I had an electrician pre-wire a switch and whip for an in cabinet light. The cabinets are now in but the whip is lost within the wall and I can't find it by peering through the hole where the light will live. Any suggestions for how to locate it without opening up a huge hole?
If the wire is in the same bay within the confines of 2-2x4 that make up the wall go fishing literally.(if not you have problems)! Put a LARGE (3 pronged) fish hook on a string a go fishing, yank hard when it you think you are below the romex.You don't need to actually see it just feel it If he left his snake in the wall you can try a very strong magnet.(I believe electrician's snake is magnetic) You can use electrician snake but this is trickier.almost need to see it.tilt a mirror over hole and shine a flashlight into it. Try some backwards loops of duct tape on another piece of romex if you can intertwine the romex you want just very gently pull it up. All said and done I would use a fish hookwhen you get the line up check it for damage after spearing it. And.by the way.Hire a new electrician.If you can't get it call the one that left the problem him and hound the heck out of the electricianHe may just come to get you off his back!. We do not leave customers in your situation! If the wire is above your level just learn how to fish upside down.You don't need any fancy electronics devices just plain old common sence and a bit of determination. Good luck Master Quark
Use a Wire coat hanger to fish for it, you know its there, get busy.
yes either go to your hardware store and purchase a wire finder or go to hire shop and hire one,if you know anyone who is a phone instaler they often have one
Welding wire is thinner than most coat hangers. Also its more flexible- if you have this, use it. An inspection mirror, or Lady s compact mirror can help in looking around corners, as well.
Is the wiring dropping down from an attic space? If so you can go up there and locate the thing, raise it up a little and twist it around some, so that another person down below may see it swing past the hole. Put a bend in the last 2-3 of a wire and fish to grapple the culprit in the wall and pull it to the wall where you might get it with long-nose pliers. In the case it is way down there, you can again fish for it with the hooked wire (coat hanger), or: they make a signal generator radio sender/receiver unit that when hooked with one lead to the ungrounded wire and the second lead hooked to ground will turn the wire into an antenna that the receiver can trace right through the wall. Through brick even. Costs about $80 for the 2-piece sender/receiver at HDepot But you'd still have to fish it out. To me, drywall repair isn't a big deal, I do it all the time.
