Rating of the best detectors for hidden wiring, plastic pipes and metal for 2022

A hidden wiring detector is a tool that can find wires and other elements in the wall. There are two types of detectors: tester

, that is, reacting to the presence of a phase in the network at a distance, and
pinpointers
, that is, metal detectors that detect the presence of wires, regardless of whether there is voltage on them or not.

Detectors from the second category are, in fact, metal detectors, but with a limited range. They show the location of metal elements and are also able to determine their type. Some tools can also detect wood. Unlike full-fledged metal detectors, detectors have a shallow search depth. Most often it is limited to five centimeters, but they are able to determine the location of the wire with an accuracy of a centimeter.

Tester indicators have the same characteristics as regular indicators, with the only difference being that they find the phase at depth. They cannot determine the location of the wire with accuracy, but they are much cheaper than pinpointers. Also, testers do not distinguish the type of metal, and if voltage is not applied to the wire, it will not be detected at all. When choosing a wiring detector, you should pay attention primarily to the search depth and positioning accuracy. But manufacturers often overestimate this parameter. To find the truly best device at the most attractive price, you need to carefully study our rating, which includes 15 of the most interesting options.

The best test detectors for hidden wiring

Tester detectors determine hidden wiring in the wall by the presence of a current phase in it. If the wire goes to ground, the indicator will not detect it, as in the case of no current. This tool is often used not to search for wires in the wall, but to determine the location of damage to the wiring. If current begins to be lost, the instrument signal will become weaker and disappear completely if there is no phase. Thanks to this device, you do not have to completely rip out the wiring from the wall to find the location of the damage.

Review of several models of wire and metal detectors

Let's start the review with inexpensive models, which often turn out to be the most practical for non-professionals who want to make repairs in their home.

Voltage detector UNI-T UT-12A

This inexpensive and compact device enjoys a good reputation. Price up to 500-600 rub. Despite its simplicity, it reliably detects hidden live wiring. The device is equipped with an audible alarm that can be turned off and guided by an LED indicator that will flash when voltage is detected. If the indicator does not blink, but is constantly on, then this is not a sign of a malfunction of the device, but a sign that it is time to change the battery.

The detector automatically turns off after half an hour of inactivity. Powered by two AAA batteries. Weight 50 g.

Locator Mastech MS6812

The MS6812 Cable Tester and Wiring Detector can locate hidden live wiring. The kit includes a generator that expands the capabilities of the scanner. If you read the article from the beginning, then you know that it makes it possible to search for wiring even without voltage. And besides, you can find the place of the hidden circuit. Or call a separate conductor in the bundle, which is sometimes necessary and is not the easiest task.

This scanner and tone generator included are powered by 9 V batteries. Sound and light indication. The device has good reviews. At a price of about 800 rubles, the buyer acquires a very useful and multifunctional device.

Wiring finder BSIDE FWT11

The FWT11 device is similar to the previous one, but has more useful functions. It is already more addressed to professional buyers. Although its price remains relatively small, this scanner can be purchased for 1700 ... 2500 rubles. The device can detect not only power wiring but also test low-current systems: find breaks, short circuits, and mutual interference of conductors.

Using RJ45 and RJ11 connectors, you can connect LAN and Ethernet cables and test them. It is also possible to connect to cables using crocodile clips. For noisy working conditions, a headphone jack is provided.

The generator and receiver-probe are powered by batteries of size 6F22 9 V (“Krona”). The probe has a built-in LED flashlight, which helps in dimly lit areas.

Characteristics:

Scanner IdeenWelt (Germany)

This device can be classified as a combined device. It includes a coil and a capacitive sensor. Therefore, it can detect wood and plastics. When searching for wiring, such functions will not hurt at all, as they sometimes allow you to get answers to additional questions. The undoubted advantages of the device include ease of handling.

The device provides sound and light indication of detected objects.

Some characteristics are given in the table:

The price of the device is about 1800 ... 2000 rubles. – it’s quite inexpensive for such a set of functions. Although, there is a suspicion that the device was made in China. European prices will be higher.

Metal detector Einhell TC-MD 50

A combined type device that uses magnetic and electric fields to detect objects. On the reverse side there is a gasket to prevent scratching the walls when searching; you can also use a soft covering. The detector has visual and audio alarms. If the device is not in use, it automatically turns off after 1 minute.

Characteristics:

The price of the scanner is about 2000 rubles.

Wiring scanner BOSCH PMD 7

Multifunctional scanner for detecting metals, wood and hidden wiring. All metals are detected to a depth of 70 mm, and live wiring is detected to a depth of 50 mm. The detector has a three-color indication (yellow, green, red).

Calibration in the device is automatic, detection occurs in real time. Power is supplied from a 1.5 V element. Weight is only 150 g. The manufacturer (Germany) provides a one and a half year warranty.

