Interruptions in the work of electrical wiring very often cause a lot of trouble. Even more troublesome is the search for wire breaks, because of which, in fact, the coordinated work of electrical equipment stops. Find a break in the wiring it is not difficult only when the wiring is open and the gap is clearly visible.

How to determine zero and phase in wiring

If the wiring is hidden, then finding the gap is much more difficult. Surely in this case you will need a special optional equipment- tracker. In many cases, you have to seek help from the appropriate electricians, but in some situations you can find a hidden break in the wiring yourself. Initially, it is necessary to determine what type of wire is broken - phase or zero. To do this, we need an indicator screwdriver, which needs to check all the broken contacts of the switch or socket. If the socket is energized, then only one of the contacts should be located in it. Perhaps the matter is in itself and then it follows.

If the switch is energized, then it must have one contact in the off position, or all contacts in the on position. If the screwdriver indicator shows that the phase is working, then we can talk about a break in the neutral wire. If the wiring, moreover, is hidden, then only professional electricians can localize the place of the break and fix the breakdown. It is almost impossible for an ordinary inexperienced person to eliminate a phase break.

How to find a broken wire with a tester

If the wiring is characterized as open, when the wire is available for inspection throughout the entire area from junction box to the break point, then in this case an electric tester is used to detect the breakage point. It is necessary to carry out the procedure with the tester to turn off the voltage flow, first in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe junction box, and then on the wire itself. At the exit point of the electrical wire from the junction box, it is necessary to make the first notch, which is characterized as a waterproofing incision. It is necessary to expose the metal of the conductor; a meter after this notch, another one is made.

Next, you need to measure the resistance on the marked section of the wire. If the resistance in this area is small, then most likely there is no wire break here. After the second notch, after a meter, it is necessary to make a third one, and again measure the resistance of the conductor at a distance from the second to the third notch. Thus, it is necessary to make notches and measure the resistance until a complete absence of resistance is found. This section will be the place where the wire breaks.

How to fix a broken wire

Next, you need to work out the detected section of the wire. It also needs notches, but with a smaller interval. For example, between adjacent notches in the detected damaged area there should be a distance of half a meter. Having found a damaged section in this way, but already on a shorter section of the wire, it is necessary to repeat the procedure with notches again.

The location of the break in the electrical wire using this method is determined with maximum accuracy, up to millimeters. Typically, the location of the break is determined much earlier, and the need for the most accurate location of the break does not arise. The fault is repaired after detection, and then all exposed wire sections are insulated with great care.

How to find a broken wire in a concrete or brick wall

If the phase conductor is laid in concrete or brick wall, then the place of its breakage can be found using a non-contact indicator concealed wiring. When looking for a break, it is advisable to know that the wiring in the walls is laid in a horizontal or vertical direction, all turns of the wires are made only at right angles.

This will help to determine as accurately as possible the path of the electricity wires from the junction box to the outlet. Along the wiring, along the wall, it is necessary to move the indicator, and in the place where the wire breaks, it will definitely give a certain signal. Usually, the indicator of hidden wiring at the break point stops the sound signal.

As soon as the fashion for hidden wiring appeared, there were problems associated with the operation and elimination of damage to electrical cables inside the walls. With open wiring, which was popular before, everything was clear. Now the issue of finding damage has become relevant, since finding a wire break in the wall is not an easy task.

In the production of repair work in the house, it is often necessary to carry out work with a puncher, drill walls or lay a strobe in the wall. Most often, the worker conducting the work does not know where the electrical wiring is laid in the wall under a layer of plaster. And this can lead to the fact that during the work electrical wire will be damaged. Therefore, before carrying out such work, it is necessary to decide where the wires pass in the wall and where it is possible to drill or chisel the wall, and where it is impossible. To do this, both domestic and foreign industry produces a huge number of various devices for detecting wiring in the wall. These are such as Bosch DMF 10 zoom, and GVT-92, and MS258, and VP-440, and GVD-504A. The principle of their work is the same everywhere. A energized wire radiates an electromagnetic field around itself with a frequency of 50 Hz. The device brought to the wall captures this electromagnetic field and gives out a signal. The closer the device approaches the source of radiation (wire), the stronger the signal of the device manifests itself. When we find the highest signal intensity with the device, it means that the wire lies under the device behind a layer of plaster. We mark with a pencil on the wall the route of laying the wire. It is better to apply the found wire to the paper plan of the room in your home. After all, repairs can be carried out in the future, and your descendants will thank you.
How to find the wiring in the video wall, see below:

And you will definitely watch a comparative test of hidden wiring detectors in this video:

Reasons for the break

There are not many cases in which an electric cable inside a wall can be damaged, they are due to three factors: improper installation and operation, mechanical damage and time.
Reasons for a break include:

• Weak contact or unsatisfactory work of the connection wizard.
• Do-it-yourself damage to the wire as a result of repair work.
• Dilapidated wiring.
• Network overload or sudden power surges, at which point burning of wires occurs.

The result of a wiring fault is not always a lack of electricity. A partial cable break can be expressed in sparking, short circuits or the absence of zero in the network. If protective automation periodically works, this may also indicate damage to the wires in the network.
If such symptoms appear, you should immediately turn off the electricity, since it will immediately be problematic to find a hidden wire in the walls. De-energizing will avoid a fire in the event of a short circuit, sparking and overloading the network if there is no zero in it.
Knowing the cause of the break electrical wires will help you navigate when looking for a defect.

Search logic

The simplest thing is to find a malfunction if it occurred as a result of mechanical damage and manifested itself immediately. In this case, the places where drilling was performed, nails driven in or screws screwed in are examined. These are the most common causes that can mechanically damage electrical cables in the wall.

IMPORTANT: a wiring malfunction may not appear immediately, but after a while.

Breakage of wires inside the walls is rare. Before looking for damage inside the walls, you should analyze whether there have been changes in the design of the room. Professional electricians advise, first of all, to examine those places where electrical wiring breaks occur most often: at the junction of plates during displacement, in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bcracks in concrete and wooden walls. Damage also occurs at the exit of wires from the wall.
If there is no apparent reason for a broken wire, determining the location of the break will require the use of special instruments and tools.

Minimum damage search kit

The minimum search set includes:

In addition, a regular screwdriver and pliers will come in handy.

Defect search algorithm

To locate the break point, proceed as follows:

1. The machine from which the damaged socket, switch or other consumer of energy is powered is determined.
2. The section on which the break occurred using a multimeter is established.
3. The locator finds the place of the cliff inside the wall.

You can install the machine through which the non-working one is connected using indicator screwdriver. The presence of a phase will allow you to quickly calculate the desired one. When it is turned off, the phase in the outlet will disappear.

If a break occurs on the neutral core, the indicator screwdriver reacts to it with a faint glow. As a result, inexperienced masters interpret this as the presence of two phases. Upon contact with the true phase, the control lamp should light up brightly.

The machine found is turned off and the damaged wire is checked with a multimeter. Calling is done in areas that are limited by connections. First, the section from the machine to the junction box, if any, is checked, then from the box to the outlet. If the device fixes zero resistance, then the wire in this interval is intact, if infinity, a break has occurred in the section. Having not found defects, they continue to ring the next section - from to the outlet and the line from the outlet to the outlet. Thus, the section of the line on which the damage occurred is located.
The exact location of the cable break is determined by a locator consisting of a generator and a receiver. The generator terminals should be fixed on the wires by setting the positive contact to the damaged wire, and the negative contact to the whole one. The device must be provided with grounding, for this a separate terminal is connected to a common shield.
When the device is turned on, the generator creates impulses in a broken wire. The receiver of the locator, receiving a signal, emits a characteristic sound. When examining the wall with the receiver, the cliff will be at the point where the receiver stopped making its sound.
To more accurately determine the location of the break, the test should be carried out on both sides of the damage. Typically, such a site is determined with an error of 10-15 cm. The more precisely the location of the breakage is established, the better.

Broken neutral wire - source heightened danger. The current continues to flow into the outlet. Starting a search for a cliff can cause serious injury. If there is a suspicion of a zero break, before starting work, you should turn off the introductory machine and completely de-energize the room.

How to find a broken wire video is better to watch. It's more clear there.

