Voltage detectors how to use them?

Honest John Back Room » General discussion ( non motoring )
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Tue 18 May 2010 22:29
Voltage detectors how to use them? - homervanderjaz

Hi, I have bought one of those all in one, voltage + Metal + stud, detectors and was hoping it would allow me to drill more safely into walls etc. However when I run it across most parts of walls inside the house it seems to flash and beep intermitedly which is making it impossible to drill anywhere. Can anyone advise whether I am using this wrong? Should I only avoid drilling in areas where there is a continuous buzzing noise? Thanks for any help.

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Fri 21 May 2010 23:09
Voltage detectors how to use them? - nick62

I brought one last year and took it back for a refund about an hour later, because it was rubbish. It wasn't expensive and I guess its the old addage "you only get..............".

Don't know if there are more expensive ones that work though?

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Sat 22 May 2010 18:55
Voltage detectors how to use them? - BorisTheSpider

What type of house do you live in? I've had various degrees of success with them. In a 1960s build it did seem to work but in the new build it suggested that there was things hiding everywhere.

Boris

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Tue 22 Jun 2010 09:15
Voltage detectors how to use them? - Mil1194

I know this thread is a month old but I have bought two - a Stanley one and a Bosch one and they were both carp. They are def. not to be trusted and also they weren't cheap cheap - between 60 and 100quid.

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Tue 22 Jun 2010 10:12
Voltage detectors how to use them? - Waino

I've an old Black & Decker one. It works, though I'm not always confident about the results and always breathe a sigh of relief when the hole is drilled and I'm not electrocuted or water spurts out. I was particularly pleased at our old house when I managed to trace an electrical cable that defied logic and ran diagonally up a wall.

Not sure about this, but I suspect that they may be thrown by metal foil that backs plasterboard that is used these days.

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