What Are The Main Types Of Metal Detectors?

May 6, 2021 Brian 197 Comments

Last Updated on September 25, 2024 by Brian

What are the Main types of metal detectors?

A metal detector is very useful, to say the least. It can help you hunt those valuable objects that cannot be found manually. That is the reason why these devices are being used in many fields. What Are The Main Types Of Metal Detectors? Whether professional or for a hobby, metal detectors help in all kinds of purposes.

They are used in various professional fields like archaeology, security screening, etc. For hobbies, however, metal detectors are used by people to hunt valuable metals and artifacts in several places. That may include a home’s backyard, beach, parks, etc.

Metal detectors can be used on all kinds of surfaces. However, it depends on their capabilities.

There are also various types of metal detectors. These types are distinguished by their features and options. A metal detector’s main purpose is to detect hidden metals.

That can be either underground or hidden somewhere else. With that said, let’s discuss the types of metal detectors.

Very Low Frequency (VLF) Metal Detectors

VLF Metal detectors are the most used type of metal detectors. Not only for professional uses, they are also commonly used for hobby uses. VLF metal detectors use two coils for working. One is used for transmission, while the other is used for receiving.

The transmission coil is used for transmitting electric current into the ground. Metal objects underground detected by the transmission coil will pass signals to the receiving coil. That is how the device detects a metal. The detection is displayed on the screen that is available on the control box. These metal detectors also come with headphones.

These headphones produce a sound that is specific for valuable and unwanted metals. VLF metals are easy to use and lightweight. That is why they are suitable for beginners as well as professionals.

Multi-Frequency Metal Detectors

VLF metal detectors only work at a single frequency. To overcome this limitation, Multi-Frequency metal detectors are used. With the availability of more frequencies, they are able to detect metals at more depth than VLF metal detectors.

They also allow finding metals of various sizes. For jobs like finding nuggets and coins, they are used more often. However, they are not necessarily equipped with selectable frequency. There are multiple frequencies but they are often automatically adjusted. But, selectable frequency metal detectors fall into the category of multi-frequency.

They are not as popular as VLF metal detectors. Also, they are a little complicated too. They are not very suitable for beginners.

Pulse Induction (PI) Metal Detectors

The most complex type of metal detectors is the Pulse induction one. Their working mechanism is also quite complicated as compared to others. They use current to send signals of the detection. However, the current is released in pulse form.

These are the least popular type of metal detectors and are only used for advanced projects. Their main benefit is that they detect metals underground regardless of their mineralization.

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