finding the unknown

[cschmid]

when working on circuits with no labeling how do you identify the breaker to lock it out...

tell the truth too....

my way is probably not the correct way..I short the receptacle out..I have tried to wire trace it but when it gets to panel signal is all over the place..

I was thinking buying one of those identification devices but do not know if they are any good...

this is what I have now..
http://www.amprobe.com/cgi-bin/pdc/viewprod.cgi?pid=266&tid=1&type=elec

what you guys sugest..and what are your methods..

 

[iwire]

my way is probably not the correct way..I short the receptacle out..

I don't do that.

tell the truth too....

OK I don't do that anymore, I have not done that for 20+ years, but at one point I had a switch on a male cord cap.


Now just a good quility tracer tool.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

when working on circuits with no labeling how do you identify the breaker to lock it out...

tell the truth too....

my way is probably not the correct way..I short the receptacle out..I have tried to wire trace it but when it gets to panel signal is all over the place..

I was thinking buying one of those identification devices but do not know if they are any good...

this is what I have now..
http://www.amprobe.com/cgi-bin/pdc/viewprod.cgi?pid=266&tid=1&type=elec

what you guys sugest..and what are your methods..

I use a circuit tracer. You have to fine tune it but it works pretty well. I must admit I never shorted a circuit on purpose except for neutral to ground on GFCI circuits.

 

[jim dungar]

...I short the receptacle out..

Have not done it this way (on purpose) for more than 30 years. Since my screwdriver got welded in place, I have gotten good a flipping breakers.:grin:

 

[cschmid]

I thought I had good quality but I am unimpressed with it..I do use though when it works..Then I get frustrated with it cause it does not get fine enough due to the nasty panels..

 

[iwire]

I thought I had good quality but I am unimpressed with it..

What do you have?

The link is not working correctly.

I use an Amprobe tracer as well but it does take some time to learn how to get the most out of it.

 

[ultramegabob]

I havent been happy with any circuit tracers I have used to locate breakers, I think you get what you pay for with such devices, and Im sure I havent shelled out enough money yet..... I use two way radios with my helper to locate breakers most of the time, and I make sure to label them as I figgure out what they are.

 

[cschmid]

it worked for me..I have the Amprobe Model: AT-1000

 

[JohnJ0906]

I have an Ideal plug-in tracer, low budget to be sure, but has worked quite well for me 99% of the time.

http://www.idealindustries.com/prodDetail.do?prodId=61-532&div=1&l1=electrical_testers

It is rare that I don't locate the correct breaker the 1st time.

 

[480sparky]

480's Recipe for finding the right breaker:

Ingredients:

1. Receptacle socket adapter.
1. Bulb flasher
1. 200W bulb
1. Ammeter

Insert flasher into socket, followed by bulb. Insert into receptacle and make sure bulb is flashing. Go to panel & remove cover, using ammeter to find a 120v circuit with amperage going up & down at the same rate as flashing bulb.

Lock-out breaker as normal, and continue work in safe fashion. When done with work, stop by local watering hole and quaff down a cold one before heading home to family.

 

[nakulak]

480's Recipe for finding the right breaker:

Ingredients:

1. Receptacle socket adapter.
1. Bulb flasher
1. 200W bulb
1. Ammeter

Insert flasher into socket, followed by bulb. Insert into receptacle and make sure bulb is flashing. Go to panel & remove cover, using ammeter to find a 120v circuit with amperage going up & down at the same rate as flashing bulb.

Lock-out breaker as normal, and continue work in safe fashion. When done with work, stop by local watering hole and quaff down a cold one or five or ten before heading home to family.

(just made a small correction)

 

[winnie]

I must admit I never shorted a circuit on purpose except for neutral to ground on GFCI circuits.

This might be considered a 'feature' of AFCI protected circuits. You could intentionally trip the breaker without subjecting the circuit (or breaker) to high fault currents. A 10W lamp from hot to ground should do nicely.

-Jon

 

[480sparky]

(just made a small correction)

Whatever trips your trigger, I guess.

 

[DavidA]

I have an Ideal plug-in tracer, low budget to be sure, but has worked quite well for me 99% of the time.

http://www.idealindustries.com/prodDetail.do?prodId=61-532&div=1&l1=electrical_testers

It is rare that I don't locate the correct breaker the 1st time.

I've also had great luck with this rather inexpensive device. I've used it primarily on 3 phase systems with only the occasional miss. My only complaint is that it only works on hot systems. So while I'm saving up for a better tracer are there any you guys would recommend?

 

[wawireguy]

Thanks 480! Thats a hell of a idea. I'm gonna have to get me a setup like that.

 

[480sparky]

Thanks 480! Thats a hell of a idea. I'm gonna have to get me a setup like that.

Hopefully, you've already got the ammeter. For less than a 10-spot then, you're set to go!

If ya wanna get real fancy, make a similar setup, but use a socket with leads. Install alligator clips on the leads, then you can clip onto any 120v circuit.

 

[iaov]

I've used a lot of different "tic" tracers and haven't found any of them to be very good. Sometimes they'll get you to the right panel. I like the flasher idea.

 

[gar]

080820-2238 EST

480's method is an ideal way for a hot circuit, but it does require getting into the panel. If you have a sensitive magnetic field sensor, a small coil with several thousand turns, then you may be able to sense this changing current magnitude above the breaker without getting into the panel.

.

 

[cschmid]

480's Recipe for finding the right breaker:

Ingredients:

1. Receptacle socket adapter.
1. Bulb flasher
1. 200W bulb
1. Ammeter

Insert flasher into socket, followed by bulb. Insert into receptacle and make sure bulb is flashing. Go to panel & remove cover, using ammeter to find a 120v circuit with amperage going up & down at the same rate as flashing bulb.

Lock-out breaker as normal, and continue work in safe fashion. When done with work, stop by local watering hole and quaff down a cold one before heading home to family.

Dang it man that is sweat idea..how long you been using it..I will have one tomarrow working..I do not mind getting into panels..

 

[LarryFine]

Or plug a loud radio into the receptacle you're looking to de-energize.