Quick answer: Wire tracing can help follow buried irrigation wiring and narrow the location of faults, but finding the exact cause of a failed zone usually combines tracing with electrical testing. A cut conductor, bad splice, short, failed solenoid and common-wire problem can produce different test results.
What a wire tracer does
A locator applies a signal to an irrigation conductor so the buried route can be followed from the controller toward the field components.
Tracing and electrical testing work together
Continuity, resistance and voltage testing help determine whether the circuit is open, shorted or behaving abnormally. Tracing then helps narrow where the physical problem may be located.
Why random digging is inefficient
Irrigation wire can travel long distances and may share trenches with mainline piping. Following the electrical path first can greatly reduce unnecessary excavation.
See how to recognize damaged sprinkler wiring and our wire tracing service.
