electrical

bonsofry

how can I test the wires in the attic to know what breaker they are on?

DevoutlyApathetic

Plug something into them. Shut off a breaker, check if something is still running. If yes, not that breaker. If no then it's that breaker.

Without having prints for your home or labels in the breaker box (usually inside the door) it's pretty much trial and error.

bonsofry

I know what breakers cover what outlets. I need to know when the wire leaves the breaker box goes up into the attic and they run all round covering all the outlets, what wires go to what breakers?

tinwhiskers

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-Voltage-Detector-2200-20/203168523

But yeah, it's all trial and error.

Also, these things work by detecting the currant in the wires. So you don't need to plug into anything, and can see if a junction box or w/e is hot. Some stud finders have these built into them as well, so you might already have one, but they are only $10-$20.

bowen

There isn't really an easy way to test that kind of stuff without tearing down walls and tracing them.

bonsofry

thanks

DevoutlyApathetic

Yea, unless you've ripped all the walls out you basically don't. I suppose if you had a Fluke meter that can read the current through a wire just by being around the wire you could put heavy draws on an outlet and see which one is pulling but that involve equipment that may cost OMFG amounts of money.

These. And apparently like a $100 bucks. Though somebody should double check me on that working before you run off and buy one.

bowen

Well the voltage detector can work too, there's no guarantee that wire isn't controlled by a switch or something.

DevoutlyApathetic

.......and that's a very good point.