How can I trace a wire inside a wall?

[Quiksilver]

Hello,

This isn't specifically a garage related question, but I figured that someone might be able to lead me in the right direction.

We have a wood burning fireplace in our house that doesn't have a blower installed. I decided to see if there was in fact electric ran to the unit so that I could buy and install a blower unit.

The good news is, although it isn't hooked up to the outlet there is wiring to the unit.

The bad news is, I don't have any power out of those wires.

Is it common practice to leave an unconnected wire in the wall in situations like this? The real question, how do I find the other end of the wire in order to hook it up?

I already checked the adjacent outlets left and right of the fireplace as well as the only outlet in the room that is on a switch and the switch itself. There are no disconnected wires in any of these locations. Is the next place to look the electrical panel for the entire house? I opened it up just to see if there were any circuit breakers turned off, or marked "fireplace" to no avail.

Thanks for any input you might have. I'm a little bit lost on where to look.

 

[rockwithjason]

No. Wiring not utilized should be terminated in an accessible box with a cover. Pull the cover off of your panel and see if they left the cable spared out in the can.

 

[skruft]

There are electronic wire tracer devices that can help you to follow the wire.

I agree, I would look first in the panel. But a blower of that type is so small that it is unlikely to have a separate circuit.

 

[Eriehunter]

No. Wiring not utilized should be terminated in an accessible box with a cover. Pull the cover off of your panel and see if they left the cable spared out in the can.

Yes, do that first.

Their could be a connection left open in an existing box somewhere, most likely the nearest outlet to the equipment, possibly a light switch somewhere?

Sometimes in new construction or remodel jobs a romex could be left tucked in the wall (not connected) with the intention of bringing it out to a box later to connect to equipment. Or it may have gotten buried behind drywall by the drywall contractor.

They do make a deep scan stud finder with a metal detector, I have one but have never had to use that feature so I don't know how good it really works.

 

[tfi racing]

Maybe they intended to install a line voltage t-stat and it got boarded over,look for a bulge in the drywall somewhere in the room.

 

[Quiksilver]

Thanks for all of the input everyone.

I just checked the electrical panel and found romex that is not connected to anything. I'm assuming it's the same wire that goes to the fireplace, I'll trace it out this week and confirm.

Thanks again for the help.