I just got my electricians diploma and I still have a lots of things to learn and I'm thinking about getting a good circuit finder as well as cable tracer and this trick is indeed very helpful. I think the most important thing is this and pretty much any other job is to learn how to think and find solutions to your daily problems and once you know more about what you're doing, you can be amazed of what kinds of things you can think of.
Commercial electrician in the US. I’ve been using that trick on dead wires for years it’s fantastic. Another trick for hot wires is to plug in a vacuum and have a guy turn it on and off while you measure currant with your clamp at the panel you’ll see it plain as day on the correct conductor. I use this method in places like medical suites or where people are using computers so accidentally turning off the wrong breaker can’t happen. I usually use my PVC blanket instead of a vacuum as it’s quiet but I know not anyone has one of those or even knows what it is.
Thank you for sharing this. I was working on a restaurant kitchen hood exhaust fan which had a bunch of issues, one of them being that the fan was on a circuit that had some shorts inside the wire. I was trying to pinpoint which wires went to exactly which breaker, so I could find and fix stuff. Using Klein's cheaper circuit tracer, the ET310, I ended up thinking that things went to one breaker, but in fact went to a different breaker. Of course, there were a lot of breakers that were not accurately labeled, so it took me so much time to trace the circuit to the right breaker. I jumped on Home Depot to seek out a better tracer, and started looking closely at the ET450 kit. I came across your video when looking up what other people thought about the tester, and glad I came across this video. If I had only had the ET450 and watched this video before doing that restaurant, it would have saved me so many hours and frustration. Thank you very much for sharing this, God bless you!
THANK YOU so much!!!!!! Your tip was on point and the greatest discovery to date for me!!!! This tactic is 100% accurate and extremely useful. I’m self taught and unless you have schematics, color codes… You will simply be in a guessing game. I was just about to throw in the towel and your tip was there to save the day!!!!
A trick I learned from a telco guy. Put your meter directly on the leads of the tracer and measure its resistance. Make a note of your reading. When you are at the other end of your wires, measure again. Hopefully, your meter can "see" the tracer unit and the values should be nearly identical. Note, if you have other things plugged in, you might also see their electronics too and that could cause a bit of confusion.
Electrician 26 years and I knew that, but you can also turn the sensitivity down as you get closer to the wire or breaker so it will only tone on the exact wire or breaker and the higher the number on the readout indicates when you're on it. So just learn your tool as you said. 👍
That is a really slick tip! Thank you for the info. I just purchased the Klein advanced tracer kit to find out where a wire goes. I thought it ran straight up the wall bay to the attic and over to the panel, nope. I only found this out after falling through the ceiling and twisting my knee. I should have just ponied up the money for the tracer and this would have been so much easier.
👍Great idea! I've learned using the ET450 that we can isolate non-energized wires rather rapidly by "dialing in" at a level three or four, but wire-to-receiver position is even more important. Dialing in: Start at a lower level and then work your way up with longer runs of non-energized wire. By "dialing in" most know about this. If not, I'm talking about establishing a receiver level where there is a "numerically distiguishable difference" in the levels between wires that are actually carrying the signal (the wires you want) and wires that are only crosstalking the signal, i.e. reading a distinguishable low level (not the wires you want). Position: We can position the Klein receiver most accurately by orienting the receiver tip correctly on the wire. When we literally "touch" the wire with the tracer receiver at 90 degrees to the screen (the wire pointing vertically to the screen off the tip). Orienting the tip sensor this way makes it work very reliably. When putting a wire at 90 degrees on the tip of the tracer receiver, a significantly lower number is a cue that that wire is not your transmitting wire (it's just crosstalk). For example, with one wire I could see a reading of 11 and for another wire 68 (the difference / variance is what you're looking for). When you're dialed in, and at the right receiving angle, you'll get that type of difference (Note: Your numbers can be different obviously). With 68 and 11 being the readings for two separate wires, guess which wire is on the alligator clip? That's how you do it. Just ensure you're separating that bundle of wires enough to touch one wire to the tip of the receiver at 90 degrees orientation to the screen. Additionally, this 90 degree method works with walls also (the main reason for the tracer). Always trace at 90 degrees orientation to the wire you suspect you're tracing. That's how that electrical field works at the tip of the ET450 tracer.
