How to Trace Electrical Wires?

If you need to detect or trace electrical wires easily using a non-invasive method, you might want to consider one of these instruments:

1- Wire / Cable Tracers ← Click link for examples

This is the specific tool for this purpose. It will help you to locate and determine the direction of both energized and de-energized cables or wires by transmitting a signal off a target, through the wall. There’s also a version that specifically works locating cables underground.

2- Stud Finder ← Click link for examples

Using a Magnetic Stud Finder you will be able to easily detect where there is a wire behind the wall, ceiling, or floor or wall studs. It works by producing electrical fields when the user puts it on the surface and produces a beep sound to indicate where the wire is.

3- Voltage detectors ← Click link for examples

After finding your wires, a Voltage detector is very useful, as you will be able to test whether the wires are live.


IMPORTANT: Safety First: Always be careful while performing projects involving electricity. When in doubt, ask a professional for help and advice.

Below is a hand picked selection of some of these instruments. Please click the title links above for the complete lists.