How Do I Find Wires Buried in a Wall?

I came to a home to wire a Chrysler minivan hybrid and a Tesla and ended up also needing to fix a lightbulb issue in the garage. I had to find wires buried in the ceiling behind drywall. Watch this video to learn how I did that.

If you have electrical issues that need to be addressed in your home, be sure to call a licensed electrician to complete those safely.

[markgriz]

"may 6 2019". Your SEO guy sure takes his sweet time uploading videos

[theresistance]

... I'm just trying to put up a shelf, and not electrocute, the s*** out of, myself, today.

[WiliamBennettwildarbennett]

Having done the same thing... burning the tip off of my drywall jab saw, that is a very good way to mess up the day.

[timdouglass]

Thanks for your well made video's. I just started working for a electrician and your video's helps immensely .

[vince]

So there were two black wires running through the middle outlet box, but neither was attached to the keyless receptacle?

Never mind. I think I figured it out in reading the comments. The middle box was drywalled over and the receptacle was never attached. That’s were the toner came in handy.

Thank you for your videos.

[VolpeInCalze]

That's all I've been doing the past couple weeks. Putting a tone tracer on circuits to find buried boxes.

[notsure]

They don't tell you to turn off the power because it's intended for network cabling - which could have up to 50vdc on it if its PoE. Toners are not DC, it's RF. You're turning the wire into an antenna. Probably best to hook one to ground, the othr to whatever hot you're tracing - making sure it's NOT hot when you hook it up though. Man, get you a fiberglass ladder! It almost electrocuted me all the way over here!

[arnieselectric]

Love your video, but, an aluminum ladder dude..? Come on...😅😂🤣😜🤪

[utoopuser]

Just a thought. Since it is new construction and that lamp has never worked it is correct to suspect a wiring error. My next thought would have been, How would I have wired it up from switch to multiple lamps. Like most of us, we would have done it the easiest way. Then check continuity with power off. 
My house was build by the pioneers and the way things were done drives me nuts. I still have a couple of switches and have no idea what they are for.

[chrisf]

so it was in the box just not attached. nice toner i just test continuity to trace my wires on remodle work as long as theres no hidden j boxes or open splices all is good makitas cutout saw is what i use to open drywall and im not afraid to tear open walls or cielings thats why we have a drywall guy

[ReefMimic]

Rule number one is like you said make sure you use a toner on a non energized circuit. They don’t tell you that because they way you to buy a new one after they blow up.

[ReefMimic]

Wish I had someone to take me under their wing without taking me for granted and just tune home runs.

[TimKaseyMythHealer]

I don't understand why you need to poke into the drywall. I thought the tone would be enough. Is it to verify? I'm having this same problem with my house. Two rooms and the above lights have no power. I've tested at the breaker with a volt meter & the breaker is sending 120volts. I've concluded its a break at one of the twist connectors in the wall, or up in the attic, but I need a tone like the one you have to get me closer to the issue.

[streettacticalintegrations]

So can you show using the toner to track where the wires are in the dry wall?

My problem is drywallers covered up the switch box to a light. Need to find the switch. It’s buried under drywall and potentially plywood

[dontblameme]

Always enjoy and learn from you.
But Tesla.... Proof that there are lots of people with far more money than sense. LOL

[wolftickets]

Hidden wire splices are a definite red flag signalling shoddy workmanship, as well as a fire waiting to happen.

[stevenalvarado]

Can you show how you hook up and trace out ?

[zenonsiczek]

Will this trace metal conduit wire, like in an older house?

[samston]

i have wires behind my wall, two of my lights wont work. The electrician couldnt get the lights to work, and he said he will try to trace the wires.

[graciebonsai]

Hi Joshua, Just thinking outside of the junction box... Would an underground cable locater be useful to quickly locate interior wall and ceiling wire routing?