© 2007 Ideal Industries 1 of 15 IDEAL Tracer Training Introduction on the IDEAL Industries, Model Series Tracers

© 2007 Ideal Industries 2 of 15 IDEAL Tracer Training SureTest TM Circuit Tracers Three Models : RC-958 Receiver with Super bright OLED Display –TR-958 Transmitter Rotating display 0-99 numeric signal strength Peak detecting bar graph and audible tone Four sensitivity modes for accurate search then trace function Energized up to 600V, or De-energized circuits. Indicated AC/DC voltage present % of Battery life –Inductive Clamp with Battery Pack Induces Signal into a circuit via a I in jaw clamp Powered by it’s own battery power pack

© 2007 Ideal Industries 3 of 15 IDEAL Tracer Training SureTest TM Circuit Tracers Operation of the Tracer –1. Super Bright Display –2. % of Battery Power –3. Audible indicator on/off toggle –4. Sensitivity Modes Search High 1*SH Search Low2*SL Trace3*TR Breaker mode4*BR –* Range Indication on Receive –5. Power Button –6. Battery compartment –7. Category Safety Rating

© 2007 Ideal Industries 4 of 15 IDEAL Tracer Training SureTest TM Circuit Tracers Operation of the Tracer –1. Signal output jacks –2. Power indication –3. Energized Line indicator. On if power is present –4. Low Battery indicator –5. Power Button –6. Safety operating range Do not operating on voltage levels > 600 VDC or AC RMS –7. Battery Compartment –8. Category Safety Rating

© 2007 Ideal Industries 5 of 15 IDEAL Tracer Training SureTest TM Circuit Tracers Operation –The transmitter produces a unique signal onto a circuit to be traced –The receiver detects this unique signal when placed in the proper orientation to the wires. –Weather the circuit is open or closed can greatly affect the strength of the electromagnetic field. –In an open circuit there is no current flow, so electromagnetic field will be weaker and harder to trace. –Electromagnetic fields radiate counter-clockwise in relationship to the current flow. When current flows in opposite directions to each other as in Hot and neutral conductors the two fields oppose each other and tend to cancel each other out. When tracing a remote return can help minimize this effect of inductive cancellation

© 2007 Ideal Industries 6 of 15 IDEAL Tracer Training SureTest TM Circuit Tracers In this example the transmitter is attached to the last receptacle this gives you a complete closed loop. In the next figure the transmitter is attached somewhere in the center of the circuits. –The signal in the open path is weaker than the signal in the closed loop path In both examples the signal will weaken depending on the length of the circuit due to the inductive cancellation discussed earlier. Add a Load and Close the loop

© 2007 Ideal Industries 7 of 15 IDEAL Tracer Training SureTest TM Circuit Tracers One method to complete the loop is to connect through a remote return path, such as a neutral or ground of another circuit. –When identifying a breaker the hot and neutral are already separated at the panel. –Using a remote ground like a water pipe or a separate branch circuit neutral closes the loop and you receive a much stronger signal

© 2007 Ideal Industries 8 of 15 IDEAL Tracer Training SureTest TM Circuit Tracers Locating fuses and Breakers –Us the receiver to locate the proper panel –Use the Sensitivity range key to range to Trace Mode (TR/3) –The Tracer should be orientate properly to the breaker. –Slide the nose of the receiver down each breaker in the panel, the one with the strongest signal should be the breaker. –If more that one shows about the same strength, tilt the receiver up and down by 45 o, The correct breaker will show about the same strength in all positions.

© 2007 Ideal Industries 9 of 15 IDEAL Tracer Training SureTest TM Circuit Tracers Finding an open circuit –Set the tracer to its high (SH/1) mode. Use a sweeping motion with the receiver to search for the strongest signal. If the signal is strong, reduce the sensitivity If the signal is weak connect to the open conductor, connect the other lead to a remote return path It my be necessary to create a remote return path if the signal is not strong enough. Continue to follow the highest signal strength until the signal starts to fall off An open is one of the hardest faults to locate because of inductive or capacitive coupling of the signal. Use care when pinpointing an open.

© 2007 Ideal Industries 10 of 15 IDEAL Tracer Training SureTest TM Circuit Tracers Tracing or Finding a Short –One lead should be connected to the to the faulted conductor and the other lead to ground. If the ground fault is a metallic conduit, the the conduit is the ground. Set the tracer to its high (SH/1) mode. Start several feet from the transmitter using a sweeping motion with the receiver to search for the strongest signal. If the signal is to strong, reduce the sensitivity with the range key It my be necessary to create a remote return path if the signal is not strong enough. Continue to follow the highest signal strength until the signal starts to fall off Reduce the signal strength and use the noise of the receive to pinpoint the short.

© 2007 Ideal Industries 11 of 15 IDEAL Tracer Training SureTest TM Circuit Tracers Locating cable, conduit, or metal pipe underground. –For the strongest possible signal closing the loop. Use an outside service receptacle Connect to a ground path like a ground rod –Set the tracer to its high (SH/1) mode. Use a sweeping motion with the receiver to search for the strongest signal. –If the signal is strong, reduce the sensitivity –Continue to follow the highest signal strength until the end of the circuit is located.

© 2007 Ideal Industries 12 of 15 IDEAL Tracer Training SureTest TM Circuit Tracers Tracing Conduit –Clamp around the metallic conduit. If possible ground the far end of the conduit to close the loop. –Set the tracer to its high (SH/1) mode. Use a sweeping motion with the receiver to search for the strongest signal. –If the signal is strong, reduce the sensitivity