just ignore the idjit and his dementing ramblings about car batteries.

What does that locating layman engineering title pay$???

You would nt be hanging out as a locator for your health, with all that brilliance would you???

[RD_Wrangler]

What does that locating layman engineering title pay$???

You would nt be hanging out as a locator for your health, with all that brilliance would you???

Ah, USIC you poor poor bitter soul. Why so much animosity toward a little technical discussion? If we're over your head, just say so. I'll do my best to dumb it down a little for you.

Actually, in a way, yes, locating is good for my health. I enjoyed the hell out of locating, which is why I am returning to the field. It's honest work, it's fun work, and it's technical work. Best of all it's outside. Good for the mental health.

What should I BE doing? Sitting at a desk drawing up platts? In a lab somewhere analyzing data? Wearing a tie and going into an office everyday?

*shudder*

No thanks.

[USIC1]

I'll do my best to dumb it down a little for you.

Dumbing yourself down is even more sad and dumb...



Yes I got warned for playing practicing music at my apartment and I will take it out on someone since I now have to hide out in a storage unit...

Another kick in the nuts for being cheap...

[RD_Wrangler]

Ah, for the good old days of apartment living.

The lack of parking, the crappy laundry facilities, the incompetent maintenence crews, and the inconsiderate prigs that think it should be perfectly acceptable to blare their brand of "music" at 130+ dB(decibels), without an ounce of thought or respect for their neighbors.

Yup, I sure miss that!

[yahoo]

and the roaches....don't forget about the roaches!!!! and their offspring

[RD_Wrangler]

and the roaches....don't forget about the roaches!!!! and their offspring

No I talked about the roaches...the ones with no respect for their neighbors....

....oh wait!...

...you meant the actual insects! Doh! I fortunately never had to deal with that problem.

[yahoo]

dude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that was classic!!!

[TBONE]

Was the next ped a dead end ped if not try a pipehorn sometimes on the spans where the next ped is a dead end it will have a hard time trying to backfeed the best thing to do is go to the last ped then work back

[GPGrasshopper]

I always thought the goal was to strive for the most accurate locate possible without any damage to the facility, not the "quick and easy money." Isn't that really what locating is for?

If you want to test if you do have sheath damage that may be a contributing factor, you might try an A frame attachment on a lower frequency... other than what others have already said beautifully.

[yahoo]

Was the next ped a dead end ped if not try a pipehorn sometimes on the spans where the next ped is a dead end it will have a hard time trying to backfeed the best thing to do is go to the last ped then work back

the next ped going the other way is a dead end ped!!!

[yahoo]

thanks to all for your input!!!!

[underground quester]

Here is a situation I came across a while back.

Was in a telephone ped in the rurals, hidden in the middle of ass high grass and shrubs. The ped was from the 1960's.

Opened the ped and it was a rats nest of grounding cables. Unbonded all of them and found that two of them were secured to the ground bar but not to any cable. And could not find any cable to reconnect them to.

One bonding wire end, when disconnected at the bond bar, literally crumbled in my hand. Obviously, not going to conduct a signal very well, if at all. Of course, this was the one I needed. So direct connected to the copper.
Will not rehash anything everyone else has generously submitted. Just offering another suggestion.

I traced out each wire and reconnected each ground wire to the bar and sorted out that friggen rats nest. (Thats the anal neat freak side of me talking)

[The Subtle Locator]

Okay I m tired of playing with this...

Just radio sweep the bad cable some distance from the ped and drop the box of a high frequency locator and follow the damn thing back the ped...

Cut and dry...

Hard work or hardly working
Time wasted or quick an easy money

What scenario should we strive for???


GEEZ!!!!

As long as your "hard work" isn't "hardly working".