"Donna Ohl" wrote in message
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On Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:06:31 -0500, The Daring Dufas wrote:

I have a similar problem, only GFI outlets are involved.
Can I use the fox and hound setup to find the problem with my wires?

I don't see why not but you want to make sure
the circuit is dead first.

Thanks Daring,

Looking up the tools to buy, it seems we have a choice of the following
electrical "tone and probe kits" for home use to trace why a half dozen of
my recepticles are dead.

Question 1: Is a "tone and probe kit" the right keyword to be looking for?

Question 2: If so, which of these I found googling is what we should use?
a) Triplett 3399 FOX 2/HOUND 3 KIT
b) Triplett 9650 BREAKER SNIFF-IT TYPE 2
c) Fluke PRO3000 Tone & Probe Kit
d) Fluke Pro2000 Tone & Probe
e) Core KE 501 Electric Tone & Probe Kit with 400V
f) Telecom Tools E100-0801 (801K) Tone & Probe Kit
g) Textron C100-2008 (2008) Power Finder Open Circuit Tracer

Donna


I would go with the Greenlee. Amprobe also makes a nice tracer. Using
these will not guarantee that you find the problem though. There is no
substitute for experience in a situation like this. The other poster thinks
he may have a junction box hidden somewhere and a tracer may help him find
it. It will not pinpoint the cause of his problem.

Have you opened each receptacle? Have you checked the connections in the
circuit breaker panel and checked to see if the circuit breaker is still
working? I would only use the tracer as a last resort. I am an electrician
and see dead outlets and circuits on a regular basis thanks to certain
builders, DIYers and handymen. I only feel the need to use a tracer every
few years or so and it is usually for an underground circuit. Most of the
time a little common sense and elbow grease is all it takes.

As another poster pointed out, the receptacles may be dead, but the hot wire
may still be live which would make it hazardous to work on.