circuit tracer

[a-1 elec]

can anyone recomend a good circuit tracer? i have used the 3m tk3 unit fo4r years. they have discontinued it.i tried the greenlee one but have gotten false readings on breakers. any thoughts thanks guys.

 

[tom baker]

Re: circuit tracer

You can make one that works as well as the tracers. Get a flasher element for a lamp socket, and a 150 watt lamp, HD teflon coated type. Assemble the flasher button and lamp into a pigtail socket, and wire the leads to a male 2 prong cord cap.
Plug the tester in. Shortly the lamp will begin to flash, use an ampprobe at the panel the find the circuit with the varying load.

 

[ryan_618]

Re: circuit tracer

I think Tom's idea is great.

I used to use a cheap one (about $40) that Ideal makes. It worked pretty well for the money.

 

[noxx]

Re: circuit tracer

Just short the hot conductor to the box and go see what tripped...

Kidding of course, Tom that's a great idea btw, it's never occurred to me. I find the Greenlee tracer I use a bit ambiguous back at the panel, will give your flasher unit a try.

 

[tonyi]

Re: circuit tracer

Originally posted by noxx:
I find the Greenlee tracer I use a bit ambiguous back at the panel

It gets a lot more definitive when its given a slow calibration pass over all the breakers in the panel first. Its also a lot more effective with the cover off and running the probe along lug end of the breakers where the wire is screwed down.

 

[trapper2]

Re: circuit tracer

Take a look at the Amprobe Cable Tracing Kit AT-2000. It's the best I've found.

 

[a-1 elec]

Re: circuit tracer

thanks guys for the help. im looking for something where you dont have to pull the panel covers off.