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Cable Installation & Pipe Location
PipeDart Cobra Rods, Flexitrace & Rodding Sondes
Cable pulling, duct rodding and underground pipe location equipment from Rausch UK.
Choose PipeDart Cobra Rods for cable and duct installation, Flexitrace for tracing non-metallic pipe routes, or a Rausch locating sonde when you need to pinpoint a specific underground position.
Choose by Application
What Do You Need to Do?
Cobra Rods, Flexitrace and transmitting sondes solve different parts of cable installation and underground pipe location.
Cable Installation
Cobra Rods
Push through ducts and pipes to install cables, thread draw ropes or carry out general duct rodding, with options from compact 4.5 mm systems through to 14 mm high-capacity rods.
Explore Cobra Rods →
Trace the Whole Route
Flexitrace
Introduce a traceable rod into a non-metallic pipe or duct and locate its route from above ground using compatible 33 kHz locating equipment.
View Flexitrace →
Locate a Specific Point
Rodding Sondes
Attach a transmitting sonde to suitable rods or insertion equipment to pinpoint an underground pipe position, blockage or collapse.
Explore Rausch Sondes →
Cobra Rods · Duct Rods · Flex Rods
PipeDart Cobra Rod Range
Choose the Cobra Rod system to suit the duct, installation distance and required pushing capability, from lightweight Mini systems through to 14 mm High Capacity Cobra Rods.
Compact Cobra Range
Mini, Ferret & Compact
The core PipeDart range covering flexible 4.5 mm Mini, versatile 6 mm Ferret and stronger 9 mm Compact Cobra Rods.
Models:
Mini – 4.5 mm · Ferret – 6 mm · Compact – 9 mm
View product →
Heavy-Duty Cobra Range
Large Cobra Rods
Larger-frame 9 mm and 11 mm systems designed for longer, more demanding cable installation and duct rodding work.
Models:
Large – 9 mm · Large – 11 mm
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High Capacity
High Capacity – 14 mm
The largest PipeDart configuration for long-distance, heavy-duty duct rodding and professional cable installation.
Lengths:
150 m to 500 m
View product →
Not sure which Cobra Rod you need?
Rod diameter, duct size, bends, route condition and required
installation distance all affect the best choice. Contact Rausch UK
if you want us to help specify the right system.
Choosing a Cobra Rod
Start with the Duct, Distance & Job
Rod diameter
Smaller rod diameters provide greater flexibility. Larger rods provide more stiffness where the duct and application allow it.
Required length
Choose enough rod to comfortably cover the expected installation distance, while considering the size and portability of the frame.
Duct conditions
Diameter, bends, route condition and what is being installed all influence which Cobra Rod configuration is most appropriate.
9 mm has two frame options.
Some 9 mm lengths are available on either the smaller or larger frame. If frame size, transport or site access matters, speak to Rausch UK before ordering.
PipeTracer · Flexitrace · Duct Tracer
Trace Non-Metallic Pipes & Ducts
PipeDart Flexitrace contains conductors within the rod so a 33 kHz signal can be applied and detected from above ground using compatible locating equipment.
Compact Pipe Tracing
4.5 mm Flexitrace
Lightweight and flexible traceable rod for smaller pipes, ducts and restricted-access tracing applications.
Lengths: 30 · 50 · 80 · 100 m
Frequency: 33 kHz
Frequency: 33 kHz
Choose 4.5 mm →
General-Purpose Pipe Tracing
6 mm Flexitrace
Versatile mid-size Flexitrace providing greater pushing capability while retaining a compact and portable frame.
Lengths: 30 · 50 · 60 · 80 · 100 · 120 · 150 m
Frequency: 33 kHz
Frequency: 33 kHz
Choose 6 mm →
Long-Reach Pipe Tracing
9 mm Flexitrace
Stronger traceable rod configuration for larger ducts, longer runs and more demanding underground tracing work.
