Hey guys!
Ben here, Geelong Cable Locations.
So, I'm back out to this site.
For those of you that watch me on Instagram, you recognize this site.
I did a video out the other day on stories.
Had a discussion recently with a heap of other locators.
And we were talking about peak, null and combine.
What to use when you’re using your locator?
And the boys were saying they just use combined all the time.
We're trying to explain: "No, you need to use peak and null separately."
And it was just shocking. It was that noisy, it was that windy, you could not hear anything.
So, I’ve come here today; I've got a better camera with me, I've got a microphone with me,
I'm hoping you guys can hear me. And let me explain what the situation is.
So out here, they're gonna be doing a new pipeline.
There's a new pipeline going in from...
There's a new estate going in there
and they're going to be putting a new pipeline through all of here.
And they need me to locate everything in the area first.
There is a Telstra optic fiber that goes through here.
The Telstra optic fiber is direct buried, but there’s a trace wire with it.
So what I did, I went up to the pit up there, hooked on to the trace wire, bit onto it,
and located where it went.
Now, the reason why I bring this up, is we had a meeting recently,
and in the meeting, there was a group of locators in there,
and they said they only use combine mode. They don’t use peak and null to check their locates.
And we said: "no", you should really...
You can use combine mode initially, that's fine,
but you should still double-check it with peak and null, to double-check your locates are correct,
that you've got your round signals and everything.
They're like “No, no, no that's fine.”
So that's why when I came into this one the other day,
and I found that peak and null were different,
I thought this is good to get the camera in and show you guys this.
Have a look at this. We're going to the combined.
So, go along,
go along and that’s where I've done the first dot.
Then, if I just did the peak by itself,
Let's go again. Where's the highest...
Just there. Look where I got the peak.
And then if we just did the null.
So null puts over there.
So again, that was null, that was the combine mode and that was peak.
Textbook says: "When peak mode and null mode don't join up, don't align,
you've got to go half the distance over, so half the distance between the peak and null
over to the other side of the peak.
So right there, is where the cable should be.
So I'm gonna get the truck and I'm gonna dig down here and see
or dig down over here and see if this is... if the textbook is correct.
So even though I've got 20 years experience.
I dug down, hit a rock, I thought no! I stuffed up. I'm wrong.
I hate rock.
So I started going out further to see
okay, is it the combine mode? Is it the null mode?
Was softer here, dug down, dug down, still didn’t find anything.
Come back, trust my experience, dug down here.
That was hard work.
And have a guess, where it really is?
Right there.
And what does that line up with?
Right there.
If I only dug where it was combined mode,
if I only dug there, I would've been digging for ages and would never have found it.
So yes, I'll still do combine mode sometimes when I'm locating,
but, I'll still double-check them every now and then with null and peak.
And if they're not aligned,
then you always go half the distance over, and mark. That's where it should be.
So, guys, the whole point of the video why I wanna do it,
other than the fact that now you can hear what I'm saying compared to the other day,
is to say that: if you wanna use combine mode,
just make sure you check null and peak. Because they don't always line up.
So, use combine mode, that's fine.
I know some locators out there will say: "never use combined mode."
I still use combine mode myself,
but you should always double-check that you are correct,
that it is null and peak is lined up with what you're finding.
Just do a quick test to double-check it.
I mean, have a look at how far out the mark is from the combine mode.
So again, that's combine mode, that's peak, that's null, textbook.
Put a foot on where textbook is, and look at how far out it is.
I like to tell customers that we're within a foot, my locates are within a foot or so.
Yes, they need to dig down.
Yes, they need to confirm it.
But if you can give them a guide,
if you tell them it's within a foot, that's over out.
And this way, as a vac truck operator myself,
I wanna dig down spot on where the mark is.
I hate doing trenches trying to find stuff.
Actually, come on over here, let me show you
another one we've dug on the same day.
So there's optus optic fiber on this side of the road.
So my mark is right there, my mark is right there.
Where's the cable?
Right where my mark was. Spot on, right there.
And that's what I want, as a vac truck operator
you want to dig down right where it is.
Yes guys, I understand - everything you locate is only a guide.
They need to dig down to expose it.
But if you can be spot on with your locates,
it makes it so much easier for everyone else down the line.
Why not make it easier for everyone?
And at the same time, it gives you peace of mind.
I love to double-check my marks, so I know my locate is spot on.
It gives me reassurance, I just love it.
Anyway, guys, I know this is gonna stir up a hornet's nest
but let's just do it. Leave me your comments below.
Let me know what you think.
I mean, really? come on, the evidence speaks for itself, doesn't it?
But leave me your comments. Tell me what you think.
And yeah, we'll talk soon.
All right guys, see you in the comments.
Bye