Home wiring question (Page 1/1)
CoolBlue87GT NOV 22, 01:46 AM
I have a ceiling can light that I can't find a wall switch for. I'd like to get a wire tracer so I can locate were it's wired to.

Can anyone recommend a good Wire tracer ? I've seen many on line, but am unsure what is a good one.

Thanks for any information.
maryjane NOV 22, 08:22 AM
I use the cheap one from Harbor Freight. Cen Tech.





I 'm sure there are better ones out there tho.


https://www.harborfreight.c...e-tracker-94181.html

(I've probably got your switch here. One set of lights in the bathroom, a pair of side-by-side switches and one of them does nothing, but both are wired. Maybe one goes to a non existent fart blower?)

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 11-22-2023).]

CoolBlue87GT NOV 22, 08:54 AM

quote
Originally posted by maryjane:

I use the cheap one from Harbor Freight. Cen Tech.

I 'm sure there are better ones out there tho.

https://www.harborfreight.c...e-tracker-94181.html

(I've probably got your switch here. One set of lights in the bathroom, a pair of side-by-side switches and one of them does nothing, but both are wired. Maybe one goes to a non existent fart blower?)



Okay thanks, looks good.
I read the reviews, someone posted a review where they said to following"I found a toggle switch that wasn't connected that was supposed to power a ceiling light that never had been used"

I hope I can be as lucky to find it. It's been driving me crazy not knowing what's wrong. I suspect this switch.

[This message has been edited by CoolBlue87GT (edited 11-22-2023).]

maryjane NOV 22, 09:45 AM
The power has to be dead in the circuit you are tracing! The device with the alligator clips connect to the circuit wires and generates a signal for the long skinny hand held part to follow. The wire hanging off it is an antenna.. The only thing I don't like about it is the audible sound the tracker makes is very low volume.

But, mine worked well enough for me to be able track most of the underground wires on my lawn sprinkler system. (some of the piping and wires were buried too deep and in crushed rock and I lost the signal. Lost it going under the concrete driveway too but was able to pick it back up on the other side) I haven't tried it but supposedly works well tracing wire out in automobile wiring looms.

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 11-22-2023).]

CoolBlue87GT NOV 22, 10:31 AM
I'll pick up one of those and see if I can trace it. Thanks for the info.

[This message has been edited by CoolBlue87GT (edited 11-22-2023).]

Raydar NOV 22, 02:43 PM
This is essentially identical to the one I have. It's sold under a bunch of brand names.
https://www.amazon.com/Gene...lation/dp/B09QGLNLNJ

It's designed for telecom circuits, but I've used it to trace all sorts of stuff. It can be quite loud. I don't think it would be a good idea to connect it to a live circuit, however.

FWIW, We had electricians here, adding circuits for some remodeling, a couple of years ago. When the electrician needed to turn off a breaker so that he could work, he just pushed the two bare wires together, in the outlet box where he was. (He was careful to only touch the insulation with his hands, of course.)
Seems kind of... extreme, but it worked. Didn't hurt anything, although if you do it enough times, it'll damage the breaker.
Note: I am NOT recommending this.

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 11-22-2023).]