Locator of hidden P.V.C. installation conduit

Abstract

The use of plastic conduits for concealed installation is legally inadmissable in certain areas, in Malta, for fear that any nails penetrating the walls might establish metallic contact with the live wires of the installation with the possibility of causing accidents through electrocution.

It is in this context that this investigation was carried in order to assess the adaptability of the metal locator in tracing concealed wiring in walls or underground. The results of this investigation were not really encouraging but had time permitted we would have followed the matter up by attempting to increase the sensitivity by: 1. Matching the load (i.e. ammeter) resistance to the anode resistance of the amplifier load. 2. Increasing the input voltage to pin2 of the operational amplifier 1C2 through VR2.

This attempt would have fully exploited the advantages of plastic conduit vis a vis steel conduit since it can be manipulated with comparative ease. It is therefore less demanding upon the skill of the worker and the time of completion is much shorter. Hence the task would be less expensive and executed in a shorter time.

In preparing this project I have made use of material supplied by the Electrical Department of the University and with the help of the technical staff who permitted me to make use of the facilities present in the laboratories and workshop. Finally, I wish to express my appreciation to Profs., Daniel Minto ff, B.Sc., Eng. (LORD), C.Eng. M.I.E.E., Lecturer in charge, for his help and supervision.