Cheap cable tracer

[Gecko]

Has anyone found a cheap (but functional) cable tracer?

I've got a water pipe repair and a trench to dig near / across a buried telephone line. It's my phone, so I'd rather not rip it up!
I ordered a cheap chinese tracer that I haven't had a chance to test, but wondering if anyone has anything positive to say about the bottom end of the market?

 

[Steve]

Have had telecom come out to locate a line & they were unable to locate it correctly with there equipment so I would be impressed if you can find it with any Chinese equipment.
You have the advantage of knowing that the phone line is definitely there so if you are unable to locate it you need to try something else.
Have you just bought a CAT or does it come with a signal generator?

 

[DaveDCB]

Starting point is this https://lsbud.co.uk/

 

[doobin]

Starting point is this https://lsbud.co.uk/

He's not UK.

 

[DaveDCB]

He's not UK.

Learn something new everyday

 

[Stroppymonkey]

I have a Cat and Genny and a tracer line. I’ve become reasonable proficient at finding copper oil lines and plastic water mains with the tracer, (just don’t forget to remove the earth bonding from metal pipes as it sends you on wild goose chase). It finds electricity easily but never picks up phone lines , probably if you can access it and it’s a proper underground line you can peel the sheath and put the Genny on it? Not tried that.

 

[Gecko]

Starting point is this https://lsbud.co.uk/

Thanks - I don't think their maps cover my area
We have an equivalent, but the plan I got back has no datum or reference points I can

Have you just bought a CAT or does it come with a signal generator?

It came with a gen. My phone cable is two-pair with one flagged as 'dead', so I figure I can connect a gen to that without upsetting anyone.

I would be impressed if you can find it with any Chinese equipment.

Yeah, suspect your right. Given the price difference between the cheep tool and getting a crew out, I thought it worth a gamble.

Apparently you should be careful where the "sharp part goes".

 

[Steve]

Thanks - I don't think their maps cover my area
We have an equivalent, but the plan I got back has no datum or reference points I can

It came with a gen. My phone cable is two-pair with one flagged as 'dead', so I figure I can connect a gen to that without upsetting anyone.

Yeah, suspect your right. Given the price difference between the cheep tool and getting a crew out, I thought it worth a gamble.

Apparently you should be careful where the "sharp part goes".

View attachment 49746

Good advice

 

[Brendan]

If it's in a duct you can get a small sonde which you could trace with a cat
Probably easier to just pick up a few meters of telephone line and some wagos and just go for it

 

[DaveDCB]

If it's in a duct you can get a small sonde which you could trace with a cat
Probably easier to just pick up a few meters of telephone line and some wagos and just go for it

Google ‘jelly crimps’ I always keep some in my toolbag. Friendly BT man gave me a full box once upon a time

 

[Lancs Lad]

Google ‘jelly crimps’ I always keep some in my toolbag. Friendly BT man gave me a full box once upon a time

Yup that's the critters BT 8A code..and with BT 66Box ..saves so much hassle doing own "connections"
U ok if your broadband off for few hours? Yes fine crack on.
Often wonder if BT guys puzzle over the odd extra DP pole that's in the system as a carrier only
All BT guys I know couldn't give a FF...apart their next break or strike date.

 

[V8Druid]

Have had telecom come out to locate a line & they were unable to locate it correctly with there equipment so I would be impressed if you can find it with any Chinese equipment.
You have the advantage of knowing that the phone line is definitely there so if you are unable to locate it you need to try something else.
Have you just bought a CAT or does it come with a signal generator?

ditto ... dug up three cables in a morning ..... no idea what the first two were, other than looking like BT ..... third one was deffo ours ... 30 ft from where I was told it was and 4" below the surface --- I had no chance

 

[Steve]

If it's in a duct you can get a small sonde which you could trace with a cat
Probably easier to just pick up a few meters of telephone line and some wagos and just go for it

Are the wagos any good with fibre?

 

[DaveDCB]

Are the wagos any good with fibre?

Sellotape for fibre..

 

[Gecko]

Are the wagos any good with fibre?

Funny you should mention it, the trench is to lay my own fibre.
I tried wifi for that link (500m), but there were too many trees, so I'll put in Gigabit fibre (and a spare water pipe). I don't exactly "need" gigabit fibre, but its nice to have!

If it's in a duct you can get a small sonde which you could trace with a cat

There's an inspection point along the cable run, so I'll have a dig there - that will tell me if it's direct or in a duct and how deep to expect it.

 

[Gecko]

Well ..... contrary to expectations, I have to admit this tracer performed really well.
The cable is about 600mm deep and the tracer was not showing any drop in performance beyond 150m.
It's certainly not 'professional grade', but I admit I'm quite impressed how well it worked.
For the aud$65 (30gbp) it cost me, I feel I got very good value.

Once I had a line, I used a wide bucket to see if any evidence of the original trench could be seen - the 4" slot was unmistakable.