General Technologies FF300 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 advantegous to reduce the sensitivity
level to pintpoint more accuratelly 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 Watt-
age 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 FF300 to work at its maximum capabilities. Before proceeding
remove all electrical power from the circuit, connect the FF300T 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 FF300T (Fig. 4 of Hook
Up reference chart). To do this, first remove power from the circuit, disconnect load
and connect the FF300T in its place. Apply power to the circuit and follow instruc-
tions in section 6 – Locating Short Circuits.
8 – Locating Current Leaks
Hook up and procedures for locating current leaks are essentially the same as for locat-
ing 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)
determines 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 FF300R’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 begining of this
handbook)
9.2 Connect the FF300T (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), connector, etc. provides a convenient place 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
FF300T is lighted up. 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 FF300R (tracer) on, and check if green LED starts flashing, and set if
nessesary the sensitivity level to “LOW”.
9.5 Slowly sweep the wire with the FF300R, ensuring the tracer’s probe is perpendicular
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 mov-
ing towards the load (accessory, light, etc.) observing the positioning of the probe as
indicated above. Continue this procedure while the audio signal (beeping 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 FF300R 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 FF300T (transmitter) unit pressing the
On/Off button and disconnect from circuit. You may also switch the FF300R (tracer)
by pressing the On/Off button on the unit. However to conserve power, the FF300R
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 sus-
pected wiring with the FF300R’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.