How do I find a broken wire?
 

How do I find a broken wire?

I have a 100 foot orange extension cord that doesn't work.

Usually when I cut one in half with a hedge trimmer, it's fairly easy
to find the defect. And then I fix it.

Other times I use pins to check continuity near the plug or socket,
where cords usually break.

But this time the problem is somewhere in the middle! If I worked for
the electric compnay, or the cable company, or even probably the gas
company, I'd have some clever tool that find open circuits in the
middle of wires, even underground.

Is there something I have around the house or can buy cheaply that
will do this?

I found for only 45 dollars an Armada Tone Probe, that works with a
tone gneerator, but I guess I want some method that is cheaper!

How do I find a broken wire?
 

On Feb 25, 3:54*am, mm wrote:
How do I find a broken wire?

I have a 100 foot orange extension cord that doesn't work.

Usually when I cut one in half with a hedge trimmer, it's fairly easy
to find the defect. *And then I fix it.

Other times I use pins to check continuity near the plug or socket,
where cords usually break.

But this time the problem is somewhere in the middle! *If I worked for
the electric compnay, or the cable company, or even probably the gas
company, I'd have some clever tool that find open circuits in the
middle of wires, even underground. *

Is there something I have around the house or can buy cheaply that
will do this?

I found for only 45 dollars an Armada Tone Probe, that works with a
tone gneerator, but I guess I want some method that is cheaper!

I bought a non-contact tester for about $5. Plug the cord in and (if
it's the black wire ) check the length. If it's the white, you need to
use an adapter for the plug to reverse the polarity. (You could jumper
*short* the female end and then check going back to the plug...not the
safest!)

How do I find a broken wire?
 

You can purchase a non-contact voltage tester @ HF for $7 and it works
great.

Im not sure if this will work, but plug in the cord and run the tester along
starting from the outlet. I would believe it it will detect power until it
hits the bad spot then stop. Someone with better electrical experience will
correct me if I'm wrong.

How do I find a broken wire?
 

On Fri, 25 Feb 2011 03:49:27 -0800 (PST), Bob Villa
wrote:

On Feb 25, 3:54*am, mm wrote:
How do I find a broken wire?

I have a 100 foot orange extension cord that doesn't work.

Usually when I cut one in half with a hedge trimmer, it's fairly easy
to find the defect. *And then I fix it.

Other times I use pins to check continuity near the plug or socket,
where cords usually break.

But this time the problem is somewhere in the middle! *If I worked for
the electric compnay, or the cable company, or even probably the gas
company, I'd have some clever tool that find open circuits in the
middle of wires, even underground. *

Is there something I have around the house or can buy cheaply that
will do this?

I found for only 45 dollars an Armada Tone Probe, that works with a
tone gneerator, but I guess I want some method that is cheaper!

I bought a non-contact tester for about $5. Plug the cord in and (if
it's the black wire ) check the length. If it's the white, you need to
use an adapter for the plug to reverse the polarity. (You could jumper
*short* the female end and then check going back to the plug...not the
safest!)


That sounds like a great idea. I even have one of those somewhere.
And maybe another one somewhere else.

It will be a while before I find them.

How do I find a broken wire?
 

In article ,
"SBH" wrote:

You can purchase a non-contact voltage tester @ HF for $7 and it works
great.

Im not sure if this will work, but plug in the cord and run the tester along
starting from the outlet. I would believe it it will detect power until it
hits the bad spot then stop. Someone with better electrical experience will
correct me if I'm wrong.

Since this is usenet, someone will probably correct you even if you're
right.

How do I find a broken wire?
 

SBH wrote:
You can purchase a non-contact voltage tester @ HF for $7 and it works
great.

Im not sure if this will work, but plug in the cord and run the
tester along starting from the outlet. I would believe it it will
detect power until it hits the bad spot then stop. Someone with
better electrical experience will correct me if I'm wrong.

