Can I find an Electrical Line Under Concrete with the Klein ET450 Circuit Tracer?

[@timdyer7692]

Another very informative video example! Nice job, Bill!

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks so much Tim!

[@jjgam]

oh, it absolutely follows and FINDS! no time lag. but hold the tool properlly and that will help. In the video you are crossing the path of the wires you know are there. Turn the receiver 90 degrees and sweep across and you will find much different and more accurate readings. The tool is quite amazing and has helped me save hours on a job site many times

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks!

[@ianclifford31]

Hey Bill, I had a neighbor ask me recently if I could help him find a conduit in his yard that he suspected had a break in it. Long story short I said no problem I have the Klein ET450. I used the toner and some dog wire flags and lined it out for him. I mentioned to him man if only the wire was broken where the conduit break was (snake would get stuck 70’ from house suggesting it was either broken in the ground or came unglued.) I said if the wire was broken I could use this tool to find it. Then it hit me, I grounded the black clip to the meter can near the LB that went underground and then I sent the tone down the metal snake. I was able to locate the break in his conduit right where the Kelin et450 said it was. My neighbor did the digging the next morning and there it was! The bell end of the conduit came right off the end of the joining piece. Some PVC glue and bam- he was ready to pull new conductors in the conduit. Once I heard he found the conduit I couldn’t wait to share my idea with you to send a signal down the metal snake when trying to identify a break in a buried conduit. All my best- Ian Clifford

[@SparkyChannel]

Wow! That's a really great job! I've always thought that people who watch Sparky Channel are the smartest on the internet!

[@ianclifford31]

I’m assuming your basement has flooded again and that’s why you haven’t posted a new video for us! Hoping you’re well! Ian

[@ykruzz1]

Run the receiver starting from the outside of the suspect area and over the area until you get the highest readout, mark the spot. Then do the same starting from the opposite side of the area, mark the spot again. Find the middle point between the two marks and, in theory, this should compensate for the lag you are perceiving and give you a more accurate location

[@SparkyChannel]

Excellent idea, thanks!

[@johnwalker890]

I think ET got you working again, Good job Sparky.

[@SparkyChannel]

LOL! I'm still waiting for it to phone home!

[@johnwalker890]

Funny.😁

[@dougbernitt5446]

I just purchased one and received it from Amazon in 3 days! Thanks for the video!

[@SparkyChannel]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@RickFarris]

Sparky, there is no delay of a field going through concrete. There may be a diminishing of the signal, but no delay. I'm guessing that you're seeing some field on the side that is in the direction of where you connected your ground.

[@SparkyChannel]

That's possible. As I mentioned, I was guessing. There is another electrical line a few feet away so that could have been influencing the readings.

[@robertcapetola3986]

Bill, the electromagnetic signal is moving at the speed of light. Unlikely to be a delay

[@garydudgeon]

Good video Sparky. Thought provoking.

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks Gary. It's a new tool so I'm just testing it out and making observations. Yes, it is thought provoking!

[@jaffers8593]

There is no time lag* Electromagnetic signals move at the speed of light and would permeate the concrete the same as any other non-metallic material. The alternating signal generated by the transmitter would be causing a field effect around the wire that the receiver is picking up. *Any time lag would be due to signal processing on the part of the receiver.

[@doodaddy1454]

I have no experience with the ET450 yet but I believe you are holding the receiver 90 degrees off! That may keep it from seeming as accurate. The front to back of the receiver should align with the wire from what I've read and seen.

[@robertarguello1115]

Hello Bill, Because the device/tool was designed to locate hidden electrical wires and because the devise showed an increase in detection signals from upper 20's to lower 40's, it would still have me want to read the manual thoroughly. Why? Because the readings were not anywhere near the 80's or 90's where certainty nears absolute findings. 👍

[@cautilli]

I wonder how it compares to the $1700 ideal suretrace

[@mrinfo649]

That’s a good question. The suretrace is pretty good I have used it a few times

[@SparkyChannel]

The SureTrace is a very fine testing kit. I would suspect that it's better than the ET450. However, the ET450 has 8 levels of sensitivity while the SureTrace has only 4 levels. Sensitivity levels are an important feature.

