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by Jeff Tyson
Inside This Article
1. Introduction to How Metal Detectors
Work
2. Anatomy of a Metal Detector
3. VLF Technology
4. VLF Phase Shifting
5. PI Technology
6. BFO Technology
7. Buried Treasure
8. Detective Work
9. Lots More Information
10. See all Gadgets articles
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VLF Technology
Very low frequency (VLF), also known as induction balance, is probably the
most popular detector technology in use today. In a VLF metal detector, there
are two distinct coils:
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Receiver coil - This inner coil loop contains another coil of wire.
This wire acts as an antenna to pick up and amplify frequencies
coming from target objects in the ground.
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The receiver coil is completely shielded from the magnetic field generated by
the transmitter coil. However, it is not shielded from magnetic fields coming
from objects in the ground. Therefore, when the receiver coil passes over an
object giving off a magnetic field, a small electric current travels through the
coil. This current oscillates at the same frequency as the object's magnetic
field. The coil amplifies the frequency and sends it to the control box of the
metal detector, where sensors analyze the signal.
The metal detector can determine approximately how deep the object is buried
based on the strength of the magnetic field it generates. The closer to the
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/metal-detector2.htm
29/09/2007
Page 2 of 2
surface an object is, the stronger the magnetic field picked up by the receiver
coil and the stronger the electric current generated. The farther below the
surface, the weaker the field. Beyond a certain depth, the object's field is so
weak at the surface that it is undetectable by the receiver coil.
In the next section, we'll see how a VLF metal detector distinguishes between
different types of metals.
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Inside This Article
1. Introduction to How Metal Detectors
Work
2. Anatomy of a Metal Detector
3. VLF Technology
4. VLF Phase Shifting
5. PI Technology
NEXT
6. BFO Technology
7. Buried Treasure
8. Detective Work
9. Lots More Information
10. See all Gadgets articles
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http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/metal-detector2.htm
29/09/2007