How to detect Electrical Current From Outside of the Wire?

[Marcaroberts]

We have several (a jungle) electrical cables running through our premises (staircases, walls) since very long time. Some of these cables are DEAD wires and supposedly do not carry any current. We want to remove those wires and reduce the 'clutter'. However, we do not know which wires are dead and which wires carry current. We do not want to 'cut' the wire to measure the current. We want to detect the electrical current from 'outside' of the cable. What is the instrument which does this job and how does it function ?
If you can also tell me where it is available in Mumbai, India, it will be an icing on the cake !

 

[Amp David]

If they are single core cables you can use a clamp meter to measure if the cables are loaded or they is the voltalert type tester which tells you that voltage is present. Thing with using a Voltalert tester when you have several cables, it can pick up voltage from the surrounding cables so not always 100% reliable IMO

AC/DC Clamp Meters - Clamp Meters - AC/DC Clamp Meters

Megger VF2 Voltage Detector Stick for Finding AC Voltage - Voltage Detectors & Proving - Megger VF2 Voltage Finder Stick

 

[Pea Long]

Ya, it is done that way. You can search for a simple clamp meter or volt alert.

 

[golfpaul]

A voltstick and a tough pair of snips

Get someone qualified if not 100% though.

 

[Marvo]

Cutting cables is dangerous unless you trace the cable and find the origin and the destination then disconnect both ends to make it safe. That way you don't need test equipment and your eyebrows will still be in tact.

 

[Farmelectrics]

you should never cut any cable until you have seen the ends of the cable trace them out and then remove them after testing them of course do the job properly and safely

 

[Amp David]

DOn't be daft lads, hes in India where I don't think they have any regulations regarding safety etc lol

 

[davelerave]

you're not going to be able to determine what's in use or otherwise

just by using a clamp and a volt-alert

unless you're very lucky

you could be cutting cpc's as well-if you're not familiar

 

[Gazzdid]

be careful!! a dead cable is not necessarily a redundant one!! for example a cable could be dead until you flick a switch (switchwire), or something on a timeclock etc etc. you need to trace each cable to find out exactly where its fed from to safelly disconnect it. if you dont it could be dangerous and also could cause yourself tripping problems etc

Gazz

 

[martysparky]

I would always check with a meter regardless to thinking you have found both ends as there may be a connection you have missed.