Which Circuit Tracer is Right for You?

Circuit tracers are a pivotal tool for electricians. They feature transmitters and receivers that determine which breakers or fuses protect which circuits. When using a circuit tracer, electricians connect the transmitter which will send a signal to be located by the receiver.  

These tools also make troubleshooting straightforward and remove guesswork. Fault-finding can be tedious and time-consuming, especially when contractors don’t have the right device for their line of work. Troubleshooting is a necessary part of the job, but without the right circuit tracer, electrical work could be slower and less accurate.  

Finding the right circuit tracer for the job sounds difficult, but knowing these important features helps any electrical worker find the product they need. 

What Do CAT Ratings in Circuit Tracers Mean? 

To be safe, electricians should use tracers with the highest CAT level required by their workplace. While most tracers are CAT III, there are more specifics that are good to know. 

• CAT I tracers are rated for small electronics work, such as battery testing and continuity adjustments in low current applications. 
• CAT II tracers are used within the home, rated for single-phase situations for sockets, small appliances, plug-in and branch circuit applications in residential work. 
• CAT III tracers (the majority of tracers) are rated for commercial use, such as three-phase distribution and single-phase commercial high amperage lighting. This includes industrial plant circuits, distribution devices, feeders, and high current appliance circuitry. Basic CAT III tracers are rated for 480V, but electricians should consider a 600V-rated CAT III tracer for work on higher voltage commercial systems. 
• CAT IV tracers are rated for industrial use, such as three-phase distribution in outdoor and utility applications. This includes distribution, meters, utility power, over headline and overcurrent protection modules. 

IDEAL circuit tracers have a Cat III 480V or 600V rating, making them a capable troubleshooting tool for both single and three-phase systems. The SureTrace Circuit Tracer (61-946) is rated for all electrical systems up to 480V AC/DC, while the SureTrace Plus Circuit Tracer (61-948) and SureTrace Pro Circuit Tracer (61-950) are rated for systems up to 600V AC/DC. 

What Should You Look for in a Tracer? 

Circuit tracers also come with features that elevate their usage past CAT and voltage ratings. Here’s a checklist of features to look for in a tracer: 

• Integrated work lights that permit electricians to keep tracing in dark areas. Working in the dark can be dangerous due to lack of visibility, so integrated work lights are a critical feature of a high-quality tracer. The SureTrace Plus and SureTrace Pro circuit tracers feature flashlights in their receivers. 
• Built-in non-contact voltage testers (NCVT) that provide quick first checks for live circuits. This feature maximizes efficiency on the job. The SureTrace Plus and SureTrace Pro receivers feature built-in NCVT. 
• Adjustable volume/mute buttons that provide the ability to silence audible indications in noise-sensitive areas. All SureTrace circuit tracers feature mute buttons, and the SureTrace Pro circuit tracers feature adjustable volume as well as mute buttons. 

What are Premium Features in Circuit Tracers? 

IDEAL Electrical’s circuit tracers offer features that go beyond what many electricians think circuit tracers are capable of. Their comprehensive solutions can even eliminate the need for a second tester/meter often required when troubleshooting. Here’s how to know your tracer is top-of-the-line: 

• High-visibility displays that rotate every 90 degrees, including both a main display and one on the bottom of the receiver. This way, the readings are easy to view even when the cables are overhead or deep within a distribution board. IDEAL Electrical’s SureTrace Pro circuit tracer offers two premium high-visibility 90° rotating OLED displays, including a TightSight™ display. 
• Non-contact circuit tracing through an Inductive Sensing Clamp (ISC) helps ensure tracing is possible even when direct access to conductor termination points is not safe or possible. The SureTrace Inductive Sensing Clamp included in the SureTrace Pro kit offers two high-visibility displays, including a TightSight™ bottom display. This clamp also provides the electrician with the ability to measure up to 600 Amps AC while tracing or it can be used just for reading AC amperage. 
• Built-in automatic continuity checks that eliminate the need for a second tester when searching for wiring faults. The SureTrace Plus and SureTrace Pro include built-in continuity testing. 
• More advanced voltage and testing capabilities that can test for continuity, provide exact voltage measurements, and determine DC polarity. Some models even include built-in testing capabilities such as outlet wiring verification. The SureTrace Pro features outlet wiring verification and exact voltage measurements. 

Why Should I Buy a Circuit Tracer? 

Lighten your toolbelt and make your job both easier and safer by investing in an IDEAL circuit tracer.