Lightspeed Locating, LLC specializes in two different methods of underground utility locating. The first method involves the use of an electomagnetic transmitter and receiver system. This is the most economical system used to produce accurate results for any conductive utility buried underground. The transmitter is attached to a conductive point on the utility line in question. An electronic signal is then transmitted along that utility line. A hand held receiving device is then used to pick up the signal being transmitted. It is sensitive enough to identify the location and approximate depth of the utility being marked within a narrow scope. The locator then uses a temporary paint marking sprayer to mark a dot or line along the path of the utility. Softer substrate surfaces are also identified with a color coded flag along the path with the painted markings. The only limitation to using this identifing system is that often times other utilities are buried along side or may cross the line being identified. This may cause the electronic signal to jump over to the other utility. This system also has a limitation that it cannot identify non-conductive utilities, such as plastic, cement, rubber, or utilites that have been repaired with any of the before mention materials. For these utilities, a ground penetrating radar system is used.