Here's the link for the $7 tester.
http://www.harborfreight.com/non-con...ter-97218.html

I have one from another manufacturer and it's quite useful.

How do I find a broken wire?
 

Smitty Two wrote in
:

In article ,
"SBH" wrote:

You can purchase a non-contact voltage tester @ HF for $7 and it
works great.

Im not sure if this will work, but plug in the cord and run the
tester along starting from the outlet. I would believe it it will
detect power until it hits the bad spot then stop. Someone with
better electrical experience will correct me if I'm wrong.

Since this is usenet, someone will probably correct you even if you're
right.

I think you're wrong about that Smitty.

How do I find a broken wire?
 

On Feb 25, 7:00*am, Red Green wrote:
Smitty Two wrote :

In article ,
*"SBH" wrote:

You can purchase a non-contact voltage tester @ HF for $7 and it
works great.

Im not sure if this will work, but plug in the cord and run the
tester along starting from the outlet. I would believe it it will
detect power until it hits the bad spot then stop. Someone with
better electrical experience will correct me if I'm wrong.

Since this is usenet, someone will probably correct you even if you're
right.

I think you're wrong about that Smitty.

I'm slow...but I did get it!

How do I find a broken wire?
 

mm wrote:

How do I find a broken wire?

I have a 100 foot orange extension cord that doesn't work.

Usually when I cut one in half with a hedge trimmer, it's fairly easy
to find the defect. And then I fix it.

Other times I use pins to check continuity near the plug or socket,
where cords usually break.

But this time the problem is somewhere in the middle!

you sure? You've replaced both ends? Checked your work? If that
failed, I'd pull the 100feet through my bare hand a couple times to
see where the indent was.

I might try non-contact voltmeter if I had one-- but I'm more likely
to make 2 50 foot cords first. One of them will work. If I needed a
25, I might make a couple of them too.

-snip-
I found for only 45 dollars an Armada Tone Probe, that works with a
tone gneerator, but I guess I want some method that is cheaper!

I sure wouldn't spend $45 for a tool to fix a $25 [16/3] to $60 [12/3]
cord.

Jim

How do I find a broken wire?
 

Bob Villa wrote in
:

On Feb 25, 7:00*am, Red Green wrote:
Smitty Two wrote
innews:prestwhich-4BBFF0.0428
:

In article ,
*"SBH" wrote:

You can purchase a non-contact voltage tester @ HF for $7 and it
works great.

Im not sure if this will work, but plug in the cord and run the
tester along starting from the outlet. I would believe it it will
detect power until it hits the bad spot then stop. Someone with
better electrical experience will correct me if I'm wrong.

Since this is usenet, someone will probably correct you even if
you're right.

I think you're wrong about that Smitty.

I'm slow...but I did get it!


I often tout that I catch on the third time right away :-)

How do I find a broken wire?
 

Jim Elbrecht wrote in
:

mm wrote:

How do I find a broken wire?

I have a 100 foot orange extension cord that doesn't work.

Usually when I cut one in half with a hedge trimmer, it's fairly easy
to find the defect. And then I fix it.

Other times I use pins to check continuity near the plug or socket,
where cords usually break.

But this time the problem is somewhere in the middle!

you sure? You've replaced both ends? Checked your work? If that
failed, I'd pull the 100feet through my bare hand a couple times to
see where the indent was.

I might try non-contact voltmeter if I had one-- but I'm more likely
to make 2 50 foot cords first. One of them will work. If I needed a
25, I might make a couple of them too.

-snip-
I found for only 45 dollars an Armada Tone Probe, that works with a
tone gneerator, but I guess I want some method that is cheaper!

I sure wouldn't spend $45 for a tool to fix a $25 [16/3] to $60 [12/3]
cord.

Jim


Geesh Jim. You sound like SWMBO. Either you're with us or against us.
Take a position will ya? :-)

How do I find a broken wire?
 

