ABSTRACT
Proper inductive loop installation practice ensures that the detection system functions as desired and maintenance costs are minimized. This chapter summarizes wire loop installation guidelines and describes the methods for computing the threshold loop system sensitivity. Additional details concerning inductive loop design and installation may be found in the Traffic Detector Handbook and the reader should consult this valuable resource before planning and fabricating an inductive loop detection system. The sensitivity of the electronics unit must be set equal to or greater than the calculated loop system threshold sensitivity at the electronics unit. A calculation of loop system threshold sensitivity at the input to the electronics unit is required to determine the sensitivity setting of the detector electronics unit, which must be greater than the calculated threshold value. The excitation frequency of the loop must be specified when measuring quality factor since inductive reactance is a frequency-dependent quantity.
