Locate Existing Electric Line

[nickking2785]

Hey I was wondering if somebody could help me with this. I just bought a house that had the garage torn down several years ago. I am about ot build a new one, just had a question on how to locate the old line that they had run to the old garage. Is there a toold or other way for me to do this

[rinny_tin_tin]

There are "sniffer" devices out there that can do this for you - depending upon depth of cable, etc., but they can cost a bit, and it may not be worth it, However, you can try a cheap metal detector and/or dig a bit to find one or two reference locations.

[sberry]

I often use a couple of coat hangers bent in to an L and douse them.

[kbs2244]

I assuming a buried line from the house to the garage?
Where does it leave the house?
If you can you find the far end then a stright line is a good start.
If it was inspected, then the building dept should have a drawing.

[tfi racing]

How do you know there was an old line?Chances are if the garage was decrepit enough to be torn down,the power running to it was in worse shape.It would be best to abandon the old line and just run a new one,that you will know exactly the location,condition and capacity of it.

[Mr_fixit]

It's probably worthless to find it. Run new and remember where you put it!

[russlaferrera]

Depending where you live all underground digging you are to call Miss Utility. Your power company can put you in touch with then.

Their purpose it to come out and mark all your underground telephone, gas and power lines, so you do not sever them. This is a free service.

[Aceman]

Their purpose it to come out and mark all your underground telephone, gas and power lines, so you do not sever them. This is a free service.

If these aren't utility wires, it won't help him.

Your other option is to hire an electrician for an hour to do a locate. Or, get out the shovel.

[Torque1st]

Locate the old line where it connects to your breaker panel and make sure it is dead and the breaker is turned off. Remove as much of the old line from the main panel as possible.

Run a new line to your new garage. You may "find" the old line in the process but just rip it out.

[ddawg16]

This is another good example of why it helps to have your location in your profile....where you live is a clue as to how the power was done.

Typically in the South, everything was in the air....typically on the East coast, it is buried.....but it also depends on the age.....

Most states now require the ac lines to be buried....but when that happened depends a lot on the area you live it....the more rural, the later (if at all) that codes requried them to be buried.

But in your case there is a REAL good chance that the power used to be in the air....your roof might have the old ceramic watchamacallits on the roof or wall...or you may have this funning looking hole in the wall that you can't figure out what it is for.....

[russlaferrera]

If these aren't utility wires, it won't help him.

Your other option is to hire an electrician for an hour to do a locate. Or, get out the shovel.

It might be a area thing. When I had them come to my house they did every wire and line I had in the ground. My shop is 100+ feet from my house.

All you can do is ask.

[DaytonFan]

I often use a couple of coat hangers bent in to an L and douse them.

Old school technique, works fo finding water too!!:shocking: