Detecting buried electrical wires

[PeterN]

Can't find much in the search function in regards to detecting buried electrical wires. Power company will not locate privately buried wires. I buried these wires about 25 years ago so I have a pretty good idea of where they might be, but would like to verify. I see Home Depot has a few meters ranging from $40 (Vevor) to a $200+ Klein model. Anyone have any experience with these meters? Don't want to spend too much on something I may use 1 time. It looks like most meters put a noise signal on unpowered wires and have a detector to pick up that signal on the wire. Not sure what type of equipment the power company uses since that seems to detect the wires spot on.

 

[PCustoms]

Why are you trying to locate them and where do you think they go/what do they power?

 

[fitter30]

Might be able to rent the equipment or hire a professional company most of the construction companies hire a local company so it take the liability if they dig and something goes wrong. Google private locator services.

 

[nadogail]

I use CABLE, PIPE AND LEAK DETECTION. They are in the YELLOW PAGES of the telephone directory.

 

[Mopar367]

where are you located ? I have a vivax vloc 3.

 

[Tundra1]

A
Around here, for $75 a pro will come out and put a clamp on your wire and trace it out. Probably the most cost effective unless you plan on needing frequent locates.

 

[Death Row Dave]

Pipe Horn is your friend , I located for many years with one . If you were near I’d do it for you , for a hand shake .

 

[PeterN]

I'm getting some new service put in from the electric company and they will cross some wires I had previously buried. They won't detect privately buried wires. I was just wondering if that cheap Vevor unit actually worked. That vivax vloc 3 unit is very pricey. I think I'm very close with remembering where the wires are, just wanted to double check.

 

[djbmw]

How deep are they burried? Any deeper than 6" and you will need radio detection gear. Indoor wire tracers are generally not good for burried cables. Radio detection can easily trace wires that are burried 50 feet deep.

Renting or hiring out a locater service is the best option.

 

[T444e]

Based on the location in your profile, try Private Lines Inc. I've used them for private locates in the past.

 

[Rusted Nut]

I'm getting some new service put in from the electric company and they will cross some wires I had previously buried. They won't detect privately buried wires. I was just wondering if that cheap Vevor unit actually worked. That vivax vloc 3 unit is very pricey. I think I'm very close with remembering where the wires are, just wanted to double check.

If you or local utility will be digging, I would definitely call a private locate service. If the power company hits live buried lines, you’ll be in deep do-do.

 

[PeterN]

I went ahead and bought a Vevor line detector. Didn't get any feedback if anyone else ever used one and for $35 I gave it a shot. I was able to find the wire I had buried 25 years ago with this device and the line was not where I thought it was but about 10' from where the Vevor detected it. Just to make sure, I dug a hole next to where the detection point was and it was spot on. It wasn't as deep as I remember (around 20") but I did remember having trouble with the trencher in the sandy/stoney sections since the trench would cave in. Not sure if it would work if the line was much deeper but it worked for me.

 

[ericm]

Which Vevor model did you use?

 

[PeterN]

Model # DXDLDWQ3FTZSSNRRNV9​

I didn't have much luck with the cheap batteries it came with and it seems to need full power (9V) to work well. I put a fresh battery in the receiver and put a power supply on the transmitter. I had about 200ft of buried line and it worked for my application.