When laying electrics in the apartment and drilling the necessary holes in the walls, there is a possibility of damage to existing wiring, which can lead to a short circuit and electrical injury. You can avoid such situations by using the hidden wiring indicator. The functionality of the hidden wiring device allows you to remotely find electrical wires, plastic, metal and wooden elements.
Types of indicators
Devices for searching hidden wires differ in functionality, design and principle of operation. In order to gain a competitive advantage, 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 operation
Devices for searching hidden wires are classified intomainly according to the physical parameters used in the work, into several types:
- Metal detectors.
- Electromagnetic.
- Electrostatic.
- Combined models.
Electrostatic detectors detect energized wiring without the need to run current through it. Such models are affordable and easy to use.
Expensive hidden wiring alarms that are not equipped with metal detectors are equipped with high-frequency generators. Such devices are connected to the mains and search for wiring using special sensors.
Electrostatic indicators allow you to identify cable breaks. The devices are sensitive to induced electromagnetic interference, which is their disadvantage. The correct functioning of hidden wiring alarms depends on the presence of microwaves, televisions, computers and routers that can interfere with their operation. Electrostatic indicators are also not suitable for finding wires in metal-reinforced structures and damp walls.
Electromagnetic hidden wire finders only detect cables that carry current. The correct operation of budget models is ensured with a minimum load on the network, equal to 1 kW. A device of this type is not suitable for detecting wiring connected to chandeliers and other lighting fixtures. The advantage of such indicators is their high accuracy, which makes it possible to determine the position of the cable up to several millimeters.
Metal detectors are rarely used forsearch 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 embedded wiring, provided that there are no other metal elements in the wall.
The high cost of the combined hidden wiring signaling 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 for the work of professional electricians.
For domestic use, conventional electrostatic detectors are sufficient, the functionality of which is sufficient to determine the location of apartment wiring.
By scope
Indicators of hidden wiring by area of use are divided into two categories: household and professional. The design of household models does not include metal sensors, and therefore they are highly effective when used on reinforced walls. The minimum price of residential type hidden wiring alarms is 350 rubles. The devices are equipped with a sound or light wire detection indicator and one sensor.
Compact indicators for finding hidden wiring rarely have depth and sensitivity settings, which is why there is practically noused by professional electricians.
The depth of determining the location of cables for 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:
- Luminous.
- Sonic.
- Graphic.
- Combined.
Implementation of light and sound indication is made using LED or speaker, respectively. The intensity of the signal can be correlated with the power of the electromagnetic type emitter. The output of the graphic indication is made on the liquid crystal display.
On combined instrumentation, the indicator lights may differ in color depending on whether the detected wire is live or not.
In appearance
Hidden type alarms are divided into two categories in appearance:
- Flat.
- Cylindrical.
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 low-functional and affordable. The maximum depth for detecting an electrical cable is 2 centimeters.
The cheapest model of hidden wiring detector is enough to detect surface-laid wiring.
The cost of the indicator is affected by the depth of wire detection and additional features. For this reason, before choosing an indicator, it is desirable to determine the principleinstrument operation.
The principle of operation of the detector
The hidden wiring indicator consists of three parts:
- Amplifier.
- Indicator.
- Electromagnetic field sensor.
The hidden wiring detector can be made independently, however, in terms of cost and quality, home-made devices will not be inferior to factory models of the budget category.
The property of the transistor, associated with a change in resistance when directed to the gate output, actuates electrostatic flush-wiring alarms. Metal detector sensors are based on the principle of fixing currents that occur in a metal element under the influence of the magnetic field of the inductive coil of the device itself.
Instruments with sensitivity adjustment and other additional options are based on more complex principles of operation, but some elements remain.
Scope of application
The sensitivity and equipment of the device determine the scope of its application. Basic signaling models are used for the following purposes:
- Search for hidden wiring in floors, ceilings and walls.
- Locate cable breaks.
- Correct connection of meter phases.
- Detect equipment without grounding.
- Phase cable identification.
- Checking the performance of fuses and fuses.
- Search for the location of metal reinforcement in the wall.
Detector options
Among additional featuresindicators mark:
- Light, sound or graphic indication of objects of a certain category - magnetic metal, non-metallic object, non-magnetic metal, live cables.
- Surface temperature measurement.
- Detect wood elements.
- Define detection accuracy in percent.
- Automatic search and indication of the central part of metal elements.
Depending on the functionality and set of options, the cost of devices may differ by several dozen times.
The nuances of choosing a hidden wiring indicator
Most models guarantee the functionality described in the instructions for the hidden wiring alarm. 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, you need to consider several features and nuances:
- The technical and physical parameters of foreign electrical networks may differ from domestic ones, so you should not purchase indicators that have not been certified in Russia to completely replace the electrical wiring in the apartment.
- At the intended use of the indicator, consider 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 performance of the signaling device immediately after purchase in the store. The detection depth is estimated by covering the cable with a wooden board, ceramic tile or foam sheet.
- Budget models are more durable due to their primitive design, unlike detectors with complex electronic circuits.
When choosing a signaling device for laying electrics in an apartment, it is advisable to consult with specialists or the seller, since when choosing on your own, there is a possibility of making a mistake and buying a device that does not meet the tasks.
Signaling hidden wiring "Woodpecker E121"
The principle of operation and instructions for using the indicator are best considered using a specific model as an example due to the variety of signaling devices. The best option is the affordable electrostatic indicator "Woodpecker E121", widely used by craftsmen.
Preparing the instrument for operation
In order to speed up the detection of wiring in walls and other surfaces, electricians are advised to follow several rules. You can check the detector on a regular extension cord plugged into a power outlet. The wire is covered with ceramic tiles, wood or any other material.
Basic rules for preparing the signaling device for operation:
- Check the operation of the device on any live cable.
- Perform device calibration at a distance of one meter from walls, if available.
- The surfaces to be checked must bedry.
- It is advisable to turn off all electrical appliances in the apartment for the duration of the alarm.
- The use of conductive wallpaper adhesive greatly reduces the accuracy of wiring location.
Compliance with the above recommendations allows you to eliminate the loss of time due to non-working devices and incorrect readings.
Working with the detector
The functionality of the Dyatel E121 hidden wiring detector provides four main sensitivity modes. Detection of wiring using this tool is as follows:
- The keys of the sensitivity ranges are activated in turn, while the device emits short sound and light signals. If there is no reaction to pressing the buttons, then you need to check the power source.
- The fourth mode provides maximum sensitivity of the device. After its activation, the detector is brought to the surface to be checked. After the indication appears, its sensitivity is reduced by sequentially pressing the corresponding keys.
- Simultaneously with a decrease in sensitivity, the distance to the detected wiring is reduced, which allows you to localize the trigger 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.
- It is possible to eliminate interfering ambient currents by applying the palm of your hand to the surface of the wall in the immediate vicinity ofsignaling device. If there are no wires near the palm, the indication of the device will stop.
- To search for a broken wire, voltage is applied to the damaged core, while the others are properly grounded.
Nuances of work
The materials surrounding the cables and their moisture levels affect the accuracy of wire location.
Finding electrical wires in walls with a ground shield, plaster or reinforced concrete panels is the most difficult.
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 the parts.
Features of the "Woodpecker" detector
The domestic signaling device "Woodpecker" is one of the most effective detectors capable of finding wiring at a depth of up to 8 centimeters and has an affordable cost of about 500 rubles, which made it quite popular among electricians and other craftsmen.
The "Woodpecker" alarm is a combined model that combines sound and light indication, so that its performance is maintained if one of the indicators fails.
