Are you stuck with an electrical wiring issue? Tracing broken wire in the wall will be difficult without proper tools and guide. Well, this can be a dangerous adventure, so you need to be very cautious. It’s quite common to get affected by the electrical shock even with the slightest mistake.
If you are sure that the problem is lying with wires inside the wall, you need the help of smart tools. An Inspection camera, neon circuit tester or multimeter, probe kits, and magnetic stud finder can find the exact point inside the wall. Ultimately, you can resolve the wiring issue.
Signs of damaged wiring inside the wall
- Frequent tripping of circuit breakers
- Burning smell from a specific area or outlet
- Switch feels warm
- Any water damage in the past
- Fuses blow
These are the clear signs of hidden damaged wiring.
Important Tips:
- Always use electrical gloves to stay safe from electrical shocks
- Switch off the breaker or main switch before touching wires directly
- Check out the laws in your area. Because of safety reasons, there are specific tasks that only licenced electricians must do.
If there is uncertainty about which tools to buy, understand the function of each of these tools. Here is a quick guide about each of the devices which is useful:
1. Inspection Camera
This is a time-saving tool with a flexible pipe having a tiny camera on one end. It reaches inside walls through small holes and can provide you with great insights.
2. Magnetic Stud Finder/ Electronic Stud Finder
If any nail inside the wall seems to be a culprit, the magnetic stud finder is the savior. Magnets attract metal so, a strong attraction will be an indication.
Electronic stud finders are also available that can detect electrical wiring and metals.
3. Tone and Probe Kits
There are tone and probe kits that help trace the wires inside the walls. If there is a need to trace a single wire and verify if it has an electric current or not, these kits come in handy.
4. Multimeter / Volt ohmmeter or Neon Circuit Tester
Its purpose is to measure the voltage, ohms, and current. Once the problematic wire is detected, this device can test if the wire is live.
Neon circuit tester also has a similar function of finding out the live circuit.
Tracing the Broken Electrical Wiring Using Tools
Stud Finder
A magnetic stud finder can find out if any hidden nail in the wall has damaged the wiring. If an electronic stud finder is available, it can save time by detecting the broken wires.
Tone or Probe Kits
If there are several wires tangled, and one of them is damaged. Connect the Tone or probe kits components with one end of the wire to check if the wire is live.
Inspection Camera
Another option is an inspection camera. It helps when you know an approximate location, but the exact situation inside the wall is doubtful. Drill a small hole and insert a camera pipe inside the wall to see what’s going on inside.
There are wire tracers available made specifically to find the hidden wires-related issues. Although this is an expensive solution, yet time-saving.
Tracing Broken Wire in Wall without Tools
If an electrical wiring blueprint is available, you don’t need many tools; only a circuit tester can work.
Related Questions
What happens if someone accidentally grills/hits a wire?
Lights might start flickering, or you could sense it with circuit sounds. Take your hands off to avoid any life-related risk. Turn off the breaker or the main switch as soon as possible. Now, you can touch the tools if there is anything on the wall.
How to fix the damaged wire instantly?
Access the damaged wire by making a hole in the wall and then splice the wire correctly. Use electrical tape to insulate the joint.
How to prevent damaging wires inside the walls?
The first and the easiest way is to check the electrical wiring blueprint. Tools can save you time and money. Use an electronic stud detector to find wires hidden inside the wall.
Conclusion
It’s better to take help from a professional if you don’t know about electrical systems. It can be risky, and you might do more damage than good. Don’t forget to check the latest tools available to resolve the issue smartly if you want to do it yourself.