On Feb 25, 8:47*am, Jim Elbrecht wrote:
*mm wrote:
How do I find a broken wire?

I have a 100 foot orange extension cord that doesn't work.

Usually when I cut one in half with a hedge trimmer, it's fairly easy
to find the defect. *And then I fix it.

Other times I use pins to check continuity near the plug or socket,
where cords usually break.

But this time the problem is somewhere in the middle! *

you sure? * You've replaced both ends? *Checked your work? * If that
failed, I'd pull the 100feet through my bare hand a couple times to
see where the indent was. * *

I might try non-contact voltmeter if I had one-- but I'm more likely
to make 2 50 foot cords first. *One of them will work. *If I *needed a
25, I might make a couple of them too.

-snip-

I found for only 45 dollars an Armada Tone Probe, that works with a
tone gneerator, but I guess I want some method that is cheaper!

I sure wouldn't spend $45 for a tool to fix a $25 [16/3] to $60 [12/3]
cord.

Jim

If it's a long 12/3 cord, you can actually spin that as justification
to buy another tool. Really, I'm surprised that you don't understand
this. :)

nate

How do I find a broken wire?
 

On Feb 25, 4:54*am, mm wrote:
How do I find a broken wire?

I have a 100 foot orange extension cord that doesn't work.

Usually when I cut one in half with a hedge trimmer, it's fairly easy
to find the defect. *And then I fix it.

Other times I use pins to check continuity near the plug or socket,
where cords usually break.

But this time the problem is somewhere in the middle! *If I worked for
the electric compnay, or the cable company, or even probably the gas
company, I'd have some clever tool that find open circuits in the
middle of wires, even underground. *

Is there something I have around the house or can buy cheaply that
will do this?

I found for only 45 dollars an Armada Tone Probe, that works with a
tone gneerator, but I guess I want some method that is cheaper!

I typically energize and attach a light. Go along the cord and push
sections together.
As you said its usually near the ends. The tester trick
should also work.

greg

How do I find a broken wire?
 

Only works if the break is in the black wire.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"SBH" wrote in message
...

You can purchase a non-contact voltage tester @ HF for $7
and it works
great.

Im not sure if this will work, but plug in the cord and run
the tester along
starting from the outlet. I would believe it it will detect
power until it
hits the bad spot then stop. Someone with better electrical
experience will
correct me if I'm wrong.

How do I find a broken wire?
 

That's profound. Well, no, it's not.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Smitty Two" wrote in message
...

Since this is usenet, someone will probably correct you even
if you're
right.

How do I find a broken wire?
 

On Feb 25, 10:02*am, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote:
Only works if the break is in the black wire.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
*www.lds.org
.

"SBH" wrote in message

...

You can purchase a non-contact voltage tester @ HF for $7
and it works
great.

Im not sure if this will work, but plug in the cord and run
the tester along
starting from the outlet. I would believe it it will detect
power until it
hits the bad spot then stop. Someone with better electrical
experience will
correct me if I'm wrong.

We were already covered...as far as testing for the white wire. TYHOOYA

How do I find a broken wire?
 

Stormin Mormon wrote:

Only works if the break is in the black wire.


Or any wire you connect hot to.

--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us

How do I find a broken wire?
 

HeyBub wrote:

SBH wrote:
You can purchase a non-contact voltage tester @ HF for $7 and it works
great.

Im not sure if this will work, but plug in the cord and run the
tester along starting from the outlet. I would believe it it will
detect power until it hits the bad spot then stop. Someone with
better electrical experience will correct me if I'm wrong.

Here's the link for the $7 tester.
http://www.harborfreight.com/non-con...ter-97218.html

I have one from another manufacturer and it's quite useful.

The one I have was sold to fix strings of miniature holiday lights. It would
be less useful to some, bacause they don't tell you what it actually does.
It's a non-contact voltage tester.

