How to find cut wire for home sprinkler system
#1
How to find cut wire for home sprinkler system
Hi Folks - I have a small yard w/ a Rainbird sprinkler system that's been in place for few years. The timer/controller was replaced last year when I was having some issues w/ the system, and everything was working fine at that point.
I just had a generator installed and they had to dig up my backyard to run a gas line to the generator. Immediately after that, the sprinkler system would no longer work at all (the controller looks normal, but no water comes out of any stations). I'm 100% sure that they cut/damaged some wire needed for the sprinkler when trenching up my back yard. And I can see a 50ft trench they left behind, so I know that it's SOMEWHERE along that trench line. I just don't know exactly where.
Question: is there any special tool (thinking some electronic gizmo) that professionals might use to find where underground the sprinkler electrical line is cut? I'd appreciate any help. Thanks
I just had a generator installed and they had to dig up my backyard to run a gas line to the generator. Immediately after that, the sprinkler system would no longer work at all (the controller looks normal, but no water comes out of any stations). I'm 100% sure that they cut/damaged some wire needed for the sprinkler when trenching up my back yard. And I can see a 50ft trench they left behind, so I know that it's SOMEWHERE along that trench line. I just don't know exactly where.
Question: is there any special tool (thinking some electronic gizmo) that professionals might use to find where underground the sprinkler electrical line is cut? I'd appreciate any help. Thanks
#2
There are, but getting your hands on one may not be easy, I don't know if they rent them, my neighbor an electrician, has one.
Might be easer to just run a new cable.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/TEMPO-Un...0the%20systems.
Might be easer to just run a new cable.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/TEMPO-Un...0the%20systems.
#3
Thanks Marq1. Yeah the other issue is since the sprinkler system was installed prior to my owning the house, I don't have visibility to where all the underground boxes/solenoids/units are for the different zones (so the option of just running a new wire is not feasible). I only know where the timer/controller is and where the wire from that goes underground. Where it goes from there is a big guess. Here in this situation I have the remnants of a trench so I know somewhere along that the wire was cut, just not sure where. Would be great if I could rent one of those units but I am doubtful anyone does that.
#4
Just call a couple of local electricians. See if one has an underground wire tracer.
We have one and get calls for tracing.
We have one and get calls for tracing.
#6
2john02458
voted this post useful.