What can replace the tracer

If there is no locator, experienced home craftsmen advise using a radio. This method it should be used only if the phase wire is broken, since it will be necessary to find the wire in the wall under voltage. The percentage of error will be higher, but the radio receiver will show the approximate location of the cable break.
To use this technique, you need to plug a low-power device into the problem outlet. It can be an electric shaver or an electric night light. The radio receiver is tuned to receive "medium waves". Slowly draw along the wire line with the included receiver. The receiver starts phoning at a frequency of 50 Hz. Upon reaching the place of the break, the radio ceases to make any sounds, or their intensity decreases markedly. So the device finds the place of the wire break.
The described technique will allow you to find a break with your own hands, if the wiring diagram is known and there is an idea about the location of the wires inside the walls. If the wiring was laid according to the standards, then the location of the wires has a strict vertical and horizontal, and any turn will be equal to 90 degrees. But the existing norm is not a guarantee correct location wires.
In the absence of information about the location of the wiring, it is worth entrusting the work to professionals. Devices that determine the layout of electrical cables in the walls work on the principle of metal detectors and are practically useless in inexperienced hands, since their use causes too much interference. It is especially difficult for an amateur to find damage inside concrete walls. Only knowledge will help here: standard schemes wiring and problem areas in which a break is most likely.

The causes of light problems are often associated with cable damage. An electrician is usually invited to search for a break, but with some experience, you can fix the mains failure yourself.

Finding a wire break with a tester

The device is used to detect a break when the wire is open to access throughout the route. Turn off the voltage around the junction box and on the wire. Cut the insulation on the wires near the junction box. After a meter, make a second notch. Measure the cable resistance in this section with a tester. If the device shows a small resistance, there is no break in this section. Otherwise, after 1 meter, make a third notch and repeat the measurements in this area.

If there is no resistance, make notches on the damaged area, making them after 50 cm, and repeat the resistance measurements. Repeat the operation until the length of the measured area remains within a few centimeters. Remove the insulation from the damaged area, repair the malfunction and carefully insulate the wire at the cut points. You can measure the resistance on the line of switches and sockets, then the length of suspicious sections decreases.

Identification of a damaged area with a non-contact wiring indicator

The device can determine the location of the damage to the phase wire, reacting to a change in the electromagnetic field. First, make sure that it is the phase wire that is damaged. Take indicator screwdriver, touch the socket or switch contacts with the tool. If the indicator lights up when the phase wire is touched, then the neutral wire is damaged, if not, the phase wire. The wire in the new houses is laid in headquarters and plastered, it is not visible from the outside of the route. To determine the location of the wire on the wall, it is best to use the wiring diagram. If there is no diagram, be aware that the wires are laid according to certain rules, strictly in the horizontal and vertical plane. Turns are made at an angle of 90 degrees. Find the junction box closest to the outlet or switch and lead the appliance along the wall from there. In the place where the wire is broken, the indicator will stop beeping. The device shows a wire break with an accuracy of 10-13 cm.

Elimination of the break

Disconnect voltage from the phase wire. Using a hammer and a chisel, remove the plaster on both sides of the cliff, it is enough to clean 10-15 cm of streaks. Pull the broken ends of the wire apart. Using a perforator and a special crown, make a hole in the wall for the junction box. Install the box in the hole and fix it with alabaster. Get the wires in the box. If there is a margin, connect the broken wires by color and insulate the connector. Close the box with a lid. Shtrabu plaster - you can apply voltage to the wires.

Neutral wire repair

Disable circuit breaker damaged circuit. Disconnect the neutral wire from the bus and connect the wire with the "phase" to it. Further work is similar to operations with a phase wire.

Determining the location of damage using a generator and a locator

The signal generator is connected to the damaged wire. The second part of the device - the receiver - is carried along the wall above the shtraba. Over the damaged area, the signal disappears.

The list of devices for detecting wire breaks in inaccessible wires is quite large. For home use, it is better to purchase a combined instrument, for example, MS-48NS. It finds the cable in the wall, detects the phase and has other useful features.

Unfortunately, the light in the apartment sometimes disappears when you least expect it. But you can try to independently determine the place where the hidden wiring broke. By the way, just such a troubleshooting will often be faster than waiting for the arrival of the appropriate specialist for repair. Moreover, light, as a rule, is needed by all family members right now.

