The desire to hang a shelf or some decor item on the wall is associated with the need to drill holes, repair work is almost always associated with work on grooving the walls, opening the floor, etc. Violation of the integrity of the walls is always associated with the risk of damage to the hidden wiring, power cables or just fittings, which was used in the construction of structures. Damaged wiring threatens to de-energize the apartment, and in the case of work with metal tools, it can pose a threat to the health of the person performing the work. You can protect yourself from troubles of this kind, this will require the use of a hidden wiring finder.

Content:

1.   What is a hidden wiring detector?  video
2. Wiring Detector Models
3. Hidden wiring detector - how to buy an optimal model in terms of functionality and cost
4. Bosch Flush Detector video
5. Features of detectors manufactured by Russian and Chinese firms
6. Woodpeck Hidden Detector   video

What is a hidden wiring detector?

In fact, the detector is a fairly simple device, with its help it will be easy to detect the path of hidden wiring, to find the point of wire breakage. Detectors have a fairly simple circuit, even a high school student can understand it. Detectors from batteries, one or more. The device also includes a field effect transistor and a headphone.

Hidden wiring detector circuitry includes:

• a sensor that serves as an antenna that detects electric fields,
• indicator,
• amplifier.

For example, this is what the design of the Woodpecker detector looks like.

The operation of the device is ensured by the property of the field effect transistor to change the resistance when exposed to pickups at the gate output. When creating detectors, transistors of the VT1 type are used - KP303, KP103, the letter index can be any, the phone must be high-resistance, such as BF1, its resistance should leave from 1600 to 2200 Ohms. It is not necessary to observe the polarity of the battery connection.

Wiring Detector Models

The reasons why when performing repairs should be used a detector for detecting hidden wiring quite a lot:

• the ability to accurately determine the location of cables of hidden wiring, thereby preventing cable damage,
• the ability to prevent damage to the tools that are used during work,
• ensure the safety of a working person, eliminate the risk of electric shock.

Using the simplest detectors allows you to find the wiring location with a certain accuracy, more expensive modern models have more features. In addition, they can report whether the wiring is energized or it is de-energized. It will be easy to detect foreign materials located in the thickness of the walls, for example plastic or wooden fragments. In the production of modern devices, a variety of technologies and all kinds of innovations are used, which make it possible to adequately cope with the search tasks. To choose a good hidden wiring detector, you need to know which characteristics it is worth paying attention to.

Given the principle of operation, detectors can be divided into several groups:

1. Electrostatic, having a fairly wide radius of action, simple and reliable in operation. Unfortunately, such models are suitable for detecting live wires. In addition, such a device will respond to interference caused by increased humidity or the presence of metal parts in the wall structure. Of course, the use of such a device is quite acceptable in an apartment, but if the work will be carried out in utility rooms, garages, bath rooms, then it is unlikely to be quite effective.
2. Electromagnetic, give a more accurate and high-quality result, they are more reliable and convenient to use. But in the case of a search for a dead line or operating under light load, the scan results may be distorted. A load in the circuit of the order of 1 kW will be sufficient to obtain a real result.
3. Metal detectors, characterized by the ability to detect the presence of dead wires inside the walls. But at the same time, the metal detector will give a signal about any metal object, be it a nail or a screw, which will greatly complicate the search process.
4. Combined, expensive models combine different search systems in their design, which allows to obtain higher accuracy results, not only about the location of the cable, but also about the depth of its location. You can also accurately determine whether the cable is live or de-energized. The combined option is also multi-detectors, which are able to find hidden in the walls of plastic pipes or non-ferrous metal products, wooden fragments.

It is easy to assume that models differing in cost differ significantly in functionality, and if expensive models guarantee deep scanning, then when using cheap analogues there is always a risk of not finding wires laid deep in the walls.

Hidden wiring detector - how to buy an optimal model in terms of functionality and cost

In the event that you have already decided on the functionality of the detector, you can go to the store. It is possible that several models that meet the requirements will be offered to your attention, but their cost can vary significantly. Even with the same functionality, expensive and branded models will have a certain margin. Naturally, a more expensive purchase suggests that the purchased product is of the highest quality. Of course, one cannot exclude the possibility that the detectors of unknown Chinese firms will serve faithfully for many years, however, the chance to encounter a poor-quality device will increase significantly.

