Replies

1. 
   Scott | Aug 12, 2009 12:11am | #1

   Don't know about the new digital ones, but I've got an old analog one made by Ideal that I'm not the least bit impressed with. I would hope that the digital ones generate a unique signature that pinpoints the circuit much better.

   Scott.

1. 
   webby | Aug 12, 2009 12:26am | #2

   That is what I am wondering.

   Everything from tv's to phones went digital and was advertised as  better.Webby 

    

2. 
   JulianTracy | Aug 12, 2009 02:03am | #3

   I've found that if you aren't spending $250+, you'll not get one that works that well.

   Everyone under $100 I've bought has been a pile of ####.

   A few years back, I picked up a 3M model at a rummage sale - it just works. No BS, no bells and whistles - it'll even search a wire through a wall.

   Check CL and ebay, you'll be able to find a GOOD one for for between $150-200 used.

   There's a reason they cost about $400 new.

   I cannot tell you how much time I save being able to easily and fastly find a circuit and shut it off - saves me a ton of time and I don't need to do the old yelling up the stairs with a buddy and no need to guess and flick them one by one.

   JT

3. 
   brucet9 | Aug 12, 2009 02:51am | #4

   I got one by Commercial Electric at HD for about $40 IIRC. Good enough to get me to within +- two or three breakers. I quit using it.

   BruceT
1. 
   webby | Aug 12, 2009 03:45am | #5

   ill check out ebay. thanks for the info.Webby 

    

4. 
   RustyNail | Aug 12, 2009 05:59am | #6

   Maybe it's me, but I bought a cheapo years ago (1999ish, spent maybe $30), and it works pretty well.  I'd have to look at what brand it is, but it has a dial on the receiver to adjust the sensitivity.  Typically I'll start out picking up a couple of breakers with the receiver, so I dial back the sensitivity, pick up one, two, maybe three, dial back the sensitivity... one breaker.  Turn it off... right one. 

   At first I though it was a piece of junk until I played with it, now I find that I hit the right breaker probably 95% of the time if not more.  And when I miss, I usually nail it on the second try. 

5. 
   Dreamcatcher | Aug 12, 2009 04:08pm | #7

   What happened to just using a radio?

   I have a cheap ($25) Sperry detector. It isn't that accurate.

   I use the radio method more often.

   DC

1. 
   BillHartmann | Aug 12, 2009 05:19pm | #8

   You can't always hear the radio from 2 flights away and across 2 basement doors.Had one house that had two main panels side by side (320 amp service) and a sub in the other end of the basement. Would get the same indication on all of the.However, I have found a way to use the Sperry AND radio.Plug the tranmitter into the receptacle or light via a screw in adapter.Then go to the panel(s) with the detector and a pocket AM radio. If the detector does not hit the right one in 2 tries then I use the radio. Tuned off station you will hear a perodic click from the transmitter. Then I start binary elimination. That is trip the top half (or one main for dual panels). That will immediately tell you which have has the circuit. Then turn them back on and of the turn off 1/2 of the of the possible bad ones. And repeat.And ignore the 240 breakers in doing that. Using that method usually finds the right one quickly.And when tryin map a whole house it is much quicker than any other method.Also the detector can be used to see if other receptacle or switches are on that same circuit. .
   William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe

1. 
   JTC1 | Aug 12, 2009 06:57pm | #10

   >>You can't always hear the radio from 2 flights away and across 2 basement doors.<<

   That's why I have a 100', 18/2, extension cord. Gets the cheap radio much closer to the panels. :=)

   Jim

    Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

1. 
   webted | Aug 12, 2009 08:20pm | #11

   I had this come up about two weeks ago, as part of trying to track a dropped neutral.We got this fancy video monitor as a baby shower present last year. It's okay, mostly just for the "baby TV" option at night.But it worked real slick for verifying a receptacle. I plugged the transmitter into the receptacle in question, took the monitor down to the circuit panel and plugged it in. Bingo, a nice video image of a wall receptacle.Worked my way across the panel until I found the one that killed the picture. Flicked on and off once to verify - Sweet!I've also found that the radio trick can be enhanced by rubber banding or taping a two-way radio into the "transmit" mode next to the speaker and listening on the mate down at the panel. I do most of my work solo, so I need to come up with tricks like this. Especially if it's in the crawl space!By the way, DC - FWIW, I like my cheap Greenlee tester better than my cheap Sperry. -t

2. 
   migraine | Aug 12, 2009 09:01pm | #12

   I have the greenleen closed circuit tracer #2007.  I like it but it doesn't do open circuits.  I bought mine used from a electrician when he upgraded

   I've seen a few on ebay...you probably need it sooner

6. 
   DanH | Aug 12, 2009 05:22pm | #9

   I had a unit that worked sorta OK, after you learned how to use it. (How you hold the detector in relation to the wire/breaker is critical.) But it quit working after about five years and I tossed it. I think I paid $40-50 for it.

   As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz
7. 
   junkhound | Aug 12, 2009 10:13pm | #13

   DUH,  always have simply used a paper clip thru a pencil eraser or similar.

   Thot I'd posted this earlier, guess not. 

1. 
   Dreamcatcher | Aug 13, 2009 03:07pm | #15

   "DUH, always have simply used a paper clip thru a pencil eraser or similar."Yes! Have used the "junk screwdriver" trick many times.turn your head, poke around a bit and wait for a zappy flash.circuit found.Usually a last resort method for me.FWIW: Homeowners LOVE that trick; makes 'em think either you're crazy or have big brass ones.Another trick I have used is to use my extension cords which all have lighted ends.I'll look into the Greenlee, although it's not as if I have a daily need for such a tool so I wouldn't want to spend much. The main reason I bought the Sperry is because the transmitter part is also a circuit tester, I use that a lot more than the circuit finder. Thanks all.DC

1. 
   bubbajames | Aug 13, 2009 09:56pm | #16

   Bro in law uses a cord with a plug terminating in a switch- Flick the switch, and hopefully trip the breaker!

8. 
   Eldan | Aug 13, 2009 01:42am | #14

   I have an Amprobe BT-250 that works pretty well. Cost about $80.

1. 
   webby | Aug 13, 2009 10:32pm | #17

   Thanks.Webby