So, you will need these tools:

• tester;
• screwdriver-indicator;
• screwdriver ordinary with different nozzles;
• pliers;
• a knife that has handle insulation;
• insulating tape.

In addition, to search for a break, you can use a non-contact indicator that determines the location of the hidden electrical wiring. And it does not have to be a separate device, sometimes the simplest of them are built directly into indicator screwdrivers. But remember that when searching, the proximity indicator may not work correctly if, in addition to wiring, there are other metal objects in the wall, etc.

How to determine the place where the wiring broke

If you want to do all the actions with your own hands and without any factory devices, then you will have to do something like a portable tester. You can quickly and easily find a broken wire with it.

For this you will need the following materials:

• working cartridge;
• any light bulb: from 40 to 100 W;
• two wires in isolation with one core;
• knife, tape, pliers.

Start by connecting two solid wires to the socket, and then screw the light bulb into it. Strip 2-3 mm from the edge of each of the wires so that the contact goes well.

You can check a self-made tester if you supply electricity to the device. Any socket will work for this: just insert both ends of the wires there. If the light bulb screwed into the cartridge starts to glow, you did everything right. And remember that when searching for a break with a tester, you should not touch bare wiring that is energized.

Now it's time to check how quickly your tester will find a break in hidden wiring. The first thing to do is turn off the power supply to that part of the cable that you will check with the device. Get to the metal strands of wiring in the middle, using a knife to cut off a small part of the insulating layer.

Then you need to apply voltage to the cable under test and use a tester to see if electricity passes here. If the light starts to glow, then insulate the place of the insulation cut and continue to search for a break - it is further away. If there is no signal from your device (the light does not light up), you need to move in the direction where the current comes from.

After the test, it will become clear in which part of the cable a break occurred. Further actions are exactly the same as before: find the middle and carry out all the manipulations in the same order. Be prepared that more than one such movement along the wiring may be needed, especially when the cable is long.

Please note that if there are gaps in your path electrical circuit(switches, junction boxes, etc.), you will also have to check them with a tester. The device will immediately show the presence or absence of voltage in the network, which will bring you one step closer to troubleshooting and turning on the light.

Well, when, thanks to the search with the tester, you find the place of the break, just replace the wiring there. That's the whole repair, which is not so difficult to do it yourself.

How to check switches and sockets

To identify and fix the problem in this case, you will need an indicator screwdriver. With its help, it is easy to understand which wire is broken: "phase" or "zero".

When inspecting the contacts in this way and the power supply is on, only one cable is energized in the sockets - in the off position. In switches, this will be one (in the "off" position), or three wires - when it is on.

In any case, if the phase is present, it means that zero is broken. Then proceed to inspect the wiring and search for a breakage point using a special device - a tester.

First, the electricity is turned off, and then notches are made on the cables after a certain interval - about a meter. By measuring the resistance between these points, you will see that the values ​​will be approximately the same. Revealing a large difference or almost complete absence of resistance will mean that you have found a broken electrical wiring in a certain area.

Now you will have to split the cable into two more smaller sections and check them with a device. And so on until you set the break point with high accuracy. Although it often happens that at some point it is visible even to the naked eye.

When the search ends and the fault is fixed, carefully insulate the exposed wires. Everything, the work was completed in a short time - what you wanted.

Use of special devices

As much as we would not like to do everything with our own hands, using improvised tools and materials, but sometimes it is simply impossible. Unfortunately, it often happens that it is quite difficult to do without the use of special devices. For example, when there is a break in electrical wiring in a thick brick or concrete wall.

In such cases, you will have to use non-contact indicators of hidden wiring to search. They do not damage the integrity of the cables, but only show network data in a certain place. Having received them, you will be able to accurately determine the location of the hidden wiring break and quickly carry out repairs.

What to look for when buying

In electrical stores, you will find a lot of different models of detectors that differ in both functionality and price. The simplest of them do not give an idea of ​​the place of the break as accurately as more expensive devices, but this is enough to successfully troubleshoot and fix the problem with your own hands.

Well, the best and most advanced models of detectors can easily distinguish between live and de-energized wiring, and will also be able to indicate the presence of certain materials in the wall. It all depends on the technologies that are used in a particular device.

