Is there a smarter way to solve this problem: There is a tripped circuit that is cutting power to a bunch of outlets in my house. Years ago a landscape contractor extended this circuit into the backyard and didn't leave any as-builts so I have no idea where the wiring is except for a couple of GFCI boxes in raised planters. I disconnected this outdoor part of the circuit and now the circuit breaker stays on so the short is outside somewhere. I've been slowly digging through the garden following the conduit from the base of a GFCI, painfully avoiding tree roots and dripline, looking for a break in the conduit. My question: I'm a moron who knows jack squat about this stuff, is there a better strategy to solve this issue?
Inb4 call an electrician, I know, but my family refuses to pay professionals for this kind of thing so I'm stuck doing it myself.
Id work from the house out, not from the outlets in. You’ll probably find the break faster. There’s tools you can buy for this but you’re better off just re running the shit
It's hardscape up to the garden so the only place I even can dig is out here. My assumption is that a family member severed the conduit when putting in the trees or dripline.
I'd say the fault is probably not in the wiring, but in some junction box, outlet or device, like garden lights installed at ground level that always flood and trip the RCD.
If some family member did indeed cut the wire, buy a wire finder and play hot-cold game until the signal dies down, that's your fault.
Well unless he didn't bury it deep or inside pipe, it's unlikely the wire has an issue
Go look at the boxes for any burnt wiring
Most likely it's full of water in some junction box
In the end it's easier to run new line than it is to dig all up looking for issues
You can narrow down the location by using a continuity tester on each GFCI outlet. If only one outlet is shorted, then the short location is somewhere between your GFCI outlet and where the main line starts branching out. If all GFCI outlets are shorted, then the short is before the mainline starts branching and your house.
get an extension chord, cleave it in twain. Attach an ohmmeter or galvanometer to the neutral wire, and then insert the neutral-galvanometer-ohmmeter wire into the ground initially at random. Observe the current or resistance. Move keep replacing the wire into the ground in the direction of maximum current flow or minimum resistance.
If you can, do Continuity and Insulation resistance tests starting from either the box or where the circuit enters the house, to the other end of the circuit outside. You'll get an idea of the resistance reading (too high = bad) and if there is a break in the insulation somewhere (chopped conduit + wire)
Why does your family refuse to pay for a pro Electrician?
Not OP but electrics is honestly way easier than most people think, especially socket circuits.
LMAO!!! Socket circuits??? Please elaborate!
Yes, a circuit with sockets on it. Not to be confused with a lighting or central heating circuit...
> don't have TDRs or toners
Okay.
Not really. Just keep mashing your face against the wall. You're doing it cheap. Doing it smarter isn't available to you because it's more expensive.