Overview of Magnetic Locating
Unlike metal detectors, which can detect a wide range of metal types, magnetic locators are specifically designed to detect the presence of ferrous metals.
Magnetometers work by detecting the ambient magnetic fields emanating from natural ferromagnetic minerals, such as Iron, austenitic stainless steels, cobalt and nickel.
These changes are then translated into audio and visual signals, which can guide the operator to the object's precise location.
 Ferromagnetic Metals |  Non-Ferromagnetic Metals |
| Iron | Aluminum |
| Iron Alloys | Copper |
| Steel | Brass |
| Cobalt | Martensitic Stainless Steel |
| Nickel | Titanium |
Video for this page. Overview of Magnetic Locating. (54 Seconds)
Listen to this page. Audio Summary Version for Overview of Magnetic Locating. (54 Seconds)
Ferromagnetic Metal Examples
Cast Iron, Iron Pipes: Rusted old buried iron pipes
Nickel Alloy Heat Pipes: Nickel Alloy Pipes are not common but are used in a high temperature applications in high corrosion industrial factory settings.
Other Ferrous Materials and Objects: Some Rusted Drums, Car parts, pipe connectors and Valves and Septic pit lids, Underground storage tank lids are detectable.
BELOW: Underground Magnetic Markers for Surveys, Only specific Surveyor markers can be detected magnetically. Some copper or brass survey markers cannot be detected.
