Greenlee BLL-200 Buried Line Locator ×

Applications include: Telephone / CATV Finding unknown conductors Line voltage Conduit Water pipes

The Tempo BLL-200 Buried Line Locator is a compact, lightweight kit consisting of two components - a transmitter and a receiver. The receiver can work alone for tracing buried current-carrying conductors, or with the transmitter for tracing other conductive objects. Applications include HVAC, telephone, CATV, line voltage, fiber optic with metallic shield, and more. The transmitter also provides the ability to measure the depth of the buried conductor.  Buried debris, underground rebar (reinforcement bar), and areas crowded with conductors can create a challenging tracing environment, however, the BLL-200 can reduce or eliminate any difficulties caused by these circumstances.

The BLL-200 receiver has a switch setting that determines if the unit is in active (TRACE on the panel markings) or passive mode. In active mode, the receiver only looks for the signal from the transmitter, reducing the chance of tracing other lines carrying weaker signals. It locates multiple passive frequencies with only a single switch setting.

The Tempo BLL-200 transmitter has an operating voltage up to 600 Volts AC and 300 Volts DC. The LED and LCD signal strength indicators make it quick and easy to find exact line locations.

Tempo BLL-200 features an improved clamp for inductive coupling. The new clamp provided greater signal strength and can accommodate 3-inch conduit, 3.5 inches in diameter). The clamp is now attached to the transmitter via a 3-foot long cable instead of being rigidly attached, improving ease of use.

Both units have microprocessor-based circuitry that delivers increased accuracy and features auto-gain control in all environments. Each unit also uses standard AA batteries and comes with a low battery indicator.
 

Identification ×
Transmitter Clamp Connectors Live Line LED (illuminates if circuit voltage is more than 50 V) Power Lamp Low Battery Lamp Three-Position Switch (Line/Clamp Connection, Inductive Mode, and OFF)	Reciever Display Power Switch Signal Strength Lamps Mode Switch (Trace/Passive) Three-Position Volume Switch (Off, Low, High) Signal Reset/Depth Reading Button

The BLL-200 Buried Line Locator consists of two components—a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver can work alone, in Passive Mode, for tracing any current-carrying wires or cables. When used with the transmitter, the receiver works in Trace Mode to pick up the transmitter’s unique signal on conductors such as wire, cable or metallic conduit.

The Reciever

The receiver is almost completely automatic, and provides three types of feedback to the user — signal strength lamps, an LCD that displays signal strength as a numeric value, and a speaker that produces a tone when the signal is near the maximum. It also features a signal booster to pick up all but the weakest electrical signals. When the booster is active, a plus sign appears on the LCD. The receiver can be used alone (Passive Mode) or with the transmitter (Trace Mode).

The Transmitter

The transmitter produces a unique signal at 33.3 kHz that the receiver is tuned to. This unique signal reduces the possibility of interference, and will not affect computers or other voltage- sensitive equipment. The transmitter is versatile, providing three methods of transferring its signal to the conductor: Direct Connection, Clamp, and Inductive Mode.

The most effective method is Direct Connection—using the leads included in the kit to connect the transmitter directly to a conductor. The only disadvantage is that making a direct connection isn't always possible, since the user doesn't always have access to the conductors of the buried line.

When a direct connection is not possible, the next option is the clamp. Simply enclose the conductor or conduit in the clamp and connect the clamp to the transmitter. This method draws a higher amount of battery current, so the signal strength depends on the condition of the batteries. Use fresh batteries for better results.

If it’s not possible to use the clamp, the last method is Inductive Mode. This method sends the transmitter’s signal through the earth; the buried line acts like an antenna. This method isn't as effective as the clamp or Direct Connection, but usually provides better results than using the receiver alone.

Soil Type and Moisture Content

The performance of the BLL-200 is largely dependent on soil type and moisture content. Moist, compact soil provides the best results. If the soil is dry, moisten it before tracing to achieve better results.

Alkaline soil and soil with high iron content provide a poor tracing environment. The best solution for poor soil conditions is to establish the best possible ground and use a direct connection to the transmitter.
 

Locators Application Guide

FEATURE	BLL-200	501	PE2003	508S	521A
Trace concealed wiring in walls and floors		•		•
Locate junction box relays and transformers	•
Locate switch gear	•
Find shorts to ground			•2		•1
Trace wires in PVC (nonmetallic conduit)	•	•		•
Find opens in a circuit			•2		•
Localize power and lighting panels	•	•		•
Operate on energized circuits	•	•		•
Operate on low voltage circuits	•	•	•	•
Operate on high voltage circuits (600VAC)	•
Operate on unenergized circuits	•	•	•	•	•
Trace shielded cable	•	•3		•3	•3
Trace buried metal conduit
Trace coax cable	•	•5		•5	•4
Auto gain circuitry for improved accuracy	•
AC voltage range	0-600V	0-240V	0-240V	0-240V	0-120V
DC voltage range	0-300V	0-500V	0-400V	0-500V	0-250V
Distance-receiver from transmitter	5,000 ft.	•7	5,000 ft.	1,000 ft.	•6
Transmitter battery	(4) AA	(8) AA	12V rechargeable	(1) 9V	(8) D
Receiver battery	(4) AA	(1) 9V	(1) 9V	(1) 9V	(1) 9V

1. 10,000 ohms and less–both ends isolated from grounds.
2. Does not locate the path–has to be predetermined and only in direct burial applications; 5,000,000 and less.
3. Transmitter connected to metallic shield.
4. Will trace coax providing the bond is in place at the remote end–will disrupt service.
5. No sorting (high RF bleeds) can trace coax if transmitter connected to braid.
6. Low frequency locators need a “path to earth” (dirt), 5000 ft. on an open conductor and 2500 ft. on a metallic pipe at 3 ft. deep.
7. Direct Connection 4,000 ft at 7 ft deep
   Inductive Coupler 1,000 ft at 3 ft deep
   Inductive Antenna 700 ft at 3 ft deep