How to Trace an Open Circuit Caused by Broken Wires

Sparky Channel video:

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Klein Tools VDV226-005 Compact Pass-Thru Crimper, Modular Crimper for Pass-Thru RJ45 Data Plugs

I received this tool in exchange for making an unbiased video about it.

[LogicalNiko]

The toner works by putting a high frequency ripple on the line (Its basically sending a low power radio signal over the wires). The surge in signal generally occurs before the end because line breaks cause a reflection in high frequency so its "bouncing" off the break and that signal is going to multiple in amplitude for a short distance. When testing live circuits your tester has a lot harder time picking out the signal from the general AC 60Hz noise. Most normal AC lines tends to carry a lot of AM radio and other signals they pickup along the way (any non-grounded line with a load on it is basically an antenna). One thing that can help with energized line is try to make your body a good ground for the tone detector. Holding it in your palm and possibly even touching a nearby ground/conduit/etc will sometime help the detectors probe filter out other noise (a toner is basically the exact opposite rule as a using a non-contact probe).

[RJ-ejnr]

Wow, that tracer is looking exceptionally comparable to peers in the $1k+ class. The adjustable sensitivity is critical. Expecting one will be in my inventory before long... Thanks for highlighting it!

[dustind]

The break is usually around 10 am and 2 pm. Lunch at 1130

[mrindependent]

My guy sounds so much like Scotty Kilmer

[eosjoe]

I've been using a tone generator / signal tracer kit for the past 30 years. You use it with de-energized circuits. It can find breaks in wires for anything... electrical, telephone, network, alarm wiring, etc. You can plug directly into a RJ11, power receptacle or use alligator clips. It uses a worbler tone so no need to physical look at the receiver probe. It costs about 1/4 the price of the Klein unit you are showing.

[timdyer]

Very good demo! I was nice to hear your description as you were showing how to use the tester to find the fault.

[garydudgeon]

Good demonstration Sparky. Thanks for the great videos.

[SonicOrbStudios]

This guy sounds kinda like Scotty the car guy

[joshuam]

I like how your up to date on everything. I Do commercial/residential. I’ve done both but mostly a remodel crawl space dog lol. Blow in insulation…, old Napa Valley.. Remodeling 3 old buildings downtown with history right now. Back to Mc and emt. They had all romex and zinsco panels. Just bought thi tool. Hope it helps in need for troubleshoots. My boss has the ideal one I’ll keep everyone updated on the comparison

[jamessmoth]

That is nice when you know where the wires are, but what do you do when the wires are INSIDE a wall of a finished home and you don't know what direction they are running from the receptical box?

[McmM-cvsb]

Thanks for the video Sparky I just received my Klein ET450 I'll be watching the Sparky to learn more about the unit.👍

[mrfrankbosh]

Wow the poor comments. I enjoyed your video, well done and appreciated.

[SRCardow]

I have older tracers for many broken wires and found experience with the tool helps. This test was done on an energized circuit so beeping might continue after the break because the signal is also on the neutral side. Could confirm with a de-energized setup, but the idea is to troubleshoot without shutting other circuits off in a work environment. Underground maynot work as well you get what you pay for. But at this price you can get more of them in the toolbox.

[ianclifford]

Bill I literally have this going on right now. A customers house with a Rat problem:-(. I don’t wanna do it but maybe I’ll buy this and tackle the job.

[Jeff-Lawrence]

Hi bill from sparky channel

Awesome!

Loving this little tool

You could probably make a dozen videos of what this thing can do

Love the show

[LordVoltRodc]

It would be very concerning for a wire to the be in that type of condition. If the conducting material of the wire is broken and the two halves are the right distance apart, you will get arcing and sparking as the electricity tries to jump to the other half. You could compare it to a bad or lose connection. When you get high amperage draw as with appliances like space heaters that's where you have a serious fire hazard. Be sides the open break in the wire the instrument also picked up what appears to be a resistive path for current flow and that is how fires start in walls. Wires can become damaged when people try to yank and twist them to their destination. Luck would have that a damaged circuit path is open instead of half open. Thanks for the demonstration! I just got one of those tracer kits because I really want to know where everything is going. 🐍 I also want to know the condition of the wire as far as ability to carry current goes too. As my motto goes "I axolotl questions." It's a cool saying look it up! 😀 Have a nice day! Thanks!

[alfriedar]

Thank you … I use another one and its not as good so this might help me do more of these

[mikemunyan]

Sparky you do a wonderful job thanks for everything I want to buy one of those tracing myself thanks for the info,

[robertmerrill]

Thanks Very interesting. I'm assuming it won't work with emt, also you didn't travel far to find the break is there a distance limit. Will it work through drywall or plaster. I live in a senior park where there are a lot of shorts from the fork style push connect. Thanks a more thorough follow up would be nice.

[WorldOfJones]

I had a client that had two gfci that didn’t work on the outside of their house, no power at all on my volt meter but all other outlets worked including the gfci in the garage (I suspect a break in the line somewhere) will these be good for tracing the wires outside of the house and inside?