--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us

How do I find a broken wire?
 

Red Green wrote:

Jim Elbrecht wrote in
:
-snip-

I sure wouldn't spend $45 for a tool to fix a $25 [16/3] to $60 [12/3]
cord.

Jim


Geesh Jim. You sound like SWMBO. Either you're with us or against us.
Take a position will ya? :-)

Thankyou for waking me up. I thought I was just having a bad dream.
it was real? I wrote "I wouldn't buy a tool'?

I've got to quit dozing at the keyboard. Sorry if anyone was harmed
by my negligence.

Jim

How do I find a broken wire?
 

That's a hot tip. And a good idea. I'd not thought of that.
Thank you.

(Plug the cord into a polarity reversed socket, to beep the
length of the white wire?)

And now a word from our sponsor. The OSHA has ruled it
illegal to repair extension cords, for business use. I
didn't know this, someone else pointed it out. It's a shame
to throw out a 100 footer. It's a worse shame to have OSHA
(Obama's Super High-intensity Asset-siezers) fine you for a
twenty dollar cord that you repaired.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Mark Lloyd" wrote in message
.com...
Stormin Mormon wrote:

Only works if the break is in the black wire.


Or any wire you connect hot to.

--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us

How do I find a broken wire?
 

On Fri, 25 Feb 2011 04:54:13 -0500, mm
wrote:

How do I find a broken wire?

I have a 100 foot orange extension cord that doesn't work.

Usually when I cut one in half with a hedge trimmer, it's fairly easy
to find the defect. And then I fix it.

Other times I use pins to check continuity near the plug or socket,
where cords usually break.

But this time the problem is somewhere in the middle! If I worked for
the electric compnay, or the cable company, or even probably the gas
company, I'd have some clever tool that find open circuits in the
middle of wires, even underground.

Is there something I have around the house or can buy cheaply that
will do this?

I found for only 45 dollars an Armada Tone Probe, that works with a
tone gneerator, but I guess I want some method that is cheaper!

Unless you did something like accidentally (or intentionally) pull the
cord with your car, it is unlikely it is broken in the middle. If it
were it would probably be noticeable.

My bet is one end or the other. Or an existing splice.

How do I find a broken wire?
 

On Feb 25, 2:01*pm, Sjouke Burry
wrote:
mm wrote:
How do I find a broken wire?

I have a 100 foot orange extension cord that doesn't work.

Usually when I cut one in half with a hedge trimmer, it's fairly easy
to find the defect. *And then I fix it.

Other times I use pins to check continuity near the plug or socket,
where cords usually break.

But this time the problem is somewhere in the middle! *If I worked for
the electric compnay, or the cable company, or even probably the gas
company, I'd have some clever tool that find open circuits in the
middle of wires, even underground. *

Is there something I have around the house or can buy cheaply that
will do this?

I found for only 45 dollars an Armada Tone Probe, that works with a
tone gneerator, but I guess I want some method that is cheaper!

A break in some random place means an olmost worn out cable.

Get a new one.

You mean "ohm"most...don't you?

How do I find a broken wire?
 

On Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:24:22 -0500, Metspitzer
wrote:

On Fri, 25 Feb 2011 04:54:13 -0500, mm
wrote:

How do I find a broken wire?

I have a 100 foot orange extension cord that doesn't work.

Usually when I cut one in half with a hedge trimmer, it's fairly easy
to find the defect. And then I fix it.

Other times I use pins to check continuity near the plug or socket,
where cords usually break.

But this time the problem is somewhere in the middle! If I worked for
the electric compnay, or the cable company, or even probably the gas
company, I'd have some clever tool that find open circuits in the
middle of wires, even underground.

Is there something I have around the house or can buy cheaply that
will do this?

I found for only 45 dollars an Armada Tone Probe, that works with a
tone gneerator, but I guess I want some method that is cheaper!

