Good tracer tool

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

jameselectric

Senior Member
Whats a good tool that you use to trace out 'dead' circuits or open ciruits. I got a good circuit tracer for 'energized' circuits, but havent really found a good one for a dead circuit or open circuit.
 
Last edited:
mdshunk said:
Seems like I grab the phone man type fox and hound tool quite often for that use. Just depends on how "buried" it is.
Click to expand...


what is 'fox and hound tool' ?? and basically its just a circuit in conduit but just want to be sure it goes to where i think it goes.
 
mdshunk said:
Here's what I was describing, as a low-cost option.


http://www.tempo-textron.com/prod_detail.cfm?cat=800&subcat=803&pid=10428
Click to expand...


Ok thanks. Ive seen those before and used them for phone lines. Didnt think much of them for 120 power (dead circuits). But on these tone generators and amplifiers you would not be able to connect them to 'neutral' right? It would just send a signal/birdie noise all over the conduit cause its grounded right?
 
jameselectric said:
Ok thanks. Ive seen those before and used them for phone lines. Didnt think much of them for 120 power (dead circuits). But on these tone generators and amplifiers you would not be able to connect them to 'neutral' right? It would just send a signal/birdie noise all over the conduit cause its grounded right?
Click to expand...
It's just one option. I'm not trying to twist your arm. If you think you know where the other end is at, touch the probe on what you think is your hot wire and it will really scream loud at you. It will put the tone on the whole "neutral system", but at a much lower volume.

The "real" tester is the Amprobe AT-2005 kit, but you're looking at a grand there. I was just giving you one option for around 100 bucks.
 
Years ago, the tool pictured below was being sold all over. I sure would like to find out where I can buy a few, since it was a rock-solid tracing tool for a good price.

pathfinder_supplyhouse_ad.jpg
 
Alot of these testers are used for CATV-6. You get into 14-12-10awg., etc., watch your words. They are made to saturate smaller wires, with wiring such as you'd see even in control work, you have to question the tester.
 
mdshunk said:
It's just one option. I'm not trying to twist your arm. If you think you know where the other end is at, touch the probe on what you think is your hot wire and it will really scream loud at you. It will put the tone on the whole "neutral system", but at a much lower volume.

The "real" tester is the Amprobe AT-2005 kit, but you're looking at a grand there. I was just giving you one option for around 100 bucks.
Click to expand...


No arm twinsting interpert here. I appreciate your input a great deal. thanks.
 
76nemo said:
Alot of these testers are used for CATV-6. You get into 14-12-10awg., etc., watch your words. They are made to saturate smaller wires, with wiring such as you'd see even in control work, you have to question the tester.
Click to expand...
i have used my fox and hound for years on 14-12-10-8-ect.used it to find covered up recpts trace all types of wires and mark home runs woith no problems
 
What is described as a "fox and hound" works for me too.

You guys are aware that the final test is to short the two wires connected to the tone generator and the resulting silence proves you have the right wires, yes....? Thus even though you may need to wade through a lot of wire warbling away, eventually you know you've got the right pair.
 
mdshunk said:
Seems like I grab the phone man type fox and hound tool quite often for that use. Just depends on how "buried" it is.
Click to expand...

In a pinch they even work on phone lines.:grin:
 
mdshunk said:
Years ago, the tool pictured below was being sold all over. I sure would like to find out where I can buy a few, since it was a rock-solid tracing tool for a good price.

pathfinder_supplyhouse_ad.jpg
Click to expand...

I usually stray away from anything marketed with a cartoon character - or at least one that I don't identify with....
 
I have the Amprobe 2004 kit. Got it a Grainger not cheap but the time you can save pays for itself. I've not yet had it fail me. And I found it to to every thing they said it could.

I short I highly recommend it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top