How to Use a Probe to Identify Alarm Wires

Identifying a single, unmarked wire among other similar looking wires can be difficult under the best circumstances. When trying to identify an alarm wire that runs through walls and ceilings, it can be nearly impossible. A tone generator sends a signal through the wire that can be detected as an audible tone by a probe. Using the probe, you can simply follow the wire through a bundle of other wires, walls and ceilings all the way to its termination point.

Screwdrivers
Tone generator
Amplifier probe

Instructions

- 1
  Disconnect one end of the wire using a screwdriver. Separate two conductors inside of the wire.
- 2
  Connect the lead clips from the tone generator to the bare ends of the two separated conductors. Connect one clip to a conductor and the other to ground if two conductors are not available. Switch the tone generator on and select either "single" or "alternating" tone.
- 3
  Press the button on the amplifier probe and touch the end of the probe to the wire near the lead clips. Adjust the volume on the probe until the tone is audible.
- 4
  Touch the probe to the wires at the end that is to be identified. Listen for the tone as each wire is touched; the wire with the strongest tone is the one connected to the tone generator.
- 5
  Repeat the process with each wire that is to be identified, marking and reconnecting each wire as it is recognized.

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