Lengths: 50 · 60 · 80 · 100 · 120 · 150 · 180 · 200 m
Frequency: 33 kHz
Frequency: 33 kHz
Choose 9 mm →
All three rod diameters are available from the same Flexitrace
product page. Select the required rod diameter
and length on the product page.
Two Location Methods
How Flexitrace Works
The same Flexitrace system can be used to locate its end position or trace the route of the rod along a buried pipe or duct.
Specific Point
Sonde Location
Connect the signal generator to both Flexitrace terminals. This energises the end coil so the tip can be located from above ground using compatible 33 kHz locating equipment.
Whole Route
Line Location
Connect one Flexitrace terminal to the signal generator and the other to earth. The rod can then be followed along its length from above ground.
Need compatible locating equipment?
Explore C.Scope →
Flexitrace operates at 33 kHz and can be paired with compatible cable locators and signal generators, including suitable C.Scope equipment.
Underground Point Location
Rausch Rodding Sondes
Attach a transmitting sonde to a compatible Cobra Rod, Flex Rod, Drain Rod or other insertion device and use a locator operating at the same frequency to identify its position from above ground.
33
kHz
kHz
Standard UK Frequency
33 kHz Rodding Sonde
The general-purpose Rausch sonde and standard frequency for most UK underground locating applications.
Orange
38 mm Ø
M10
IP68
Up to 7 m
View product →
8
kHz
kHz
Alternative Frequency
8 kHz Rodding Sonde
Useful where pipe or surrounding ground conditions make the standard 33 kHz signal difficult to locate clearly.
Green
38 mm Ø
M10
IP68
Up to 7 m
View product →
512
Hz
Hz
Cast Iron Applications
512 Hz Rodding Sonde
The lower-frequency option intended for applications such as locating blockages from inside cast iron pipework.
Red
38 mm Ø
M10
IP68
Up to 7 m
View product →
18
mm
mm
Compact 33 kHz Sonde
DS18 Sonde
A smaller-diameter 33 kHz locating sonde for restricted pipes and ducts where the standard 38 mm sonde is too large.
33 kHz
18 × 102 mm
M10
IP68
Up to 7 m
View product →
Why different frequencies?
Pipe material, surrounding ground and other site conditions can
affect the signal. 33 kHz is the normal starting point, 8 kHz
provides an alternative where 33 kHz is difficult, and the
512 Hz model is designed for applications including location
through cast iron pipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cobra Rod, Flexitrace & Sonde FAQs
What is a Cobra Rod used for?
A Cobra Rod, also known as a duct rod or flex rod, is used to feed through ducts and pipes for cable installation, threading draw ropes and general duct rodding.
What diameter PipeDart Cobra Rod should I choose?
The right diameter depends on duct size, route, bends, required distance and the work being carried out. PipeDart Cobra Rods are available in 4.5, 6, 9, 11 and 14 mm diameters.
What is the difference between a Cobra Rod and Flexitrace?
A Cobra Rod is primarily a physical cable-pulling and duct-rodding tool. Flexitrace contains conductors so a 33 kHz signal can be applied and the rod can be located from above ground.
Can Flexitrace trace the whole route of a buried pipe?
Yes. Flexitrace can be connected in line-location mode so the rod can be followed along its route, or in sonde-location mode so only the end coil is located.
What frequency does PipeDart Flexitrace use?
PipeDart Flexitrace is designed for use at 33 kHz with compatible cable locators and signal generators.
What frequencies are Rausch Rodding Sondes available in?
The standard Rausch Rodding Sonde range includes 33 kHz, 8 kHz and 512 Hz versions. Rausch UK also offers the smaller 18 mm DS18 Sonde operating at 33 kHz.
Which sonde should I use for cast iron pipes?
The Rausch 512 Hz Rodding Sonde is the specialist option intended for applications including locating blockages from inside cast iron pipework.
PipeDart & Pipe Location Equipment
Tell Us What You Need to Install or Locate
Tell us the duct or pipe size, required distance and whether you need to pull cable, trace a complete pipe route or locate a specific underground point. Rausch UK can help identify the appropriate setup.
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