The TX140 Hidden Power Cable Locator is an easy-to-use, two-part system for detecting hidden power wiring within building walls. The many features of the TX140 are summarised below:
A high frequency signal is superimposed onto the wiring by a transmitter that is connected to the wiring by plugging it into a power outlet. The probe can then be used to detect the high frequency signal. The closer the probe is to the signal the higher the field strength. The probe measures the signal strength and indicates this with an audio output signal and a bar graph. As the probe is brought closer to the wiring the output signal increases and reaches a maximum when the probe is closest to the wiring. By waving the probe over the surface of a wall the power wiring can be detected and traced by following the path of the signal peaks. The signal strength varies greatly with the type of wall and the distance to the cable. For this reason the probe has three sensitivity setting; high, medium and low. The user can choose the sensitivity by a push-button. Typically, the low sensitivity range would be used for internal plasterboard walls where the cable is close to the surface and there is very little attenuation of the signal. The medium or high range would be used for brick or concrete walls.
The transmitter is a small self-contained unit, which plugs into a power outlet. If mains power is available the transmitter will be powered by the mains power wiring. If the power wiring is not connected to the power grid, the transmitter will operate from its own internal battery. Therefore, houses that are not yet powered can have their power wiring checked so that telephone wiring can be safely installed. A red LED flashes to indicate that the transmitter is switched on.
The probe uses a combination of magnetic and electric field strength to detect the power cable. This combined method provides a wider scope of detection than using just electric or magnetic field strength. The probe is highly tuned to the frequency of the transmitter so that interference signals are not detected. The transmitter signal is also pulsed so that it is easy to detect the unique sound produced by the transmitter.
The probe sensitivity is selected by pushing the "ON" button repeatedly. The selected range is shown with an LED. Low battery level is indicated by a flashing Range Sensitivity LED. The sensitivity is manually controlled so that the position of the peak signal level can be located precisely. With automatic signal level control the exact position of a peak is often difficult to locate.
To extend battery life, the probe has an automatic switch-off function. The probe is switched off two minutes after the last operation of the ON/RANGE button. The transmitter does not have a timeout feature as this could cause cables to be missed. However when operating from mains power, switching off the power outlet or unplugging the transmitter will automatically switch off the transmitter.
The TX140 can be used to trace cables other than power cables. Because the transmitter is battery powered it can be used to trace any cables. An adaptor is provided in the kit to allow telephone cables to be traced. The adaptor converts the three-pin power plug to a telephone plug so that it can be connected to any standard telephone outlet.
The TX140 has been designed and built in Australia to meet all relevant safety standards and ACA EMC standards and is C-tick approved.
Teletech has a program of continuous development on all its products and further upgrades of this product are expected during the next year, which will improve the accuracy and sensitivity of the TX140. Teletech have applied for a patent on some of the unique detection methods used in this product and further improvements are expected as patent approvals come through.
