Where should the transmitter ground lead be connected?

• A. To the pipe locator's metallic ground plate or rod placed as far away from the connection point
• B. To the water main
• C. To the main electrical panel
• D. To a nearby fence

Answer: (A)

Grounding the transmitter correctly provides a solid return path for the locating signal through the earth, which the receiver senses to locate the buried line. The best choice is to connect the transmitter ground lead to a dedicated metallic grounding electrode—a ground plate or a ground rod—that is buried and placed away from the connection point. This creates a low-impedance, stable return path and helps prevent the current from taking unintended shortcuts through nearby metal or wiring, giving a cleaner, more reliable signal on the target line. Connecting to a water main, the main electrical panel, or a nearby fence isn’t appropriate because those paths can be unreliable, unsafe, or not intended as proper grounding electrodes, leading to poor signal and potential hazards.