3M
™
Dynatel
™
Cable/Pipe/Fault Locator
2550/2573 Series
Operator’s Manual
2550 Pipe/Cable Locator
2550-iD Pipe/Cable and Marker Locator
2573 Cable/Pipe/Fault Locator
2573-iD Cable/Pipe/Fault and Marker Locator
May 2015
78-9000-0192-2 Rev D
3
Contents
1. Safety Information ...........................................................................................................6
2. About This Manual...........................................................................................................7
3. Quick Start .......................................................................................................................8
A. Transmitter Battery Installation ..............................................................................8
B. Receiver Battery Installation ...................................................................................9
C. Cleaning Receiver and Transmitter Units .............................................................10
D. Service and Accessories ........................................................................................10
E. 3M
™
Dynatel
™
Transmitter 2550 Keypad and Connector Definitions ...................10
F. 3M Dynatel Transmitter 2573Keypad and Connector Definitions ........................11
G. Maximum Transmitter Output ..............................................................................12
H. Rechargeable Battery Information ........................................................................12
I. 3M Dynatel Receiver 2550 Keypad Definitions.....................................................13
J. 3M Dynatel Receiver 2573 Keypad Definitions ....................................................14
4. Menu Displays ...............................................................................................................15
A. Main Menu/Locate Menu......................................................................................15
5. Configuring The Receiver ..............................................................................................18
A. Selecting Depth Units ...........................................................................................18
B. Setting the Receiver Clock ....................................................................................18
C. Selecting a Language ............................................................................................18
D. Enabling/Disabling Locating Frequencies ............................................................19
E. Selecting Locate Modes (Antenna Modes) ...........................................................19
F. Selecting External Jack Frequencies (Tone Frequencies) ......................................20
G. Creating User Defined Frequencies ......................................................................20
H. Filtering Power Frequency Interference ...............................................................21
I. Selecting Locating Audio .......................................................................................21
J. Adjusting Display Contrast ....................................................................................21
6. Locating Buried Cables And Pipes ................................................................................22
A. Transmitter Connections .......................................................................................22
7. Receiver Locating Trace Modes ....................................................................................29
A. Trace View (T-View) .............................................................................................29
B. Special Peak (Spl Pk) ............................................................................................30
C. Induction Peak (Ind Pk).........................................................................................30
D. Directional Peak (Dir Pk) ......................................................................................31
E. Directional Null (DirNull) .....................................................................................32
F. Expanded Mode .....................................................................................................33
8. Depth and Current Estimate ...........................................................................................33
9. Locating Frequencies .....................................................................................................34
A. Active Frequencies ................................................................................................34
B. Power Frequencies ................................................................................................34
C. Passive Frequencies...............................................................................................34
D. Auxiliary Frequencies ...........................................................................................34
11. Locating Active Duct Probes (Sondes) ........................................................................38
A. Determining Active Duct Probe Depth .................................................................39
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78-9000-0192-2 Rev D
10. Locating in Directional Peak Mode .............................................................................36
12. Locating Buried Sheath Faults And Earth Return Faults ............................................40
A. Transmitter Setup ..................................................................................................40
B. Pinpointing the Buried Fault .................................................................................41
13. Locating 3M
™
Electronic Markers and 3M
™
iD Markers ............................................43
A. Enabling/Disabling Marker and Path Frequencies ...............................................43
B. Alert Mode.............................................................................................................43
C. Single Marker or Path Marker Locate ...................................................................44
D. Dual Marker Locate ..............................................................................................45
E. 3M iD Marker Depth .............................................................................................45
F. Passive Electronic Marker (Non-iD) Depth ...........................................................46
14. Creating/Editing Templates for 3M
™
iD Markers ........................................................47
A. Creating New Templates .......................................................................................47
B. Editing Templates ..................................................................................................49
15. Writing 3M iD Markers ...............................................................................................50
A. Modifying Marker Data to be Written ..................................................................51
16. Reading 3M iD Markers ..............................................................................................53
17. Reviewing Marker Read/Write History .......................................................................53
A. Read History .........................................................................................................53
B. Write History [SK] ................................................................................................54
18. GPS Compatibility Operation ......................................................................................54
A. Capturing the GPS Coordinates (Capture Mode / Mode 1) ..................................55
B. Sending 3M iD Marker Data to GPS (Capture-Transmit Mode / Mode 2) ...........56
C. Path Mapping with GPS ........................................................................................56
19. Additional Applications ...............................................................................................58
A. Aerial Faults (Toning) ..........................................................................................58
B. Cable Identification ...............................................................................................59
21. 3M
™
Dynatel
™
PC Tool Kit and Locator Software Upgrades ......................................61
20. Help Mode ...................................................................................................................60
22. Self Test of Receiver ....................................................................................................61
23. Product Description And Optional Accessories ...........................................................62
A. Product Description...............................................................................................62
B. Standard Configurations ........................................................................................62
C. Optional 3M
™
Accessories for 3M Dynatel
™
Locators..........................................63
25. 12-Watt Transmitter Specifications ..............................................................................66
26. Environmental and Regulatory Specifications .............................................................67
27. Rechargeable Battery Information ...............................................................................67
24. Receiver Specifications ................................................................................................64
78-9000-0192-2 Rev D
3
Congratulations! You have just purchased one of the finest, most advanced locating
devices available today!
