I have used this type of devices numerous times. If you are trying to locate wires then connect the leads to the wires. If you connect one of the leads to ground then it will send a signal through all the grounding points that are connected to the system. Doing so will cause more of a headache in trying to either locating a circuit/ wire or the break in the circuit/wire (that is the reason why the sound got louder/stronger when it was connected to ground). Using the light method as described in this video is one way however based on my experience it seems to be more of an hassle. Also if you are wondering it will work within a wall to locate a non energized circuit. The sound method will also let you know if you are “hot or cold” to the circuit you are trying to locate. No disrespect to the maker of this content just wanted to give my opinion based on what I have experienced. I use the Fluke version however been contemplating on purchasing the one used in this video and was looking for reviews when I stumbled across this one.
@132Fonseca no worries 👍 thanks for the added insight, the fluke toner generator and the klein probe make an AMAZING combo! The fluke has added "shorting" features and better alligorclips with pins to peirce insulation. I agree the sound is needed and ofcourse will tell you you are closer try the fluke generator with this klein probe and you will be happy.
@@132Fonseca So you are basically saying connect the neutral and the hot wire as it is intended on the instructions for this device that he is using. Because what he is saying definitely sounds complicated me
Ordering this, should make my life easier. I do a lot with outdoor wiring, where something is on a timer sometimes, and I have to take it off the timer. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if it’s a bad wire, a timer that’s off, or something wrong with the timer.
Thanks for the video. I have a question. I work on the rail road sometimes we have to trace wires but we don’t always have a reliable ground would you recommend tracing using the two wire method?
@DeepStateYuri no. I would probably use an actual circuit tracer. At that point, the klein et450. Remember, you can always use an extension cord and plug into the ground only of the extension cord. If you're not sure if you're getting a good ground, you can always go from that object to known live source. And if you read 120, for example, you know, you've got a good ground.
Thanks for the video explanation! Learned a lot from it. I tried it on one circuit in my home with the breaker off for that circuit only and it resulted in red light showing a "short" when I connected the red clip to the hot wire and the black to the ground wire. Any ideas why that's happening and what to do to fix it? If I connect the black to a floating ground like a screw, then it seems to work. Don't know if it’s accurate though.
Question what if there's no grounding where you're looking or in some of these older homes secondly what if you're trying to find a buried wire in the wall or broken wire in the wall
I use Fluke equipment for tracing Network cables in large wiring bundles through to patch panels. What he is demonstrating is "locating" the proximity where a wire many be (louder the sound) to "isolating" to a specific cable or wire. Would have been better to show how that tool works with a group of many different wires...
@paullawhead5643 Yeah, the fluke is good. I think the actual tone generator for fluke is great. However, the probe that comes with that kit. The blue one I think it's a three thousand series, isn't as good. A great combo is a tempo/Klein. Towner with the fluke tone generator
Yes remove that battery from the chassis. Hit the black to chassis. Or. Use a extention cord from the wall and Only attach the black to the ground hole of the cord. Attach the rest to the wire your tracing. Good luck. a true ground will amplify the signal. ( Cord will be better strength) JUST THE GROUND HOLE. BE CAREFUL
Awesome video however I don't believe all toners are the same. I have one where there is no green light and the rotary adjustment is for volume only and therefore is virtually useless in trying to identify a single wire in a bunch of wires. Your grounding info works perfectly. Thank you!!!
Hello, I have found a short in my neutral wire. The short is between the main circuit box and the first receptacle box. When I connect to the ground from the receptacle and the neutral wire it only shows “red” telling me there is a short, but Not allowing me to trace it maybe because the ground is touching with the neutral. Do I need to get my ground from another source like a rod on the patio. Thanks.
@edwinperaza366 So I wanna make sure when you say, get your ground, you don't mean a permanent reroute.Do you mean to attach ground for tracing purposes? Use an extension cord and only plug into the ground prong. Using some kind of jumper Neutrals are very hard to trace cause.They're already attached to the ground at the panel So it's hard to get a good tone Since it seems you know that you have located exactly what circuit and you know the neutral is missing If you disconnect a neutral To the circuit on your panel side you should be able to trace it cleanly But I want to make sure that we're not going to attach to a groundrod as a permanent fix
Thanks for reply But when disconnect the battery there will not be any ground cuz the chasis become in floatet charge not + or - And can be used for short to ground wire and how?
@@maradallibya5791 What would work. you could try to plug an extension cord Into the receptacle and then make a jumper and only attach to the ground prong of the extension cord.If you're not comfortable with electricity, you don't do this
You could improve the procedure by dialing in to the shielded part of the wire, because most likely you'll be searching the signal on shielded parts of the wire.
