Identifying Wires
Discussion
Hi all,
A friend currently has a bundle of ten or so thin wires which run from one room in his house into another. Sadly when these wires were installed they were not identified at either end meaning that it is difficult to know which wire is which (not helped by the fact that many are the same colour!).
The wires are not currently live and neither are they on a live circuit. He would like to identify which one is which, are there any cheap cable tester/signal sender/clever little wiring set up’s available that would enable him to easily do this?
Thanks
A friend currently has a bundle of ten or so thin wires which run from one room in his house into another. Sadly when these wires were installed they were not identified at either end meaning that it is difficult to know which wire is which (not helped by the fact that many are the same colour!).
The wires are not currently live and neither are they on a live circuit. He would like to identify which one is which, are there any cheap cable tester/signal sender/clever little wiring set up’s available that would enable him to easily do this?
Thanks
A little Tone Generator should do the job nicely.
Beware of crosstalk between wires though (you may find you pick up a fainter tone on adjacent wires so be sure to check them all to find the strongest)
Beware of crosstalk between wires though (you may find you pick up a fainter tone on adjacent wires so be sure to check them all to find the strongest)
Thanks for that, I had spotted those but was wary of being able to "complete" the circuit as such, as he was only intending to identify single wires.
Would he have to know the identity of one wire before he used something like this? Or can you just work with one single wire at a time?
Would he have to know the identity of one wire before he used something like this? Or can you just work with one single wire at a time?
Any cheap multi meter with continuity test. Or even an old door bell and battery would do.
Connect a length of wire to one of the ends (common) or use an existing cable if it can be identified at both ends by colour.
Connect one probe to this "common"
Connect the other probe to each of the other cables until it beeps.
Label this wire at both ends.
Repeat for the others.
Voila.
Connect a length of wire to one of the ends (common) or use an existing cable if it can be identified at both ends by colour.
Connect one probe to this "common"
Connect the other probe to each of the other cables until it beeps.
Label this wire at both ends.
Repeat for the others.
Voila.
TomE said:
Thanks for that, I had spotted those but was wary of being able to "complete" the circuit as such, as he was only intending to identify single wires.
Would he have to know the identity of one wire before he used something like this? Or can you just work with one single wire at a time?
They do like an earth as well but will work ok on just one wire iirc.Would he have to know the identity of one wire before he used something like this? Or can you just work with one single wire at a time?
Once you get one wire....
I would aproach this by identifying pairs.
Short two wires at second location then look for short at your home location.
Removes the need for a second person who may or may not be reliable. Wife perhaps, or a colour blind but well meaning friend.
Go to an electronics shop and see if they have some small numbered sleeves that you slip over each wire once you establish continuity.
I would aproach this by identifying pairs.
Short two wires at second location then look for short at your home location.
Removes the need for a second person who may or may not be reliable. Wife perhaps, or a colour blind but well meaning friend.
Go to an electronics shop and see if they have some small numbered sleeves that you slip over each wire once you establish continuity.
jeff m said:
Once you get one wire....
I would aproach this by identifying pairs.
Short two wires at second location then look for short at your home location.
Removes the need for a second person who may or may not be reliable. Wife perhaps, or a colour blind but well meaning friend.
Go to an electronics shop and see if they have some small numbered sleeves that you slip over each wire once you establish continuity.
That's what i said - Bell them out.I would aproach this by identifying pairs.
Short two wires at second location then look for short at your home location.
Removes the need for a second person who may or may not be reliable. Wife perhaps, or a colour blind but well meaning friend.
Go to an electronics shop and see if they have some small numbered sleeves that you slip over each wire once you establish continuity.
dickymint said:
jeff m said:
Once you get one wire....
I would aproach this by identifying pairs.
Short two wires at second location then look for short at your home location.
Removes the need for a second person who may or may not be reliable. Wife perhaps, or a colour blind but well meaning friend.
Go to an electronics shop and see if they have some small numbered sleeves that you slip over each wire once you establish continuity.
That's what i said - Bell them out.I would aproach this by identifying pairs.
Short two wires at second location then look for short at your home location.
Removes the need for a second person who may or may not be reliable. Wife perhaps, or a colour blind but well meaning friend.
Go to an electronics shop and see if they have some small numbered sleeves that you slip over each wire once you establish continuity.
jeff m said:
dickymint said:
jeff m said:
Once you get one wire....
I would aproach this by identifying pairs.
Short two wires at second location then look for short at your home location.
Removes the need for a second person who may or may not be reliable. Wife perhaps, or a colour blind but well meaning friend.
Go to an electronics shop and see if they have some small numbered sleeves that you slip over each wire once you establish continuity.
That's what i said - Bell them out.I would aproach this by identifying pairs.
Short two wires at second location then look for short at your home location.
Removes the need for a second person who may or may not be reliable. Wife perhaps, or a colour blind but well meaning friend.
Go to an electronics shop and see if they have some small numbered sleeves that you slip over each wire once you establish continuity.
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