Unless you did something like accidentally (or intentionally) pull the
cord with your car, it is unlikely it is broken in the middle. If it
were it would probably be noticeable.

My bet is one end or the other.

The ends I tested.

Or an existing splice.

Well maybe an existing splice, but that would mean I didn't make all
my prior splices perfectly. That's an unacceptable position. And I
did solder them, and I recall no cold solder.

It's all rolled up now, but when I unroll it, because of all the
advice I've gotten, I'll be able to go at it from every vantage point,
including the middle. I have no doubt it will be working by early
summer.

Thank you all.

How do I find a broken wire?
 

On Fri, 25 Feb 2011 06:46:31 -0600, "HeyBub"
wrote:

SBH wrote:
You can purchase a non-contact voltage tester @ HF for $7 and it works
great.

Im not sure if this will work, but plug in the cord and run the
tester along starting from the outlet. I would believe it it will
detect power until it hits the bad spot then stop. Someone with
better electrical experience will correct me if I'm wrong.

Here's the link for the $7 tester.
http://www.harborfreight.com/non-con...ter-97218.html

I have one from another manufacturer and it's quite useful.

Thanks. I may be near harbor freight on Thursday.

It turns out the things I had weren't quite the same and I don't think
they would work. here.

How do I find a broken wire?
 

On Fri, 25 Feb 2011 08:47:48 -0500, Jim Elbrecht
wrote:

mm wrote:

How do I find a broken wire?

I have a 100 foot orange extension cord that doesn't work.

Usually when I cut one in half with a hedge trimmer, it's fairly easy
to find the defect. And then I fix it.

Other times I use pins to check continuity near the plug or socket,
where cords usually break.

But this time the problem is somewhere in the middle!

you sure? You've replaced both ends? Checked your work? If that
failed, I'd pull the 100feet through my bare hand a couple times to
see where the indent was.

I checked both ends using a pin to pierce the insulation.

Pulling the wire thorugh my bare hand is a very good idea.

I might try non-contact voltmeter if I had one-- but I'm more likely
to make 2 50 foot cords first. One of them will work. If I needed a
25, I might make a couple of them too.

That's a thought.

-snip-
I found for only 45 dollars an Armada Tone Probe, that works with a
tone gneerator, but I guess I want some method that is cheaper!

I sure wouldn't spend $45 for a tool to fix a $25 [16/3] to $60 [12/3]
cord.

Right. That's what I'm NOT going to do.

Jim

It was worth having this thread. I'm sure this won't be the only
extension cord I have trouble with.

How do I find a broken wire?
 

On Fri, 25 Feb 2011 12:11:28 -0500, Jim Elbrecht
wrote:

Red Green wrote:

Jim Elbrecht wrote in
m:
-snip-

I sure wouldn't spend $45 for a tool to fix a $25 [16/3] to $60 [12/3]
cord.

Jim


Geesh Jim. You sound like SWMBO. Either you're with us or against us.
Take a position will ya? :-)

Thankyou for waking me up. I thought I was just having a bad dream.
it was real? I wrote "I wouldn't buy a tool'?

I've got to quit dozing at the keyboard. Sorry if anyone was harmed
by my negligence.

LOL

Jim

How do I find a broken wire?
 

mm wrote:
How do I find a broken wire?

I have a 100 foot orange extension cord that doesn't work.

Usually when I cut one in half with a hedge trimmer, it's fairly easy
to find the defect. And then I fix it.

Other times I use pins to check continuity near the plug or socket,
where cords usually break.

But this time the problem is somewhere in the middle! If I worked for
the electric compnay, or the cable company, or even probably the gas
company, I'd have some clever tool that find open circuits in the
middle of wires, even underground.

Is there something I have around the house or can buy cheaply that
will do this?

I found for only 45 dollars an Armada Tone Probe, that works with a
tone gneerator, but I guess I want some method that is cheaper!
Why can't you pin it?

--
LSMFT


Force ****s upon the Back of Reason...
Ben Franklin-

How do I find a broken wire?
 

mm wrote:
How do I find a broken wire?

I have a 100 foot orange extension cord that doesn't work.

Usually when I cut one in half with a hedge trimmer, it's fairly easy
to find the defect. And then I fix it.

Other times I use pins to check continuity near the plug or socket,
where cords usually break.

But this time the problem is somewhere in the middle! If I worked for
the electric compnay, or the cable company, or even probably the gas
company, I'd have some clever tool that find open circuits in the
middle of wires, even underground.

Is there something I have around the house or can buy cheaply that
will do this?

I found for only 45 dollars an Armada Tone Probe, that works with a
tone gneerator, but I guess I want some method that is cheaper!

Easy, cut it in half and put new ends on it, one will work the other
won't, so cut the one that doesn't work in half and put new ends on it,
and ............

How do I find a broken wire?
 

On 2/25/2011 3:54 AM, mm wrote:
How do I find a broken wire?

I have a 100 foot orange extension cord that doesn't work.

Usually when I cut one in half with a hedge trimmer, it's fairly easy
to find the defect. And then I fix it.

Other times I use pins to check continuity near the plug or socket,
where cords usually break.

But this time the problem is somewhere in the middle! If I worked for
the electric compnay, or the cable company, or even probably the gas
company, I'd have some clever tool that find open circuits in the
middle of wires, even underground.

Is there something I have around the house or can buy cheaply that
will do this?

I found for only 45 dollars an Armada Tone Probe, that works with a
tone gneerator, but I guess I want some method that is cheaper!

A little pocket AM radio works well as a break finder. Tune it so it
picks up the hum from a live line then run it up and down the cord.
You may have to energize the wires separately to prevent interference.
The AM radio will even pick up the RF harmonics from a tone generator
like those used for tracing phone wires.

TDD

How do I find a broken wire?
 

Put the cord in a big bonfire. Burn off all the insulation.
Then the broken spot is easy to find.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..

How do I find a broken wire?
 

I've got two "non contact voltage detectors". One from
Walmart, that takes button cells. Other from HF, takes two
AAA cells. Both seem to detect live wire. That kind of thing
might help trace the open, if it's in the hot side. Of
course, having both ends near each other, it's easy to use a
VOM to determine if the hot or cold is open. Or both.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"The Daring Dufas" wrote in
message ...

A little pocket AM radio works well as a break finder. Tune
it so it
picks up the hum from a live line then run it up and down
the cord.
You may have to energize the wires separately to prevent
interference.
The AM radio will even pick up the RF harmonics from a tone
generator
like those used for tracing phone wires.

TDD

How do I find a broken wire?
 

On 2/25/2011 8:07 PM, Stormin Mormon wrote:
I've got two "non contact voltage detectors". One from
Walmart, that takes button cells. Other from HF, takes two
AAA cells. Both seem to detect live wire. That kind of thing
might help trace the open, if it's in the hot side. Of
course, having both ends near each other, it's easy to use a
VOM to determine if the hot or cold is open. Or both.


I've used a little AM radio to trace romex inside sheet rock
walls. :-)

TDD

How do I find a broken wire?
 

wrote:

On Fri, 25 Feb 2011 03:49:27 -0800 (PST), Bob Villa
wrote:

I bought a non-contact tester for about $5. Plug the cord in and (if
it's the black wire ) check the length. If it's the white, you need to
use an adapter for the plug to reverse the polarity. (You could jumper
*short* the female end and then check going back to the plug...not the
safest!)

To do the reverse thing, just use one of those 3prong to 2 prong
ground adaptors (made to use a grounded plug on a none grounded
outlet). If one prong is wider on the adaptor, just grind it down.

With most of these, you'll have to also remove the ground prong or cut off
the useless bitof plasticon the plug (that keeps you from putting a plug in
reversed).


