.
Made in China, the price is reasonable for a thumb up.
================
Edit for... There is a lot of misinformation being posted. This kit is for "for energized and non-energized breakers, fuses, and wires." Besides defining breaker, live or dead circuits, continuity, etc., you adjust the sensitivity for finding and tracing hidden AC, DC and cable circuits behind walls, buried, etc. If you don't take the time to research how to use it with at least some intimacy with electric, then of course it is just a brick.
You can buy individual components that many of us have a box of, but the cost is in the sensitivity for various diagnostics. If you are just trying to find which breaker is for which circuit, this is an overkill.
Note to those buying. Unless you are using these in a home with a single breaker box they are completely useless. I've used this in houses with sub panels and generators, and this will not point you in the direction of the correct breaker.
Note to those buying. Unless you are using these in a home with a single breaker box they are completely useless. I've used this in houses with sub panels and generators, and this will not point you in the direction of the correct breaker.
Thanks for the heads up Doug! Is there a product that will work with sub panels and generator connectors that you have found useful? Thanks again for calling this out.
Thanks for the heads up Doug! Is there a product that will work with sub panels and generator connectors that you have found useful? Thanks again for calling this out.
I've yet to find a single product that works with sub panels to be honest.
The best method I've seen is using a noise maker like this and hit every breaker until it stops screaming. https://a.co/fnSITWH
for a live circuit you can also use a loud radio instead of an outlet noisemaker (which can be annoying). Or my dad would sometimes run a long extension cord with a light bulb and run it all the way back to the breaker and would immediately be able to see the light go on and off. That way the work is a lot quieter.
for a live circuit you can also use a loud radio instead of an outlet noisemaker (which can be annoying). Or my dad would sometimes run a long extension cord with a light bulb and run it all the way back to the breaker and would immediately be able to see the light go on and off. That way the work is a lot quieter.
.
That is true. Although easier with two people and today with cell phones, but when alone, we used to lay a drill on the floor that could be heard far away and start flipping breakers. But a loud radio would be fine.
If finding a breaker for a circuit is all that one wants to do, as in the edited first post, the OP is an overkill. There are plenty of cheap continuity checkers with tone, but still check the circuit to make sure you flipped the correct breaker and that outlet is not somehow back fed from a neutral side wire, screwed up 3 or 4 way wiring, switches, etc.
Nothing like working on a presumed dead circuit and someone flips a light switch that back feeds and becomes hot... lol .... If any doubts, use the NCV (Non Contact Voltage) function laying close that will help if you are quick. 110v is not typically the end of the world, but it will get your attention; especially on tiled slab (concrete) floors.
Note: About the time you think you have experienced everything, something new shows up. If I cannot figure a short very quickly, I have started going outside and checking for ground voltage that if present, is leaking from somewhere and start back tracking. Many people have died from leaking ground voltage and swimming pools (it does not take much) that could very well be coming from the grid system a block away (that copper ground wire from transformer that goes down the pole and coiled underneath the base), your neighbor that has the ground screw connecting neutral in breaker box, or you. It takes just a moment to check.
Thanks for the heads up Doug! Is there a product that will work with sub panels and generator connectors that you have found useful? Thanks again for calling this out.
Doug must not be using it right. I have no problem using this on multiple panel services. There is false readings, it's the nature of the device, but you can tell. Was looking through past klein deals, saw this.
Doug must not be using it right. I have no problem using this on multiple panel services. There is false readings, it's the nature of the device, but you can tell. Was looking through past klein deals, saw this.
11 Comments
Your comment cannot be blank.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Made in China, the price is reasonable for a thumb up.
================
Edit for... There is a lot of misinformation being posted. This kit is for "for energized and non-energized breakers, fuses, and wires." Besides defining breaker, live or dead circuits, continuity, etc., you adjust the sensitivity for finding and tracing hidden AC, DC and cable circuits behind walls, buried, etc. If you don't take the time to research how to use it with at least some intimacy with electric, then of course it is just a brick.
Here is an introduction video [youtube.com] and of course, many others.
You can buy individual components that many of us have a box of, but the cost is in the sensitivity for various diagnostics. If you are just trying to find which breaker is for which circuit, this is an overkill.
I've yet to find a single product that works with sub panels to be honest.
The best method I've seen is using a noise maker like this and hit every breaker until it stops screaming.
https://a.co/fnSITWH
The best method I've seen is using a noise maker like this and hit every breaker until it stops screaming.
https://a.co/fnSITWH
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
That is true. Although easier with two people and today with cell phones, but when alone, we used to lay a drill on the floor that could be heard far away and start flipping breakers. But a loud radio would be fine.
If finding a breaker for a circuit is all that one wants to do, as in the edited first post, the OP is an overkill. There are plenty of cheap continuity checkers with tone, but still check the circuit to make sure you flipped the correct breaker and that outlet is not somehow back fed from a neutral side wire, screwed up 3 or 4 way wiring, switches, etc.
Nothing like working on a presumed dead circuit and someone flips a light switch that back feeds and becomes hot... lol .... If any doubts, use the NCV (Non Contact Voltage) function laying close that will help if you are quick. 110v is not typically the end of the world, but it will get your attention; especially on tiled slab (concrete) floors.
Note: About the time you think you have experienced everything, something new shows up. If I cannot figure a short very quickly, I have started going outside and checking for ground voltage that if present, is leaking from somewhere and start back tracking. Many people have died from leaking ground voltage and swimming pools (it does not take much) that could very well be coming from the grid system a block away (that copper ground wire from transformer that goes down the pole and coiled underneath the base), your neighbor that has the ground screw connecting neutral in breaker box, or you. It takes just a moment to check.
Doug must not be using it right. I have no problem using this on multiple panel services. There is false readings, it's the nature of the device, but you can tell. Was looking through past klein deals, saw this.