Conduit Locator

Using GPR for A Conduit Locator

A conduit locator is very important in the world of construction and engineering. A conduit is defined as a channel or pipe conveying liquids, or a tube protecting electrical wires. It is therefore very necessary to be able to locate conduit accurately before any type of drilling, cutting, coring, or digging can be done in a targeted area.

Ground Penetrating Radar Systems have specialized equipment that allows workers to "see" what is below the surface without disturbing the surface. Engineers who design and build structures such as highways, bridges, tunnels, hospitals, parking garages, and other similar structures need to know exactly what kind of subsurface utilities they will be dealing with in a certain area. Other fields use GPR as well, such as mining, archaeology, geology, and urban planning.

How the System Works

GPR systems become the conduit locator for operators who are looking for a non-destructive way to search for subsurface utilities. Knowing where conduit is located significantly reduces the risk of electrocution or electrical shutdown. The risk of cutting through underground utility lines is substantially reduced along with possible expensive repairs.

An antenna is scanned over the target area which gives off radio pulses that are reflected by embedded structures. From a series of scans, target depth and spacing can be accurately determined and laid out directly on the surface for trouble free coring, cutting, and structural analysis. Data can also be downloaded onto a laptop computer for further analysis and detail.