Tracing back abandoned electrical wiring

[iamwiz82]

I found some abandoned electrical wire in my kitchen after pulling out the cabinets. All three are in stragetic spots where I wanted boxes in the first place.

Is the any easy way to trace it back without ripping drywall up all the way back to the panel? I know it goes somewhere because I can see it leave the box, I just don't have a clue where.

 

[So]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
I found some abandoned electrical wire in my kitchen after pulling out the cabinets. All three are in stragetic spots where I wanted boxes in the first place.

Is the any easy way to trace it back without ripping drywall up all the way back to the panel? I know it goes somewhere because I can see it leave the box, I just don't have a clue where.

Disconnect both ends of all candidates, make sure this wire isn't energized. Put a AA battery on one end and use the voltmeter to test the other.

 

[iamwiz82]

A photo of it: http://www.infinitemile.com/gallery/album07/IMG_0364

I am wanting those two wires hanging out of uncovered boxes. Incidently, I cannot imagine that is up to code. They were just jammed in there behind the cabs with no cover of anything, nor any mention that they are abandoned.

EDIT: And I have no clue where it goes, as I cannot see that far in the wall. I didn't see anything unconnected at the electrical panel. For all I know they stole that circuit for the two boxes in the middle.

 

[So]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
A photo of it: http://www.infinitemile.com/gallery/album07/IMG_0364

I am wanting those two wires hanging out of uncovered boxes. Incidently, I cannot imagine that is up to code. They were just jammed in there behind the cabs with no cover of anything, nor any mention that they are abandoned.

Are you sure they're de-energized? Are there random wires hanging in the box?

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: So

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
A photo of it: http://www.infinitemile.com/gallery/album07/IMG_0364

I am wanting those two wires hanging out of uncovered boxes. Incidently, I cannot imagine that is up to code. They were just jammed in there behind the cabs with no cover of anything, nor any mention that they are abandoned.

Are you sure they're de-energized? Are there random wires hanging in the box?

They are definately dead, I tested them out with a multimeter as soon as I saw them. I didn't need live wires hanging about like that.

 

[iamwiz82]

Also, here is another electrical goody I found :shocked:

http://www.infinitemile.com/gallery/album07/IMG_0363

 

[NogginBoink]

First, use a voltmeter to ensure the wires aren't energized.

Then, use a "tone tracer" (such as this one) to trace the wire through the house.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Also, here is another electrical goody I found :shocked:

http://www.infinitemile.com/gallery/album07/IMG_0363

Wire nut where the plastic piece has come off.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

I assume you tested them for power...

is that outlet up at the top of the wall hot?

 

[BigJ]

How old is the house?

You wouldn't believe what some of the wiring looks like in homes that are 40-50 years old. It's like a minefield doing work in those homes.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Apply 2000V. When the cables get hot you will see brown traces on the walls.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Also, here is another electrical goody I found :shocked:

http://www.infinitemile.com/gallery/album07/IMG_0363

Wire nut where the plastic piece has come off.

Correction: melted off

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: HomeBrewerDude
I assume you tested them for power...

is that outlet up at the top of the wall hot?

Yes, the outlet top is hot.

Originally posted by: BigJ
How old is the house?

You wouldn't believe what some of the wiring looks like in homes that are 40-50 years old. It's like a minefield doing work in those homes.

60 years old, approximately. This is the first time I have seen oddities. The rest of the wiring I have run aod played with has been really well done. I know the people before us had an electrician work on it. I assume that he never played with the kitchen because he would have not been able to get back there with the cabinets.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: HomeBrewerDude
I assume you tested them for power...

is that outlet up at the top of the wall hot?

Yes, the outlet top is hot.

okay, are all the outlets on that wall on the same circuit? (except the 220 box if that is what that is).

i'm guessing the dead boxes may run to the high outlet... take the cover off and see whats inthere... otherwise, there might be a junction box to which all three of those run from.

whats the BLUE box in the middle have in it?

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Originally posted by: BigJ
How old is the house?

You wouldn't believe what some of the wiring looks like in homes that are 40-50 years old. It's like a minefield doing work in those homes.

I helped do some work in a place that was a small meat packing plant 40 years ago. If I never see that place again, I'll be glad.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: HomeBrewerDude

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: HomeBrewerDude
I assume you tested them for power...

is that outlet up at the top of the wall hot?

Yes, the outlet top is hot.

okay, are all the outlets on that wall on the same circuit? (except the 220 box if that is what that is).

i'm guessing the dead boxes may run to the high outlet... take the cover off and see whats inthere... otherwise, there might be a junction box to which all three of those run from.

whats the BLUE box in the middle have in it?

The blue box was another suprise. I believe it is where the upper outlet was originally run. They moved it when they put in an over range microwave. Again, that was hidden behind the microwave with no cover of anything.

Yes, those outlets are all on the same circuit other than that 220 on the bottom.

 

[iamwiz82]

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