Find cable routes? - old house - not in protected zones

[john999uk]

Need to find out where someone routed cables in 1970's extension so I can part the light circuit from the ring!!!
Any ideas what tools are best to trace the cables?
The extension is a flat roof that 3 months ago was replaced, typical!

Have been looking at fuse finders, tone generators, multi scanners (cable, stud, metal type detectors) etc.

Can anyone guide me to what might be the most successful tool to locate the route of the cables?

Thanks.

 

[chrish_1977]

Any of the above should do, but if not I like the hammer and bolster method too

 

[loop3]

I use a fluke cable tracer and a bosch scanner.

 

[telectrix]

if they're above the ceiling, then they will be out of range of cable locators. partial removal of ceiling is the only answer.

 

[Octopus]

Without wishing to state the obvious, you're going to have to make some holes anyway, so just make sure that the client knows you'll be guessing so do your best!

 

[telectrix]

no need for guessing, just rip a square out. 12ft x 8 ft. OK, rectangle, if you want to be pedantic.

 

[john999uk]

Thanks everyone. Ideally the less damage I cause the less I have to put right
Think I might go for a tone generator and trace each end of each cable.

Read that a AMPROBE/DiLog/Newlec fuse/cable finder has a mode that can detect 40cm deep to locate cable! Which sounds good.

Might have to get both but tone tester is cheaper as a start.

Thanks.