Another thing the OP could do is cut the cord in half. One of the
halves will always work. Out a new male or female end on that part an
toss the other half in the recycle bin. You'll have one working 50ft
cord in the end.

Unless the break is exactly in the middle, that'd give you a shorter working
cord than if you find the break and cut there.

--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us

off."

How do I find a broken wire?
 

On Fri, 25 Feb 2011 19:51:05 -0600, The Daring Dufas
wrote:

On 2/25/2011 3:54 AM, mm wrote:
How do I find a broken wire?

I have a 100 foot orange extension cord that doesn't work.

Usually when I cut one in half with a hedge trimmer, it's fairly easy
to find the defect. And then I fix it.

Other times I use pins to check continuity near the plug or socket,
where cords usually break.

But this time the problem is somewhere in the middle! If I worked for
the electric compnay, or the cable company, or even probably the gas
company, I'd have some clever tool that find open circuits in the
middle of wires, even underground.

Is there something I have around the house or can buy cheaply that
will do this?

I found for only 45 dollars an Armada Tone Probe, that works with a
tone gneerator, but I guess I want some method that is cheaper!

A little pocket AM radio works well as a break finder. Tune it so it
picks up the hum from a live line then run it up and down the cord.
You may have to energize the wires separately to prevent interference.
The AM radio will even pick up the RF harmonics from a tone generator
like those used for tracing phone wires.

These are very good ideas. Thanks. I wish I had time tomorrow to
try all this stuff.

TDD

How do I find a broken wire?
 

On Fri, 25 Feb 2011 20:14:14 -0600, The Daring Dufas
wrote:

On 2/25/2011 8:07 PM, Stormin Mormon wrote:
I've got two "non contact voltage detectors". One from
Walmart, that takes button cells. Other from HF, takes two
AAA cells. Both seem to detect live wire. That kind of thing
might help trace the open, if it's in the hot side. Of
course, having both ends near each other, it's easy to use a
VOM to determine if the hot or cold is open. Or both.


I've used a little AM radio to trace romex inside sheet rock
walls. :-)

Then my problem should be child's play.

TDD

How do I find a broken wire?
 

On Fri, 25 Feb 2011 19:21:46 -0600, wrote:

On Fri, 25 Feb 2011 03:49:27 -0800 (PST), Bob Villa
wrote:

I bought a non-contact tester for about $5. Plug the cord in and (if
it's the black wire ) check the length. If it's the white, you need to
use an adapter for the plug to reverse the polarity. (You could jumper
*short* the female end and then check going back to the plug...not the
safest!)

To do the reverse thing, just use one of those 3prong to 2 prong
ground adaptors (made to use a grounded plug on a none grounded
outlet). If one prong is wider on the adaptor, just grind it down.


Another thing the OP could do is cut the cord in half. One of the
halves will always work. Out a new male or female end on that part an
toss the other half in the recycle bin. You'll have one working 50ft
cord in the end.

I'm reluctant to do the shorter cord thing, because with 100 feet I
can reach almost the entire townhouse back yard when it's plugged in
at the front. I can also reach my car. I have another 100 foot
cord, but if that were to break, I'd have none, so I have to fix this
one before that one breaks. :)

Yes I could use more than one cord in a row, but that's not
esthetically pleasing to me. :)

How do I find a broken wire?
 

On 2/25/2011 3:01 PM, Sjouke Burry wrote:
mm wrote:
How do I find a broken wire?

I have a 100 foot orange extension cord that doesn't work.

Usually when I cut one in half with a hedge trimmer, it's fairly easy
to find the defect. And then I fix it.
Other times I use pins to check continuity near the plug or socket,
where cords usually break.
But this time the problem is somewhere in the middle! If I worked for
the electric compnay, or the cable company, or even probably the gas
company, I'd have some clever tool that find open circuits in the
middle of wires, even underground.
Is there something I have around the house or can buy cheaply that
will do this?

