Triplett Fox & Hound HotWire – PN: 3388 - Manual (Page 21)

Page 20
TRACER TONE Test Function
Several different methods can be and should be employed to trace wires.
Set the Function switch to the TRACER TONE position. The BATTERY TEST / CADENCE LED must flash. If
it does not flash, replace the battery.
Select the PULSE or WARBLE mode as desired. If the Pilot Tone is activated, you should be able to faintly
hear the sound produced by the PULSE and WARBLE settings.
If connecting to a live circuit, set the TrueTrace to OFF.
Wire Tracing Basics
Locating or tracing hidden wires is often a challenge. This is because the various methods used to perform
the task all have limitations and a ‘false trace’ can be the result. Despite claims to the contrary, all wire
tracing technologies suffer from problematic operation in some test situations. The unique characteristics
of a particular situation usually determine the technology that must be used to perform the trace. To trace
a ‘live’ wire, an RF (Radio Frequency) tracer signal is usually placed on the wire. The HotWire uses this
technique. Some limitations of this technique have been previously mentioned.
RF behaves differently than 60Hz AC. Users familiar with 60Hz will often be baffled by RF. Sometimes, RF
seems to behave counter intuitively (does the opposite of what the user thinks it will do).
When sensing the tracer signal, the HotWire Hound will either detect a “null” in the signal, or a “peak” in
the signal.
The most accurate method for locating a wire is by making it “null” the RF field, and then finding this
“null” with the HotWire Hound.
The HotWire Hound can also sense a “peak”. This is a useful tracing method, but not as accurate as the
null method. Given a choice, it is generally best to try to use the null method.