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#60293 12/28/05 08:40 AM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,294
Member
What are your recommendations?
We're looking for something that we can keep in the shop tool room, to be sent out when needed to jobsites.

It needs to be able to check energized or unenergized circuits, up to 480 volts, and be accurate, unlike many of the units I've used in the past.

What do you think? Thanks [Linked Image]

#60294 12/28/05 09:33 AM
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 69
N
nov Offline
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amprobe AT2005
live and dead circuits
Ct clamp for live circuits
locate shorts
you can get it right here on this site follow the link for amprobe products or grainger carries it pricey but worth it
I was told by a service tech at amprobe that the older style AT2005 is more reliable than the newer AT4005, the 4005 is not polarity sensitive other than that they do the same thing

#60295 12/28/05 09:36 AM
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 69
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nov Offline
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For quick residential jobs I have also had good luck with the Zircon CF12 much better than the old style with the wheel on the side to adjust the sensitivity.

#60296 12/28/05 07:07 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,429
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LK Offline
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The one here on this site, is what i like to use.

#60297 12/28/05 09:44 PM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 49
F
Member
I have yet to use any myself. Now that my new Ideal true RMS meter has a REALLY sensative voltage tester I just energize and use it:-)

But +1 to the Amprobe 2005, I did a lot of research and that was the one I was going to purcahse for myself.

#60298 12/28/05 10:07 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
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Moderator
I have very good results with the Amprobe 2005.

It takes some practice with it, you start with the sensitivity up and start 'turning it down' as you narrow it down to the particular breaker/fuse.

It will also work through walls, cement and even MC armor to physically follow the circuit if you crank the sender to HI and the receiver to X1000 and 10 on the knob.


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
#60299 12/28/05 10:17 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,876
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e57 Offline
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"be accurate, unlike many of the units I've used in the past."

Setting the bar a little high aren't we?

I'll second the Amprobe AT2005, old shop had an older AT2004, (It's littler brother) and it wasn't that bad. Also had another way old Amprobe that could only be used live, and it was great for that. You really had to dial down the sensitivity, or it would ring through to other circuits, phases, other panels, next building... Once you got the hang of it, and how far you had to dial down, it would be fairly accurate, but that took years of experiance with it.

FYI Best way to accuratly find a breaker, when you don't want to shut it down accidentaly in an office setting is an Amp Clamp and a circular saw. Open panel and have a buddy crank the saw over and off, while you run down the circuits. The one jumping up and down 7+ amps is your guy, start with phase first, then the breakers on that phase. You could use something quieter... [Linked Image] But it needs to have a good kick in the amps!


Mark Heller
"Well - I oughta....." -Jackie Gleason
#60300 12/28/05 10:25 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
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Moderator
Quote
You really had to dial down the sensitivity, or it would ring through to other circuits, phases, other panels, next building...

LOL

...next block, next town.

Yes they can carry pretty far.

I have heard of people using large lamps with a 'flasher' installed so they could find the pulsing load.

I can not imagine starting a cir saw in the buildings I usually work in.

Pardon me while I plug my cir saw into your server outlet so I can repeatedly surge it. [Linked Image]

[This message has been edited by iwire (edited 12-28-2005).]


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
#60301 12/28/05 10:45 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,876
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e57 Offline
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...next block, next town.

Nah, that limit seems to be the transformer... Not kidding.

The circular saw idea came to me years ago, I had to shut down a circuit to be relocated, and the company I worked for at the time had one tracer, and it was 60 miles away. Normaly I would use a tracer, but this method works REALLY well in a pinch!


Mark Heller
"Well - I oughta....." -Jackie Gleason
#60302 12/28/05 11:51 PM
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 21
O
Member
I saw an Ideal Sure test tracer the other day at a trade show and it seemed to work very well. I have an Amprobe 2004 and it is OK we also have a Greenlee and I don't really like it because it seems to ring on everthing in the panel they all seem to have their problems. I would like to try the Ideal one of these days.

Regards,
Ty

[This message has been edited by Old Town (edited 12-28-2005).]

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