IDEAL INDUSTRIES INC. 61-534 Digital Circuit Breaker Finder Kit with GFCI Tester - Electrical Wiring Tool for Home & Commercial Use - Perfect for Electricians, DIY Projects, and Electrical Maintenance

Fast shipping and product was as advertised. I would buy from this seller again.I am not an Electrical Engineer nor Electrician, however do have a degree in "General Engineering" from supposedly an "equivalent" to "Ivy League" Institution of Higher Education! I attempted to get another degree in Electrical Engineering after my "service" in the never ending "Global War On Terror" however due to the "awesome" US DVA and injuries sustained, etc... was not able to complete! That being said I have known for a very long time that "things" were not quite right with "utility" services in my "location" on the "eastern Shore" of Mobile Bay, Alabama. After reading "Electrical Troubleshooting Meters 101 For Commercial and Industrial Maintenance Personnel"- Kindle Edition by L.W. Brittian (Author) (at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NU61HS/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o01_?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ) I decided to purchase this piece of equipment, which Mr. Brittian, discusses a "similar model" (understand model he discusses no longer in production IAW internet) in-depth in his book, above!Well, I received this device, and after reading instructions decided to try it out. I was in fact shocked and appalled at what I discovered!?!? (see attached photo's of device "In-Action!") I did as per instruction's in manual and "attempted" to contact my "local" power company- really did not do much good, as far as I can tell yet (see photo's)????? Furthermore, IAW the "Quick Reference Sheet" that comes with device, under "Test #5: Line Impedance's", "IEEE states the ground impedance should be .25 (Ohms) or less for sensitive electronic equipment to operate properly!" (see attached presentation/photo's!) This, might very well explain, in large part, I have gone through more "electronic" devices in this area, since my arrival over a decade ago, than anywhere in world, to include combat the US Military sent me!Furthermore, IAW "Code Check Electrical: An Illustrated Guide to Wiring a Safe House" - Spiral-bound – June 24, 2014 by Redwood Kardon (Author),‎ Douglas Hansen (Author),‎ Paddy Morrissey (Illustrator) (at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1621137783/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) a lot of things this area are simply not correct, external to my and othr's residence's, if this work is in fact correct on whole host of topics. (see attached photos/ presentation) Additionally, I purchased "Sperry Instruments GFI6302 GFCI Outlet / Receptacle Tester, Standard 120V AC Outlets, 7 Visual Indication / Wiring Legend, Home & Professional Use, Yellow & Black " at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RUL2UU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ! This is a good indicator, to see if outlets need further testing with other devices such as this one! Also, handy, and highly user friendly is "Wiring 1-2-3 (Home Depot ... 1-2-3) Hardcover" – January 15, 2001 by Home Depot Books (Author),‎ Catherine Staub (Editor) (at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/069621184X/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) which explains a whole host of things like wire gauge etc....For those interested in becoming electrical engineer's I would recommend "NOW 2 kNOW Electro-Magnetic Fields"- Paperback – September 22, 2012 by Dr. T G D'Alberto (Author) (at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0988205416/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) as it shows the level of "mathematics" one must achieve proficiency in to "attain" this status or degree! As matter of fact, while attempting this degree myself, my professor's told me most Electrical Engineer's are in fact "accomplished" mathematicians in their own right! However, this requires "quite" a good long/ short-term and "working" memory!Anyway, I would highly recommend this "circuit analyzer" to anyone purchasing a new or "older" home to test the "outlet's) as is highly recommended prior to either purchasing or "accepting" delivery of a "newly built" home....! This way, hopefully one will not be "raising" their fist in the air- which is a symbol of "quite" a bit, like a statue in Belgium representing "Flemish" struggle independence.First off, many, if not most, of the reviews in this list are for a different tool (circuit breaker finder) other than the Ideal 61-164 analyzer. How two different tools got mixed together in the reviews, I can only guess. Second, I would have given a 5 rating were it not for the awful smell the tool gives off when in use. It actually smells like something is burning on the inside, like the smell of burnt plastic insulation. The tool is working but something is getting hot in there. Maybe its only my tool?I read the reviews on this device and several others before buying this for 3 reasons:1: The unit was made by Ideal, and I have used Ideal Products for decades without fail. I expect no less from this too.2: The price was higher than some, but again, being an Ideal, I figured that the extra was money well spent.3: The functions described would do exactly what I needed to do if it works as promised: if it did, the price was worth it.I received it today and put it right to work for a test. Back, up in a 2 story home, I plugged in the power signal module, and went to the panel some 40 - 50 feet away.On my first try, it seemed to misfire, but upon careful test and retest, I found it to lock into the correct signal strength setting and breaker automatically as it is supposed to do. NOTE: It has NO manual function other than on and off switch, that's it. So, you MUST be willing to experiment with it a tad bit to learn how it works. Example: I have a main and sub panel nearly side by side in this location. The first testing run I went to the main panel 1st to find the signal, even though I knew that this circuit breaker was located in the sub-panel. It gave several false positives at first. Then, I went to the sub-panel and on first pass over the breakers it sounded off two or three times. But then, as I came up the breaker row the opposite direction, it locked onto the one single breaker and would not false positive on any others from then on. (That was the one correct single breaker.) I even took it back to the main panel where I began with the 2 or 3 false positives and it would not respond incorrectly. It merely requires the operator to give it a short bit of of time and exposure to lock in on the correct signal strength required to select the one single breaker out of them all. Do note: It did not false positive across the panel mains bar to the one opposite when auto-adjust was done either: it remained on target from then on out until I turned it off. Once I had turned it off, it was then reset to max sensitivity internally (automatically) and must be given the same steps over to remove the over-sensitivity and settle in on the right setting. It is just that easy to use!You can spend a LOT more money on these type of units, but this one from Ideal is excellent for the money. (I sure wish I had bought one of these about 15 years ago! ;-) It is well made, no frills, no carry case, and easy as pie to use. It also has a 2 year warrantee so you know that Ideal has a LOT of confidence in their well made product and it's construction, even though it is another China made product. Buy with confidence and enjoy. GaryPS: I bought a low cost Klein Tools case for it # 68401 and it is a just fits perfect scenario for use without a lot of extra room or sloppiness. ($7.99 from Amazon.) Enjoy! gliI like because is easy ti use, thanksI borrowed one of these a few times from a customer while working at their facility and it worked so well I had to get my own. This unit works just as good as the one I borrowed and better than any other tracer I have ever used.Nice test unit to show clients what’s going onGood unit works good from an electrician view ,only thing I would say I’m not impressed with is the sticker on the back with model number and no CSA visible should not be sold in CanadaGreat tool. So happy to finally have it. Arrived fast and was packed nicely.