I found for only 45 dollars an Armada Tone Probe, that works with a
tone gneerator, but I guess I want some method that is cheaper!

A break in some random place means an olmost worn out cable.

Get a new one.

Agreed. The orange cables should be considered consumable items. Unless
the failure can be found by Mark I eyeball exam and easily repaired,
time for a new one.

--
aem sends...

How do I find a broken wire?
 

mm wrote:
How do I find a broken wire?

I have a 100 foot orange extension cord that doesn't work.

Usually when I cut one in half with a hedge trimmer, it's fairly easy
to find the defect. And then I fix it.

Other times I use pins to check continuity near the plug or socket,
where cords usually break.

If you can stick a pin in at the end, why can't you stick a pin in the
middle and do the same?
Half-interval search should get you close in no time.


But this time the problem is somewhere in the middle! If I worked for
the electric compnay, or the cable company, or even probably the gas
company, I'd have some clever tool that find open circuits in the
middle of wires, even underground.

Is there something I have around the house or can buy cheaply that
will do this?

I found for only 45 dollars an Armada Tone Probe, that works with a
tone gneerator, but I guess I want some method that is cheaper!

How do I find a broken wire?
 

On Sat, 26 Feb 2011 04:57:31 -0800, mike wrote:

mm wrote:
How do I find a broken wire?

I have a 100 foot orange extension cord that doesn't work.

Usually when I cut one in half with a hedge trimmer, it's fairly easy
to find the defect. And then I fix it.

Other times I use pins to check continuity near the plug or socket,
where cords usually break.

If you can stick a pin in at the end, why can't you stick a pin in the
middle and do the same?
Half-interval search should get you close in no time.

I could but it it would take more than no time. In fact, it took too
long just to do the ends. I have to try several times to hit the wire
and each time is hard because the rubber or vinyl is tougher than it
used to be a few years ago. But it was worth it since it was most
likely at the end. I could use an awl instead of a pin, and that
would go faster, but I don't want to make holes that big. (When I try
multiple times, I can usually use the same outer hole.) I used to
have a collection of corsage pins for jobs like this, with big
handles, but they seem to have been used up, so I was reduced to using
plain straight pins, and they don't work as fast either.

But either way, this is a trip of discovery. To find new ways to do
things. To buy new tools (while still making a distinction betwwen 7
dollars and 45 plus S&H.), or by using the radio, and that's the
advantage of this discussion, .


But this time the problem is somewhere in the middle! If I worked for
the electric compnay, or the cable company, or even probably the gas
company, I'd have some clever tool that find open circuits in the
middle of wires, even underground.

Is there something I have around the house or can buy cheaply that
will do this?

I found for only 45 dollars an Armada Tone Probe, that works with a
tone gneerator, but I guess I want some method that is cheaper!

How do I find a broken wire?
 

On Feb 25, 4:54*am, mm wrote:
How do I find a broken wire?

I have a 100 foot orange extension cord that doesn't work.

Usually when I cut one in half with a hedge trimmer, it's fairly easy
to find the defect. *And then I fix it.

Other times I use pins to check continuity near the plug or socket,
where cords usually break.

But this time the problem is somewhere in the middle! *If I worked for
the electric compnay, or the cable company, or even probably the gas
company, I'd have some clever tool that find open circuits in the
middle of wires, even underground. *

Is there something I have around the house or can buy cheaply that
will do this?

I found for only 45 dollars an Armada Tone Probe, that works with a
tone gneerator, but I guess I want some method that is cheaper!

I measure the capacitance of the cable using the C function of my VOM.
Measure from each end. Add these two together to get the total
capacitance of the cable. Smallest cap value will indicate the short
side largest the longest. percent of total capacitance will correspond
directly to to percent of total length of the cable.

Now you know everything you need to know to locate the break. Breaks
immediately at either end (the usual case) will be very obvious.

Jimmie