It is best to test the operation of the detector before buying it, in the store. For detection, any wire going to the appliance is suitable. You should also make sure that this wire is detected at an increased distance. It is also advisable to check how the device will react to an obstacle installed between it and the wire, it can be a board, a sheet of polystyrene foam, any other materials.

If the actions of the detector coincide with those stated in the instructions, we can conclude that its cost is fully consistent with the quality.

The cost of different models can vary by tens of times, this is due to the functionality of the devices, for example, expensive digital multi-detectors, in addition to standard functions, are equipped with a laser level and tape measure, which significantly expand the scope of the devices.

Bosch Flush Detector

If we consider the middle class detectors, then among the imported models we can mention Bosch detectors, in particular - Bosch GMS 120 Prof. It has the greatest detection depth, about 120 mm, in addition, it can find steel, copper, ferrous metals, wood, plastic water-filled pipes and live wiring. The functionality of the device allows you to select the desired material. The user receives a sound and light signal about the find. Among the useful additional functions is the ability to get wall markings at points where drilling can be done.

The operation of the detector is ensured by ordinary alkaline batteries or a 10.8 V battery. The advantages of the device should also be added:

• very easy to understand interface
• equipped with three buttons that allow you to set the research mode,
• the possibility of conducting spot measurements,
• issuing information about the direction of the center of the found object,
• the ability to detect wood at a depth of 38 mm, electrical wiring - up to 60 mm, while the detection accuracy will be 10 mm.

For the convenience of the user, the standard equipment of the device has instructions for quick commissioning. A warranty card is also attached to the device, the warranty period from the manufacturer is 3 years.

Features of detectors manufactured by Russian and Chinese firms

There is a reason to consider as an option the purchase of other models of the average price range.

Cheaper models of the signaling device, for example Black and Decker BDS200, also of the middle class have the ability to search for different materials except wood. Among the features include the ability to control sensitivity. The case of the device is shockproof, notification of finds is made by sound and is accompanied by a light signal on the LCD panel.

DSL8220S is a detector with somewhat unusual characteristics, its Russian and Chinese manufacturers claim that the detection of all declared materials (wood is not included in their number) can be made when lying down to a depth of 20 cm. The detector has splash protection, light and sound warning options .

Woodpeck Hidden Detector

It is about this most popular and beloved domestic model that should be described in more detail. Attractive moments of the device are:

• high quality,
• affordable price,
• sufficient functionality.

The principle of operation of the device is based on its ability to respond to an electrostatic field, falling into the scope of which leads to the creation of an audio signal. Naturally, such a device will work only if there is voltage in the network. Lack of voltage will require the use of high-frequency generators or metal detectors.

A feature of the device is the ability to increase the volume of the signal as it approaches the sources of electricity. Imported samples have a constant signal strength.

The scope of the Woodpecker is quite diverse, it can determine:

• hidden wiring in walls, floors, ceilings,
• breaks in the wiring,
• the correct connection of the phases of the electric meters, seals and terminal block is not required to be removed,
• phase conductor on live parts of the power supply network, including insulated ones, while direct contact with them is not required,
• with its help it is possible to indicate the presence of voltage in the contact network of tram and trolleybus lines from the ground,
• detect ungrounded electrical installations,
• detect electromagnetic fields created by televisions, computers, other household appliances,
• check fuses and fuses,
• the presence of ungrounded equipment.

The sensitivity ranges of the device are adjusted using four buttons. The mass of the device does not exceed 250 grams, the self-control mode is included in the functionality of the signaling device. The area of \u200b\u200buse of the device is the maintenance of electrical installations, electricity meters, electrical networks.

When working with the Woodpecker detector, experts recommend:

• note that usually the laying of the cable inside the walls is done in a vertical or horizontal direction;
• to accurately determine the location of the cable, the antenna of the device should be directed towards the amplifying signal, a mark should be put at the point of the strongest signal, the same operation should be done on the other side of the expected location of the cable, a mark should also be made, the cable will be between the marks;
• in the event that the signal from the wall has the same intensity in all areas - it can be assumed that there is a metal structure inside the wall such as a grating, or it is all glued with wallpaper, the glue used to fix them is a conductor of electricity; To get rid of this phenomenon, you can put your hand on the wall near the detector - this will lead to a partial removal of the static.

And one more tip that will be useful when buying any type of equipment, tools and devices: you should pay attention to the place of purchase of the goods, it is advisable to use the services of specialized construction stores and avoid buying in the markets, even if the goods are in a pair hundreds of rubles more.

Author: Sergey and Svetlana Khuentsov

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