circuit tracer

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Greg1707

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Location
Alexandria, VA
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Business owner Electrical contractor
I am sure this has been answered before, but what device is available that I can connect to a de energized wire that will send a tone or signal through the wire so that I can trace it back to its source? I have tried a telephone tone generator but it seems not lack the power to send the signal.
:mad:
I have a situation where the hot wire in a buried conduit has broken. That leaves me with only a neutral. I need to trace it to a junction box or panel.

This happens to be at a 50 year old gas station with conduits, boxes, panels, junction boxes all over the place. The circuit in question feeds the outdoor sign.
 
Greg1707 said:
I am sure this has been answered before, but what device is available that I can connect to a de energized wire that will send a tone or signal through the wire so that I can trace it back to its source? I have tried a telephone tone generator but it seems not lack the power to send the signal.
:mad:
I have a situation where the hot wire in a buried conduit has broken. That leaves me with only a neutral. I need to trace it to a junction box or panel.

This happens to be at a 50 year old gas station with conduits, boxes, panels, junction boxes all over the place. The circuit in question feeds the outdoor sign.
Click to expand...

Ideal makes a real good one but it is in the $1000.00 range.
 
Greenelee #2011
Amprobe AT-2000

Both are under $1K, I have used the Amprobe version, you can get the simplest model for around $550 and add on more accessories as you find new tasks. The basic model will do what you want and can be used on up to 300V live circuits, functionality and voltage goes up with cost. The top-of-the line version will tell you how far away a line break is (it adds a TDR).
 
The Amprobe tracer works great, I've had one for over 20 years, upgrading through the years. If the neutral is still good, use a battery as the power source, if it's close enough run a seperate wire to a good ground (avoid using the ground in the same pipe, as it cuts the signal strength greatly) put the tracer in the loop and you should find the conduit easily.
 
glene77is said:
Greg,
I use a telephone tone/probe set.
Are you tracing underground? Is that why it does not work?
Click to expand...
Why is it that I get a strong signal when I place the receiver near one of the alligator clips on the transmitter but as soon as I attach the alligator clip to the THHN it appears to lose the signal?
 
Greg1707 said:
Why is it that I get a strong signal when I place the receiver near one of the alligator clips on the transmitter but as soon as I attach the alligator clip to the THHN it appears to lose the signal?
Click to expand...

I believe it is because the neutral you are trying to trace is well grounded. Low impedance between the two clips. If you disconnected the neutral wire from ground the signal won't be attenuated.
 
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Agreed,
Shorting the leads on most (all?) telco-tone generators causes them to go mute.

My 2?
Doug S.

StephenSDH said:
I believe it is because the neutral you are trying to trace is well grounded. Low impedance between the two clips. If you disconnected the neutral wire from ground the signal won't be attenuated.
Click to expand...
 
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