Price approximately 4500...5500 rub.

Wiring detector Bosch GMS 120 M

This is a professional grade device. It allows you to detect (live) wiring at a depth of up to 50 mm. Wood is detected to a depth of 38 mm, ferrous metals up to 120 mm and copper up to 80 mm.

The device provides automatic calibration. There is a center detection function. In addition, the ring in the middle is designed to indicate the exact position of the target and make a marker mark on the wall. The switch allows you to select one of three operating modes: wood, metal, wiring.

The scanner display is backlit. The device is powered by a 9 V battery. It has an automatic shutdown function when not used for more than 5 minutes.

Price approximately 7000...8000 rubles.

Cable and metal scanner BOSCH D-Tect 150 Professional

At the end of the review, a professional radar-type device. It detects wiring at a depth of 60 mm. Metals (including steel reinforcement) are found at a depth of 150 mm, pipes - 80 mm. The device weighs about 700 g.

The main advantage of the device is its high accuracy of metal detection up to 1 mm. The display is very informative. This radar does not require calibration and is ready for measurements immediately after switching on.

The only drawback of the device is the price. It costs approximately 37,000...40,000 rubles.

The best hidden wiring detectors with positioning

It is not always the case that the wiring that needs to be found in the wall is live. A test indicator is not suitable in this case, and only a positioning tool will cope with the task, which not only finds metals in the wall, but distinguishes them from each other. With such a device it is impossible to confuse a nail and a cable; moreover, they often have a wood search function, which is very convenient if you need to find a block under the trim in order to hammer any fasteners into it. Such devices are more expensive than testers, but there are also quite budget models, albeit with limited functionality.

Active detectors

These devices are more advanced than those already discussed. They cost more, but have additional capabilities and help to find not only wiring.

Metal detector

A metal detector operates differently than the scanners described above.
In essence, this is the device that was previously called a mine detector. Now it's called a metal detector. He finds metal. It doesn't matter whether the metal is energized or not. Devices of this type are quite sensitive, in addition, their sensitivity can be adjusted and fine-tuned to the search conditions.

The principle of operation of the metal detector is as follows. The coil with the wire, which is the sensor, is supplied with high-frequency alternating current from one generator. The device has another generator operating at the same frequency, and this frequency is strictly stabilized. Signals from the coil and the reference oscillator are fed to a mixer, which separates the difference between these frequencies.

When a metal object approaches the sensor coil, the frequency of the first oscillator changes slightly. But due to the fact that this frequency is quite decent, even a small change in it creates a signal of a completely detectable frequency on the mixer. Then it is amplified and displayed on the indicator.

The sensitivity of the device turns out to be very high compared to what we discussed above. But its cost is also several times higher. The advantage of a metal detector is that it can detect metal pipes in which wiring is laid. It also detects wiring, regardless of whether it is energized or not. Of course, he discovers reinforcement embedded in concrete and other metal things located in the walls.

Finders for non-metals

In addition to the magnetic field, active detectors can use an electric field.
They turn out to be sensitive not only to metal, but also to dielectrics, for example, wood. Such a sensor is an “open” capacitor, sensitive to changes in the electric field near its plates. It is also powered by alternating current and also uses the beat method (differences of close frequencies), like a device with a coil.

Combined instruments contain a coil and an electric field sensor simultaneously. All these devices, in the spirit of the times, are equipped with microprocessors that calculate electrical signals from sensors and show the user the result in a human-readable interpretation. For example, the distance to metal objects, the presence of voltage and even its approximate value. Perhaps, such a device can most often be found on the market as a mid-level device at a price of several thousand rubles.

Finally, a few words about the ultrasonic and radar sensor. These are also active devices. The first of them emits ultrasound, exactly like an echo sounder or sonar for submarines. The reflected ultrasound, after amplification, is analyzed by a microprocessor and the user can learn quite a lot about what and how is located inside the material under study.

Metal objects, wood, plastic, various inhomogeneities, all this will be accurately detected. For an accurate and deep search for metals and wires, a real radar is used, only hand-held. This is the most expensive finder; it is used by professional builders in difficult and critical cases.

The best hidden wiring detectors with deep scanning

The market for modern finishing materials is very diverse, and some of them can be very thick. As a result of such repairs, hidden wiring remains at a fairly great depth and not every device can find it. This section of the rating includes pinpointers with the deepest scanning. We took 100 millimeters as a basis, but some models have much greater capabilities. These are the most sensitive and precise instruments, which is why they have expanded functionality. All models can search for wiring, metals, both non-ferrous and ferrous, as well as wooden structures. This is why price tags are often very high.

Compare the best devices!

See the characteristics of the nominees for the title of best detector.