[@happy2helpmd]

Wouldn't you still have a ground even if the GFCI trips? It doesn't break the ground connection to the main service.

[@AaronVillatoroLuna]

Nice video Bill!

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks Aaron!

[@AaronVillatoroLuna]

You’re welcome

[@joseabrahaoabrahao7937]

Olá. Eu sou eletricista e, eu gosto das suas esplicações e soluções. O senhor tem muita experiência. Parabéns sou seu fã.

[@SparkyChannel]

¡Gracias!

[@43wagonwheel]

How about a non-energized line?

[@ericdoss7990]

I think that the depth of it is a factor in the delay. Almost any signal like radio or TV gets "dampened" or somewhat dissipated when tra eling through that much material. I'd like to see how it reacts when set to a higher sensitivity.

[@SparkyChannel]

Good thinking, thanks!

[@chrispate2788]

Yea I agree Bill, its not all that finding crkts u Dr concrete, I wonder how accurate it wrks finding a direct burial for UF, Thanks Bill for another educating video 👍

[@SparkyChannel]

I think the ET450 could definitely find direct burial cable if it wasn't too deep.

[@alvilla701]

What will you recommend to find undergrad wires?

[@SparkyChannel]

You could try the Klein ET450

[@tommycho9068]

Good point and great video. Thanks

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks!

[@alecthenice8115]

Good tool for ppl like superintendents who may not be electrically competent

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks Alec!

[@johnnywadd7960]

Bill, how would I check to see if a neighbor tapped on my electric line on each circuit, I have a common wall I think they tapped into.

[@gerhardschemel3565]

Turn off every light tv anything after you shed any loads check the meter if still spinning then you have a tap

[@SparkyChannel]

Gerhard explained it perfectly.

[@gerhardschemel3565]

@@SparkyChannel I appreciate that Bill

[@martinsnibbor7691]

Turn off your breakers and listen thru the Wall “ WTF”

[@gerhardschemel3565]

@@martinsnibbor7691 if the breaker(s) are off what are you hearing

[@pacoperez16]

Do you have consulting services??? Let’s say per hour live on line training?? Thanks

[@SparkyChannel]

No, I don't, sorry.

[@gerhardschemel3565]

Hmmmm sounds good. But there is a lot of back work and might work better if it was more random not following some textbook

[@paulkirby6822]

I still like the old school method 2 pieces of no. 6 good you will find it and water lines

[@SparkyChannel]

People swear by that method.

[@godmode3359]

Bill I am torn between this and the ideal suretrace system. Which should I go with? I know you have used both, which is the better product?

[@SparkyChannel]

See tomorrow's video for a starter. More to come.

[@rswyltk]

They need to make a fish tape that has a transmitter in the end of it. So many times I’ll go to use existing empty conduit, but get stuck somewhere because the conduit is broken. If I could push my fish till it stops, locate it above ground, then I could dig down and fix the conduit, but god only knows where it’s running, and where the break is

[@4bigwheels09]

Most fish tapes have measurements on them to use, if it’s not a straight run then yeah that’s not going to help. I’d love a fish tape transmitter too

[@iamdave84]

Search for locatable rodder or traceable rodder. They do exist. I'm watching this trying to decide on a tracing tool to use with it. It's just a fish tape with a copper core.

[@christiansalazar2]

Can you do it in drywall?

[@SparkyChannel]

I'm working on that video now, stay tuned.

[@mattmclaughlin7338]

Your the best thank you!

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks so much Matt!

