DIY Tracing Wires in Walls

Plug in the tracer transmitter into the wall receptacle that is on the desired circuit you wish to trace. Ensure all other electronic devices are switched off, since they may interfere with the transmitter’s signal and prevent it from locating hidden wires.

Tune the transmitter and receiver. Hold the receiver near the transmitter and turn the dial until it begins to produce a loud, continual beeping sound and steady light.

Position the receiver against the wall, close to the transmitter, and slowly begin to slide it across the wall. As the receiver approaches a hidden wire, it begins to blink and produce a faint sound.

Move the receiver slowly along the wall until the sound grows louder and the light becomes more solid, indicating it is directly above the wire. At this point, mark the location of the wire on the wall with colored pencil. Continue this process until you map the hidden circuit wires on the wall.

Turn off the transmitter and remove it from the wall receptacle. Remove the bulb from the light fixture that is closest to the circuit you want to trace, and insert the transmitter into it. After tracing utility circuits, you want to trace the lighting circuits that are typically wired separately.

Set the receiver on the wall near the transmitter, and slowly slide it across the surface until it signals the location of an electrical wire. Repeat the process for tracing the wires on the walls, but use masking tape or a pencil in a different color to avoid confusing these locations with the previous wires.