By Tony Carrick | Updated Mar 24, 2023 10:38 AM
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While a circuit-breaker finder isn’t one of the most common tools in a DIYer’s arsenal, it can be essential for home upgrades such as installing a new light switch, updating an outlet, or changing a light fixture. A circuit-breaker finder helps to accurately determine the circuit breaker that’s connected to each light or outlet so you can safely turn off the breaker to eliminate the risk of electric shock while adding a dimmer switch or installing a new ceiling fan.
These handy devices include a transmitter that plugs into a power outlet or a light receptacle and a receiver that scans the circuit-breaker box. The transmitter sends a tone through the circuit, allowing the receiver to identify the corresponding breaker. Some circuit-breaker finders also identify wiring problems in ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets often found in kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor areas.
We field-tested 10 of the top circuit-breaker finders on the market to determine how effective they are at locating circuit breakers. Read on to discover some of the best models for DIYers and professionals.
I put our collection of circuit-breaker finders through their paces in a series of tests. First, I tested each circuit-breaker finder for accuracy by attempting to locate seven different circuit breakers from various outlets. To simulate a real-world situation, I covered my electrical panel labels. I also chose outlets that varied in distance from the electrical panel to determine the range for each finder.
While testing each model, I considered how accurately the circuit-breaker finder matched the outlet to its corresponding circuit breaker and how easy the finder was to use. Then I tested any additional features the finders offered, including GFCI outlet testers and adapters for bare wires or light sockets.
For my final test, I assessed the durability of each circuit-breaker finder by dropping it onto a concrete floor five times from waist height and checking it for damage.
The list below considers important functions and features to evaluate when determining the best circuit-breaker finders on the market. Any of these top options will help match the electrical receptacles in a home to their respective circuit breaker.
With its durable construction, affordable price, ability to match circuits accurately, and useful extras, the Klein Tools circuit-breaker finder is the best all-around model that I tested.
Similar to other circuit-breaker finders, the ET310 uses an LED light and a high-pitched tone to match a circuit breaker to the plug holding its transmitter. In my test of seven different circuits, I was able to identify each breaker accurately with relative ease. I liked how the receiver begins beeping intermittently as it approaches the matching circuit before crescendoing into a single long tone when the receiver comes into contact with it. This “you’re-getting-hotter” design eliminated any ambiguity over which breaker it identified as the match.
In addition to being one of the most accurate circuit-breaker finders I tested, it’s also thoughtfully designed. The molded grip and angled head on the receiver make running up and down the electrical panel easier than it is for those with a straight body.
The ET310’s additional functions also pack in a lot of value for the price. The transmitter doubles as a GFCI tester, and it has three LED lights that indicate if the circuit’s wiring is faulty. There’s also a three-prong outlet on the back of the receiver for attaching adapters when testing bare wires and light sockets (though shoppers will need to purchase those adapters separately). I also liked that I could plug the transmitter into the outlet for storage.
The ET310’s accuracy, numerous functions, and low price make it a great all-around circuit-breaker finder for any homeowner looking to match breakers to the outlets in their house.
Read our full review: Klein ET310 Circuit Breaker Finder Review
Get the Klein Tools circuit-breaker finder at Amazon, Ace Hardware, The Home Depot, or Acme Tools.
Given Southwire’s circuit-breaker finder’s affordability, I wondered how it would handle my accuracy tests. After a slow start, the Southwire ultimately impressed me.
I loved how this circuit breaker beeped continuously once turned on and more rapidly as the receiver approached the right circuit breaker. While this feature isn’t unique, it is typically only found on pricier finders. My only gripe is that the beeping was a little ambivalent at times, making it challenging to locate the matching circuit. I successfully located the right circuit with each test—it just took a little more time.
Despite its low price, the Southwire includes a surprising number of extras. The transmitter functions as a GFCI tester and has LED lights that indicate if there is a problem with the socket’s wiring. The finder even comes with an adapter for testing the two-prong outlets found in older homes.
I also liked the Southwire’s build. Both pieces survived our drop test without a scratch, and both receiver and transmitter have a rubberized coating that feels comfortable to grip.
Get the Southwire circuit-breaker finder at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Acme Tools.
Excellent accuracy and useful additional features make this circuit-breaker finder from Ideal Industries a worthy upgrade for anyone who needs to use this tool regularly. The finder works similarly to others, with a transmitter that plugs into any three-prong outlet and a receiver that identifies the matching breaker via an LED indicator and audible tones.
The receiver emits beeps that increase in frequency as it nears the matching circuit breaker before emitting one long tone when it hits the right one. This design, coupled with the ergonomic curved shape of the receiver, made finding circuits with the Ideal Industries receiver an easy process during my testing.