The 3M
™
Dynatel
™
Pipe/Cable Locators 2550 Series and 3M
™
Dynatel
™
Cable/Pipe/
Fault Locators 2573 Series are designed with all of the functionality of previous
Dynatel models plus the availability of 6 active locating frequencies and trace view
locating mode, while the iD versions have the enhanced capability to read and write
user information into the 3M iD markers. Information such as a pre-programmed
identification number, facility data, application type, placement date and other details
can all be read, stored and downloaded to your PC for enhanced resource management
with this revolutionary equipment. The Dynatel 2550-iD Pipe/Cable Locators and
Dynatel 2573-iD Cable/Pipe/Fault Locators will also search for two different types
of utility markers simultaneously. When used in conjunction with a hand-held GPS
device, the ability to transmit path and marker coordinates multiplies the potential to
the mapping industry. This equipment provides a simple system for mapping utility
information directly into CAD and GIS systems. The 2550/2573 Series transmitters are
12 watt units. They provide .5 watts, 3 watts and 12 watts of output power. 12 watts is
attained by utilizing the Cigarette Lighter Adapter or External Rechargeable Battery.
3M is dedicated to bringing you premium equipment with outstanding reliability, backed
by one of the best warranties in the business and outstanding service.
Visit our website at
www.3M.com/dynatel
for more application notes and product
information.
4
78-9000-0192-2 Rev D
1. Safety Information
Please read, understand and follow all safety information contained in these instructions
prior to the use of the 3M
™
Dynatel
™
Pipe/Cable Locators 2500 Series. Retain these
instructions for future reference.
Intended Use
The 3M Dynatel Cable/Pipe/Fault 2550/2573 Series Locators are used to identify the
placement of underground utility lines. The system must be installed as specified in the
3M
™
Dynatel
™
Cable/Pipe/Fault Locator 2550/2573 Series Operator's Manual. It has
not been evaluated for other uses or locations. If this equipment is used in a manner not
specified by 3M, the protections provided by the equipment may be impaired.
Explanation of Signal Word Consequences
!
Warning:
Indicates hazardous situation which if not avoided, could result in
death or serious injury.
!
Caution:
Indicates hazardous situation which if not avoided, could result in
minor or moderate injury.
Explanation of Product Safety Label Symbols
Do not throw away in normal trash.
c
!
WARNING
Warning: Risk of electric shock
This WARNING applies to the following 3M Dyna-Couplers;
• 3" (75 mm) - Part number 3001
• 4.5" (114 mm) - Part number 4001
• 6" (150 mm) - Part number 1196
• All accessory kits containing any of the listed Dyna-Couplers - Part numbers 3019, 4519,
1196/C
A potential for electrical shock exists when using the Dyna-Coupler on cables energized with
electrical power. Use appropriate safety procedures.
DO NOT USE ON CABLES CARRYING IN EXCESS OF 600 VOLTS RMS.
78-9000-0192-2 Rev D
5
