GASCOPACT: A new approach to pipe and cable location

A robust, hand-held instrument for locating underground pipes and cables before excavations by public utility workers was developed. It has direct indiction, no controls to adjust, good resolution, a weatherproof case, a hum detector for power lines, automatic built-in self calibration, back-up diagnostic equipment, and is insensitive to carrying angle. Performance is maintained in the temperature range minus 10 to + 40 C. Batteries are sufficient for 10 hr continuous use. It functions normally after immersion in 0.3 m water for 5 min. Mean time between failures is 1 yr.