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This section provides an overview for underground pipe locators as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 29 underground pipe locator manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked underground pipe locator companies as of December, 2024: 1.PRAYAAG TECHNOLOGIES, 2.Ridgid Tool Company, 3.Huazheng Electric Manufacturing (Baoding) Co.,Ltd.
Table of Contents
An underground pipe locator is a device used to non-destructively examine the location, depth, and installation direction of buried utilities such as water pipes, gas pipes, and electrical cables.
By utilizing underground pipe inspection equipment, one can confirm the presence and location of underground pipelines and structures without causing damage before construction projects on roads or buildings. This capability helps prevent excavation accidents and damage to pipelines.
There are two main types of underground pipe inspection equipment: those based on the electromagnetic wave radar method and those based on the electromagnetic induction method. The choice between them depends on the type of buried utility you want to explore.
Underground pipe inspection equipment is primarily used for the following applications:
Surveying the location, depth, and direction of buried items such as water pipes, gas pipes, electrical cables, hume pipes, and PVC pipes.Confirming the presence, absence, and location of underground pipelines and structures before construction to prevent accidents and damage.
Assessing the need for repair or reinforcement of deteriorated bridge decks, tunnel walls, or other structures.Investigating changes in underground voids and strata for evaluating ground stability and seismic impact.
Excavation surveys for the discovery and assessment of the position and shape of underground relics and buried cultural properties.
Underground pipe inspection equipment includes methods based on electromagnetic wave radar and electromagnetic induction.
This method involves emitting electromagnetic waves towards buried utilities and detecting reflected waves to explore underground objects.
Microwaves are commonly used in this radar system. When these microwaves are directed towards the ground, they travel through the medium at a constant speed and reflect upon encountering boundaries between different media.
By directing electromagnetic waves towards the location where a utility is buried, reflections occur, and the detection of these reflections allows the determination of the distance and position. This method is non-destructive, similar to X-ray inspections, without the associated risks of harmful radiation.
In this method, a magnetic field is generated from the surface towards buried utilities, inducing a weak eddy current in conductive materials.
The induced eddy current is then detected to explore underground pipes. By generating a magnetic field from a coil carrying alternating current, the conductive surface of buried pipes produces overcurrent, creating an induced magnetic field.
Detecting this induced magnetic field confirms the presence of buried pipes. The strength of the induced magnetic field varies with the distance from the buried pipe, allowing measurement of the position and depth of the buried utility.
The choice between electromagnetic wave radar and electromagnetic induction methods depends on the type of buried utility being explored. Electromagnetic induction is suitable for conductive buried pipes, while electromagnetic wave radar is versatile, exploring buried utilities regardless of material.
Buried utilities that can be explored using underground pipe inspection equipment include water pipes, gas pipes, electrical cable protection pipes, hume pipes, and others.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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General Pipe Cleaners was established in 1930 and is headquartered in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. The company is a manufacturer of drain-cleaning equipment and serves drain-cleaning and plumbing industries and individual customers worldwide through its distributors. The company’s product lines include Pro Drain Cleaning Tools, Water Jet Drain Cleaners, Pipe Inspection & Locators, Flexible-Shaft Drain Cleaners, and general plumbing tools. For regional customers in and around Pennsylvania, the company also offers rental drain cleaning tools.
Huazheng Electric Manufacturing (Baoding) Co.,Ltd (HEMB) is a Chinese manufacturer of electrical equipment and testing instruments established in 2008. Based in Baoding, Hebei, the company produces a wide range of power equipment including high voltage and transformer oil testers, cable locators, pulse capacitors, and energy meter calibrators. It also offers control equipment for grid management and various animal repellent devices. HEMB primarily supplies the Chinese State Grid, power engineering companies, and transformer manufacturers.
Ridgid Tool Company, established in 1923, is an India-based manufacturer, supplier, and exporter of pipe working tools under the popular Ridgid brand name. The company's main products include pipe and tubing tools, tubing cutters, compact threading machines, drain cleaning, wrenches and tubing tools, hand tools and general tools. These tools find applications in the pipe fitting, plumbing, HVAC, and construction trades. The company also offers after-sale services such as operator training and ongoing customer support.
Shreeji Instruments, established in 2008 in India, is a supplier engaged in trading and supplying a wide range of construction material testing and surveying equipment. Company’s products are sourced from dependable manufacturers adhering to international quality standards. The assortment includes equipment for cement and concrete testing, safety items, and various measuring instruments. Aligned with industry standards and guidelines, its range covers soil and sand testing, bitumen testing, construction equipment, geodetic tools, and more.
