Triplett Fox & Hound HotWire – PN: 3388 - Manual (Page 30)

Page 29
Wires usually do not radiate RF signals in a circular pattern around the wire. There is often a ‘lobed’ pat-
tern, with the size and the shape of the lobes determined by various factors, including the construction of
the wire, the placement of the wire in relationship to other wires or conductive surfaces, and the strength
of the signal impressed on the wire by the HotWire Fox. Using the Single Wire Method or the Double Wire
Method significantly affects the pattern and strength.
The orientation of the Hound’s ‘antenna’, concealed in the nose of the Hound, has a dramatic effect on the
RF sensing.
Under worst case conditions, the tracing length may be reduced to less than 100ft.
If the target wire is in a metal conduit, it is usually possible to trace the wire from up to 6” away. The metal
conduit partially shields the RF signal, so the locating distance is reduced.
If the wire is in cement, the water content of the cement acts like a partial shield reducing the tracer
distance.
A wire in metal conduit in cement can only be sensed 2” to 3” away, if at all.
Wood frame construction doesn’t have much effect upon the performance of the HotWire. Plaster and
drywall don’t have much effect either. If the wood plaster or drywall is soaked with water, the HotWire
Hound won’t pick the signal up as well.
A wire buried in the earth can be traced, depending on soil conditions. The greatest tracing depths are
obtained in dry soil with low mineral content.
High gain of the HotWire Hound can mislead the trace. In locations with multiple breaker panels, where the
user doesn’t know which breaker panel is feeding power to the target wire, check all of the panels initially
to find out which one has the strongest signal. It’s likely that the RF will crosstalk into all of the panels and
may mislead the user unless all the panels are checked initially.
If possible, use the AF mode to identify specific wires in a group of wires. The Triplett Hound 3 is a good
inductive amplifier for AF tracing. Keep in mind that AF can only be used on unenergized wires.