Protovale (Oxford) Ltd

Imp® Metal Detectors

for the Utilities and the Construction and Timber Industries

  • The Imp: general
  • The Imp Valve Box Locator for the water and gas industries
  • The Imp Wall Tie Locator for the construction industry
  • The Versatile Imp for finding metal in timber and for veterinary purposes

    • The Imp . . . . . . general

    The Imp is an accurate, dependable metal detector for a variety of industrial applications. It uses radically different pulse induction eddy current technology for high stability and immunity from false signals.
    With pulse induction, the detection head only needs to contain one search coil, whereas other methods of metal detection require two or even three coils.
    These coils have to be balanced for such instruments to work properly and any slight contraction or expansion of the search head due to temperature changes -- eg by moving from strong sunlight to shadow -- means they need to be re-balanced.
    This balancing requires a number of different knobs while Protovale's instruments do not require constant re-tuning and can therefore work with just one control knob.

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    The Imp and the Utilities

    Protovale's Imp Box Locator accurately locates buried valve covers and precisely distinguishes their shape. It ignores surface clutter, such as metallised cigarette cartons, ring-pull cans, bottle tops etc and searches vertically and quickly and efficiently.

    Its controlled sensitivity and strongly directional head allow it to be used close to barbed-wire fences, metal buildings and parked cars. The signal cuts off sharply when the Imp has passed beyond the object; allowing the operator to identify the precise shape.
    The Imp is deep-seeking, lightweight and strong, as well as being easy to use with its one control knob and is field-proven, having been used by all UK water companies and many others around the world.

    Detection Ranges

    Stop tap cover              50cm     (19")
Inspection cover            95cm     (37")
Fire hydrant cover          87cm     (34")

    All these proven advantages have been carried forward in the New Imp Box Locator.

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    The Imp Wall Tie Locator

    The Imp will locate ties accurately and consistently in all types of traditional facing materials including black engineering bricks. It is purpose-built to cater for the tough demands of the construction and house building industries.
    The Imp locates all types of wall tie including galvanized and mild steel, stainless steel and phosphor-bronze (using appropriate kit), and also detects reinforcement hoop iron in bed joints through rendering to an accuracy of 1/8th inch.
    It has been in use for years in major construction companies including Tarmac and Hilti. Local authorities also specify the Imp.

    Detection Ranges

    Galvanised fishtail        130mm using 4" coil
Galvanised butterfly       100mm using 4" coil
Stainless fishtail          80mm using 6S coil

    More details on the Imp WallTie brochure page.

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    The Versatile Imp for finding metal in timber

    (and for veterinary purposes)    

        Daisy the cow

    The Versatile Imp is field-proven in the timber industry for finding metal in raw timber. Lightweight and rugged, the Imp pinpoints the exact location of the metal and stays accurate in all conditions. Its stable signal allows the positive identification of metal in difficult environments.
    Easy to use, with only one control knob, the Imp has interchangeable heads for multiple applications, from sawmills and timber reclamation to veterinary uses.
    The Imp uses unique pulse induction technology for stability of signal in all temperatures and, unlike other metal detectors on the market, does not require retuning.
    It is not affected by the medium through which it searches and give precise location through wood, concrete and air, irrespective of the temperature or salt content.

    Detection Ranges:

    4" Coil
    Approximate detection ranges in reclaimed timber applications 
    1" nail:                   90mm       (3½")
3" nail                   115mm       (4½")
    6S Coil
    The controlled field of this coil enables it to be used in closer proximity to a saw bed than the other coils described. Approximate detection ranges: 
    3" nail                    75mm       (3")
5" nail                    80mm       (3")
    6" Coil (to special order only)
    Approximate detection ranges in veterinary applications: 
    1" piece of barbed wire:   75mm       (3")
2" piece of barbed wire:  140mm       (5½")
    8" Coil
    Approximate detection ranges in softwood applications: 
    3" nail                   160mm       (6")
1½" staple                160mm       (6")
    Larger objects will be detected at greater distances (with the exception of the 6S coil)

    More details on the MultiPurpose Imp brochure page.

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