Electrical line tracing (inside the wall) - possible?

[wade]

Is there a tool/device that will let you trace where a wire is run behind a wall?

 

When I designed the electrical for my basement (we finished it), I had a dedicated 20A line put in for a tank - 3 years ago. We've decided not to put the tank downstairs, but upstairs. So, I need to run that line upstairs. However, I don't know if my electrician followed my request to run the lines through the subfloor (it was not yet finished) or if he ran it around the wall. Is there a way I can put a load on the line and trace it from the outlet to find out without tearing through the drywall?

 

I'd love it if he followed my request, because then I could run the line up with no issues into an above wall. If he roped it around the side, then it isn't anywhere near.

 

Thanks!

 

PS- Anyone have a good electrician's contact in the Frederick MD area?

[scott711]

i believe there are a couple of ways. Some stud finders have the ability to detect electrical wires. There are also devices that you can plug into an outlet and trace it back to the electrical panel. There are several electricians on the board.

[John]

This is why I take pictures before drywall goes up...good luck!

[swimmatte]

Like this?

 

http://www.professionalequipment.com/extech%2Dwire%2Dtracer%2Dkit%2Dtg20/wire%2Dtracer/

[linkfalcon]

That's cool as heck

[paul b]

There is a much better commercial one but it is pricy. I used to use it on the job all the time as I am an electrician. It came out about 15 years ago and would work from a ferw feet away. You can probably rent one

[swimmatte]

There is a much better commercial one but it is pricy. I used to use it on the job all the time as I am an electrician. It came out about 15 years ago and would work from a ferw feet away. You can probably rent one

 

+1 that one I linked is certainly not a tool made for an electrician but for $20 it should do what you need it to do for this application. They range in price with some slightly better ones but the really good ones mentioned above run $500+. I would assume rental fees would be quite reasonable if you can find one.

[paul b]

The good one also has a circuit breaker finder so you can tell what breaker is controlling what outlets.

[DaveS]

That $20 Will Trace Behind Walls??

[swimmatte]

That $20 one you plug into an outlet, it then sends a signal through the line, and you use the probe to find termination points (other outlets, fixtures, breakers). You don't need to be able to touch the wire with the probe, so in theory it should work through walls but for $20 I wouldn't have much faith in that application.

[howaboutme]

I think op wants to know where or how (the route) the wires are run, not the start and end points. I think the answer is no.

 

Sent from my SCH-I405 using Tapatalk 2

 

 

[paul b]

The $20.00 one will trace wires in the walls but only where the cable gets close to the sheetrock and only if your house is wired in Romex, and not BX like many houses in NY are wired with.

I have 2 of them but they are garbage and don't even work any more.

Edited March 29, 2013 by paul b

[Coral Hind]

To add onto Paul's post, they also can cause issues if the cable you're tracing runs next to another cable because the singal can be induced on to the other which gives you a false reading.

 

Can you just call the guy up and ask him if he remembers?

 

If the circuit tracer doesn't work you could use an inspection camera. Slide it into the wall via an extra cable hole in the box, next to cable you want to trace. It might let you see if the cable goes up or turns and runs through the stud.

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/digital-inspection-camera-67979.html

[wade]

Based on what I've been seeing, I should probably just find an electrician willing to run a new line for me. I'm hoping without filing a permit. >.>

 

Anyone know a good electrician that services Frderick Cty MD?

[wade]

So I took the time to tally up all the devices I have for the new tank (based on wattage, then estimated the total amps drawn). Since I'm aiming for efficient, I did alright. I got a total of around 800 watts. A 15A circuit can reasonably take 1500+ peaks. Other than the fact that there is not a redundant circuit on the tank (though I might be able to fix that DIY style), I am well under the load I just need to surrepitiously disconnect any other outlets on this line so that no vacuums get plugged into them. Maybe I'll invest in a battery backup for the Vortechs instead of paying someone to run a second line.

[Origami]

Wade, there's a nice DIY thread here somewhere on the forum where you can use a $20 Belkin battery backup that you can get from EBay to back up Vortechs. (I use one to back up my Apex.) Old Reefer bought a small lot of them and modded them for others here. I'll see if I can find the link.

[Origami]

Here you go: (Just search on Belkin)

http://wamas.org/forums/topic/52151-battery-backups

[wade]

Excellent, thanks for the link! I'm happy I really don't need to run another line. I will just flag the other shared outlets for no vacuum use and should be set. I'm hoping to get the stand done this weekend and start the setup process.

[Scott_LM]

Important to note that a 15Amp breaker is rated for a total of 15X110 (or 120) = 1650Watts, but code only allows for a 80% usage rate. IE you shouldn't have a consistent load of more than 1320 watts.

 

f you push the limit you will get nuisance trips which are bound to happen after you leave for a long weekend.