I'm testing continuity on a loop. When I put the clamps on one end of the loop I get a continuity with a tone. How is that happening? Using the klien one in the video
What if I am working in an old house with no ground. I have a RED wire, hot, and I don't know where it goes but want to find the other end..hoe does this tool help me?
@dustinpollock-cp8ww Attach this to the ground rod or your copper pipe system for plumbing Make some jumpers using an extension cord And extend to where you're working. And attach to blacklead to that.
Or you can get a circuit finder plug something in and trace it to the correct breaker while not pissing off whoever else is working there or the client. This is a toner and isn't for finding out if the circuit is safe to work on and can be used to find the breaker but it's so much more. It's for tracing wire like at a switch where it's just wire no switches or fixtures, you can use it to find what it powers or where a wire heads to behind a wall.
I kind of did because of this comment I'm making another video. Thakyou for the feed back Because it has no sensitivity light is a good excuse to write it off as not worth it
amzn.to/3Zve09W
I have used this type of devices numerous times. If you are trying to locate wires then connect the leads to the wires. If you connect one of the leads to ground then it will send a signal through all the grounding points that are connected to the system. Doing so will cause more of a headache in trying to either locating a circuit/ wire or the break in the circuit/wire (that is the reason why the sound got louder/stronger when it was connected to ground). Using the light method as described in this video is one way however based on my experience it seems to be more of an hassle. Also if you are wondering it will work within a wall to locate a non energized circuit. The sound method will also let you know if you are “hot or cold” to the circuit you are trying to locate. No disrespect to the maker of this content just wanted to give my opinion based on what I have experienced. I use the Fluke version however been contemplating on purchasing the one used in this video and was looking for reviews when I stumbled across this one.
@132Fonseca no worries 👍 thanks for the added insight, the fluke toner generator and the klein probe make an AMAZING combo! The fluke has added "shorting" features and better alligorclips with pins to peirce insulation. I agree the sound is needed and ofcourse will tell you you are closer try the fluke generator with this klein probe and you will be happy.
@@132Fonseca same here
@@132Fonseca So you are basically saying connect the neutral and the hot wire as it is intended on the instructions for this device that he is using. Because what he is saying definitely sounds complicated me
@@WilliamBlake-w5dI think the guy in the video did overcomplicate it lol
@@132Fonseca thanks, you’re the first person I’ve seen explain that, and it took a commenter to point it out.
Ordering this, should make my life easier. I do a lot with outdoor wiring, where something is on a timer sometimes, and I have to take it off the timer. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if it’s a bad wire, a timer that’s off, or something wrong with the timer.
Yeah this will be great for that!
I’m very beginner to this … but seems like this make a lot of sense. It’s true that no one mentioned about the light signal.
Thanks! Yeah the light is a must for the most accuracy.
Thanks for the video. I have a question. I work on the rail road sometimes we have to trace wires but we don’t always have a reliable ground would you recommend tracing using the two wire method?
@DeepStateYuri no.
I would probably use an actual circuit tracer. At that point, the klein et450.
Remember, you can always use an extension cord and plug into the ground only of the extension cord. If you're not sure if you're getting a good ground, you can always go from that object to known live source. And if you read 120, for example, you know, you've got a good ground.
Thanks for the video explanation! Learned a lot from it. I tried it on one circuit in my home with the breaker off for that circuit only and it resulted in red light showing a "short" when I connected the red clip to the hot wire and the black to the ground wire. Any ideas why that's happening and what to do to fix it? If I connect the black to a floating ground like a screw, then it seems to work. Don't know if it’s accurate though.
How do these work in older homes with no ground wires? Just 2 prong outlets? Can you make a video on that? Thanks.
Yeah 👍 thanks
Need this video
Question what if there's no grounding where you're looking or in some of these older homes secondly what if you're trying to find a buried wire in the wall or broken wire in the wall
put cable on metal box outlet etc something that is ground
Very helpful information and a very good video. Thanks.
THANKS!
I use Fluke equipment for tracing Network cables in large wiring bundles through to patch panels. What he is demonstrating is "locating" the proximity where a wire many be (louder the sound) to "isolating" to a specific cable or wire. Would have been better to show how that tool works with a group of many different wires...
@paullawhead5643 Yeah, the fluke is good. I think the actual tone generator for fluke is great. However, the probe that comes with that kit. The blue one I think it's a three thousand series, isn't as good. A great combo is a tempo/Klein. Towner with the fluke tone generator
Will this work for automotive applications?
Yes remove that battery from the chassis. Hit the black to chassis. Or. Use a extention cord from the wall and Only attach the black to the ground hole of the cord. Attach the rest to the wire your tracing. Good luck. a true ground will amplify the signal. ( Cord will be better strength) JUST THE GROUND HOLE. BE CAREFUL
Awesome video however I don't believe all toners are the same. I have one where there is no green light and the rotary adjustment is for volume only and therefore is virtually useless in trying to identify a single wire in a bunch of wires. Your grounding info works perfectly. Thank you!!!