[@Jeff-Lawrence]

Hi bill from sparky channel Great show Like you I’m guessing. With probably more than one conductor down there, I’m wondering if the emf field is offsetting the signal or maybe dragging the signal like the old am radios did. Just guessing here. So I bought one thanks to you using your link of course. I’m wanting to know how this works connected to a separate ground not connected to the building ground like a separate shorter grounding rod. What I’m hoping for most is finding that remote wire in commercial hvac situations where there’s multiple stories or 100 plus feet and physically tracing is a rough option. Thanks again

[@SparkyChannel]

Hi Jeff! A grounding rod would work like attaching to a cold water pipe as I did in this video. Just make sure the transmitter reads the correct voltage and it says "transmitting". You'll be good to go then. Let me know how the ET450 works for you. I'm sure that there are a lot of uses for it. There are also several different ways to set it up with different terminations. (See 1:53 for 3 different ground terminations).

[@Jeff-Lawrence]

@@SparkyChannel thanks Buddy

[@loganbuckley2010]

Can you reupload you’re review on the Motorola mg7550

[@SparkyChannel]

Here you go: How to Install the Motorola MG7550 WiFi Router Combo with Power Boost: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4G8ioNtmKt4pJY

[@loganbuckley2010]

@@SparkyChannel thank you

[@loganbuckley2010]

@@SparkyChannel it has now been removed?

[@loganbuckley2010]

@@SparkyChannel why has it been removed?

[@sparky0288]

Looks to be better then the 1200$ Greenlee circuit tracker I have grown to dislike...

[@SparkyChannel]

Hi Sparky! At $200 this is a fascinating tool. I haven't used the Greenlee, thanks for the info.

[@betomendoza5981]

I think the concrete is more dense where you started. When the reading gets higher because it didn't get filled in as good. It looks a clean square, could've been framed with 3/8" plywood then filled with self leveling sealant.

[@SparkyChannel]

It was 4" of Redi-Crete, no plywood or sealant involved. It could have been a little thicker in places, that's true.

[@ehabrabadi120]

Will it detect a short circuit

[@SparkyChannel]

I showed in my previous video that it can detect an open circuit. Since a short circuiut is a type of open circuit I would say yes, it can find the spot where the short occurred.

[@Frankiewach]

Think you should probably connect the ground before you insert the probe into the hot leg.

[@RipSnorter365]

What is the reason why you cant just insert to the ground to that duplex that you have your hot lead into.? What’s the reason. Why do you need to go so far.

[@SparkyChannel]

It's because the hot lead and the ground can't be on the same circuit.

[@dougbernitt5446]

It would trip the GFI

[@theoisaac9948]

Wow

[@SparkyChannel]

Thanks Theo!

[@barnproductions]

In your experience, is this device worth the investment? I am considering adding it to my tool kit; however, i do not know if the return on investment will be there.

[@SparkyChannel]

Do you need to find wires behind walls?

[@barnproductions]

@@SparkyChannel on occasion Sparky.

[@McmM-cv9sb]

I would say it's picking it up you have to consider its battery operated and not electrical I think an electrical current would be a little stronger than battery that's just my opinion...🤔

[@americanpaisareturns9051]

Sparky Channel Productions

[@SparkyChannel]

Yes sir! Thanks for remembering Sparky Channel Productions! :)

[@McmM-cv9sb]

I would say there's a time lag scanning through concrete isn't easy I would think that.

[@SparkyChannel]

That was my guess. Just a guess though.

[@benzaguru4548]

Should i say 200$ is worth buying it?

[@SparkyChannel]

I think so but everyone has to decide for themselves.

[@perezai]

Genius! How do you come up with these things, Sparky! 🤓 Thank you for another helpful video in the library 👍

[@SparkyChannel]

Hi Drew! The way I come up with these is a mix of your guy's questions and my curiosity. LOL!

[@paulkirby6822]

Bare copper

[@SparkyChannel]

Interesting.

[@paulkirby6822]

Please learn me im 52