I also liked the additional features the model offers, which include a built-in GFCI tester and a faulty-wiring indicator on the transmitter.
The Ideal Industries circuit identifier is also built tough. While I only drop-tested it from waist height, it feels like it would survive falls from much greater elevations. I also liked that the receiver shuts down after 10 minutes of idle activity, saving battery power.
Although this model is one of the more expensive circuit-breaker finders, its accuracy and durable build make it a good choice for those who use this type of tool regularly.
Get the Ideal Industries circuit-breaker finder at Amazon, Lowe’s, Staples, or Office Depot.
The Extech CB10’s ability to let the user adjust the receiver’s sensitivity sets it apart from the automatic models that make up most of the circuit-breaker finders priced for DIYers.
The Extech CB10 looks and functions like most circuit-breaker finders, save for the sensitivity dial on the front of the unit. I loved this feature—it allowed me to make adjustments on the fly while moving the receiver across the electrical panel.
That said, the Extech CB10 does have a learning curve. During my initial tests, I had the sensitivity set too high, causing the receiver to identify multiple circuits as I ran it across the electrical panel. However, after a few minutes of playing with the sensitivity adjuster, I quickly narrowed those results down to the correct circuit.
While the adjuster adds a step to the process, I found that the dial helps when there is ambiguity between two neighboring circuits. When the receiver identified more than one breaker, I simply dialed back the sensitivity to eliminate the imposter. This is something users can’t do with a circuit-breaker finder that auto adjusts the sensitivity for them.
I also liked the Extech’s design. Most circuit-breaker finders must be positioned perpendicularly to the panel during testing. The Extech receiver, however, runs down the panel’s side, which made it easier for me to see which circuit caused the receiver to ping. The Extech also has some useful extras, including a GFCI tester and LED indicators for faulty wiring.
Get the Extech circuit-breaker finder at Amazon, Acme Tools, or Grainger.
With its ability to test circuits up to 300 volts, the Zircon Breaker ID Pro 300 is a great option for professionals who don’t want to spend hundreds (or even thousands) on a high-end circuit-breaker finder.
The Breaker ID Pro 300 excelled in my accuracy tests. It identified each tested circuit on a single pass with nary a chirp of uncertainty on adjacent circuits. That said, the receiver was a little finicky. If I didn’t have the angled end of the receiver flush with the matching circuit, the receiver wouldn’t identify it.
In addition to the receiver and transmitter, the Breaker ID Pro 300 also comes with adapters for standard outlets, light fixtures, bare wires, and blades for 220-volt outlets. All worked well except for the 220-volt adapter. I attempted to use the blade attachment to test a dryer outlet but discovered that the prongs were far too small. This was disappointing, given that the price of the Breaker ID Pro 300 is based on its ability to test higher-voltage outlets.
The Breaker ID Pro 300 comes in an impressive foam-lined metal carrying case that holds the receiver, transmitter, and various adapters. While I liked the case’s durability, I was less impressed with the receiver’s construction, which had a fragile feel compared to other more affordable models I tested. Although the Breaker ID Pro 300 survived the drop test, hitting the hard concrete floor did jar the battery cover loose.
Get the Zircon circuit-breaker finder at The Home Depot, Amazon, or Grainger.
VersativTech’s user-friendly design and handy extra features make it one of the most user-friendly circuit-breaker finders I tested. While the circuit-breaker finder accurately identified each of the seven test outlets, its easy-to-read display sets it apart.
While other finders use a single LED light or a glowing arrow to identify circuits, VersativTech incorporates emojis. A frowning face denotes a negative reading, while a smiley face indicates a match. This novel design makes it easy—even for newbies—to identify circuit breakers.
I also liked the thoughtful extras VersativTech builds into the receiver. There’s a low-battery indicator and a built-in flashlight function, which is ideal if the circuit-breaker box is in a dark place. The transmitter comes equipped with a GFCI tester and a faulty-wiring indicator. There’s even a handy carrying bag for storing the receiver and transmitter, plus labels for the electrical box.
The VersativTech is also one of the more ergonomic models I tested. Its curved shape made it easy to scan the electrical panel while viewing the LED indicators. With its rubber grip, the VersativTech also feels tougher than most circuit-breaker finders. While I only drop-tested it from waist height, I’m confident it could survive falls from higher elevations.
Get the VersativTech circuit-breaker finder at Amazon.
With its affordable price, accurate readings, and easy-to-use design, the Hi-Tech HTP-6 is a great basic circuit-breaker finder. Though not perfect, the HTP-6 performed accurately during my tests, and I liked its simple design. When the receiver identified the matching breaker, it illuminated a green arrow while emitting a loud tone. However, using the proper speed to perform my tests was critical.
