What You Need To Know About A Portable Metal Detector

By Ann Triune


Like a regular metal detectors, a portable metal detector is made to find metal objects. However, the portable one is designed specifically for more personalized use such as searching for metal or weapons carried by people, clothes, bags, or other objects.

Portable metal detectors are designed with sensitive surfaces and special shapes for their specialized functions. They are used to find metal, live wires, and wood-stud location in houses. They can also be used for security in business establishment.

There are two types of portable metal detectors-hand held devices and walk-through. The hand held metal detectors are easy to carry, since most of them come with a bag, a pouch, or a wrist band. They are also lightweight. The walk-through metal detectors can be folded and carried around in a small bag. They are also easy to set-up and can be used within five minutes.

A list of the technical features in a portable metal detector includes the following:

- 9V battery power supply - Adjustable sensitivity - Battery life in continuous operation is maximum of 50 hours with NiMH batteries, and 150 hours with alkaline batteries - Built-in buzzer with high-intensity pulsed acoustic alarm - Indicator lamps for power on, alarm, and low battery charge - Operating temperature of 5 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (-15 to 60 degrees Celsius) - Relative humidity at 0 to 95 percent - Shock-resistant - Three-position switch with visible or with audible and visible alarms - Vibration function to enable silent work - Weighs 1 lb (0.4 kg), more or less

When the metal detector battery is running low, the indicator light will flash to alert you. Metal detectors with rechargeable batteries usually take four to six hours to recharge. Normally, portable metal detectors consume less power with each use. You do not need to charge too often.

Note that not all metal detectors not designed to detect metal implants or objects inside the body. Furthermore, they cannot locate the exact location of the metal in the body. More sensitive metal detectors are made for that purpose.

Portable metal detectors have indicator lights and sounds to alert you of its status. If the indicator light is green, this means the device is switched on. If it is amber, this means the battery is low, and you will need to recharge before it dies. If the light is red, this means it has detected metal. Some metal detectors vibrate or sound off. A metal detector cannot determine if an object is magnetic or not, though.

The portable metal detector should conform to the international standards applicable for electrical safety, EC regulations, and EMC. This is to make sure that the metal detector works properly and is not defective.

A portable metal detector operator does not need specialized training to use the device. It can be used for personal reasons such as fixing your home or searching for lost things, or for business reasons. These include uses in places that require tight security such as airports, banks, bars, businesses, courtrooms, malls, schools, and other public areas.