Fluke Networks 26000900 Pro3000 Tone Generator and Probe Kit with SmartTone Technology

I had to trace a number of curcuits behind drywall in a home renovation project, this tool made it possible.The tone is strong enough to easily find wires behind drywall, but this is also the source of my one and only complaint: If you have a box with several electrical lines going into it, even if you separate all the lines inside the box and at their "far" ends so that there is zeero continuity between separate lines, the signal still tends to "splash" onto all the other lines. In a box with three lines I got signal on all three even though the tone generator was only attached to one. This is more pronounced where the lines are closest together (at the box, of course). This led to some confusion when I was in a small closet and no matter where I put the probe I got signal! Imagine my surprise to see that the line I was tracing lead not only UP from the box to the ceiling, but DOWN to the floor as well.... and off to the side too! Whoops! That ain't right! However with a little patience and understanding of what was happening I was able to eventually sort out the individual runs. Further from the box the signal drops off on the non-connected lines faster than on the connected line. So I had to take a few educated guesses as to where the line I was tracing might be, and then move far away from the box and look for it. With a few tries I found each line and traced them to their ends. Bottom line: this thing works, and it works thorugh drywall, but it still requires you to use some brains.Check out the videos on You Tube that show how to best use these tools. On 100% open lines you connect the tone generator to TWO conductors and trace the line. When you think you have found the far end you short the two conductors together there and the tone changes. If the tone doesn't change you have the wrong pair. Because of the signal splash-over this is important to know. This is essential in tracing lines in bundles as the splash factor would otherwise drive you crazy.I found the quality of the the tool to be very good. Not flimsy at all. I expect years of service given normal care in handling. The tone generator has a nice lanyard to hang it by when you are attaching it to various wall boxes etc, so that you don't wind up hanging it by its leads, a nice touch that should add to longevity. I like that it comes with a case to keep everything together since this is the sort of tool I will only use occasionally and if it is knocking about in my kit without a case I'd be sure to misplace one part or another.

My first job for this toner was to trace back an open electrical outlet that was not getting power. Using the Fluke toner I found the problem within 5 minutes and saved myself the cost of an electrician. The tone is triggered even if you're not on top of the outlet and because of that, even though the outlet was hidden behind some stuff on a shelf, I still heard the tone, softly, starting to sound. I uncovered the outlet, discovered it was actually a GFI that had tripped, and fixed the problem in 5 seconds.Next I tackled some Ethernet wiring that was unlabeled. The probe unit comes with an Ethernet adapter which made this job simple. I plugged the toner into the outlet in my office, then went behind the entertainment center to find out which Ethernet port it was wired to. The Pro3000 worked flawlessly and I completed the job tracing the remaining Ethernet outlets and was done in 30 minutes.Another thing I liked was that the user manual is available from Fluke as a PDF. Whenever I buy anything with a manual, I try and find it on the manufacturer's site as a PDF and then save it to my computer. It's much easier to reference it in the future from my computer than it is trying to figure out what I did with the original paper manual. Good on you Fluke that you make this documentation available as a PDF.I'm not sure when I'll need it again, but these two jobs alone saved me a bundle. I know from experience that Fluke makes top-of-the-line testing equipment, so I made the decision to invest a few more bucks and get a known-good brand. I'm very glad I did as the results speak for themselves.I have only one gripe: the packaging is next to impossible to get open. I finally had to use a 10" serrated bread knife to cut open the package. Surely this could be improved on!

simply the most reliable toner.