metal detectors terms

All metal detectors, regardless of brand or model, have the same components.

metal detector terms:

• Stabilizer: this is usually an arm brace at the top end of the detector that the users arm fits into and that keeps the unit steady as it is swept back and forth over the ground.

• Control Box: this is the "brains" of the metal detector and contain the circuitry, controls, speaker, batteries, and microprocessor. It may also contain a jack for headphones.

• Shaft: this connects the control box to the search coil. It is often adjustable so it can be set at a level for your height.

• Search Coil: this is the part at the bottom of the detector that you sweep across the ground and that actually senses the metal below ground.

Understanding how the above metal detector terms work together:

A metal detector uses battery power to create a penetrating magnetic field that enters the ground. Anything metallic will then become charged with the magnetism, similar to a paper clip becoming magnetized after touching a standard magnet.

The magnetized metal below ground then sends a signal back to the metal detector alerting the user (usually by sound) to the fact that there is something metallic below ground, what kind of metal it found (high-end units), and how deep the metal is (high-end units).

NOTE: Most metal detectors can detect up to 12 inches below the surface. Many will work much deeper.