What are the two major components of an electromagnetic locator?

The two major components of an electromagnetic locator are indeed the transmitter and receiver. The function of these components is integral to how electromagnetic locators operate.

The transmitter generates an electromagnetic signal that is sent into the ground or pipeline. This signal interacts with the conductive materials present, such as metal pipes or cables. Once the signal is emitted, the receiver is used to detect the electromagnetic field created by that signal when it reflects off the buried conductive object. The receiver helps the operator locate the position of the pipe or cable by detecting the strength and direction of the received signal, allowing for accurate identification of the underground infrastructure.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately represent the core components of an electromagnetic locator. Meter and probe rods, for instance, are used in other types of measurements and applications rather than for electromagnetic location. Similarly, while receivers and antennas are important in other contexts, they do not encapsulate the specific functionality of an electromagnetic locator as the pairing of transmitter and receiver does. The split box and transmitter are not a common pairing in the context of electromagnetic locators and do not perform the fundamental tasks necessary for the locating process.