Since the HTP-6 doesn’t beep intermittently when approaching the right breaker, I had to go more slowly than with circuit-breaker finders that have this feature. While this delayed the process a bit, it wasn’t a big issue, especially since the Hi-Tech circuit-breaker finder is one of the more affordable models on the market.
The circuit-breaker finder’s transmitter has two prongs, making it an ideal option for those who live in older homes with two-prong outlets. While the HTP-6 is among the most affordable circuit-breaker finders available, it lacks the extras of many other circuit-breaker finders. There is no GFCI tester, and the transmitter does not detect faulty wiring in the outlets.
Like other circuit-breaker finders we tested, the HTP-6 has a power button that’s annoyingly easy to press. This design makes it virtually impossible to put in a pocket or tool belt without inadvertently turning it on. Luckily, it turns itself off after a few minutes of inactivity, which saves the batteries.
Get the Hi-Tech circuit-breaker finder at Amazon or Harbor Freight.
Though Amprobe’s BT-120 may not have the extra features that come with other circuit-breaker finders, its simple design makes it one of the easiest models to use.
The BT-120’s receiver features a large arrow that glows green while emitting a loud tone when it contacts the matching circuit. This differs from circuit-breaker finders that blink and beep intermittently as users approach the matching circuit. Though it meant I had to move the receiver over the electrical panel more slowly to avoid missing the circuit, I appreciated how clearly it identified the right circuit when I did hit it. There was no need to interpret different beep tones or patterns.
What’s lacking with the Amprobe is any extra features. The transmitter doesn’t have a built-in GFCI tester, and there are no LED lights to indicate faulty wiring. That was disappointing given that the BT-120 has a price tag similar to circuit-breaker finders that offer those functions.
In terms of design, the Amprobe has the same basic shape as many of the circuit-breaker finders we tested, and it survived our drop tests without a scratch. We did have gripes with the large on/off button on the side of the unit—its hair-trigger sensitivity made it difficult to store the receiver in a pocket or tool box without turning it on. While the receiver emits a series of beeps every time it’s powered up, constantly needing to turn it off after inadvertently pressing the power button was annoying.
Get the Amprobe circuit-breaker finder at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Acme Tools.
While the Klein Tools ET300 is one of the more affordable circuit-breaker finders on the market, it comes up short compared to other higher-priced models in terms of performance. The receiver had no problem connecting with the transmitter when testing outlets reasonably close to the receiver. However, once I ventured to parts of the home more than 30 feet away from the breaker box, the ET300 struggled mightily. Given this inconsistency, the circuit-breaker finder is probably only a good choice for outlets or fixtures relatively close to the electrical panel.
The Sperry Instrument’s circuit-breaker finder is a departure from most models. Instead of running the entire receiver over the circuits, the user guides a probe over the electrical panel. As it nears the matching breaker, an LED meter rises to signify the connection. Unfortunately, the sensitivity of the receiver made identifying circuits very difficult. In each test, the meter maxed out on at least three or four breakers, making it impossible to identify the correct one. The receiver also emits a tone that becomes increasingly higher as it finds the matching circuit, but it repeatedly identified the wrong breaker. This resulted in very inaccurate readings that make it difficult to recommend the Sperry.
Circuit-breaker finders work by transmitting a tone through an electrical outlet picked up by a receiver at the circuit-breaker box. The accuracy of a receiver’s signal detection depends on its sensitivity. While automatic circuit-breaker finders offer the convenience of auto adjusting for sensitivity, manual units allow the user to fine-tune the sensitivity.
An automatic circuit breaker has a built-in microprocessor that automatically sets the unit’s sensitivity by running the receiver over the electrical panel once or twice. A circuit-breaker finder that automatically calibrates itself will set the sensitivity to the optimal level, which helps prevent false positives from adjacent circuits that also put off tones. An automatic circuit-breaker finder eliminates the need to manually set the sensitivity, which can be difficult for those new to using a circuit-breaker finder.
Manual circuit breakers include a dial that allows the user to fine-tune the circuit-breaker finder’s sensitivity to improve its accuracy. This setting is helpful for those living in densely populated areas where a lower sensitivity is needed to avoid interference from signals from other sources. Manual controls are more useful for professional electricians accustomed to using a circuit-breaker finder.
Like most projects around a home, working with circuits requires the right tools. A circuit-breaker finder’s ability to work with outlets or light fixtures and its GFCI testing capability are important factors to consider when shopping for one of these tools. Ahead, learn more about these and other crucial factors when shopping for a circuit-breaker finder.
