ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Test Equipment-Circuit Tracer

I have been asked to check out my son's rental house that has something wrong. It seems that when he runs the vacuum cleaner on a certain receptacle, a receptacle on the other wall becomes hot to the hand touch. I have several thoughts on this. It may have aluminum wire on that particular receptacle, or a copper wire may be loose. It is in an older home with an old 60 amp fuse box, you know the kind, with main and range pull outs, and 4 fuses. This circuit was added into the old carport to convert it to a room. So I need a way to find the wiring back in the wall before this place goes up in smoke (or just tell him not to use any of the receptacles downstream). Are there any circuit tracers out there that can find the wiring in the walls?
Thanks for your help.

Greenlee makes one for this purpose around $400.00 I think. I have had great success with it. I would start by replacing the receptacle and making sure all the connections are tight.
Wirewiz

Warren,

It sounds like the wires are loose on that 2nd receptacle. I'm not clear on why you need a circuit tracer here. The one I have was over $500. It does trace wires in walls, but it is not as easy to use as one might think. It would be easier to just turn off the breaker (or pull the fuse) to see what else is on that circuit and check all those connections.

Bill

Yeah, but...

They're nifty, spiffy, cool and tax deductible!



Go here for more gadjets!

[This message has been edited by sparky66wv (edited 06-10-2002).]

Warren, I use a "Fox and Hound" tone generator and probe to trace with. It can only be used on NON-energized circuits. It's one of the handiest doohickies that I own and only cost about $75. It is accurate to find hidden wires in walls and it bails me out when other subs cover me up. Amprobe makes a line voltage version but it cost more. Good luck, sounds like a loose joint to me too!

'66

Thanks for the "plug"

We've got many more products to add there too!

BTW, if anyone has any interest in seeing the EXTECH line of test equipment in person, it will be at Booth 1207 at next weeks' show at the Javits Center in NY.

Bill

Thanks for the input to all. Yes, I will first check the receptacle for loose wiring, etc, then go from there. But if that is not the problem, then it may be something behind the wall. Thats why I was looking for a circuit tracer of some sorts. I will keep you informed of what I find.
Thanks again.

Arseegee:
Ok what is a/an Fox and the Hound circuit tester ? and who makes it?

-Mark-

motor-t, www.triplett.com

Arseegee:

Thanks a bunch for the quick reply, Tripplet that'll work.

-Mark-