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Metal Detector Facts

Metal detectors are popular devices that have many practical applications. They are used for security purposes as well as by hobbyists. A metal detector is defined as an electronic device that is used to detect the presence of metal. They are offered in sweeping models, archway models and handheld waving models. There are several different technologies that can be used to detect metal.

Types
- The three most popular types of metal detectors are handheld wands, walk-through arches and handheld sweeping metal detectors. Metal detecting wands are most widely used by security personnel. They are lightweight, powerful, easy to carry and portable. Walk-through arch metal detectors are used in airports, government buildings and retail centers. Sweeping metal detectors are mostly used by hobbyists in their leisure time.
Features
- There are a few necessary parts to any metal detector that make them function. A control box usually houses the circuits, controls, speakers and processors. Sweeping metal detectors and hand-held wands require batteries to operate. Walk-through metal detectors can be powered by electricity via an outlet. A metal detector's search head is the part of the metal detector that detects metal. Sweeping metal detectors sometimes feature an adjustable pole that connects the control box to the coil.
Function
- All metal detectors employ one of a few different technologies to detect metal. "Very low frequency" metal detectors create a magnetic field that reacts with metallic objects in its path. "Pulse induction" metal detectors create magnetic pulses that reverse polarity suddenly resulting in electrical spikes. Pulses take longer to spike when the metal detector is over a metallic object. "Beat-frequency oscillator" metal detectors let off radio waves, when the detector passes over a metallic object, magnetic currents interfere with the radio waves.
Benefits
- Beat-frequency oscillator metal detectors are the most affordable metal detector due to their low production costs. Pulse induction metal detectors detect metallic objects that are deeper underground than other metal detectors can sense. Very low frequency metal detectors are unlike other types of metal detectors in that they can tell the difference between metals in the ground below them.
Facts
- Walk-through metal detectors usually employ pulse induction technology to detect metals. Beat-frequency oscillation is the technology that is most widely used in handheld security metal detectors. The most popular technology used in metal detectors is the very low frequency technology.

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