What’s the Big Difference?

Magnetic vs Pipe & Cable Locators

Many Schonstedt locators look the same, but there’s a
BIG difference in how they work and what they Find Underground.

Schonstedt Magnetic Locator

Magnetic Locators find underground objects with ferrous metal content, using the earth’s magnetic field. They do not emit a signal, but rather, they measure magnetic field distortion that surrounds a buried metal target. Magnetic Locators are used primarily by surveyors, excavators, and construction workers to locate static objects at varying depths, from small corner pins to large tanks, drums, and septic tanks.

Schonstedt Pipe and Cable Locator

Pipe & Cable Locators find and trace underground metallic pipes and cables by detecting the electromagnetic field created by an electrical current. In the “Active” locating method, a transmitter is used to generate current within a target object, and a receiver is used to detect that current. The “Passive” method needs only a receiver to detect an existing current. Pipe & Cable Locators are used primarily by utility workers (water, gas, cable, power) for the purpose of damage prevention.