Varieties of hidden wiring detectors

They are quite simply arranged, but reliable and widely used. Their disadvantage is that they only work with energized wiring. In addition, electrostatic detectors may give incorrect readings if the wall is metal or the room is humid. For example, in a bathhouse or a metal garage, they are practically useless.

Electromagnetic detectors

Their main advantage is quality and convenience when searching for a break in the wiring hidden in the wall. In addition, they are very reliable and durable. But the weak side of such electromagnetic devices is poor performance at a network load of less than 1 kW or in the absence of voltage.

Metal detectors can be used to search for a break in the wiring hidden in the wall, but only if there are no other metal objects (nail, screw, etc.) on the way.

Combined detectors

This group of devices for finding a break in the wiring hidden in the wall requires special attention. First of all, because they have a rather high price due to the extended functionality. Combined detectors can use several various ways troubleshooting the network.

This makes it possible not only to determine the location of the break with high accuracy, but even to know the depth of the cable in the wall or the magnitude of the mains voltage. Some multi-detectors easily detect non-ferrous metal, plastic or wood that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

How to choose the right wire detector

It all depends on two factors: the availability of the functions you need and the price of the device. But be careful: the store has a lot of varieties of detectors that have a minimum of differences. It will not be superfluous to first find out which models are most in demand. For sure, there will be less hassle with branded products than with obscure products made in China.

Yes, it happens that Chinese devices work for many years, and branded devices quickly fail - there's nothing to be done. Unless you really check the detector right in the store, setting them the same tasks for which you buy it.

For example, start by finding some visible wire, and then complicate the search by covering it with wood, foam, etc. Or just move away from the cable, have the seller de-energize it, and now try to find a break - from different distances. If the detector behaves predictably - as the manufacturer guarantees, then this model is right for you.

When searching for a break in the wiring hidden in the wall, remember that the cables are most often laid strictly vertically or horizontally, and the turns are usually about 90 degrees. Knowing this, tracing the path from the junction box to the outlet or switch will be quite simple.

And do not forget the main thing when working with electrical appliances - there is always a risk of electric shock. So be sure to de-energize the network before starting work, and you will succeed.

Due to the violation of the integrity of the wiring, immured under a layer finishing materials, tenants of the apartment may be left without the usual amenities. To restore the current supply, you need to know how to find a break in the wall and fix the damage found.

Damage to the power grid can be suspected in the event of a partial loss of supply electric current. A broken wire may be indicated by a lack of voltage in sockets located in a certain area, or by lighting not working in a separate room.

Sometimes wiring problems can also be accompanied by smoke or sparks in the cable.

Wire defects include breaks and breaks in the cores in the cord, as well as violations in the insulating sheath of the cable

Damage occurs on various segments of the network: the power supply may be interrupted at the junction of the cable with a socket or with a switch; in the area between these devices and the box or lighting fixture.

Causes of malfunctions

Subject to the rules for the operation of electrical communications, they can regularly serve for decades. But in practice, damage to power networks is quite common, which can be caused by various reasons. These factors include:

• Long-term cable operation. Wiring can function flawlessly for many years, but after a certain time limit, it begins to break down. In this case, twists crumble in the network and leaks appear, which regularly knock out the RCD (its absence affects the increase in leaks). Sooner or later, such violations lead to interruptions, and then to a complete cessation of the supply of electric current.
• Mechanical damage. Without knowing the scheme for laying electrical networks, when drilling holes and driving nails in the wall, you can easily touch the wire, causing it to break, and sometimes short circuit. Sometimes minor mechanical damage has a delayed effect: in this case, the integrity of the core may not be broken immediately, but after several months or even a year.
• Defective wire or poor quality electrical wiring. Damaged cables tend to heat up constantly, which can be fatal. After a sudden power surge, such wires can break.
• Incorrect use of adapters. Wiring failures can be caused by misuse of extension cords or tees. This can happen if several high-power household appliances are connected to the device, such as a washing machine and dishwasher. In such a situation, the cables that come from the adapter are subjected to overheating and increased stress, which can lead to melting of the insulation.

In all cases, it is necessary to find the location of the cable damage in order to immediately repair the damage.

General instructions for finding the place of the break

If a malfunction is detected, it is necessary to immediately take measures to find out the cause of the damage and find the approximate location of the defect in the electrical networks.

