Locating wires in wall ?

[bamx2]

I want to locate the path of some electrical wiring behind plaster walls. I have seen those RF toner / receiver tracing / tracking tools kits for networking and some other models for underground wiring. Yes, I will shut off everything at the panel before checking. As this will probably be a one project use, I would prefer to buy one of the budget models <<$50.
Anyone with experience with doing this have any suggestions ? - Thanks

example of network cable tracker / locator -

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00APD16D2...TF8&colid=1W3PPF7M884CY&coliid=I1T5FN0BJ8RAUJ

example of underground cable tracker / locator -

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RMKX39G...TF8&colid=1W3PPF7M884CY&coliid=I2YZ2T4NEF378U

 

[dbcooper1]

Many of the newer battery powered studfinders have this feature but the power has to be on to detect it. They sell for around $20.

 

[Six]

I've used the $30-40 units, and my advice is to get a Fluke. It's more than $50...about $80, but will save you time.

Let's say two wires crossed. With the cheap units, you cannot tell which is the wire you're tracing anymore. With teh Fluke, the one you want is slightly louder.

 

[bamx2]

I have an old basic Zircon studfinder and had no idea those multifuction stud finders existed. I am not sure that it will give me all the info i need but I may first give it a try anyway since they are in stock at a HD store nearby (more like $40) and easy to return. - Thanks

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Zircon-M...p-Multi-Function-Wall-Scanner-66230/205224990

Many of the newer battery powered studfinders have this feature but the power has to be on to detect it. They sell for around $20.

 

[dbcooper1]

I think this is the one I've used; was less than $20 at the time.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...XWydW0CT6HIuJ4nBspAgmBoCPkjw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[paperfist]

I have an old basic Zircon studfinder and had no idea those multifuction stud finders existed. I am not sure that it will give me all the info i need but I may first give it a try anyway since they are in stock at a HD store nearby (more like $40) and easy to return. - Thanks

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Zircon-M...p-Multi-Function-Wall-Scanner-66230/205224990

I have that one and don't think it's that great. It sometimes had trouble detecting studs even on 'deep scan'.

I think the next one I buy is going to be a $100 unit.

 

[bamx2]

As I want to track down some circuit issues as part of this project, I think that I will still need to use the RF device set . I am going to ask my neighbor who is a former network engineer if he has one I can use. If has one, it will likely be Fuke or other brahd that the pros use.

 

[natto fire]

I have a Greenlee "fox and hound" setup, which consists of a tone generator and wand reciever. It can only be used on dead or low voltage circuits. My coworker has a better Greenlee circuit seeker, which can inject a tone on line voltage and the reciever is a bit better too.

Are you trying to find a low voltage wire, or a line voltage one? Line voltage wires often run parallel to each other, and can cross-talk/attenuate the toner signal, which require more than plug and pray location techniques.

If your budget is $50, then I personally wouldn't even bother. It would cost more than that to fix the hole you make when your $50 equipment is wrong.

 

[bamx2]

So I wound up borrowing a Tempo Progressive Toner /Tracer 200EP/77HP setup from my neighbor. I shut off the main breaker and the breakerss on all of the individual circuits. The signal penetrated the plaster wall and I found out what I needed to know. I would like to have one if I could get it used for cheap.- Thanks