Ground Probe: Phase Angle

[Neil in West Jersey]

Can anyone explain what the phase angle means?

According to the manual, By noting and comparing these measurements [phase, phase angle and signal strength] to other ground and targets, or ground/target combinations, an advanced operator can extrapolate information valuable in choosing options.

 

[Larry (IL)]

Do a search on this forum Neil, it has been discussed in detail. Not many of us has found a useful application for it yet, but it works similar to the DC Phase on the DFX. The main difference is the V3 phase angle has not been converted to the VDI scale.

 

[Neil in West Jersey]

Thanks, Larry. I decided to do a Google search of images & graphics which can better illustrate what a phase angle is, and I found an unrelated graph that looks remarkably like the analyze screen of the V3. From what this tells me, "0" would be the ground (due to ground exclusion balance, or GEB), and the other lines would represent the phase shift, or phase angle caused by a target such as a coin. This visualization really helps to understand what it is, now I just have to figure out how this raw Ground Probe information can be helpful.

 

[Larry (IL)]

Here is one of the threads on Ground Phase Neil. -178 being pure ferrite, 0 being salt and the + phase is the non ferrous range.

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?66,1012639,1060441#msg-1060441

 

[Neil in West Jersey]

Here is one of the threads on Ground Phase Neil. -178 being pure ferrite, 0 being salt and the + phase is the non ferrous range.

http://www.findmall.com/read.php?66,1012639,1060441#msg-1060441

I think 90 is salt, and 0 would be the ground when using the phase angle (?).

One thing I want to add: It is a common misnomer is that the extreme numbers (-95 phase, or 180 phase angle degree) mean high mineralization. These numbers are the VDI of the ground, not the level of mineralization. The ground can be very ferrous (-95, 180 degrees) with a low level of mineralization. Conversely, the ground can have a lower VDI (for example -15 VDI for salt) , and have a high concentration of ground minerals. This might be the case when detecting old farm fields. Fertilized soil tends to have a high concentration of salts, especially when saturated with water, requiring use of a higher frequency, high band filter. It is my understanding that the Signal Strength that indicates the level of mineralization. Higher numbers indicate a higher level of mineralization and would require 12.5 Hz high pass filters, and faster sweep speed (in areas with low to moderate trash).

I hope I have a correct understanding of this now. Thanks for sending me those links,
Neil