First of all, you need to check which rooms have problems with the supply of electric current.

Melted switches or sockets indicate that wiring damage has occurred in adjacent sections of the electrical network

Then you should find out if the cable break affected the lighting fixtures or sockets by checking them with a tester. Depending on the answers to the last question, you should follow the instructions below.

Identification of the place of breakdown in case of problems with sockets

In this case, the fault may be caused by a fault in the phase or neutral cable.

Phase wire break

First of all, it is necessary to determine to which machine the damaged socket is connected. Having found out the power source to which the faulty cable is connected, it is necessary to turn off the electricity and disconnect all wires from the shield: “zero”, “phase”, “ground” (if any).

In order to find the power source of the socket, it is necessary to switch the machine, at the same time checking the presence or absence of a phase with the indicator

Then you need to arm yourself with a multimeter, with which you should sequentially check all the connections adjacent to the damaged object, starting from the cable in the shield. In this way, it is possible to identify the affected area: usually there are two wires between two sockets, and if there is a "ground" and three wires. If only one vein can be identified in this area (for example, zero), we can safely assume that the cliff is located here.

Terminal boxes are often inaccessible because they are hidden under a layer of finishing materials. If you have access to such devices, it is advisable to open them, since damage to the cores often occurs in them. If no malfunctions are found at the same time, you should check the idle wires with the indicator, starting with the twists, and also examine the terminal block and the disassembled twists.

A wiring option is possible that does not provide for the installation of a box. In this case, the cables go freely from one outlet to another, while two wires that make up 4 cores enter each socket. In this case, to identify a defect, it is required to remove the devices located at the beginning and end of the faulty section, and then examine all the wires with a multimeter.

Break of the neutral wire

The search for a break in the neutral wire practically does not differ from the work on detecting a break in the “phase”, however, it has certain features.

You can find out about a break in the zero core at the socket contacts by bringing an indicator screwdriver to this place: it will glow on the “phase”, but it will show the absence of “zero”. In this case, it is useless to use a multimeter to check the voltage, since this device will show an arbitrary value from 0 to 220 V.

It is important to observe strict safety precautions: due to the presence of a phase, there is a risk of electric shock even if the socket is not working.

The intricacies of wires placed inside the wall are quite difficult to figure out. In order to identify a faulty cable, it is often necessary to check the integrity of each element of the network.

If a three-core cable is used for distributing electricity, as a last resort, a “ground” conductor can be used to transmit “zero”. However, in this case, the "ground" function will be absent in the socket: this is generally undesirable and unacceptable when it comes to high-power household appliances, for example, a washing machine.

Troubleshooting Lighting Wiring

If damage has occurred between the box and the switch or a source of artificial light, an indicator (single-pole voltage indicator) should be used to determine the presence or absence of a "phase" with it.

If there is no light in one of the rooms, you must first check the condition of the lamps and cartridges. If their condition does not cause concern, most likely we are talking about a cable break.

To do this, open the switch from the lighting device; in the off position, the presence of a “phase” on the contacts is checked. In its absence, the place of the break is located between the box and the switch. If there is a "phase", its presence is also checked on the lamp (in this case, the switch is turned on). In the absence of a “phase” on all cores, the damage should be sought between the lamp and the box.

There is an option when, when the lighting is not working and there is no “phase” on the switch, the indicator shows its presence on the lamp. This arrangement means that the neutral and phase wires have changed places.

To solve the problem, it is required to trace the passage of the “phase” wire along the entire distance of the laid cable, starting from the box to the lamp and further to the switch. It is necessary to find the point where the wires were changed, disconnect them and make new fasteners, correctly arranging the wiring.

When performing a damage search, you should turn off the power supply to the cable, which can be from any source. In some cases, it may be necessary to burn the wiring insulation to reduce the resistance level.

Having established the approximate affected area, one should proceed to an in-depth search for the damage site, which can be carried out using various methods.

Finding the exact location

There are various ways to find a damaged wire.

Opening the wall during major repairs

Most a simple means detection of cable damage is a complete cleaning of the walls from finishing materials. In this case, it is easy to inspect the strobes made to accommodate hidden cables. They differ in color from the rest of the surface, in addition, putty is additionally applied to them.

