Metal detectors can work in many different ways but usually, a metal detector has a coil of wire that is wrapped around the head at the end of the handle also known as the transmitter coil. When electricity flows through the transmitter coil, then a magnetic field is created all around it. When you sweep the metal detector over the ground you make the magnet field move around it too. When you move the metal detector over a metal object then the magnetic fields affect the atoms inside of the metal. It changes the entire way the electrons move. If there is a change of magnetic field in the metal there must also be an electric current moving in. So the metal detector creates some electrical activity in the metal.  If you have electricity moving in a piece of metal it creates magnetism so when you sweep a detector over a piece of metal the magnetic field coming from the metal detector causes another magnetic field to appear around the metal.

A metal detector has another coil of wire this is known as the receiver coil that is connected to a loudspeaker. So when you move the metal detector over a piece of metal, the magnetic field produced by the metal cuts through the coil. When moving a metal detector over a piece of metal electricity flows through the receiver coil, making the speaker beep or click.

The closer you move the transmitter coil to the piece of metal that you have found the stronger the magnetic field the metal creates in the receiver coil, the more current flows through the loudspeaker and the louder the noise will get on the metal detector.

What makes a detector buzz when you sweep it over something? 

  1. A battery in the top of the detector activates the transmitter circuit that passes electricity down through a cable in the handle to the transmitter coil right at the bottom.
  2. When an electric current flows through the transmitter coil, it creates a magnetic field all around it.
  3. If you sweep the detector above a metal object the magnetic field penetrates right through it.
  4. The magnetic field makes an electric current flow inside the metal object.
  5. This flowing electric current creates another magnetic field all around the object. The magnetic field cuts through the receiver coil. The magnetic field makes electricity flow around the receiver coil and up into the receiver circuit right up at the top of the metal detector, which then makes the loudspeaker buzz and alerts you when you have found something.

Knowing the basics of how metal detectors work, will give you a much better understanding when operating a metal detector. Are you looking for Metal detectors for sale? Look no further! Metal-detectors.co.za have a wide range available for you to choose from.