Fuse Finder

[Subneural]

After spending 90 mins on Saturday afternoon trying to which breaker controlled the faulty light circuit I'd been called out to. I'm thinking of getting one of these kits.

1. Are they any good?

2. Any recommendations? I was thining of the martindale elite pro kit

I look forward to your replies guys

 

[Riggy]

I have the "basic" Martindale one, useful, but not infallible. If you accept that it has limitations it's useful, overall I wouldn't want to be without it.

Riggy

 

[sivoodoo]

hi guys, how do they work, or could you point me in the direction that will explain,

thank you.

 

[Pyro]

I've had the Martindale for about 6 years and have found it very useful.

Pyro.

 

[Evans Electric]

Seen them advertised , how do they work ?

Deke

 

[electrizion]

Transmitter and reciever with a tone, tramsmitter connected to or plugged into cct your are trying to find reciever tuned by means of a thumwheel at the distribution board.

They are a bit fiddly and can get a bit confused on three phase boards but with patience they do work. ( i have the standard one)

http://www.martindale-electric.co.uk/ffinders.htm

 

[Subneural]

SerCal Electronics are doing the elite for

 

[kme]

I`ve got the basic one. I agree with the comment r.e. 3 phase boards, BUT the bonus there is that if you isolate the circuit you THINK it may be pointing you at, and it is, the tones cease on the reciever.

Regarding the "how it works" question:

A transmitter ( plugs in, or clips on to the circuit you want to find.) Draws power from circuit, and sends pulses down the phase wire.

A handheld reciever, with a sensitivity control, "scans" the wires ( a bit like a stud detector), and can (in theory) locate which cable is carrying the signal.

I wouldn`t be without one. TLC had the best deal, at the time.

KME

 

[Andy™]

I`ve got the basic one. I agree with the comment r.e. 3 phase boards, BUT the bonus there is that if you isolate the circuit you THINK it may be pointing you at, and it is, the tones cease on the reciever.Regarding the "how it works" question:

A transmitter ( plugs in, or clips on to the circuit you want to find.) Draws power from circuit, and sends pulses down the phase wire.

A handheld reciever, with a sensitivity control, "scans" the wires ( a bit like a stud detector), and can (in theory) locate which cable is carrying the signal.

I wouldn`t be without one. TLC had the best deal, at the time.

KME

might have to invest in one....

do they work on dead circuits or just live?

 

[Pyro]

They work on live circuits only.

As well as the fuse/MCB at the DB, you can also use the detector at other outlets to determine which are on the same circuit as the one you are testing.

Depending on how deep the circuit cabling is buried in the wall, you can also use the detector to trace the cable route. This level of usefulness falls over as soon as the conductors are enclosed in metal - i.e. screened. (SWA, FP200, steel conduit, pyro).

Pyro.

 

[Subneural]

Does anyone do one which works on dead circuits?

 

[seajayess]

I have only tried one once and as said before not good on 3 phase, which is what I was using it on total waist of time, not good when you are tring to locate circuits where PCs are connected it was a Metrel CJS

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

I also have a Martindale, the basic lowest of the low FD500 jobbie..

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll306/SPECIALLOCATION/fusefinder.jpg

Obviously no good to identify lighting circuits cuz it only has a 13A plugtop transmitter...

However..... I have a cunning plan Blackadder!!! ; \

I still have some of them old bayonet connectors wot they aren't allowed to sell anymore AFAIK?

so I could make an nice adaptor lead like this

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll306/SPECIALLOCATION/lightto13a.jpg

to plug the transmitter into a light circuit! ]

As said its not the most accurate device..

but within domestic installations can often just turn MCB's off in turn & listen for the transmitter & receiver to stop bleeping!

this method would not be much appreciated within a commercial or industrial installation!! :O:_|

I think mine cost less than

 

[khushj]

Try the DCF 200 model from socket and see. It does both live and dead circuits.

Cost about 150.00 pounds though.

 

[Riggy]

Special,

thought I'd invented that trick. Refined mine by adding croc clip earth lead, perfect for Zs on lighting circuits (once you realise that the polarity has a 50% chance of being wrong!). If only I'd patented it I'd be rich.

Riggy

 

[jl-heating]

i just isolate the board saves hours. i have enough crap in my van without putting more high tech stuff in .