Hi-Tech HTP-6 Digital Circuit Breaker Identifier

Works, with a little indecision on my home panel- useful there. On my sons panel- inserting the transmitter trips the arc fault breakers (which I believe are becoming standard and required in many residential installations)! No use at all there!

I purchased this because the bone headed electrician who wired our home (built in 1976) didnt bother to label the breakers. There are 20 breakers in my main panel and this device found all of them with no errors. It saved a lot of running around the home to find the lights and outlets served by a breaker. I do not know why any others had a problem with it but for me it certainly was well worth the money!

I used it plugged into a outlet at least 45 from the panel and once I followed the actual directions it worked just fine.

Love this device. No need for a second hand to help identify circuits when you have this.

I havent used it extensively, but so far the Hi-Tech HTP-6 Circuit Detective Circuit Breaker Finder seems to work pretty well. It has two components, a signal transmitter and a receiver. The two pronged transmitter is designed to be plugged into a standard 120 outlet. The receiver is designed to scan the circuit breakers in an electrical panel or loadcenter, and indicate by an shrill audible signal and flashing green light, which circuit breaker is feeding the load. Following the correct procedures, the system seems to produce fairly accurate though not flawless results. For these types of tracers, electronic interference can make reading the signal difficult. Certain types of power strips, adapters, and other add-on electrical attachments, can also mess up the transmission of the imparted signal. So for various reason, the Hi-Tech tracer occasionally has some problems nailing down which circuit is the source. I first used a similar tracing device by Pasar, perhaps twenty years ago, and the reliability issues that existed then, still seem to exist today. The main thing that bothers me about this device is the power switch on receiver. It is located on the side of the unit, and it just takes is a slight touch to turn the receiver on, and begin running the 9 volt battery down. To turn the unit off, you hold down the switch for a few seconds, but a little tap and the receiver turns back on again. Not too smart, as just sticking it in your pocket can easily turn it back on again. A more thoughtful design would have made it more difficult to accidentally switch the device on, like providing a power switch that is out of the way, and locks in the on or off position. Its very inconvenient, but I remove the battery when Im not using this device, so that I will have a live battery when I need it. Although the performance is acceptable, because of this basic design flaw, this product just rates 3 stars. For me, the size (1.8 x 6) and shape of the receiver is such that it is easy for me to drop, so I added a small nylon strap so that I can hang it around my neck, which also helps with accidentally turning on issue. Hi-Tech has an address in Illinois, by there is a Made in China sticker on the receiver. It appears that several companies are selling this same unit, and are just changing the color and slapping their company label on it. For example, the

Works as advertised. Instructions not very clear though, and power button is very sensitive so battery may drain fast.

The only problem I had was when the battery is first installed it comes to the ON state. Turn it off by pressing and holding the the switch until the light goes out, then follow the directions. This worked perfectly. The more expensive models wont work either if you dont follow the directions.

It worked fine for me with no trouble. The receiver beeps when it picks up a signal as strong or stronger than any its seen. So you make a pass over the breakers and ignore the beeps; then do it again and of course only the strongest one beeps. That amounts to it telling you which breaker is carrying the strongest signal, and thats the one you want. I suppose you could do it in one pass if you note the last beep, but of course you dont know at the time that its going to be the last beep. Its easier make a second pass.

I bought this device a week ago. Ive wanted one for a long time. I am glad i finally got one. It is so easy to use and it works good.

Carefully following the instructions - doing the calibration pass, followed by the second identify pass, it would only occasionally find the circuit, and only then if the transmitter was plugged into a plug that was physically close to the breaker. I thought I must have a defective unit, so I exchanged it for another, and had the same results. I tried outlets in every room of the house. I tried doing the calibration pass slowly or quickly. Same frustrating results. Judging from other reviewers, it appears this unit is not compatible with all types of breakers. Two different units, carefully used, were useless with my house, so I give this one star. I would also have deducted a star for the poor design of the power switch, but alas, Its already at one star.