Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a Cable & Pipe Locator
Underground service locating equipment is an essential tool for anyone working around buried utilities, including civil contractors, electricians, plumbers, telecommunications companies, excavation teams and asset management professionals.
Before any excavation, drilling or ground disturbance takes place, it is important to understand what services may be located beneath the surface. The right locator can help identify underground cables and pipes, reducing the risk of service strikes, project delays and costly repairs.
With a wide range of cable locators, transmitters and accessories available, choosing the correct equipment depends on your application, the level of accuracy required and the type of services you need to locate.
This guide explains the key differences between cable avoidance and precision locating, how locators work, what features to consider, and how to select the right solution for your requirements.
What is a Service Locator?
A service locator is an electronic device used to detect and trace underground utilities such as:
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Electrical cables
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Telecommunications cables
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Gas pipes (with tracer wire)
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Water pipes (with tracer wire)
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Sewer lines (with tracer wire)
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Underground infrastructure
A typical locating system consists of:
Receiver / Locator |
Transmitter |
Accessories |
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The receiver detects electromagnetic signals from underground services and provides information about their location and depth.
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A transmitter applies a signal to a buried service, allowing the receiver to accurately trace and identify the route of the utility.  |
Accessories such as clamps, leads, sondes and connection kits allow locators to work across a wider range of applications. 
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Cable Avoidance vs Precise Location
One of the most important decisions when choosing a locator is understanding the difference between cable avoidance and precise location.
Cable Avoidance |
Precise Location |
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Cable avoidance focuses on identifying whether underground services are present within a specific area. These systems are commonly used for:
A cable avoidance tool helps operators answer: "Is there something underground before I dig?" Advantages:
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Precision locating provides more detailed information about underground services, including:
These systems use transmitters and different frequencies to actively apply a signal to the service being located. A precision locator helps answer: "Exactly where is the service, how deep is it, and what type of service is it?" Best suited for:
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Passive vs Active Locating
Most professional locators use a combination of passive and active locating methods.
Passive Locating |
Active Locating |
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Passive modes detect existing signals already present in the ground. Examples include:
Advantages:
Considerations:
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Active locating uses a transmitter to apply a known signal onto a service. The transmitter can be connected using:
Advantages:
For professional locating work, active locating is generally the preferred method. |
Choosing the Right Locator for Your Requirements
When selecting a service locator, consider the type of work you perform and the level of accuracy required.
Occasional Excavation & Basic Site Checks |
Electrical & Utility Contractors |
Civil & Professional Locators |
Recommended features:
Suitable for:
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Recommended features:
Suitable for:
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Recommended features:
Suitable for:
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Understanding Locator Frequencies
Different underground services respond better to different frequencies.
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Lower frequencies are generally preferred for:
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Higher frequencies can be useful for:
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Professional locators often provide a range of frequencies to allow operators to select the best option for each situation.
Locator Calibration & Servicing
Like all precision measurement equipment, service locators require regular calibration and maintenance to ensure reliable performance.
Calibration helps confirm:
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Regular servicing can identify issues such as:
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Many professional users schedule routine calibration to maintain confidence in their equipment.
Accessories for Service Locating
The correct accessories can significantly improve the versatility of your locator.
Transmitters |
Connection Leads |
Clamps |
Sondes |
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Transmitters allow active locating by applying a signal to a buried service. Available options include:
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Used for directly connecting the transmitter to accessible services. Common applications:
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Clamp accessories allow signals to be applied without direct electrical connection. Ideal for:
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Sondes are small transmitters that can be attached to:
Used for locating:
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Common Mistakes When Choosing a Locator
Choosing a basic locator for professional locating work
A simple cable avoidance tool may not provide the accuracy, depth information or tracing capability required for professional applications.
Not considering future requirements
Selecting a system with additional frequencies, accessories and transmitter capability may provide greater value long term.
Ignoring calibration requirements
Accurate locating depends on properly maintained and calibrated equipment.
Which Service Locator is Right For You?
The right locator depends on your application, experience level and required accuracy.
If you are simply checking an area before excavation, a cable avoidance tool may be suitable. If you need to trace, identify and accurately locate underground services, a professional locator with transmitter capability is recommended.
At Laserman Technologies, we can help you choose the right locating solution based on your work environment, required accuracy and budget.
