Cable Tracer

[davetheglitz]

I thought this looked like an interesting bit of kit - especially at that price! Does anyone have any experience with these type of devices and are they any good on twin and earth?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=46536&TabID=1&C=SEO&U=StaticPages&doy=search&MenuName=CABLE%20TRACER

 

[Mr Sworld]

These are for telephone networks (I don't know if you know that). You can get fuse-finder versions, such as this.

I have one of the fuse-finder pro's and I must admit that it doesn't get used a lot. Only handy when you need to shut down a circuit that has no labeling in big multi-way three phase boards when you can't risk shutting down the wrong circuit! And it's not that accurate! You can trace cables that you have access to but it doesn't work through walls or any metal shielding.

 

[davetheglitz]

Hi Mr S!

Appreciate that it is intended for telephone networks - but I was thinking how useful it would be to be able to trace where cable has been routed and identify breaks.

As I understand it the equipment is like an RF signal generator and a receiver - so in principle you could trace cables underground (or under floorboards). As such I can't see why it couldn't be used on Twin and Earth as telephone cables are also unscreened.

I always thought that fuse finders only helped to identify the outlets on a circuit rather than the cabling - but having never used one (or seen one!) I'm probably wrong!

I thought this Maplins job looked like this Fluke device and wondered if I'm reading it wrong!

http://fluke.informationstore.net/efulfillment.asp?publication=10930-eng

 

[Mr Sworld]

Ohhhh....... I LIKE the Fluke one! That looks nice (and expensive!) :^O

Seriously though, the telephone tracer's tip needs to be amoungst the cables. They only work with in a very, very short range.

 

[davetheglitz]

Ohhhh....... I LIKE the Fluke one! That looks nice (and expensive!) :^O Seriously though, the telephone tracer's tip needs to be amoungst the cables. They only work with in a very, very short range.

Thanks for that - appreciated!

 

[davetheglitz]

How about this DiLog PL500 fuse finder and cable tracer - under

 

[steptoe]

Ive used one on occasion on T&E, deffo not more than an inch or so distance.