how to find lost electric cable in ceiling ?

[x]

Ive installed a new plasterboard ceiling over an existing plaster ceiling. I
forgot to pass the cables through the new plasterboard for one of two
ceiling lights. To try and find it , Im thinking of passing something like a
mini webcam fixed on a flexible bit of something (1.6 mm aluminium perhaps
?) through the one opening I did remember to create.

Plumbers use a fibreoptic device to look for blockages in sewer pipes but i
havent got access to one of those.

I havent got a lot of room between the back of the plasterboard and the
fixing battens say 40mm.

Any ideas ? Thanks

 

[Kevin Ettery]

Some stud-finders also have the facility for locating electric cables, etc.
Using one of these (assuming the cables are powered up) you should be able
to locate the cables (I presume you know at least roughly where they should
be). You should then be able to snag the out to the opening you have.

Only my suggestion.

Ciao



Kevin

x <xyzd@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:WUvSa.909$sI.45233@nasal.pacific.net.au...

Ive installed a new plasterboard ceiling over an existing plaster ceiling.
I
forgot to pass the cables through the new plasterboard for one of two
ceiling lights. To try and find it , Im thinking of passing something like
a
mini webcam fixed on a flexible bit of something (1.6 mm aluminium
perhaps
?) through the one opening I did remember to create.

Plumbers use a fibreoptic device to look for blockages in sewer pipes but
i
havent got access to one of those.

I havent got a lot of room between the back of the plasterboard and the
fixing battens say 40mm.

Any ideas ? Thanks

 

[Mike Diack]

On Sun, 20 Jul 2003 22:29:59 +1000, "x" <xyzd@hotmail.com> wrote:

Ive installed a new plasterboard ceiling over an existing plaster ceiling. I
forgot to pass the cables through the new plasterboard for one of two
ceiling lights. To try and find it , Im thinking of passing something like a
mini webcam fixed on a flexible bit of something (1.6 mm aluminium perhaps
?) through the one opening I did remember to create.

Plumbers use a fibreoptic device to look for blockages in sewer pipes but i
havent got access to one of those.

I havent got a lot of room between the back of the plasterboard and the
fixing battens say 40mm.

Any ideas ? Thanks

I recently did a new room and forgot to mark some of the cable
locations in the ceiling, so hooked a signal generator to each cable
in turn where it appeared at the light switch and traced the cables
with a small portable radio. Was accurate to within 50mm in all cases.
M

 

[Kevin Ettery]

KLR <kreed@bigpond.net.au> wrote in message
news:8lclhv0lc2nfuikd1vfliqb27e0pura645@4ax.com...

On Mon, 21 Jul 2003 00:12:57 +1000, "Kevin Ettery"
kpettery@dcsi.net.au> wrote:

Some stud-finders also have the facility for locating electric cables,
etc.
Using one of these (assuming the cables are powered up) you should be
able
to locate the cables (I presume you know at least roughly where they
should
be). You should then be able to snag the out to the opening you have.

Only my suggestion.

Ciao



Kevin

x <xyzd@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:WUvSa.909$sI.45233@nasal.pacific.net.au...
Ive installed a new plasterboard ceiling over an existing plaster
ceiling.
I
forgot to pass the cables through the new plasterboard for one of two
ceiling lights. To try and find it , Im thinking of passing something
like
a
mini webcam fixed on a flexible bit of something (1.6 mm aluminium
perhaps
?) through the one opening I did remember to create.

Plumbers use a fibreoptic device to look for blockages in sewer pipes
but
i
havent got access to one of those.

I havent got a lot of room between the back of the plasterboard and the
fixing battens say 40mm.

Any ideas ? Thanks




you could use a small mirror on an angle.

WES sell small "dental" type mirrors on a 45 degree angled handle -
and they are great for seeing around corners and behind things

mirror is the diameter of a 10c approx

lighting would be the only problem of course.

-----------

Other (probably fastest) option is to make a hole - since you have
fitted the ceiling - you will no doubt have few problems patching the
hole etc as you should have the materials handy and will know how to
do it.

-----------

The other suggestions here are pretty good too and should be tried.

the cable/stud locators are a great piece of equipment too - and a
bargain at under $50 from most good hardware stores




Other problem you have is how to pull the cable through once you have
located it.

Ever reliable coat-hanger can be fashioned to hook the cable out (make SURE
the cable is not powered up when you do this though!), assuming cable is
long enough to reach hole.

Cioa


Kevin