Nice find! Do you know if the Santronics NCV will work on the less-featured Klein VDV500 tracer that I use? I tried this technique with my Fluke NCV (12-1000v model)and did not pick up anything. It may be the case that the et450 has a higher power output than the VDV500. Thanks.
I'm assuming this works because the circuit finder is sending voltage through the wires and the tic tracer is picking up the voltage? I don't have the circuit finder so I'm just speculating.
Well I have both. And from my long exposure to both they both are pretty close to the exact same. I have had numerous times where I had to send my ideal back for repairs. So If I was buying one or the other this would be the one I would definitely spend my money on amzn.to/41jCLoS
How do you know the tick tracer isn't just reading a hot outlet? Apparently you'd have to have the entire panel off. That way you'd know it's the tester or lead not just a hot circuit. Right ?
I tried it and it didn't work for me, I tested it using a 20' length of NM cable connected my ET-450T black to white NM conductor and Red to the Black NM conductor and nothing. I tired three different Tick Tracers a Kline a Fluke and and Ideal . The tick tracers were rated for 40-1000 VAC, 90-1000 VAC and on 50V-100 VAC, I looked up the one your using and looks to be about the same 50-1000 VAC. What's up?
@@MountaineerOutdoorsSantronics model # 3115. Works for me and also works on 2 other tic tracers but not as good. The transmitter puts out .0029 volts a.c. at 16 Hz using a multimeter. An oscilloscope would be more accurate.
I picked up the Santronics 3115 AC Voltage Sensor and it worked with the ET-450 I tried the other ones again still no luck. After using the Santronics 3115 I have to agree with you it a good voltage sensor.
@@AD-uv4zf umm.... Why would you use one brand for the transmitter and a different brand for the tracer? I use the Klein ET450 set (ET450T/ET450R). IMO it is the best one out there. Like the fact that the circuit can be energized or de-energized.
I didn't use a different brand circuit tracer, I used different brands of non contact voltage tic voltage testers with the ET450 like shown in the video.@@Suckitdownpipe
Could one otherwise connect a small 12V battery, instead of that expensive tool, alternatively be used in a similar manner (with breaker OFF of course, and then testing for 12V output at the other end)? Or does that special "tracer" tool utilize/transmit some kind of RF signal instead of electrical current? Great tip!
I don't know honestly, I don't think I would want to try that too many things could go wrong. I'm not entirely sure what voltage/signal they tracer puts out, this question has me wondering now.
@@arealmaintenanceandrepairl1103 Why would I do that? Why would anyone knowingly test a live 110V AC circuit with a battery? That wasn't my question, and I'm quite certain that I specified with the breaker off... (I'm sure the video creator understood my question, he's probably smarter than both of us.) If the MAIN master breaker switch is off and you STILL have live current flowing in the circuits, you've likely got bigger problems on your hands... :P
@@MountaineerOutdoors Lol. I loved the tracer tool, It must run on some kind of power source, perhaps it just sends out low energy/RF pulses, maybe a pre-shared key code that the receiver then decodes. Neat tool and great video! :P
It does but won't work like I am showing. If that where the case I wouldn't have made the video the way I did. The only pen tester that works like that is the santronics
@@MountaineerOutdoors well you left out that important bit of information in the video. Didn't think it was worth mentioning? Also when you're tracing dead wires you're supposed your common lead to ground of a different circuit. Clipping the hot and common leads to the positive and neutral of the same wire will cancel out the signal making it hard to trace, unless you're trying to identify a breaker.
Cause the tool he has is for tracing wires behind walls or under ground , this is just another trick for that tool. But yes you could ask do what your are asking with a dmm
😂 😂 😂 I totally respect your decision... I don't care who you vote for just make sure you vote. And it is definitely a cool trick. I appreciate your comment and watching. Have a great day ☺
It doesn’t matter who you vote for, the three letter agencies have been running the show here and everywhere else since at least 11/22/63. Mostly likely a lot longer. Don’t believe me? Just ask Julian Assange next time you’re in Australia. He lost 15 years of his life just for doing exactly what the NYT does everyday. I vote in local elections they still matter.
