Abstract: An externally switchable lid for securing to a utility tracer wire access housing and for selectively conductively engaging and disengaging a buried ground rod in order to locate a utility line via the tracer wire. The lid has a first surface supporting a switch and a second surface supporting a first terminal for connecting a tracer wire directly to the lid and the first terminal having a first end of a switch jumper fixedly secured thereto and a second terminal for connecting a ground wire to the ground switch. A locking mechanism is provided for securing the lid to the access housing while the lid is accessible above-ground. The lid connects to the access housing which has a length of the tracer wire and the ground wire extending from connection with the lid and extending underground.

Abstract: A method of installing a non metallic pipeline segment along with a tracer wire segment using a horizontal directional drilling process includes positioning a horizontal directional drilling machine in a selected position on one side of the obstacle. A drill bit is attached to an end of a flexible steel pipe. The flexible steel pipe engages and is driven by the horizontal directional drilling machine that forces the drill bit and the flexible pipe from the first side of the obstacle to a second side of the obstacle thereby drilling a bore underneath the obstacle. The drill bit is removed and a reamer is attached to the end of the flexible pipe. An end of a pipeline segment along with an end of a tracer wire segment having a high carbon steel core and a copper cladding with a high density polyethylene jacket is attached to the reamer.

Abstract: A method of installing a non metallic pipeline segment along with a tracer wire segment using a horizontal directional drilling process includes positioning a horizontal directional drilling machine in a selected position on one side of the obstacle. A drill bit is attached to an end of a flexible steel pipe. The flexible steel pipe engages and is driven by the horizontal directional drilling machine that forces the drill bit and the flexible pipe from the first side of the obstacle to a second side of the obstacle thereby drilling a bore underneath the obstacle. The drill bit is removed and a reamer is attached to the end of the flexible pipe. An end of a pipeline segment along with an end of a tracer wire segment having a high carbon steel core and a copper cladding with a high density polyethylene jacket is attached to the reamer.