When you're building anything, there's always the risk of running into utility lines. In fact, there are over 20 million miles of underground utility cables in the country. Using the right underground cable locators makes construction a lot easier. That way, you'll never have to worry about cutting a wire unnecessarily.
So, we've put together a few reviews for the best equipment in the industry. These devices will help keep you safe while saving money.
What Is a Wire Locator?
Any locator is made of at least two pieces. First, there's the receiver. Then, there's the locator. These two pieces of equipment work together so that you can trace the path of underground wiring. The transmitter sends AC current along the underground wire. While this current travels, it emits a signal that the locator can detect.
Using the receiver, workers can easily see where the wires are located underground. That way, they can work without having to worry about cutting them.
Why These Utility Locators Are the Best
A good locator makes tracing the path of underground wiring much easier. So, using them will help you save time and money. However, how can you tell which devices are the best? There are a ton of different brands, but we've found that the following devices tend to perform the best.
Each of them has been reviewed by real professionals, who used them on the job. Depending on your needs, one of them may be more suitable than the others. So, take a look at what we've discovered.
Leica DD 120 Cable Underground Utility Locator
Even inexperienced users can handle this device. The Leica DD120 features fully automatic operations. Plus, it can sense cables at depths of up to 3 meters. Additionally, it's got a 1-year warranty, and it's been IP54 rated. That means you won't have to worry about it breaking. Even if it does, you'll be totally taken care of. Besides, the automatic pinpointing feature makes finding underground cables super simple.
TOP FEATURES
| Accurate Up to 10 Feet | Automatic Pinpointing | 1-Year Warranty |
User Review
Finding an underground electrical conductor has never been easier. With this in my hands, I've never cut into a cable unless I meant to cut it. Keep in mind, you've got to get a transmitter if you plan on finding something else. Otherwise, this device can only locate electrical lines. Still, compared to other devices, I've been impressed.
This wire locator has been able to pinpoint wires that are buried under 10 feet of dirt. Breaking ground feels much less stressful whenever I'm using this device. So, starting new projects seems to go much smoother.
Leica DD 130 Cable Underground Utility Locator
The Leica DD 130 improves upon older designs. By adding additional frequencies, it's even easier to find underground wires. This model can detect things at 512 Hz and 640 Hz. Plus, it can find wires as deep as 10 meters. Anything less than 33 feet underground is trivial to locate. The DD 130 model also includes a standard 1-year warranty. Plus, it also has an IP 54 rating. Thus, using it in dirty environments shouldn't pose a problem.
Top Features
| Accurate Up to 33 Feet: Some jobs need tools that can locate wires pretty far down. The DD 130 can accurately locate wires as deep as 10 meters. | IP 54 Rating: Most of the time, job sites aren't the cleanest places in the world. However, with an IP 54 rating, this device is built to handle it. It'll work well even if there is a ton of dust. |
| Multiple Frequencies: Not all underground wires transmit at the same frequency. So, without the right tools, you might not find them. Luckily, the DD 130 can detect wires using multiple frequencies. That way, nothing will slip past you. |
User Review
"Finding underground wires has always been the toughest part of the job. However, after picking up one of these, that's no longer the case. Pairing the DD 130 to a proper signal transmitter simplifies everything. Now, I can simply go to the job site with one of these in my hands. Then, I can figure out exactly where all the cables are underground.
Using the automatic pinpointing function is also a lot easier than I thought. Since most of it works automatically, I figured out how to use it in no time. Plus, by switching frequencies, I can pick up on the faintest signals. If the wire is less than 33 feet deep, I'll find it whenever I use this."
Leica DD 220 SMART Underground Utility Locator
The DD 220 locator combines several technologies to create an all-in-one solution. You can use it to automatically detect the location of underground utilities. Plus, it can sync data between multiple sites while you're on the go.
As such, it's ideal for anyone who is managing multiple jobs. It also has a USB connector so that you can download the data onto your computer. Or, you can simply access everything on your smartphone.
TOP FEATURES:
GPS Pairing: Never worry about mapping out underground wiring. Since this device connects to your smartphone, you can just use GPS. It'll automatically map everything out for you.
Complete Package:
The DD 220 includes the signal transmitter and locator. That way, you don't have to purchase anything else. Everything you need comes in one easy-to-use device.
DX Office Shield: Analyzing data has never been easier. Connect the DD 220 to your computer, and the included software takes care of all the analysis.
User Review
" Using a wire locator has always been part of my job. However, compared to other options, this device makes everything even easier. Now, I never have to worry about how things will go. I just hook up this device, and everything is sent right to my smartphone. From there, I can just hook it up to my computer. Then, the software package calculates everything I used to do by hand. As a result, most jobs take a lot less time. Saving time and money at work seems easy whenever I use this."
Leica DD 230 SMART Utility Locators
For the toughest jobs, the DD 230 has everything you need. It includes the transmitter and locator. Plus, it comes with an entire software package. Each device can sync with your office's hardware. So, you won't have to jump between job sites. Instead, you can have your men in the field send everything to one location. Plus, on top of all that, the DD 230 can detect things as deep as 33 feet. The enhanced technology means that fewer mistakes are made. So, most jobs can be done in a single sweep.
Top Features
- On-board Diagnostics and Support:
Training people to use the DD 230 doesn't take long at all. There are videos included with the device so that people can learn how to operate them. Plus, whenever something seems wrong, onboard diagnostic tells you what's going on. - Smart Technology:
The included software package takes care of all the hard stuff. Scan the field, and the DD 230 will send everything to your phone. Then, it'll automatically map out all of the wires on GPS. That way, once it's time to work, you've got it all in the palm of your hand. - Enhanced Accuracy and Depth: Never worry about wires going unnoticed. This device includes both the transmitter and locator. As such, it's got unparalleled accuracy. You don't need to get anything else. With the DD 230, you can detect any type of underground wire.
- Get Everything Done in a Single Sweep:
The enhanced accuracy means that everything should be found in a single sweep. Don't worry about going over everything more than once again. Instead, use a device like this.
User Review
"Sometimes, you find something that totally changes how you do your job. That's how it was whenever I first got my hands on the DD 230. It automatically sends all the data to my smartphone. Then, I just got to do a single sweep of the land. Usually, that finds everything I need to locate. Getting to work doesn't take nearly as long as it used to."
For More Information, Contact Us
We've specialized in wire location technology for a long time. To get the best deal, give us a call. We'll provide you with a complete solution.
Do you need more information?
Continuing your research on the best underground wire locators, click the links below:
Our articles will answer any questions you may have about underground wire locators. They will also help you to understand which locator will best meet your needs.
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