When laying electricians in an apartment and drilling the necessary holes in the walls, there is a chance of damage to the existing wiring, which can lead to a short circuit and electric shock. You can avoid such situations with the help of a hidden wiring indicator. The functionality of the device for hidden wiring allows you to remotely find electrical wires, plastic, metal and wooden elements.
Types of Indicators
Devices for searching for hidden wiring vary in functionality, design and principle of operation. In order to obtain competitive advantages, many models are equipped with additional options. Given all of the above, equipment is divided into several categories according to different parameters.
According to the principle of work
Devices for searching for hidden transactions are classified mainly according to the physical parameters used in the work, into several types:
- Metal detectors.
- Electromagnetic
- Electrostatic.
- Combined models.
Electrostatic detectors detect live wiring without having to pass current through it. Such models are affordable and easy to use.
Expensive flashers, not equipped with metal detectors, are equipped with high-frequency generators. Such devices are connected to the mains and look for wiring using special sensors.
Electrostatic indicators can detect cable breaks. Devices are sensitive to induced electromagnetic interference, which is their disadvantage. Correct operation of flush-mounted signaling devices depends on the availability of microwaves, televisions, computers, and routers that may interfere with their operation. Electrostatic indicators are also not suitable for finding wiring in metal-reinforced structures and wet walls.
Hidden wiring electromagnetic detectors only detect cables that carry current. Correct work of budget models is provided with a minimum load on the network, equal to 1 kW. A device of this type is not suitable for detecting wiring to chandeliers and other lighting fixtures. The advantage of such indicators is their high accuracy, which allows you to determine the position of the cable up to several millimeters.
Metal detectors are rarely used to search for wiring, as they fix copper cables, nails and metal fittings. They are mainly used to confirm unstable and weak signals received from other indicators.
Built-in metal detectors allow you to find deeply laid wiring, provided that there are no other metal elements in the wall.
The high cost of combined flush warning devices is fully justified by their wide functionality. The maximum efficiency of the devices is ensured by the simultaneous use of several methods for detecting wiring. Often, combined indicators are equipped with additional functions necessary in the work of professional electricians.
For household use, conventional electrostatic detectors are sufficient, the functionality of which is sufficient to determine the location of the apartment wiring.
By application
Indicators of hidden transactions by area of use are divided into two categories: household and professional. Metal sensors are not included in the design of household models, and therefore they are highly effective when used on reinforced walls. The minimum price of household flush signaling devices is 350 rubles. Devices are equipped with a sound or light indicator of wiring detection and one sensor.
Compact indicators for searching for hidden wiring extremely rarely have settings for depth of action and sensitivity, which is why they are practically not used by professional electricians.
The depth of determining the location of cables in professional models is up to 15 centimeters with an accuracy of 5 millimeters. The cost of devices varies from 3 to 4 thousand rubles.
Wiring detection indicators can be of several types:
- Light.
- Sound.
- Graphic.
- Combined.
The implementation of light and sound indications is made using the LED or speaker, respectively. The signal intensity may correlate with the power of an electromagnetic type emitter. The output of the graphic display is made on the liquid crystal display.
On combined devices, the light indication may differ in color depending on whether the detected wire is live or not.
In appearance
Hidden type signaling devices in appearance are divided into two categories:
Cylindrical models are most often made in the form of an indicator screwdriver equipped with a hidden wiring search function. Devices of this type are not very functional and affordable. The maximum depth of definition of an electric cable is 2 centimeters.
To detect surface-wired wiring, the cheapest hidden wiring detector model is sufficient.
The indicator value is affected by the detection depth of the wiring and additional functions. For this reason, before choosing an indicator, it is advisable to determine the principle of operation of the device.
Detector operation principle
The hidden wiring indicator consists of three parts:
- Amplifier
- Indicator.
- The sensor of the electromagnetic field.
The hidden wiring detector can be manufactured independently, however, in terms of cost and quality, home-made devices will not be inferior to factory models of a budget category.
The property of the transistor associated with a change in resistance when aiming at the gate output activates electrostatic signaling devices of hidden wiring. Metal detection sensors are based on the principle of current fixing that occurs in a metal element under the influence of the magnetic field of the inductive coil of the device itself.
Devices with sensitivity adjustment functions and other additional options are based on more complex operating principles, but some elements are retained.
Application area
The sensitivity and equipment of the device determine the scope of its application. The basic models of signaling devices are used for the following purposes:
- Search for hidden wiring in floors, ceilings and walls.
