How to Trace a Wire With No Power

Tracing a wire is no power is fairly easy if you have a decent wire tracker at your disposal. Check whether the wire is live by making use of a voltage detector.

Next, you have to set the sensibility of the probe to the maximum and move it near to the transmitter. The tracker should give you an indication in the form of light or sound.

How to Trace a Wire With No Power

You can actually trace a wire without breaking apart your walls. Even if there is no power or an electrical blueprint, there are several ways to solve the issue.

Using a Wire Tracer

A wire tracer makes it much easier to identify cables and wires in a group or even when in a single connection.

Step 1: Purchase a Wire Tracer

There are multiple wire tracers available that will aid you in the task. To find a wire with no power, one of the handiest tools is the stud finder. It is an electronic device that emits a small electrical or magnetic field that detects any change in denser areas of the wall or metal nails. You can also detect the wires behind the walls depending on the unit.

Other wire tracers include circuit tracer which is specifically designed for determining the wire location, whether it is behind a wall or underground. A metal detector also helps trace a wire by locating the metal at the core of each wire.

Step 2: Voltage Checking

A voltage detector helps by determining whether the wire is live or not. You make use of the voltage detector before putting the wire tracer to use. 

Step 3: Carry Out the Required Tests

After determining whether the wire is live or not, it is time to do some required tests.  This step is crucial for transmitter parts and probe. You will need to adjust the probe sensitivity to the optimum level by putting it on and moving the probe to the transmitter.

These tests will allow you to analyze the connectivity and the effect. If you ever wish to replace the battery, it will alert you of that.

Step 4: Trace the Wire

Now comes the main part, tracing the wire with no power. To get started, set the alligator clips and then connect the cable to the transmitter.

As you make the layout, turn the transmitter on and regulate the sensitivity to derive the best results. Hold the tip of the probe against the wire and keep a look at the generated signal onto the transmitter. 

Once you hear a sound or notice a light, you will know that the wire is identified. The sound and light vary with the wire tracer model. This light or sound also shows continuity.

Conclusion

The process to trace a wire with no power may seem tricky, but it is rather easy and much better than hammering holes in the walls and bearing the repair cost. Anyone with basic electrical experience can handle this issue. Make sure you get a genuine wire tracer and get the voltage and required tests done first.