Circuit breaker sniffer

[darcyh]

Hello Everyone:

Can anyone comment on their experience using a breaker sniffer. I see them at HD for about $40.

Do they work well? Mixed reviews on the HD site. Any suggestions for a decent one if such exists?

As always thanks for your help.

Dave

 

[skulldrinker]

I have the HF one. I think this is what you are talking about. It works great and has earned a spot in my "doctors bag".

http://www.harborfreight.com/circuit-breaker-detective-96934.html

 

[madosta]

I had one back when I was a network engineer. Helpful for finding the correct circuit, but it never seemed like it worked. If I took the panel off I would have better luck, but I don't remember what brand I had. It was yellow.

 

[1Garageman]

I have one at home that I use, can't remember the name, but I love using it to find the correct circuit, and finding the wire through the wall.

EDIT: I found it online.
Gardner Bender GET-1200 Circuit Tracker

 

[frankush]

Even the $600 ones don't work that well. They'll usually get you close and occasionally pinpoint the exact breaker. They work by sending a signal on the hot wire. You HAVE to take the panel cover off to get accurate results and sometimes they work better when the wire is traced just beyond the breaker.

 

[walrus]

I have a Greenlee, Its never failed me but it takes some patience. I work in stores that rarely have breakers marked correctly, store folks get POed when there POS goes down and they can't do a thing for the 5 minutes it takes for it to come back up {if it comes back up)

 

[Conductor562]

I have the Ideal one. It works. Sometimes it's a little sensitive though, which makes it hard to pinpoint the exact breaker. I can typically narrow it to 2 very easily and can figure it out from there. HD now carries a Klein model for about the same price.

 

[Gooch]

You get what you pay for.

At work we have this in the van.

http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/i...tm?ref=gbase&gclid=CKTImuXL5LUCFc0-MgodtFcAmg

It is never wrong. NEVER. Located breakers that were over 1000 ft. away.

 

[darcyh]

Great info. Thank you.

 

[cburnscrx]

I have the Zircon CF12 and it's been spot on for me.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001Q2VNM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I am very happy with mine and would buy it again.

 

[Larwyn]

I picked this one up at one of the big box stores several years ago. It has never failed to work for me. I always assumed that they all worked just as well.

 

[Zeke]

I have the Greenlee set that works on live or dead circuits. But, it there's an open connection, no dice, of course. It's handy, but I could live without it.