I'm trying to repair or replace some lighting fixtures in my front yard that are connected by a buried low voltage line I installed years ago. The line seems to be malfunctioning, and I want to avoid tearing up my lawn while figuring out what's wrong. I've tried using a tone generator, but it doesn't seem to work, and I suspect the line might be severed and improperly grounded, which could cancel out the tone. Is there a better toning device I can get to help trace the line and locate where it might be grounded or where the break is? I think the damage might be at one of the ends, but I can't locate the other end and would prefer to avoid trenching a new line. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
1 Answer
Consider using a TDR (Time Domain Reflectometer). It's a handy tool that measures the distance to faults in cables, making it easier to locate where the break is. Fluke has a model that isn't too pricey, and many professional cable testers come with this feature. Just remember, once you find the fault, that's when you can use a tone generator to help further—if it's open, it'll tone; if it has continuity, it won't!
Can you share a product or model that works best for this? I’d love to give it a try!