I just got my electricians diploma and I still have a lots of things to learn and I'm thinking about getting a good circuit finder as well as cable tracer and this trick is indeed very helpful. I think the most important thing is this and pretty much any other job is to learn how to think and find solutions to your daily problems and once you know more about what you're doing, you can be amazed of what kinds of things you can think of.
Commercial electrician in the US. I’ve been using that trick on dead wires for years it’s fantastic. Another trick for hot wires is to plug in a vacuum and have a guy turn it on and off while you measure currant with your clamp at the panel you’ll see it plain as day on the correct conductor. I use this method in places like medical suites or where people are using computers so accidentally turning off the wrong breaker can’t happen. I usually use my PVC blanket instead of a vacuum as it’s quiet but I know not anyone has one of those or even knows what it is.
Thank you for sharing this. I was working on a restaurant kitchen hood exhaust fan which had a bunch of issues, one of them being that the fan was on a circuit that had some shorts inside the wire. I was trying to pinpoint which wires went to exactly which breaker, so I could find and fix stuff. Using Klein's cheaper circuit tracer, the ET310, I ended up thinking that things went to one breaker, but in fact went to a different breaker. Of course, there were a lot of breakers that were not accurately labeled, so it took me so much time to trace the circuit to the right breaker. I jumped on Home Depot to seek out a better tracer, and started looking closely at the ET450 kit. I came across your video when looking up what other people thought about the tester, and glad I came across this video. If I had only had the ET450 and watched this video before doing that restaurant, it would have saved me so many hours and frustration. Thank you very much for sharing this, God bless you!
I appreciate your comment and watching
THANK YOU so much!!!!!! Your tip was on point and the greatest discovery to date for me!!!! This tactic is 100% accurate and extremely useful. I’m self taught and unless you have schematics, color codes… You will simply be in a guessing game. I was just about to throw in the towel and your tip was there to save the day!!!!
Awesome so glad to hear that this helped you and I appreciate you comment and watching
A trick I learned from a telco guy. Put your meter directly on the leads of the tracer and measure its resistance. Make a note of your reading. When you are at the other end of your wires, measure again. Hopefully, your meter can "see" the tracer unit and the values should be nearly identical. Note, if you have other things plugged in, you might also see their electronics too and that could cause a bit of confusion.
I’ve used a phone toner for years to trace wires on fire alarm systems. Same principle! It’s great
I had one of those too someone wanted it more than I did I suppose
Electrician 26 years and I knew that, but you can also turn the sensitivity down as you get closer to the wire or breaker so it will only tone on the exact wire or breaker and the higher the number on the readout indicates when you're on it. So just learn your tool as you said. 👍
Exactly thank you for your comment and watching
That is a really slick tip! Thank you for the info. I just purchased the Klein advanced tracer kit to find out where a wire goes. I thought it ran straight up the wall bay to the attic and over to the panel, nope. I only found this out after falling through the ceiling and twisting my knee. I should have just ponied up the money for the tracer and this would have been so much easier.
It's an amazing meter for sure
👍Great idea! I've learned using the ET450 that we can isolate non-energized wires rather rapidly by "dialing in" at a level three or four, but wire-to-receiver position is even more important. Dialing in: Start at a lower level and then work your way up with longer runs of non-energized wire. By "dialing in" most know about this. If not, I'm talking about establishing a receiver level where there is a "numerically distiguishable difference" in the levels between wires that are actually carrying the signal (the wires you want) and wires that are only crosstalking the signal, i.e. reading a distinguishable low level (not the wires you want). Position: We can position the Klein receiver most accurately by orienting the receiver tip correctly on the wire. When we literally "touch" the wire with the tracer receiver at 90 degrees to the screen (the wire pointing vertically to the screen off the tip). Orienting the tip sensor this way makes it work very reliably. When putting a wire at 90 degrees on the tip of the tracer receiver, a significantly lower number is a cue that that wire is not your transmitting wire (it's just crosstalk). For example, with one wire I could see a reading of 11 and for another wire 68 (the difference / variance is what you're looking for). When you're dialed in, and at the right receiving angle, you'll get that type of difference (Note: Your numbers can be different obviously). With 68 and 11 being the readings for two separate wires, guess which wire is on the alligator clip? That's how you do it. Just ensure you're separating that bundle of wires enough to touch one wire to the tip of the receiver at 90 degrees orientation to the screen. Additionally, this 90 degree method works with walls also (the main reason for the tracer). Always trace at 90 degrees orientation to the wire you suspect you're tracing. That's how that electrical field works at the tip of the ET450 tracer.
