harrycatcat1 Posted August 23, 2022 Report Share Posted August 23, 2022 I have been tasked to fit a television bracket at my sister in laws but just below where the position is there is a on off switch for the light. I'm looking for a device that will indicate where the wires are in a stud/plasterboard wall please. Preferably from screwfix or toolstation and not overly expensive as its a "one off" job. Thanks for looking 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
den5008 Posted August 23, 2022 Report Share Posted August 23, 2022 why don't you go on both of there websites,then you can decide what one to get in your budget, simples Den Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrycatcat1 Posted August 23, 2022 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2022 7 minutes ago, den5008 said: why don't you go on both of there websites,then you can decide what one to get in your budget, simples Den Do they all do the same thing or are there some to avoid 🤔 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant1 Posted August 23, 2022 Report Share Posted August 23, 2022 unscrew the light switch and see where the cable is coming in. i would say from the ceiling down to the switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrycatcat1 Posted August 23, 2022 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2022 38 minutes ago, ant1 said: unscrew the light switch and see where the cable is coming in. i would say from the ceiling down to the switch. I was thinking that too, that's why I wanted a tester to find out just where so I don't drill into them as the bracket has to go above the switch by about 12". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elgreco Posted August 23, 2022 Report Share Posted August 23, 2022 If the wire is going into the switch from above it should be running vertically plumb so avoid putting any fixings there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millrace Posted August 23, 2022 Report Share Posted August 23, 2022 Ground floor down wall.....1st floor up wall..... Unscrew plate and see.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaymo Posted August 24, 2022 Report Share Posted August 24, 2022 If only you weren’t so far away 😉 I use a Bosch version which very very accurately detects cabling/live cables along with other metallic objects and you would have been welcome to borrow it had you been nearer. Cabling should be run in ‘zones’ vertically and horizontally from face plates, but some sparkles idea of vertical sure is different to mine 😂 Also it’s been known in the past that some cowboys will just run cable in the shortest direction, even if that’s diagonal 😡😡😡 No finder is fool proof, but it’s about mitigation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted August 24, 2022 Report Share Posted August 24, 2022 9 hours ago, elgreco said: If the wire is going into the switch from above it should be running vertically plumb so avoid putting any fixings there. Depending on who did the wiring. Not all comply with the rules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
den5008 Posted August 24, 2022 Report Share Posted August 24, 2022 normally lights run down the wall and sockets run up the wall,saying that I have a socket that runs down the wall from up stairs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
udderlyoffroad Posted August 24, 2022 Report Share Posted August 24, 2022 The phrase is “prescribed zones” But, as stated, not everyone complies with the rules. If it’s genuinely as stud wall however, just screw it into the studs using coach screws. You can usually find the studs by running a magnet along the wall looking for the plasterboard screws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted August 24, 2022 Report Share Posted August 24, 2022 Do you have any friends who metal detect as a hobby , we use a thing called a " pin pointer" it's to zoom in on a metal find . That would do the job for you . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrycatcat1 Posted August 24, 2022 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2022 1 hour ago, udderlyoffroad said: You can usually find the studs by running a magnet along the wall looking for the plasterboard screws. Good idea 💡 👍 Think I will just get a tester as a back up for about a tenner and see how we go with the help of a magnet. Thanks to everyone 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrycatcat1 Posted August 25, 2022 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2022 Just for completeness this is what I bought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
udderlyoffroad Posted August 25, 2022 Report Share Posted August 25, 2022 That’s a chicken stick/voltage detector pen, not meant for finding cables in walls. Won’t help with pipes or finding studs either! Its main purpose is to show whether a given cable has power to it. They will generally beep fast if you hold against the line conductor & slower against the neutral. It *might* work in a wall, but might not. Make sure your light is switched on, as they’re usually better at picking up on a line conductor from a distance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrycatcat1 Posted August 25, 2022 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2022 1 hour ago, udderlyoffroad said: That’s a chicken stick/voltage detector pen, not meant for finding cables in walls. Won’t help with pipes or finding studs either! Its main purpose is to show whether a given cable has power to it. They will generally beep fast if you hold against the line conductor & slower against the neutral. It *might* work in a wall, but might not. Make sure your light is switched on, as they’re usually better at picking up on a line conductor from a distance. This is why I was asking for advice about cables in walls but the advice wasn't forthcoming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaymo Posted August 25, 2022 Report Share Posted August 25, 2022 There was quite a bit of advice and you asked about detecting cables. What you have purchased isn’t suitable as it will only work when placed upon said cable and not through several mill of plaster etc. It does have a pretty light on so they will find your body in the dark when the rcd/ rcbo or whatever is in your CU. