Radiodetection - Ferromagnetic Locators

Field-Tested Performance: Radiodetection Ferromagnetic Locators

Radiodetection provides advanced tools for locating and managing underground utilities, helping users avoid costly and hazardous strikes during excavation or maintenance work. With a wide range of solutions, the company supports efficient and accurate detection of buried assets across industries. Their products are designed to enhance safety, streamline operations, and improve asset management, making them essential for utility professionals, surveyors, and contractors working around critical underground infrastructure.

Why Choose Radiodetection - Ferromagnetic Locators?

Radiodetection Ferromagnetic Locators offer precise and efficient detection of buried ferrous objects such as valve boxes, manhole covers, and survey markers, making them ideal for utility, construction, and municipal applications. These locators are designed for high sensitivity and depth range, helping users quickly pinpoint targets with minimal surface disturbance. Built with durable materials and advanced signal processing, they deliver reliable performance in challenging environments, reducing time spent locating and increasing overall productivity. Explore these ferromagnetic locators at our Canadian warehouse, or check them out below:

Radiodetection RD312 Basic Metallic Cover Locator

The Radiodetection RD312 Basic Metallic Cover Locator offers a fast, reliable solution for locating buried valve box covers, vault lids, and manhole covers hidden under pavement, concrete, or grass. With automatic sensitivity adjustment and advanced electronics, it delivers accurate detection even near metal fences or parked cars, while ignoring metal trash and vehicle interference. Its simple two-button operation, waterproof and adjustable search head, and lightweight telescoping design make it easy to use and store. Designed to withstand tough environments, the RD312 operates in temperatures from -15°C to 50°C, is weatherproof to NEMA 3R/IP54, and survives drops up to 1 meter. It can detect large metal covers at depths of up to 30 inches.

FAQs

1. Can a ferromagnetic locator find objects buried under concrete or asphalt?

Yes, ferromagnetic locators are highly effective at detecting iron objects even under layers of concrete, asphalt, or soil. Because they sense disturbances in the earth's magnetic field caused by ferrous metals, they can pinpoint items like valve box lids or manhole covers that are otherwise invisible to the eye or inaccessible by other detection methods.

2. How deep can ferromagnetic locators detect buried objects?

The depth range of a ferromagnetic locator typically depends on the size and orientation of the buried object, but most models can detect a manhole cover up to 6–10 feet deep. Smaller objects may be detected at shallower depths, while large steel drums or tanks can be found even deeper, especially with high-sensitivity locators.

3. Do ferromagnetic locators work near fences or vehicles?

Ferromagnetic locators can function near fences and vehicles, but large surrounding metal structures may interfere with readings. However, many advanced models feature automatic sensitivity adjustments and filters to help distinguish between the desired target and environmental noise, allowing better detection in cluttered or urban environments.

4. Are ferromagnetic locators affected by weather or soil conditions?

No, ferromagnetic locators are not affected by soil type, moisture, temperature, or weather conditions. This makes them ideal for use year-round and in varying terrain, unlike some other locator types that may struggle with signal distortion in wet or clay-heavy soils.

5. Can ferromagnetic locators detect stainless steel or non-metallic objects?

No, ferromagnetic locators cannot detect non-ferrous metals like aluminum, brass, or copper, nor non-metallic objects such as plastic or concrete. They are specifically engineered to find items that contain iron or steel, so they are not suitable for locating non-ferrous utilities or PVC pipes.