3M Communications Facilities User Manual

September 2010
78-9000-0281-3-A
Recommendations for  
Marking Communication \facilities   
with \bse of 3M
™ EMS Electronic Markers
3
Near-Surface Marker
A small marker which is well-suited for \fore holes 
in concrete or asphalt for marking \bush-mount 
facilities prior to repaving.
Ball Marker
Ideal for most applications, with a 
unique self-leveling feature. The core of 
the marker \boats in a non-toxic, non-
freezing liquid inside the \fall; so the 
marker can \fe dropped in a trench, and 
the...

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The 3M™ electronic marker system helps make the job of 
precisely locating underground facilities easier and faster. 
The basic component of the system is a durable electronic 
marker which is buried above key underground elements 
during construction or maintenance. A stand-alone 3M
™ 
Dynatel™ marker locator model 1420-iD, an integrated 
3M™ Dynatel™ cable/marker locator 2500-iD series, or 
an integrated 3M™ Dynatel™ 2200M-iD series provides 
fast and accurate location of a marker...

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2.0  General Recommendations 
for Electronic Marker 
Placement
2.1  Recommended Placement
• All ‘Items of Plant’ (facility items) that are assigned 
unique reference numbers on facility maps and records. 
• Handholes
• Buried splices of all types
• Repair points
• Buried service drops: Service stubs
• Slack loops
• Depth changes
• Laterals
• Bends: changes of direction, arcs
• Depth changes: lateral deflection
• Fiber optic facilities with no metallic conductor
• Conduit stubs •...

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cover with 6 in. 
(150 mm) o\f rm 
soil \be\fore \backll
tie-downta\bs
ID num\ber tag
Inset
minimum 4 in.
(100 mm) separation\)
\from metallic sur\face\)*
ca\ble
tie
See inset
1421-XR/iD  4 \feet (1.2 m) 
  (using CE-approved 
  3M marker locator)
  5 \feet (1.5 m) 
  (using U.S. 3Mmarke\)r 
  locator)
1401-XR  5 \feet (1.5 m) 
3.0 
Recommended Ball Marker 
Spacing and Depth
Note:    See Section 4 for recommended depths of other 
marker form factors.)
3.1  Recommended Depth for Ball...

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3.5  Alternate Ball Marker Tie Down Procedure 
for Deeper \facilities
1. Tie the ball marker to a section of steel rebar using a 
cable tie. 
Rebar
Attach ball marker\C
using cable tie
C\fmmunicati\fns Line
Bedding
\b0 in (254 mm) n\fminal
3.6  Additional Placement Recommendations for 
3M
™ Ball Marker 1421-XR/iD
Additional applications are possible with the XR/iD series 
of ball markers due to their ability to store specific facility 
information. Facility information that may be of...

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4.2 3M™ Ball Marker 1421-XR/iD and 1427-XR/
iD (iD Markers)
This marker is similar to the 
1401-XR ball marker in size 
and form. Additionally, the 
1421-XR/iD ball marker 
contains an RFID microchip, 
which allows introduction and 
storage of facility data. Each 
marker comes pre-programmed 
with a unique 10-digit 
identification number. This pre-
programmed number is also attached to the marker on a 
removable bar-coded tag, which can be peeled off before 
installation and attached...

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4.4  3M™ Near Surface Markers 1432 and 
1432-XR/iD
3M™ Near Surface Markers 1432 
Non-iD (passive) version 
marker and 1432-XR/iD (iD 
version marker) are 
recommended for urban 
applications. Near-surface 
markers allow for convenient marking of facilities under 
asphalt or concrete or for marking facilities after 
construction has completed. The marker is installed 
vertically at a shallow depth in a hole drilled or gouged in 
soil or in street pavement. Near-surface markers are also...

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4.6 3M™ \full-Range Markers 1250 and 
1250-XR/iD
The full-range marker is designed
 for marking deep underground 
facilities. Its large diameter is 
also valued by facility owners 
as a ‘dig shield’ that can help 
protect the facility from 
damage by being cut or 
damaged by a shovel during 
excavation. When placed above 
the facility, the full-range 
marker serves as a cover which warns of encroachment to 
the underground facility.
3M\f Full-Range Markers 1250 and 1250 -XR/i\b
Case...

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6.0  3M™ Dynatel™ Electronic Marker Information 
6.1  3M™ Electronic Marker Part Numbers & Descriptions
Utility Marker ColorNon-i\b (Passive) Marker Part # Id Marker Part #
Ball Markers
Telephone Orange 1401-XR1421-XR/iD
CATV/Comm. Black/Orange 1407-XR1427-XR/iD
\bisk Markers (\bo Not \birect Bury) Telephone Orange 1411-XR1411-XR/iD
CATV/Comm. Orange 1417-XR—
Near-Surface Markers Telephone Orange 14321432-XR/iD
CATV/Comm. Black/Orange —1437-XR/iD
Mid-Range Markers Telephone Black...

CE Approved (Export) Model Marker Locators
3M i\b MarkersMaximum Writing RangeMaximum Reading/\betection Range
Near-Surface iD Markers 15 cm (6 inches)61 cm (24 inches)
Ball iD Markers 30 cm (12 inches)1.2 m (48 inches)
Disk iD Markers (Do Not Direct Bury) 30 cm (12 inches)1.2 m (48 inches)
Full-Range iD Markers 61 cm (24 inches)2.0 m (78 inches)
3M Non-i\b (Passive) Markers
Near-Surface   
Non-iD Markers —
0.6 m (2 feet)
Ball Non-iD Markers —1.5 m (5 feet)
Disk Non-iD Markers (Do Not Direct Bury) —1.5 m...