Really appreciate you teaching wisdom. Thanks
Always my pleasure ☺
Nice find! Do you know if the Santronics NCV will work on the less-featured Klein VDV500 tracer that I use? I tried this technique with my Fluke NCV (12-1000v model)and did not pick up anything. It may be the case that the et450 has a higher power output than the VDV500. Thanks.
Not sure but I have the ideal circuit finder and it works on it as well.
I'm assuming this works because the circuit finder is sending voltage through the wires and the tic tracer is picking up the voltage? I don't have the circuit finder so I'm just speculating.
That is correct. I am not sure what kinda voltage it's sending out. But I now want to see.
Wow! Cant believe i never thought to try this before! Definitely saving this for future use
I do refrigeration and often have to shut down a circuit in the middle of lunch rush. So anything like that helps out
I agree I love little tips that help down the road
Many thanks. I tried to trace my sister's wiring, and it's a nightmare. With the Klein and tick tool, it will help a lot
My pleasure thanks for watching and commenting ☺
Can u make a video on how to find the circuit breaker that controls a light switch that needs to be changed
Amazing!!! Thank you for this tip. I just bought this device and learning about it
It's an amazing device for sure
This is a neat little trick
I agree 100%
Wow, after the drywall I wasn't always sure what wire it was. This is what I need.😊
It's pretty amazing and a very good way to narrow it down
Thank you, this is really a great tip. I wish I have known it before.
My pleasure and now you have something to pass on. Thanks for watching and commenting ☺
Would this allow you to find a loose neutral
It could find the break in the wire or get you pretty close
What’s the name and model of the red pencil tool?
amzn.to/439Kp6a
Which would you say is the better tool the ideal or the et450
Well I have both. And from my long exposure to both they both are pretty close to the exact same. I have had numerous times where I had to send my ideal back for repairs. So If I was buying one or the other this would be the one I would definitely spend my money on amzn.to/41jCLoS
Wow great tip/secret,i'm using VDV500-820 on automotive wire tracking i must try if this unit its able to work on the same setup you have,thank you
That's cool if it does come back and let us know. I appreciate your comment and watching
How do you know the tick tracer isn't just reading a hot outlet? Apparently you'd have to have the entire panel off. That way you'd know it's the tester or lead not just a hot circuit. Right ?
Just the circuit. If it's a true 120 volts it will beep the tick. Otherwise it would be beeping and solid light not flashing. Great question
Or you use a meter and confirm if there is voltage present.
Thank you ! This is great
Thats freaken sweet. Thanks for sharring.
My pleasure
I tried it and it didn't work for me, I tested it using a 20' length of NM cable connected my ET-450T black to white NM conductor and Red to the Black NM conductor and nothing. I tired three different Tick Tracers a Kline a Fluke and and Ideal . The tick tracers were rated for 40-1000 VAC, 90-1000 VAC and on 50V-100 VAC, I looked up the one your using and looks to be about the same 50-1000 VAC. What's up?
Honestly the only one that I have found it to work with is that brand. Santronics I think that they are the best in my opinion
@@MountaineerOutdoorsSantronics model # 3115. Works for me and also works on 2 other tic tracers but not as good. The transmitter puts out .0029 volts a.c. at 16 Hz using a multimeter. An oscilloscope would be more accurate.