Finding a broken wire is a rather complicated process, so in some cases it is advisable to call power supply specialists with special equipment

However, since in this case the complete exposure of the walls and the dismantling of decorative coatings (paint, wallpaper) are required, it is advisable to use it during the overhaul of the premises, which provides for a new design of vertical surfaces.

Boolean search method

If the tenants do not have a power plan, you can try to recreate it using logic.

Professional electricians are well aware of the basic principles of laying electrical communications, namely:

• Wiring is always carried out strictly along vertical and horizontal lines, that is, the cables always run parallel and perpendicular to the floor.
• Power lines located above sockets and switches always go straight up, which is why drilling and nailing are strictly prohibited in this area.
• The wiring is usually stretched at a distance of 15 cm from the floor or, more often, the ceiling, so it is also not worth carrying out repairs here.

Knowing the location of sockets and switches, you can create a communication scheme in the apartment.

Knowing the basic principles of location electrical networks, you can reduce the time to find faulty wiring by focusing on the most likely areas of damage

However, to check the proposed layout of electrical networks, it is advisable to use special devices (professional or homemade), which will be discussed below.

Tools available: radio and microphone

If necessary, a conventional transistor receiver will allow you to install a cable lesion site. It must be tuned to 100 kHz waves and brought to the intended affected area. Above the place where the power grid passes, the noise of the receiver will increase, and the crackle will subside above the place of the break.

Do not rush to throw away the microphone from the old radio. This elementary device will help you identify the location of the damage to the electrical wire.

Instead of a radio, you can also use a microphone from a portable tape recorder. It should be connected to the network and carried over the surface of the wall where the faulty cable is supposed to be. As in the previous version, a crack will be heard above the electric line, which will stop when a break is detected.

It is important to consider that improvised devices give an error of 10-15 centimeters. In order to avoid electric shock when performing repairs, it is better to play it safe by taking additional precautions.

Search with professional equipment

Special devices allow not only to detect the cable, but also to find the area where the burnt or broken wire is located.

Inexpensive household testers are available for sale, with which you can easily examine the wiring and find a damaged wire.

Among the various devices used to search for damage can be noted:

• Signaling device E-121 ("Woodpecker"). With it, you can carry out work at a depth of up to 7 centimeters, which allows you to detect electrical wiring and a broken core even in a wall finished with drywall.
• MS detector. Another popular detector that is easy to use and allows you to get a fairly accurate result.

These and similar devices give fast and reliable results, but they have certain disadvantages. First of all, with their help it is impossible to find a cable protected by a foil shield. Such devices react not only to electrical wiring, but also to other metal objects, for example, nails and screws located in the wall. Finally, although these detectors are easy to use, they require attention and skill to operate.

You can also examine the wire in the wall using an indicator screwdriver, but this method is only suitable for the case when the live wires are at a shallow depth in concrete.

The thermal imager allows not only to determine the location of damage, but also to check the quality of electrical communications in the building, detecting network problems (short circuit, leakage)

Bosch DMF 10 zoom, VP-440, POSP-1, GVT-92, GVD-504A and others are also suitable for detecting hidden wiring and a conductor damage point under plaster. It is possible to use a locator or other professional equipment.

Checking wiring with a homemade device

An alternative to expensive professional equipment can be a budget metal detector made from improvised material. One of the most popular options is a device for the manufacture of which old CDs are used. Despite the apparent simplicity of this device, it allows you to find live wiring that is under decorative trim at a depth of up to 10 cm.

Making a metal detector with your own hands

For the device you will need:

• unnecessary CDs and DVDs (two-sided allow you to make the device more sensitive);
• battery "Krona";
• calculator (simple model);
• glue;
• insulating tape.

Step-by-step instruction:

• First of all, you need to cut off the headphone plug. Strip the insulation on two wires, exposing the cores by 0.5-1 centimeter.
• The exposed wires should be divided into 2 parts, so that 4 veins are obtained.
• Each of the disks is attached to one of the contacts taken from different groups. On a double-sided media, they are attached arbitrarily, on a single-sided media, they are attached to the writing side.
• The installed wires are fixed with glue, and then additionally fixed on the disks with electrical tape.
• The remaining two cores are connected in the standard way to the plus / minus of the battery, after which the bare contacts are carefully insulated with tape.
• The included calculator is also attached to the CD using insulating material.
• A DVD is placed on top of the calculator, then the design is fixed with electrical tape for integrity.
• A battery is attached to the surface of the video disc with electrical tape.