Since circuit-breaker finders work with live electrical currents, they can potentially be hazardous. These products require the user to insert the transmitter into a live electrical outlet. A poorly made product can damage the electrical circuit or cause an electric shock.
Shoppers will only want to use circuit-breaker finders with a UL certification to ensure the product is safe. Consumer products with a UL certificate have been certified by Underwriters Laboratories, which has been certifying the safety of new technologies for consumer use since the late 1800s. Look for the UL trademark on the product.
Circuit-breaker finders can do more than find which circuit goes with each light fixture or outlet. They also can tell if a GFCI outlet is working correctly by reporting the wiring condition of the circuit.
GFCI outlets have built-in breakers that interrupt the circuit to prevent an electric shock should the outlet experience a ground fault. A GFCI outlet has two small buttons labeled “test” and “reset” between the two three-prong inputs; these buttons test the operation of the built-in breaker and reset it if the breaker trips. GFCI outlets work faster than the circuit breaker in the breaker box to cut off the flow of electricity, so they serve as an essential safety feature.
Since a ground fault can occur if water splashes the circuit, most outlets in bathrooms and kitchens or on the home’s exterior have a GFCI outlet. A single GFCI outlet typically controls multiple outlets in a room. Circuit-breaker finders that identify GFCI wiring issues use two or three colored LED lights to indicate whether the circuit wiring is faulty.
A circuit-breaker finder uses a receiver that communicates with a transmitter. The receiver plugs into an outlet and sends a signal through the wire to the breaker box. By identifying that frequency, the circuit-breaker finder locates the correct breaker for the outlet, switch, or receptacle. For this to work, the receiver must differentiate the transmitter’s frequency from other frequencies traveling up and down a home’s electrical lines. This is where the sensitivity of a circuit-breaker finder comes into play.
A receiver working at a higher sensitivity more easily picks up the signal sent by the transmitter. However, it may also pick up signals from other circuits or even electromagnetic waves emitted by other electronics, which can cause false positives. Lowering the sensitivity allows the receiver to more easily differentiate the signal put out by the transmitter from other signals. Automatic circuit-breaker finders set this sensitivity to the optimal level, while manual models require the user to adjust the sensitivity via a dial.
Circuit-breaker finders have a voltage maximum. Most circuit-breaker finders for homes work on standard 120-volt circuits, covering a majority of a house’s circuits except for those that handle larger appliances, such as clothes dryers using 220-volt circuits.
Circuit-breaker finders designed for industrial settings have voltage maximums that reach 270 volts or more to work with high-voltage circuits. A circuit breaker with a maximum of 120 volts is sufficient for most homes, while professional electricians may require a circuit breaker with a higher voltage capacity.
When figuring out the circuit breakers in a home, it’s important to know the maximum interrupting capacity of the circuits. This is the maximum fault current a circuit breaker can interrupt without failing. For example, a standard 15-amp circuit breaker can handle up to 1,800 watts before tripping the breaker. A 20-amp breaker can handle up to 2,400 watts before it trips.
To determine how much load is on a breaker, add up the wattage of all the electric devices plugged into one circuit. The total should not exceed the max interrupting capacity of the breaker. For example, a 15-amp circuit can handle a 1,500-watt space heater and 150-watt 50-inch LCD TV (1,650 watts total) without tripping the breaker. By cutting off power, a breaker prevents a circuit from overheating and causing a fire.
While circuit-breaker finders are a must-have tool for electricians, they’re also convenient for DIYers. Below, learn about the advantages of owning a circuit-breaker finder.
When shopping for the best circuit-breaker finder for a home, it’s essential to consider a few tips to help find the right model for a home’s electrical system.
If you’re wondering how circuit breakers work or how to locate the wiring in the walls of your home, read on for answers to some of the most commonly asked questions regarding electrical circuits.
Calculate the total amount of wattage the circuit uses and divide that number by 240 volts to determine the amperage needed for the circuit breaker. Then choose a circuit breaker that exceeds that number. If the circuit is using 28 amps, use a 30-amp circuit breaker.
Tracing an electrical circuit through the wall can be a tricky process. To do this without damaging the wall, you need a magnetic stud finder that detects wires. Using this device, you can trace the wires from an outlet or a light receptacle to the breaker box.
As with tracing a house electrical circuit, you need a magnetic stud finder that can detect whether there are wires in the area you plan to drill.
Look for bulges or inconsistencies in the wall created by the outlet box pushing against the drywall. Most outlets are between 18 and 24 inches off the floor, which is the most common height for wall outlets, and no more than 6 feet from a door.
Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series including “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” he popularized and became synonymous with “do-it-yourself” home improvement.
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