General Technologies FF310 Fault Finder for Electrical Wiring Open / Short Circuit - Manual (Page 4)

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6.10 The short circuit is located in the area where the audio/visual signal stops or
changes significantly.
6.11 When the test is completed, switch off the transmitter unit pressing the On/Off button
and disconnect from circuit.
Note: The closer the tracer probe is to the wire carrying the signal, the faster the
beeping and the flashing will be. Some times it will prove advantageous to reduce
the sensitivity level to pint point more accurately the faulty area.
7 - Wire tracing
Wire tracing hook up and procedures are essentially the same as for locating short circuits.
The transmitter sees the load (light, accessory, etc.) as the short circuit or connection
to ground. For wire tracing simply follow the wire with positive (beeping and flashing)
audio/visual indicator’s feedback on the tracer from source to load.
For step by step directions please refer to point
6– Locating Short Circuits, for some
hints and specific differences refer to the notes below:
The type and size of load connected to the circuit (impedance or resistance to ground)
determines the amount of current allowed to flow in the circuit. Small loads (low Wattage
lamps, electronic systems, etc.) will reduce the range of the tracer accordingly. In cases
where the full range of the tracer is required to follow the wire, it may prove advantageous
to use one of the two methods described below:
•
Tracing wires downstream (from supply to load): replacing the load for a full short
circuit allows the FF310 to work at its maximum capabilities. Before proceeding
remove all electrical power from the circuit, connect the FF310T in series with the
wire to trace, short circuit the load to ground (refer to Hook Up Reference Chart
Fig.2 and 3), then reconnect power and follow instructions in section 6 – Locating
Short Circuits.
•
Tracing wires upstream (from load to supply): If more convenient, wires can also be
traced the other way around, by replacing the load with the FF310T (Fig. 4 of Hook
Up reference chart). To do this, first remove power from the circuit, disconnect load
and connect the FF310T in its place. Apply power to the circuit and follow instructions
in section 6 – Locating Short Circuits.
8 – Locating Current Leaks
Hook up and procedures for locating current leaks are essentially the same as for
locating short circuits. The transmitter sees the leak as a weak short circuit or
connection to ground. For locating a current leak simply follow the wire with positive
(beeping and flashing) audio/visual indicator’s feedback on the tracer, from source to leak
location (short circuit).
For step by step directions please refer to point
6 – Locating Short Circuits, for some
hints and specific differences refer to the notes below:
Current leak notes:
•
The type and size of the leak in the circuit (impedance or resistance to ground) de-
termines the amount of current flowing in the circuit. Small leaks (i.e. low current) will
reduce the range of the tracer accordingly. In all cases the FF310R’s probe should be
positioned as close as possible to the wires, in order to maximize the signal captured
by the tracer, and set to a higher sensitivity level . For hook up refer to the Hook Up
Reference Chart Fig. 2 and 3 in Page 6.
9 - Locating Open Circuits
Refer to the Hook Up Reference Chart in Page 6.
9.1 Observe the limits and safety precautions at all times (refer to the beginning of
this handbook)
9.2 Connect the FF310T (transmitter) in series with the open ended wire, making sure
one of the unit’s clips is connected to the circuit’s positive supply or ground . A fuse
socket ( with the fuse removed), a connector, etc., provides a convenient hook-up
as shown in Fig. 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the Hook Up Reference Chart.
9.3 Make sure that the clips are firmly attached to their connection points, and switch
the transmitter on by pressing the On/Off button. Observe if the Green LED on
the FF310T starts flashing. In the case of having connected the unit to any place
other than the fuse socket, check that the circuit’s fuse is installed and in working
condition (not open). If necessary replace with a new fuse with same rating.
9.4 Switch the FF310R (tracer) on, and check if green LED turns ON and set if
necessary the sensitivity level to “ LOW”.
9.5 Slowly sweep the wire with the FF310R, ensuring the tracer’s probe is perpendicular
to and above or below the wire being traced and as close as possible to it .
9.6 Follow the wire or check it at different points, starting from the transmitter and
moving towards the load (accessory, light, etc.), observing the positioning of the
probe as indicated above. Continue this procedure while the audio signal (beep-
ing sound) and visual signal (flashing green LED light) indicates the integrity of
the circuit. If beeping and flashing slows or stops, it indicates that the probe is
either moving away from the wire or it has passed beyond the open, break or bad
connection in the circuit.
9.7 If difficult or impossible to get the FF310R Tracer to pick-up any signal, then adjust
the sensitivity to” HIGH” and repeat again step 9.6.
9.8 Double check by positioning the probe before and after the suspected place. If
the open circuit point has been found, the audio/visual indicators will show circuit
integrity on one side, and not on the other.
9.9 At this point, where the audio/visual signal stops, you have found the open circuit.
9.10 When the test is completed, switch off the FF310T (transmitter) unit pressing the
On/Off button and disconnect from circuit. You may also switch OFF the FF310R
(tracer) by pressing the On/Off button on the unit. However to conserve power, the
FF310R will automatically turn off after 3 minutes of not being used.
Note: The closer the tracer probe is to the wire carrying the signal, the faster the beeping
and the flashing will be.
10 - Wire identification
Refer to the Hook Up Reference Chart in Page 6.
Wiring can be identified by following the hook up and procedures for locating short circuits
or open circuits, depending on the particular configuration of the circuit.
•
For identifying wires with load connected: Connect transmitter as described
in section ‘ 6- Locating Short Circuits’ to the circuit to be identified, then
proceed to scan all suspected wiring with the FF310R’s probe until the flashing and
beeping is at its maximum. In the case of tightly packed wires ( bundles, conduits, etc.),
it may be necessary to spread these apart to facilitate the identification process of
a particular wire.