After that, you can test the device, which will make a sound over metal objects.

A homemade metal detector can also be made from an AM radio and a calculator. It is enough to put the included elements in the box from the discs and secure with electrical tape

Modern construction technologies often involve the use of beacons or markers in places where electrical networks pass. This greatly facilitates the process of finding a damaged core using both professional and amateur tools.

Search for electrical wiring for preventive purposes

Usually electricians or residents start looking for cables passing through the apartment when there are violations with the light. Meanwhile, it is worth taking care of this in other situations:

• Before the planned redevelopment of the apartment. For any manipulations that affect even non-bearing structures (for example, when disassembling a partition or moving a doorway), it is important to consider the location of electrical communications.
• Before installing a sconce, hanging a picture or other wall accessory. To carry out such work, it is important to know where the cable is, so as not to stumble upon it when drilling holes or driving nails.
• When purchasing a home. Immediately after buying an apartment, it is advisable to draw up a plan for electrical networks located along the walls and ceiling. On the diagram, it is also worth noting the locations of sockets, switches, and a junction box. Such marking will help when performing major / cosmetic repairs of the apartment, as well as when arranging furniture.

To search for the power line, you can use home-made or professional devices that were described above.

Elimination of a break in the phase and neutral wires

Having found out the exact location of the cable break and determining its feature (damage to the “phase”, “zero”), you can begin to repair it.

To repair a damaged phase wire, follow these steps:

• First of all, you need to disconnect the phase wire.
• Using a hammer or other tool, remove plaster or other finishes from the wall surface. It is necessary to free the area along the route by about 10-15 cm, capturing the area to the right and left of the alleged center of damage.
• It is required to separate the damaged core from the network, trying not to touch the insulation on other cables.
• Copper wiring is best connected by soldering. To do this, you need to take an additional piece of a similar product from which a repair jumper is made.
• It is also advisable to pre-put on the core of the damaged cable PVC or heat shrink tube. The ends of the jumper are twisted with the ends of the broken wire, after which the connections are soldered.
• An insulating tape is applied tightly (in several layers) to the repaired place, after which a tube dressed on a wire is carefully pushed onto it. This ensures the tightness of the fastener.

Aluminum wires are less susceptible to soldering, which also requires special solder and flux. In this case, the WAGO terminal will be the most reliable connection method, while the place of its attachment must be wrapped with electrical tape and additionally covered with sealant.

The wires can also be connected using a junction box. To do this, the insulation is removed from the broken wire, after which its ends are bred into different sides. Using a puncher equipped with a special crown, a hole is punched in the wall, the dimensions of which coincide with the parameters of the junction box.

The device is inserted into the opening, after which it is fixed with alabaster. Wires are placed in the box, while the damaged cores are connected by color and wrapped with insulating tape. In conclusion, the box with the restored wires is closed with a lid.

If the cables are placed in special tubes, the damaged cores should be carefully pulled out, and new wires should be inserted in their place using a pulling device.

If the neutral cable is damaged at the beginning of work, it must be disconnected from the bus by attaching a phase conductor. The rest of the process is the same as described above.

After any type of repair, the strobes are covered with plaster. It is possible to give voltage to the repaired wiring only after the coating has completely dried.

Laying open electrical networks

Repair work associated with a break in the wire of hidden wiring usually requires complex construction and repair work: dismantling the finish, chasing the walls, followed by sealing and covering the wall section with decorative materials.

Eliminating a break in a hidden wire often requires dismantling the finish, so it is advisable to combine such work with a major overhaul of the premises

Since the immediate implementation of such manipulations is not always available, in some cases it can be recommended to lay a new wire along the wall surface, covering it in a special box or tube.

The videos below provide detailed video instructions for finding a damaged cable.

Search for a cable break with a metal detector:

If you have a radio on hand, it can also help:

Finding a broken wire is a rather complicated and responsible process. It requires attention, accuracy and strict adherence to instructions. Using the methods outlined above, you can find the place of damage to the wire and eliminate the defect found.