Hi-Tech HTP-6 Digital Circuit Breaker Identifier

After purchasing the Hi Tech circuit detective in April 2012 I have used it twice to identify circuits. Just plug in the sensor and then scan the breakers in the electrical box. It takes 2 scans to detect the breaker -- the first scan to learn the circuits and the second scan to identify the circuit that the sensor is pluged in. Good product and glad I purchase it.

Very God Device

Works as I expected it to. Good unit to trace your circuits.

The simplicity of use

works great

Inconsistent detection

YES, it gets regular false positives, and NO, its not that big a deal. Almost always, you can get the result down to a few breakers (usually 1-3 in my case). Then you flip them off one at a time to see if the LED goes off on the sender. Done. Which is better--doing the flip and check on two or three breakers or perhaps the whole darn bank? I agree with the reviewer that said its biggest limitation is needing a live circuit, and, for me, thats almost never a problem.

I purchased one of these in 2003. Only difference is the casing is a charcoal/black color rather than blue as the pic shows. It will sometimes sit for 6-12 months before I reach for it again (I take the battery out for storage) but it has always helped me identify the circuit breaker Im looking for. The worst results I ever had was that, once, it seemed to ID two side-by-side breakers at the same time. Rather than fret about why, I just turned both breakers off and the item I was working on was then electrically dead. To be safe, I ALWAYS use a live circuit checker (I call them tickers) to confirm the circuit is off before I proceed. Once when I couldnt find my ticker, I used my voltmeter to make sure the power was off. I certainly recommend this item, but I always treat the circuit as if it were live until Im absolutely certain it isnt.

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

Works fine. Does what its supposed to. Ill see how it does after Ive had it for awhile.