- Determination of cable break points.
- Correctness of connection of phases of counters.
- Discovery of equipment without grounding.
- Definition of a phase cable.
- Checking the operation of fuses and fuses.
- Search for the location of metal reinforcement in the wall.
Detector Options
Among the additional functions of indicators, note:
- Light, sound or graphic indication of objects of a certain category - magnetic metal, non-metallic object, non-magnetic metal, live cables.
- Surface temperature measurement.
- Detection of wooden elements.
- Determination of accuracy of detection in percent.
- Automatic search and indication of the central part of metal elements.
Depending on the functionality and a set of options, the cost of devices can vary by several tens of times.
The nuances of choosing a hidden wiring indicator
Most models guarantee the functionality described in the instruction manual for the hidden wiring detector. After purchasing the device, it is advisable to keep the warranty card, receipt and packaging in case of exchange of a non-working device.
When buying specialized electrical equipment, several features and nuances must be taken into account:
- The technical and physical parameters of foreign electric networks can differ from domestic ones, therefore it is not worthwhile to purchase indicators that have not been certified in Russia to completely replace the wiring in the apartment.
- In the place of intended use of the indicator, it is necessary to take into account the material of the walls and the depth of the wiring.
- Instruments with metal sensors are required to detect inactive wiring.
- It is advisable to check the operation of the alarm immediately after purchase in a store. Assessment of the detection depth is carried out by covering the cable with a wooden board, ceramic tile or foam sheet.
- Budget models, due to their primitive design, are more durable, unlike detectors with complex electronic circuits.
When choosing a signaling device for laying electricians in an apartment, it is advisable to consult with specialists or a seller, since with an independent choice there is a possibility of an error and the purchase of a device that does not meet the assigned tasks.
Signaling device of the hidden conducting "Woodpecker E121"
The principle of operation and instructions for using the indicator are best viewed with a specific model as a result of the diversity of signaling devices. The best option is the available electrostatic indicator "Woodpecker E121", widely used by craftsmen.
Preparation for operation
Electricians, in order to accelerate the detection of wiring in walls and other surfaces, are advised to observe several rules. You can check the detector on a conventional extension cord plugged into a power outlet. The wire is closed with ceramic tiles, wood or any other material.
The basic rules for preparing the signaling device for work:
- Check the operation of the device on any live cable.
- Calibrate the device at a distance of one meter from the walls with the appropriate option.
- The surfaces to be checked must be dry.
- It is advisable to turn off all electrical appliances in the apartment while the detector is working.
- The use of conductive adhesive for wallpaper significantly reduces the accuracy of determining the location of the wiring.
Compliance with these recommendations eliminates the loss of time due to inoperative devices and incorrect readings.
Work with the detector
The functionality of the hidden wiring detector "Woodpecker E121" provides for four main sensitivity modes. The wiring detection using this device is as follows:
- The keys of the sensitivity ranges are activated alternately, while the device emits short sound and light signals. If there is no reaction to pressing the buttons, then check the power source.
- The fourth mode provides maximum sensitivity of the device. After its activation, the detector is brought to the test surface. After the appearance of the indication, its sensitivity decreases by successively pressing the corresponding keys.
- Simultaneously with a decrease in sensitivity, the distance to the detected wiring is reduced, which allows you to localize the response zone of the device.
- To detect hidden wiring, the detector moves along the wall in order to detect a place with a maximum electromagnetic field.
- The interfering surrounding currents can be eliminated by applying a palm to the wall surface in the immediate vicinity of the signaling device. If there are no wires near the palm of the hand, the display will stop.
- To search for a broken wire, voltage is applied to the damaged core, while the rest are properly grounded.
The nuances of work
The materials surrounding the cables and their moisture level affect the accuracy of the location of the wiring.
The most difficult is the detection of wiring in the walls with a grounded screen, plaster or reinforced concrete panels.
Fuses and fuses are tested with modes 1 or 2 activated by touching the antenna to the contacts. The absence of a signal from the detector indicates a malfunction of parts.
Features of the Woodpecker detector
The domestic woodpecker "Woodpecker" is one of the most effective detectors capable of finding wiring at a depth of up to 8 centimeters and having an affordable cost of about 500 rubles, which provided him considerable popularity among electricians and other craftsmen.
The woodpecker is a combined model that combines sound and light indication, so that its operability is maintained when one of the indicators fails.