Modern devices that are designed to simplify the work with electricity are a real find for people who relate to these issues. Wiring search detectors are convenient when you are a resident of a city high-rise building, which has already existed for decades and needs to be replaced. Also, devices of this type are convenient for people working in this field (electricians). Today we will take a closer look at the hidden wiring detector. A review will help you find out everything you need about this device.
Detector selection by parameters
Today, suppliers offer the widest variety of such devices. Just before buying a hidden wiring detector, you need to decide on the goals that you pursue. Try to understand which device you need. Professional or cheap that you use just a couple of times? You need to immediately explain that the hidden wiring detector can be extremely expensive, but can be very cheap.
An important point when buying a device is the depth of a possible scan. If you are looking for wiring in an apartment, then the figure should not be large. If we are talking about any production purpose, then this indicator should be very, very impressive. But frankly weak models can sometimes find only that wiring, which is now under voltage and almost outside. Sometimes this is not enough. Such a device is suitable as protection against electric shock during work.
Types of signaling devices
Among a wide range of instruments, a good hidden wiring detector is not so easy to find. What are they like?
An excellent option for a hidden wiring detection detector is an electrostatic detector. This device is reliable and easy to use. Among the disadvantages of the device, one can single out the absolute inability to detect wiring in the wall if it is not energized.
The electromagnetic flush detector is an accurate equipment that works almost without errors, and if errors occur, they are simply insignificant, they do not affect the work at all. In itself, this equipment is reliable, it can be attributed to a professional. The best results when operating an electromagnetic detector are observed if the walls are hidden wiring, which is under a voltage of more than 1 kW. This device is not suitable for searching low-voltage networks or networks without load.
Metal detection devices are devices that look for everything in the wall that is made of metal. If you believe the reviews, a hidden wiring detector of this type is good if there are not a lot of foreign objects (self-tapping screws, nails, etc.) on the way. After all, the device will work for them, and this may not help you, but confuse you even more.
Combined devices are considered the most accurate, but they are also the most expensive. Such a digital hidden wiring detector usually has several options for finding wiring and other things hidden in the wall. Such devices are considered professional, but are actively used by people in everyday matters. The detector can not only search for hidden wiring, but you can also find non-ferrous metal pipes, for example.
It is worthwhile to understand that a device of this category is always expensive, do not give in to various marketing moves of sellers who are trying very cheaply to sell you a simple detector of hidden wiring of a combined type, most likely it will turn out to be low-power and, accordingly, useless.
How to check the device after purchase
If the seller does not hide anything and is confident for the quality of his products, then he, of course, will allow you to check the device on the spot. Now is the time to tell how to use a hidden wiring detector. Simple actions are required from you:
- Turning on the purchased device.
- Search for visible wiring (lamp wire, computer wire, etc.).
- After the device finds uncovered wiring, look for it again, but slightly moving away from it.
- Also look for a voltage-free wire at different distances from it.
- Look for wires, covering them with boards, polystyrene foam and so on.
It should be noted that all the functions of the device, which are stated in the instructions for the detector of hidden wiring, should be checked. If everything works, then the device is of high quality and can be purchased. If you have chosen, for example, two devices and cannot make a choice in favor of any one of them, then perhaps the presence of additional functions will help you make a choice. Sometimes devices are equipped with an additional laser level or digital roulette, these functions can not be called either superfluous or useless.
Flush Detector Rating
- Bosch GMS 120 Prof is, according to experts, the quality standard among similar devices. The device has the best metal search performance at the most impressive depths. The indicator works with copper, steel, brass, aluminum, bronze and other metals. This device is equipped with an audible alarm and a light indicator.
- Black and Decker BDS200 is a device that is slightly inferior to the leader, but also has very, very impressive characteristics. If the Bosch GMS 120 Prof is a device that is focused on professionals in the first place, then the Black and Decker BDS200 is positioned by the manufacturer as a household appliance. It is enclosed in a shockproof case, the sensitivity of the device is quite high (it is possible to manually adjust it), but it is still inferior in depth to the first model we described. Reviews of the Black and Decker BDS200 hidden wiring detector indicate that it is the best for the home. But still he is second in class (after Bosch GMS 120 Prof).
- DSL 8220S is a simple hidden wire detector that is available in China and the Russian Federation. User reviews recommend buying a device that is made in Russia. The search depth is about 20 cm. The device can find a phase conductor. The model has a waterproof housing, there is a sound and light indication of detection. Good appliance.
- ADA Wall Scanner 120 PROF A00485 - this is the case when "China" quality. An expensive model that can be considered for purchase. The model is looking for ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, various wooden structures in the walls (ceilings and floors). The case is made of soft high-quality plastic. The battery is built-in. Household model.
- Stanley S200 STHT0-77406 0-77-406 - a model that can find wooden beams, frames, reinforcement in concrete, electrical wiring. The device is equipped with a display to display relevant information. American company, production established in China. A very simple model, with not entirely accurate readings.
- The Ryobi PhoneWorks RPW-5500 wiring scanner is very easy to manage. The model is household, cheap. Not perfect accuracy. There is a special marker (built-in) on the device’s case, with it you can mark the places of detection. Ryobi is a Japanese company that relocated production to China.
