Современные приборы, которые предназначены для simplifying work with electricity is a real find for people who are concerned with these issues. Wiring search detectors are convenient when you are a resident of a city high-rise building that has been around for decades and needs to be replaced. Also, devices of this type are convenient for people working in this field (electricians). Today we take a closer look at the hidden wiring detector. A review will help you learn about this device all that is needed.
Selecting a detector by parameters
Today, suppliers offer the widestvariety of similar devices. Immediately before buying a hidden wiring detector, you need to determine the goals you are pursuing. Try to understand what kind of device you need. Professional or cheap, which you use only a couple of times? It should be immediately explained that the hidden wiring detector can be extremely expensive, and can be very cheap.
An important point when buying a device is the depthpossible scan. If you are looking for wiring in the apartment, then the indicator 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 the wiring, which is now energized and almost outside. Sometimes this is not enough. Such a device is suitable as protection against electric shock during work.
Types of alarms
Among the wide range of devices a good hidden wiring detector is not so easy to find. What are they?
An excellent option for hidden detectionwiring is an electrostatic alarm. This device is reliable and easy to use. Among the shortcomings of the device can be identified absolute inability to detect wiring in the wall, if it is not energized.
Flush-mounted solenoid detector isexact equipment, works almost without errors, and if errors occur, they are simply insignificant, they have no effect on work. By itself, this equipment is reliable, it can be attributed to the professional. The best results in the operation of the electromagnetic detector are observed if the wiring is hidden in the walls, which is under voltage of more than 1 kW. This device is not suitable for searching for low-current or no-load networks.
Metal detection devices are devices,who are looking for everything in the wall that is made of metal. According to the reviews, this type of concealed wiring detector is good if there are not many foreign objects on the way (screws, nails, etc.). After all, the device will work on them, and this may not help you, and even more confuse you.
Combined devices are considered the mostaccurate, but they are 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 to be professional, but they are actively used by people in everyday matters. The detector can not only search for hidden wiring, but you can also find non-ferrous pipes, for example.
It should be understood that the device in this categoryIt is always expensive, do not fall for various marketing moves of sellers who are trying very cheaply to sell you a simple hidden wiring detector of the combined type, most likely, it will be low-power and, therefore, useless.
How to check the device after purchase
If the seller does not hide anything and is sure ofthe quality of its products, he, of course, will allow you to check the device on the spot. Now it's time to tell how to use the hidden wiring detector. You will need some simple actions:
- The inclusion of the purchased device.
- Search for visible wiring (lamp wire, computer, etc.).
- After the device has found uncovered wiring, look for it again, but a little away from it.
- Also look for a voltage-free wire at different distances from it.
- Look for the wires, covering them with boards, polystyrene foam and other things.
It should be noted that all instrument functions,which are stated in the hidden wiring detector instructions, 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 in any way make a choice in favor of any one of them, then perhaps you will be helped by the choice of having additional functions. Sometimes devices are additionally equipped with a laser level or a digital tape measure, these functions cannot be called neither redundant nor useless.
Flush Detector Rating
- Bosch GMS 120 Prof - this, according to experts,standard of quality among similar devices. The device has the best indicators of the search for metals 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.
- The Black and Decker BDS200 is a device thatslightly inferior to the leader, but also has a very, very impressive characteristics. If Bosch GMS 120 Prof is a device that is aimed at professionals in the first place, then the Black and Decker BDS200 is positioned by the manufacturer exactly as a household appliance. It is enclosed in a shock-resistant case, the sensitivity of the device is quite high (it is possible to adjust it manually), but it is still inferior in depth to the first model we described. Reviews of the hidden wiring detector Black and Decker BDS200 say that it is the best for the home. Still, he is second in class (after Bosch GMS 120 Prof).
- DSL 8220S - simple flush-mounted detector,which is issued in China and the Russian Federation. User reviews recommend buying a device that is made in Russia. The search depth is about 20 cm. Device can find a phase conductor. The model has a waterproof housing, there is a sound and light detection indication. Good device.
- ADA Wall Scanner 120 PROF A00485 is the onethe case when "China" is of high 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 - model,which 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.
- Ryobi PhoneWorks RPW-5500 wiring scanner is veryeasy to manage. The model is household, cheap. Not perfect accuracy. There is a special marker (built-in) on the device’s body, with it you can mark the places of detection. Ryobi is a Japanese company that relocated production to China.
- Probably one of the cheapest existingdetectors, - ADA Wall Scanner 50 A00506 - a household model looking for various metals (electrical wiring, fittings, profile under drywall). 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 suchdevices 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 company(American, Japanese and others), which 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, butsometimes 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 for search only.malfunctions (breaks) in electric 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 provides accurate information on finding the malfunction that has occurred, it is convenient and allows you to quickly and locally carry out repairs.
DIY non-contact indicator
Sometimes I don’t feel like buying a device in a store,because work with him 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.
Основой прибора станет старый (но рабочий) омметр 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 the 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 prefabricated 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 closely at the walls. In places where it is, the stucco is slightly deeper / higher than the main wall.
Magnetic way
For this procedure, you need a smartphone andspecial 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 nearby in the wall. It causes interference. Also, the receiver can search for an open or short circuit (short circuit). Interference at the fault location is different from the noise at the work site.
Other methods
You can search for wiring using the indicatorscrewdriver, multimeter or tester, transistor. Using these methods will require appropriate skills. This is not the right way to search for wiring. Nevertheless, it is better to use devices designed for such purposes.
A simple household appliance costs about 1000-2000rubles. 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.