Yup even the most known brands make 1 without the light
Can you tone wires while they're still energized?
Nope turn the breaker off
can these be used on live circuits
No they can't
According to your instructions manual for VDV500 is not accurate. Should I disregard the manual.
@joerepic5171 yeah most of it. Attach the blk to a ground red to the wire you are tracing
Is there a tester that can be used is the power is on
Yeah 200$ also a klein.
www.homedepot.com/p/Klein-Tools-Advanced-Electrical-Circuit-Breaker-Finder-and-Wire-Tracer-Kit-with-Hard-Carrying-Case-ET450-ET450/320886068
@@toolsandtactics thank you for the advice and thank you for taking time to help me with this question
@@roberthoovan4130 no problem!
Hello, I have found a short in my neutral wire. The short is between the main circuit box and the first receptacle box. When I connect to the ground from the receptacle and the neutral wire it only shows “red” telling me there is a short, but Not allowing me to trace it maybe because the ground is touching with the neutral. Do I need to get my ground from another source like a rod on the patio.
Thanks.
@edwinperaza366 So I wanna make sure when you say, get your ground, you don't mean a permanent reroute.Do you mean to attach ground for tracing purposes? Use an extension cord and only plug into the ground prong. Using some kind of jumper
Neutrals are very hard to trace cause.They're already attached to the ground at the panel
So it's hard to get a good tone
Since it seems you know that you have located exactly what circuit and you know the neutral is missing
If you disconnect a neutral To the circuit on your panel side you should be able to trace it cleanly
But I want to make sure that we're not going to attach to a groundrod as a permanent fix
I'm not attaching a new permanent ground.
I'll see if I can find the short or just run a new wire from the circuit box to the receptacle.
Thanks for all the help, and for making this educational video.
Can it be used to find open wires in car's harnes? If so how to connect to ground and should i disconnect the car battery?
@maradallibya5791 yeah disconnect car battery harnesses are pretty tight, and bundled but it can be used
Just clamp black to the chassis ground
Thanks for reply
But when disconnect the battery there will not be any ground cuz the chasis become in floatet charge not + or -
And can be used for short to ground wire and how?
@@maradallibya5791 What would work. you could try to plug an extension cord
Into the receptacle and then make a jumper and only attach to the ground prong of the extension cord.If you're not comfortable with electricity, you don't do this
You could improve the procedure by dialing in to the shielded part of the wire, because most likely you'll be searching the signal on shielded parts of the wire.
I'm testing continuity on a loop. When I put the clamps on one end of the loop I get a continuity with a tone. How is that happening? Using the klien one in the video
@@turtledubdub6039 I am not exactly sure.What do you mean by on a loop?
👏👏👏👏👏
Thanks
Feel like I've seen this before
Lol 3rd 1 with actual demo
Bro... Just get to the freakin point with this video. There is so much unnecessary dialogue here.
thanks for the feedback
What if I am working in an old house with no ground. I have a RED wire, hot, and I don't know where it goes but want to find the other end..hoe does this tool help me?
@dustinpollock-cp8ww Attach this to the ground rod or your copper pipe system for plumbing
Make some jumpers using an extension cord And extend to where you're working. And attach to blacklead to that.
Thanks
I just plug something into it and unscrew fuses till I find the right circuit.
This 1 is for no power lol
@@toolsandtactics if no power than circuit is safe to work on. Typical electrician complicate the simple 🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@jeramy2398Sometimes it takes being an electrician to know he's correct. Lol
Or you can get a circuit finder plug something in and trace it to the correct breaker while not pissing off whoever else is working there or the client. This is a toner and isn't for finding out if the circuit is safe to work on and can be used to find the breaker but it's so much more. It's for tracing wire like at a switch where it's just wire no switches or fixtures, you can use it to find what it powers or where a wire heads to behind a wall.
@anthonyrodrigues5032 thank you. No one has said why use it, just been seeing demonstrations on how to use.
the secret is revealed at 5:17..
I don’t get it. 🤦🏻♂️
What if theres no ground?
Use An electrode to earth.
Like ground rod or metal pipe in the ground
He didn’t go note for note why one is better than the other and why toning to sound is wrong
I kind of did because of this comment I'm making another video. Thakyou for the feed back
Because it has no sensitivity light is a good excuse to write it off as not worth it
Get on with what you are going to say man. You are too long winded.
@@PT-ww9nc i've got a couple of fast paced videos of this.Somebody requested a slower one
Meh it’s not rocket science lol
What a waste. Stop with the blah blah blah and actually push some useful info.🥱