- Probably one of the cheapest detectors available, the ADA Wall Scanner 50 A00506 is a household model looking for various metals (electrical wiring, fittings, drywall profile). There is an adjustment of sensitivity, sound and light indicators.
Customer reviews
Everything is extremely simple here. Buyers praise expensive models and scold frank consumer goods. Good, according to owners, European devices. Russian give in to them, but they are also quite suitable. Among the best European brands Bosch, Black and Decker can be distinguished. Among our companies producing such equipment, one can call a leader such a company as DSL.
Reviews scolded consumer goods from China, sometimes such devices are not at all adapted to work. But there are exceptions. ADA manufactures quality devices, but they are not cheap. Decent quality for decent cash. The company also has very cheap devices, but there are no objective reviews on the models.
Separately, it must be said about the companies (American, Japanese and others) that moved their production to China to reduce the cost, but at the same time organized strict control over the quality of products. As a rule, buyers do not like such manipulations too much and do not really trust such brands. If you need a high-quality and accurate device, then it is advisable to dwell on well-known brands, although you will have to overpay in this case.
Hidden Wiring Search Procedure
A simple device is simple to use, but sometimes there are some nuances. Some professional models can find not only wiring in the wall, but also, for example, wooden beams and floors. Let's consider the procedure for working with the device:
- First, we connect the device to the wire. If your cable has a special end connector, then we hook the red clip to the wire. The second clamp (black) should be secured to the grounding device. If there is no connector, then we connect the red terminal to one wire, and the black terminal to another.
- Next, turn on the device and activate the button responsible for the inductive probe.
- Now we bring the insulated probe to the electric cable itself (this is checking the detector for an outgoing signal).
- After that, we begin to rotate the regulator, with this action we configure the device and also evaluate its performance.
It is important to say that the sound signal of the devices is usually very loud and leads to discomfort in the ears. But usually the detector is equipped with a headphone output. Using headphones is more comfortable.
Contactless indicator
Contactless devices are used only for troubleshooting (discontinuities) in power networks. Sometimes without such a device just can not do. A feature of the operation of this apparatus is the ability to find a wire break point for subsequent repair without breaking the wall. The contactless device gives accurate information about the location of the malfunction that has occurred, it is convenient and allows you to quickly and locally carry out repairs.
DIY non-contact indicator
Sometimes you don’t feel like buying a device in a store, because working with it happens only once in a lifetime. For this reason, you can try to assemble the device yourself, which will significantly save your money. It’s quite possible to assemble a household device, and it’s not at all difficult.
The basis of the device will be an old (but working) ohmmeter and a conventional field effect transistor. It will be ideal if you have a phone with a working battery lying around. The phone is needed to transmit the most accurate pulses, as well as to provide sound signals.
All components must be assembled in the correct chain. Initially, we connect our transistor with a conventional ohmmeter. If everything is connected correctly, then our new device will come within the range of electromagnetic waves. This process can be tracked by the deviation of the ohmmeter arrow. If the arrow deviates to its maximum value, then in the area of its operation there is the cable that you are looking for.
There is an alternative assembly scheme for the device. The field effect transistor, telephone and battery are connected together. The manufacture of the device according to this scheme is only suitable for finding wiring that is energized. You will not find faulty and empty wiring with such a device. Also, the device is suitable as protection against electric shocks during operation.
How to find wiring in other ways
It is not always possible to buy or assemble a device to search for wiring. Sometimes you can get by with improvised methods. There are three alternative ways to search for transactions:
- Visual method.
- Magnetic way.
- Search by radio.
Visual method
This is a simple inspection of the walls. You just need to know some principles. In panel houses, wiring is laid, for example, always vertically (if we are talking about professional qualified laying). Also sometimes in multi-unit old houses you can find wiring, looking at the walls. In places where it is, the stucco is slightly deeper / higher than the main wall.
Magnetic way
For this procedure, you will need a smartphone and a special downloaded application. Based on magnetic elements, it picks up a signal about the passing electrical wiring in the working area and displays the corresponding information on the display of your mobile device.
Radio Wiring Search
Absolutely any radio will do. You just need to turn it on and listen, while moving it along the wall. Interference is a sign that electrical wiring is near the wall. It causes interference. Also, the receiver can search for an open or short circuit (short circuit). Disturbances in the area of defects are different from noise in the place of working wiring.
Other methods
You can search for wiring using an indicator screwdriver, multimeter or tester, transistor. To use these methods will require appropriate skills. This is not quite the right way to search for wiring. Nevertheless, it is better to use devices designed for such purposes.
A simple household appliance costs about 1000-2000 rubles. It is better to steal this money from the budget and work calmly than to invent, invent, and at the same time be not completely sure of the accuracy and correctness of the testimony.
Choosing a model for the house
For the house you do not need to buy a very expensive model. Take a look at high-quality household appliances from the middle price category. It is advisable to take the device from a company that you have already heard about or people who know about it have told you about it. Do not buy professional models for the house (extra overpayment) and do not purchase the cheapest models, because the avaricious will pay in this case twice. This has been proven by many buyers who have come this way before you.