Pipe & Cable Locators

We carry a range of locating and fault-finding equipment for underground utility work, and availability can vary by model and by application. Rather than guessing which tool fits your specific job from a product listing alone, the best approach is to contact our team directly. We’ll walk through what you’re trying to locate, the conditions you’re working in, and your budget, then point you to the right equipment or a suitable alternative.

A pipe and cable locator, like the PL-2000 or PL-VF10, traces the path and depth of a buried pipe or cable from the surface using a transmitted or induced signal, so you can find where a utility line runs without digging. A pipe inspection camera, like the IC-23 or IC-28, works differently: it’s pushed directly into the pipe so you can see its interior condition in real time. That makes a camera the better choice when you need to diagnose blockages, cracks, offset joints, or root intrusion, problems a surface locator alone can’t show you.

These models differ mainly in output power, locating range, and the features included with each unit. The PL-G and PL-TT are suited to general-purpose and entry-level locating, where you’re mostly tracing shorter, shallower runs on a tighter budget. The PL-VF3 and PL-VF10 step up in output and are built for longer or deeper utility runs where a lower-power unit may struggle to maintain a clean signal. The PL-VF10R extends that range further for the most demanding locates. If you tell our team your typical working depth, the pipe or cable material you’re tracing, and the conditions you usually work in, we can recommend the model that fits best.

A ground fault locator, like the GFL3000, is used to pinpoint faults in cable insulation where current is leaking to ground rather than following its intended path. This is a different application from pipe and cable tracing, which follows the route of a line rather than diagnosing a fault on it. Ground fault locators are commonly used by utility and electrical crews troubleshooting underground cable faults, helping narrow down a problem area before any digging starts, which saves time and reduces unnecessary excavation.

Yes. We offer pipe and cable locators built for one-handed field operation, with straightforward controls designed for surveyors and utility crews working outdoors in varying weather and site conditions. Most crews are able to get a usable signal and start tracing within a few minutes of picking up the unit, and our team is available if you need a refresher on setup or technique.

Yes. We provide ongoing technical support for all the locating equipment we sell, from initial setup questions to troubleshooting issues that come up after months of field use. Every SubSurface Instruments product is backed by a 7-year warranty, and our team can advise on maintenance or calibration needs so your equipment keeps performing accurately over its working life.