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrycatcat1 Posted August 25, 2022 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2022 (edited) 2 hours ago, Jaymo said: There was quite a bit of advice and you asked about detecting cables. What you have purchased isn’t suitable as it will only work when placed upon said cable and not through several mill of plaster etc. It does have a pretty light on so they will find your body in the dark when the rcd/ rcbo or whatever is in your CU. With respect, yes I did ask how to detect cables in a stud wall and as I don't have a clue that's why I asked. Where in this thread advises me which one to buy? Edited to say, what's with the sarcasm about finding my body? No wonder folks don't want to ask for advice. Edited August 25, 2022 by harrycatcat1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaymo Posted August 25, 2022 Report Share Posted August 25, 2022 (edited) Wasn’t intended to be sarcastic but merely making a reference to the ‘death stick’ that you have purchased. Even for the task it’s sold for they have the potential to give some false readings- a proving unit with tester is really the only way. But looking back, advice has been given as to cable runs but not a decent unit, so here is what we use in conjunction with caution of course. It’s all about mitigation. Use a unit such as this to detect ( nothing is 100%) and then isolate that circuit when you do decide to drill. Worst case is when you power that circuit back up is that it trips due to an errant screw which is when you call the spark to drop a replacement leg in. https://www.screwfix.com/p/bosch-truvo-digital-detector/8426t If you wish to cover postage both ways then your welcome to use ours. Forgot to say. If def a stud wall, you can remove the faceplate to see the depth/placement/run of cable too which may help Edited August 25, 2022 by Jaymo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
udderlyoffroad Posted August 25, 2022 Report Share Posted August 25, 2022 One of the reasons I didn't offer much of an opinion about actually cable detectors, is the ones I've used are a bit hit-and-miss, and require a couple of run ups. My £10 Lidl job appears to work ok - though this isn't much use to you as Lidl rotate their offers and a this isn't currently available. I've never used an expensive professional grade one, but I'm given to understand that even these must be operated with caution. As said though, if you're going into an actual* stud wall, as long as you locate the studs (whether by use of a magnet or a detector) and screw into those, whilst staying out of the prescribed zones (so as not to hit a cable running perpendicular to the studs), the chances of you hitting an actual cable are vanishingly small, but not zero. By the way, the device you've bought does have some value, I use mine a lot, but it's a fault-finding tool, not a means for finding cables in walls. "Death stick" is a little harsh, but can be literally true if you were to use it as not intended, i.e. to confirm if a particular circuit is dead before working on it. There, as Jaymo says, following procedure using a tester and a proving unit is the only safe way. The instructions that came with yours will doubtless say the same. *Do make sure it's not dot-n-dab or some other though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted August 25, 2022 Report Share Posted August 25, 2022 (edited) Sorry about the link. Use one of these. 👍 https://www.toolstation.com/tis-non-contact-voltage-detector/p38097?utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=googleshoppingfeed&mkwid=_dm&pcrid=&pkw=&pmt=&gclid=CjwKCAjwu5yYBhAjEiwAKXk_eAdZq3fFRkQjWcfT1rChhOkUngQ_7yQ2wnLwgZo4bOsJIHX6Rp6NnhoCKgAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds Edited August 25, 2022 by Dougy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
udderlyoffroad Posted August 25, 2022 Report Share Posted August 25, 2022 Eh? That's the same as he's just bought? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted August 25, 2022 Report Share Posted August 25, 2022 What's the worst that can happen Death is possible but unlikely, very low odds on happening. If your unsure just isolated the lecy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted August 25, 2022 Report Share Posted August 25, 2022 (edited) Hello, just purchased one from lidl , electric cables, stud wall, heating and water pipes , 👍30 percent off so quite a bargain, , every DIY er should have one , Edited August 25, 2022 by oldypigeonpopper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted August 25, 2022 Report Share Posted August 25, 2022 On 24/08/2022 at 09:18, johnphilip said: Do you have any friends who metal detect as a hobby , we use a thing called a " pin pointer" it's to zoom in on a metal find . That would do the job for you . Hello, I've used mine finding underfloor pipes, 👍 , there's a new detecting programme on tomorrow night John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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