Shenzhen Wopson Electronics Co. Ltd, established in 2010 and headquartered in Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China, is a manufacturer of pipeline and wall inspection camera systems. The company’s products include digital snake inspection cameras for plumbers, high-definition drain sewer, and simplified pipe inspection cameras. It also offers accessories such as transmitters, locators, and CCTV drain survey equipment. The company’s business emphasizes sewer/drain lines, wastewater infrastructure, and subway inspection. Its products serve various industries, including municipal underground pipeline detection, post-disaster rescue, and industrial exploration.
Georg Fischer Piping Systems Pvt. Ltd is headquartered in Mumbai, India, and is an ISO 9001-certified manufacturer of plastic as well as metal piping systems that was established in 2007 as a subsidiary of Georg Fischer AG. The company produces piping system components and complete systems for industrial or automation operations. These products include pipes, valves, and fittings made from polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP). It offers automation system components including actuators, sensors, and multi-parameter controllers. The company also offers additional services, such as custom engineering, prefabrication, and installation.
Amprobe Instrument Corporation, began life in Long Island, NY in 1948 under the name Pyramid Instrument Company, later renamed in1960, is a manufacturer and builds rugged test and measurement tools. The company was acquired by the Danaher Corporation and moved its worldwide headquarters to Everett, Washington in 2006. It designs, manufactures and distributes products from an extensive line of clamp meters and digital multimeters to industry-specific tools for residential/commercial electricians, HVAC/R technicians, utilities and industrial maintenance professionals. Its tools undergo rigorous and intensive testing to ensure compliance with the latest regulations in Fluke's CSA-recognized lab for safety and accuracy.
SubSurface Instruments Inc. is a manufacturer and distributor of subsurface detection and location products established in 1996 and based in De Pere, Wisconsin, USA. The company specializes in producing standard as well as application-specific high-frequency or magnetic locators. These include magnetic underwater locators for finding metal objects under more than 1000 feet of water, handheld leak detectors, and all material locators (AML) for locating subsurface PVC and PE pipes. The company's products are primarily used by clients in the gas utilities, power generation, and water treatment sectors.
Utility Tool Company Inc. is a manufacturer of locating equipment founded in 1968 and based in Birmingham, Alabama, United States. Under the brand Pipehorn, the company offers equipment for locating underground utility cables or pipes, detecting subsurface water leaks, and uncovering buried metal objects such as valve boxes or manholes. The company also offers additional services including on-site and factory personnel training. Its products are mainly used by clients in the power generation, construction, and engineering sectors.
TECHNO-AC, a company founded in 1992 and based in Moscow, Russia, is a manufacturer and supplier of water leak detection equipment. The company's range of products includes cable fault location equipment, digital thermometers, and cable and pipe locating equipment. These products are used in various applications, including water supply, the electric power industry, and environmental monitoring. The company provides services including technical support, product catalogs, and online training sessions for clients on how to utilize its products. The company's products are used by various companies in various countries including the United States, Kenya, and Australia.
Radiodetection, founded in 1997 and based in Bristol, UK, is a supplier of infrastructure tools, class equipment, and utilities. The company’s products include cable tools, pipeline integrity controls, ground penetrating radar, plastic water pipe locators, and Time domain reflectors. The products are used in the construction, water, power, telecommunication, and oil industries. The company supplies products from brands like Sensors & Software, Schonstedt, Pearpoint, and Dielectric. It offers an online information system for all inquiries about locators and applications.
Hermann Sewerin GmbH was established in 1908 and is headquartered in Gutersloh, Germany is a supplier of water and gas leak detection equipment. The company offers an array of products including biogas and landfill survey systems, gas leak detection instruments, and pipe and cable location products. These products have various applications, including quantifying gas leaks in natural gas distribution networks, tracing telecommunication and cable television wires and cables, and monitoring water networks for early detection of water leaks.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PRAYAAG TECHNOLOGIES |
25.0%
|
| 2 | Ridgid Tool Company |
25.0%
|
| 3 | Huazheng Electric Manufacturing (Baoding) Co.,Ltd |
25.0%
|
| 4 | General Pipe Cleaners, Div. of General Wire Spring Co. |
25.0%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the underground pipe locator page as of December 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
India
|
4 | 66.7% |
|
United States of America
|
1 | 16.7% |
|
China
|
1 | 16.7% |