I picked up the Santronics 3115 AC Voltage Sensor and it worked with the ET-450 I tried the other ones again still no luck. After using the Santronics 3115 I have to agree with you it a good voltage sensor.
@@AD-uv4zf umm.... Why would you use one brand for the transmitter and a different brand for the tracer? I use the Klein ET450 set (ET450T/ET450R). IMO it is the best one out there. Like the fact that the circuit can be energized or de-energized.
I didn't use a different brand circuit tracer, I used different brands of non contact voltage tic voltage testers with the ET450 like shown in the video.@@Suckitdownpipe
Good job thanks for the tips.
Could one otherwise connect a small 12V battery, instead of that expensive tool, alternatively be used in a similar manner (with breaker OFF of course, and then testing for 12V output at the other end)?
Or does that special "tracer" tool utilize/transmit some kind of RF signal instead of electrical current?
Great tip!
U can use power or not try a batter on a live circuit and see
I don't know honestly, I don't think I would want to try that too many things could go wrong. I'm not entirely sure what voltage/signal they tracer puts out, this question has me wondering now.
@@arealmaintenanceandrepairl1103 Why would I do that? Why would anyone knowingly test a live 110V AC circuit with a battery? That wasn't my question, and I'm quite certain that I specified with the breaker off... (I'm sure the video creator understood my question, he's probably smarter than both of us.) If the MAIN master breaker switch is off and you STILL have live current flowing in the circuits, you've likely got bigger problems on your hands... :P
@@MountaineerOutdoors Lol. I loved the tracer tool, It must run on some kind of power source, perhaps it just sends out low energy/RF pulses, maybe a pre-shared key code that the receiver then decodes. Neat tool and great video!
:P
GOOD one
do u think it would trace a 277v ckt
Absolutely it's good for 600 volts so it's got you covered
Doesn't the tracer already have a built in NCV? 🤔
It does but won't work like I am showing. If that where the case I wouldn't have made the video the way I did. The only pen tester that works like that is the santronics
@@MountaineerOutdoors well you left out that important bit of information in the video. Didn't think it was worth mentioning? Also when you're tracing dead wires you're supposed your common lead to ground of a different circuit. Clipping the hot and common leads to the positive and neutral of the same wire will cancel out the signal making it hard to trace, unless you're trying to identify a breaker.
I'm gonna have to eat huh?
Great tip bro 💯
That’s genius
Yup showed this too my journey man last year i cant stand that radio signal bs.
you didn't trace it back to the panel?
Naw the rest of the circuit was ok
I have to try this
When you do let me know how it works out for you
Sweet, & thank you.
If every thing is off anyways why don’t you just do a continuity test with a meter?
Definitely could this is just another trick. Good to know many things
Cause the tool he has is for tracing wires behind walls or under ground , this is just another trick for that tool. But yes you could ask do what your are asking with a dmm
Hows this help on energized circuits?…your tic tester will be going off on a circuit thats live already. (ie: your oxygen tank example)
Exactly it won't only on non energized circuit
Wow.
Im an electrician and i didnt know that 😅
hell that was great I have one of them it a good tool.
I agree too it's the best for the price
Nice
👍👍👍👍👍
Too cool
I agree
Just take short piece of wire and short it. Done
😂 😂 😂... Not on my job 😂 😉
Keep on knocking but you can’t come in- Dave’s not here man
😂 😂 😂
That was a really cool trick with the tick tracer but I'm not voting for Donald Trump
😂 😂 😂 I totally respect your decision... I don't care who you vote for just make sure you vote. And it is definitely a cool trick. I appreciate your comment and watching. Have a great day ☺
I Do vote for Trump. We need Biden out of this Administration. ASAP
Amen
It doesn’t matter who you vote for, the three letter agencies have been running the show here and everywhere else since at least 11/22/63. Mostly likely a lot longer. Don’t believe me? Just ask Julian Assange next time you’re in Australia. He lost 15 years of his life just for doing exactly what the NYT does everyday. I vote in local elections they still matter.
I'm one million percent voting for Trump. You're delusional to vote for Kamala. I hope you get the help you need Jeffory Morse.