During repairs, we often face the problem of identifying hidden electrical wiring, water pipes, fittings and other unpleasant surprises. You don't need to be an expert to understand: drilling walls at random carries many risks, including those dangerous to life and health. And without special technical means, it is almost impossible to find a cable, wire or metal pipe hidden in a concrete wall. A hidden wiring detector can help with this. What to look for when choosing this tool and what 4 detectors postings are worthy of the title of the best, we will tell in this article.
CONTENT
- 1 Types of hidden wiring detectors:
- 2 Parameters of hidden wiring detectors
- 3 Rating of the best wiring detectors
- 4 FAQ
Types of hidden wiring detectors:
Electrostatic - such a device reacts to an electric field and is able to detect only live wires. With such devices, it is easy to detect a cable break or break in a dry wall. The device is affordable and easy to operate. However, such detectors are extremely sensitive to electromagnetic interference, such as those what is created by the household appliances connected to the network, due to which the readings can be blurred and unreliable. Also, the device is not effective for detecting hidden electrical wiring in damp walls and metal sheathing structures.
Electromagnetic - also from the category of inexpensive devices for domestic use, but unlike electrostatic devices type, electromagnetic detectors register electromagnetic fields that occur in a network with a load of 1 kilowatt. So it will be quite difficult to find the wiring leading to lamps or other low-power devices. Otherwise, detectors of this type are characterized by some advantages: they are reliable in operation and have a high accuracy, which allows you to determine the location of the running electrical cable with an error of only a few millimeters.
Metal detectors - with their help, you can easily establish the location of de-energized electrical wires and, in general, any metal structures and objects. This is both the advantage and disadvantage of this type of device, since they indiscriminately fix all metal objects, including construction brackets, nails or screws.
Combined - these devices have high detection accuracy due to the use of several search methods and equipping with additional functions. Such a device allows not only to detect the location of the wire, but also the depth of its occurrence. However, versatility comes at a price: these detectors are expensive and usually used by professionals.
The next point that you need to pay attention to when choosing is the technical parameters of the detector.
Parameters of hidden wiring detectors
Detection depth
This is one of the most important parameters for hidden wiring detectors. It depends on the material from which the wall is made and is capable of fluctuating over a very wide range. Therefore, before purchasing a wiring detector, pay attention to the margin of the detection depth - it should be maximum. The best detection depth is 5 cm.
Accuracy
To avoid unnecessary damage to walls, ceilings, or floors, locate cables or other objects as accurately as possible. Professional devices have a detection error of no more than 5 mm. For simpler appliances intended for domestic use, an accuracy within 10 mm is considered optimal.
Definition of material
Based on the fact that it is not known in advance what kind of object may be inside a concrete wall, it is important to correctly determine its type, whether it be wiring, a wooden insert, or a pipe. A device with this option is able to display the structure of the material inside the walls.
Autocalibration
The function allows you to automatically adjust the sensor of the device for specific working conditions, which significantly saves time.
Backlight
This option is indispensable in low-light conditions.
Rating of the best wiring detectors
Best professional wiring detector
1. FLUKE 2042
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This versatile device is literally the dream of any professional electrician. It is designed to find hidden wiring both in walls and underground. Set Fluke 2042 consists of a generator, receiver, accessories and storage case. The device is equipped with a liquid crystal display that shows the transmission level, the code of the transmitted signal and the external voltage. The detection depth of this device is from 0 to 2.5 m, and the voltage measurement range in the receiver is 12 V, 50 V, 120 V, 230 V, 400 V. This cable locator also features high detection accuracy and does not require calibration when turned on. Easy to operate, meets all electrical safety standards and is backlit for work in the evening. The only drawback of the Fluke 2042 device is that this device is very expensive and at a price of more than 68,000 rubles, not everyone dares to afford it.
Price: ₽ 67 822
FLUKE 2042
Best Mid-Range Wiring Detector
2. Mastech MS6818
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Quality for a pleasant price, perhaps this is how you can characterize Mastech MS6818, a professional-grade multifunctional detector that allows you to find hidden electrical wiring, pipeline trunk, damage in the network and auto-wiring, as well as check the condition, integrity and polarity of telephone lines. A feature of this device is a cliff location search system. The detection depth of such a detector differs depending on the connection: for a single-pole, it is from 0 to 2 m, for two-pole - from 0 to 0.5 m, for a single circuit - from 0 to 2.5 m.The voltage measurement range is from 12 V to 400 V. Sound indication is provided. Among the shortcomings, one can single out the fact that the device does not detect plastic pipes with water and wooden structures, it runs on batteries and does not have an auto-off and backlight function. But the device is relatively inexpensive for its functionality - less than 14,000 rubles.
Price: ₽ 14 019
Mastech MS6818
Best Low Cost Wiring Detector
3. Bosch GMS 120 Professional
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Of the inexpensive models, one can single out Bosch GMS 120 Professional, a good option exclusively for domestic use, for which they ask for less than 5000 rubles. The detection depth for electrical wiring is 50 mm, for ferrous metals - 120 mm, non-ferrous metals are detected at a depth of 80 mm and, finally, for wooden structures, this indicator is 38 mm. The device is equipped with color and sound indication, as well as auto-off and backlighting functions. For all its versatility, the Bosch GMS 120 Professional weighs just 270 g, making it easy to use. However, you should not rely entirely on this device, since it is prone to react to various kinds of interference, which leads to display errors.
Price: ₽ 5 192
Bosch GMS 120 Professional
Best wire detector with depth indication
4. ADA instruments Wall Scanner 80
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A budget option for household use, the obvious advantages of which are its versatility and low price - less than 3000 rubles. Appliance is able to find a live wire at a depth of 50 mm, ferrous metal - at 80 mm, non-ferrous metal - at 60 mm, as well as wooden structures at a depth of 20 mm. The device has color and sound indication and built-in backlight for work in low light. The device is convenient and easy to use. It is also the lightest detector in our selection, weighing only 120g. However, the device does not give 100% accuracy and, depending on the material of the walls, may not be very useful.
Price: ₽ 2 990
ADA instruments Wall Scanner 80
FAQ
Do hidden wire detectors filter non-ferrous metal from ferrous metal?
Yes, there are devices with such a function, although not every detector is able to distinguish non-ferrous metal from black.