What is the role of the transmitter in the locating process?

• A. Detect signal
• B. Provide power only
• C. Impress signal onto conductor
• D. Provide mechanical support

Answer: (C)

In locating, the transmitter’s job is to create and inject a locating signal into the target utility. It impresses the signal onto the conductor or tracer wire so the field around the line carries a distinctive signal that the receiver can detect. The receiver is what senses that signal and follows it to locate the path and depth. The transmitter isn’t performing detection itself, and it isn’t just providing power or offering mechanical support—those functions don’t enable the tracing the way impressing a signal onto the conductor does.