Does anyone know of a cheap signal generator that I could use to identify
cat 5 telephone wires AND also cable wires running behind walls and up 4
floors. I need something very basic as we are just trying to find these
wires.

TIA.

oreo123 wrote:

Does anyone know of a cheap signal generator that I could use to identify
cat 5 telephone wires AND also cable wires running behind walls and up 4
floors. I need something very basic as we are just trying to find these
wires.

TIA.



You can just hook a battery up to the wires, then test the
wires at the other end for current. I have a tone generator
which is just a fancy battery holder when you get right down
to it. It will do other things, but I just hook it up and
check for current basically. Radio shack has 9 volt battery
terminals that you can attach alligator clips to and have the
same thing.

--
Robert Allison
Rimshot, Inc.
Georgetown, TX

Micro Center and other computer retailers sell such items.
Here is one that is available at Micro Center retail stores
and also via online sales:

http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0083309

I'd guess that electronics retailers such as Radio Shack would
also have tone generators.

Good luck,
Gideon

================

oreo123 wrote in message ...
Does anyone know of a cheap signal generator that I could use to identify
cat 5 telephone wires AND also cable wires running behind walls and up 4
floors. I need something very basic as we are just trying to find these
wires.

TIA.

This item... is there supposed to be 2 different parts like a transmitter
and receiver?

If this is in basement and I am 4 floors above how does it work? I mean do I
have to find the wires upstairs and short them and this thing will ring? I
have around 12 pairs of wires in basement that run to various boxes in third
floor.

I was even thinking of a getting a radio, get an earplug, cut earplug wire,
plug it into basement unknown wires, and then walk around upstairs with the
speaker end and go to different wires.

TIA

"Gideon" wrote in message
.. .
Micro Center and other computer retailers sell such items.
Here is one that is available at Micro Center retail stores
and also via online sales:

http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0083309

I'd guess that electronics retailers such as Radio Shack would
also have tone generators.

Good luck,
Gideon

================

oreo123 wrote in message ...
Does anyone know of a cheap signal generator that I could use to identify
cat 5 telephone wires AND also cable wires running behind walls and up 4
floors. I need something very basic as we are just trying to find these
wires.

TIA.

I do know know about the one on this page put typically there is a
coresponding reciever that will tone or ring when pointed to the wire where
the transmitter is connected.

Check this page http://www.jkelectronics.com/prodpge/cat5test.htm Scroll
down to the Ideal Amplifier Probe and Ideal Tone Generator. I suspect the
one in the link provided is just a tone generator only and you will still
need a probe. I have this kit and it works fine for what I suspect you want
to do. (For coax you will need to expose the conductors for best results.


"oreo123" wrote in message
...
This item... is there supposed to be 2 different parts like a transmitter
and receiver?

If this is in basement and I am 4 floors above how does it work? I mean do
I have to find the wires upstairs and short them and this thing will ring?
I have around 12 pairs of wires in basement that run to various boxes in
third floor.

I was even thinking of a getting a radio, get an earplug, cut earplug
wire, plug it into basement unknown wires, and then walk around upstairs
with the speaker end and go to different wires.

TIA

"Gideon" wrote in message
.. .
Micro Center and other computer retailers sell such items.
Here is one that is available at Micro Center retail stores
and also via online sales:

http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0083309

I'd guess that electronics retailers such as Radio Shack would
also have tone generators.

Good luck,
Gideon

================

oreo123 wrote in message ...
Does anyone know of a cheap signal generator that I could use to identify
cat 5 telephone wires AND also cable wires running behind walls and up 4
floors. I need something very basic as we are just trying to find these
wires.

TIA.

oreo123 wrote:
Does anyone know of a cheap signal generator that I could use to identify
cat 5 telephone wires AND also cable wires running behind walls and up 4
floors. I need something very basic as we are just trying to find these
wires.

TIA.


Your language combining "identify" and "just trying to find these wires"
is a bit vague.

Are you trying to LOCATE the wires (like where they run concealed behind
walls, etc.) or do you already know where the "ends" of the wires are
and you are just trying to identify the conductors in them in case
someone has made some mismatched splices along their runs.

Let us know which it is and we'll be better able to help you.

BTW, if it's FIND you mean, then you could just disconnect the ends from
everything else, light them up with 24vac from a doorbell transformer,
open all the breakers controlling line power in the area you are
searching (to avoid false trails), and use one of the many stud finders
which have an "hot wire finder" feature in them to sweep the walls and
ceilings. Something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...91245?v=glance

HTH,

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia

(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)

"As long as there are final exams, there will be prayer in public
schools"

oreo123 writes:

Does anyone know of a cheap signal generator that I could use to
identify cat 5 telephone wires AND also cable wires running behind
walls and up 4 floors. I need something very basic as we are just
trying to find these wires.

Home Depot carries the Ideal brand fox-hound type tracers.