Triplett Fox & Hound HotWire – PN: 3388 - Manual (Page 10)

Page 9
Throughout this instruction manual, the user will be reminded of instances in which a ‘false trace’ can
occur. After the user has some experience with using the HotWire, and sees firsthand how it behaves in
various test scenarios, he will become more proficient at using the product, and recognize cases in which
the HotWire will or will not produce reliable results.
Distance, Length, and Depth
The Distance, Length, or Depth at which the Hotwire Hound can detect the signal from the HotWire Fox
varies depending on the application. The greatest sensing distance from the target wire, and the longest
length of wire that can be traced, occurs when the wire is in ‘free space’ and connected to one wire from
the HotWire Fox (this is the Single Wire Method). The other wire from the HotWire Fox connects through
a short wire to an actual earth ground. This means the target wire is out in the open. Its not in a conduit
or inside of a wall, floor, ceiling, or buried in the earth, and its not connected to anything. The ground wire
from the HotWire Fox is connected to a metal rod driven into the earth (not a ‘ground’ in a wall outlet, or
other electrical ground). As each of these variables change, the distance, length, or depth is reduced.
A key variable is whether the HotWire is connected using the Single Wire or Double Wire Method. These
methods exhibit very different operating characteristics, and performance varies greatly. In general, the
Single Wire Method works best to trace a hidden wire through a wall or ceiling, and the Double Wire
Method works best to identify a wire at the end opposite the HotWire Fox transmitter. However, this is
not a ‘rule’ to be followed, and it often benefits the user to try both methods (if possible) to find out which
works better in the given situation.
When the Single Wire Method is used, so much crosstalk can occur that tracing the wire is difficult,
because it seems to be everywhere. The settings of the Output Level Control on the HotWire Fox and the
Sensitivity control on the HotWire Hound can have significant effect on the ability to trace the wire.
When the Double Wire Method is used, the type of wire being traced has a significant effect on the length
of wire that can be traced. In general, small diameter wires are harder to trace than large diameter wires.
Wires in which the conductors are twisted around each other are harder to trace than wires with parallel
conductors. For example, ‘Romex’ electrical wire (a large wire with parallel conductors) is easier to trace
than LAN cable (a small wire with twisted conductors).