Wpp123 Wire/Pipe and Power Detector

I wanted a reliable detector so originally went for the Bosch PMD 10 Multi Detector at around £75. I couldn't get that to work very well at all. Doing some simple tests with it I couldn't even get it to detect a piece of copper pipe immediately behind a sheet of cardboard... I returned the Bosch and bought this for nearer £8. I've been very impressed - it is very easy to set up and use and gives reliable and repeatable results. It also seems to have a good detection depth of maybe around 6 - 8cm or more.I found the best way to locate a pipe or wiring is to make two slow sweeps with the detector. Sweep slowly in a direction which you think is roughly perpendicular to the line of the pipe/wiring that you're trying to locate and mark the position of the leading edge of the detector when the audible warning starts and stops. Then do another slow sweep in the opposite direction, again marking the position of the leading edge of the detector when the audible warning starts and stops. You will end up with four marks; the centre two you should find are around 1 - 2cm apart and mark quite accurately the position of the pipe/wiring.I can wholeheartedly recommend this product.

I recently had to lower a ceiling so needed a wire / metal detector to use in conjunction with a stud detector. I had one if these many years ago, which eventually wore out. So I got a new one. When it arrived, it rattled - so I took it apart and a plastic lug had broken off the inside (probably in transport). I took that out and it was fine (although the sensors still rattle in the housing). The metal detector part works okay, just don't ramp it up to full sensitivity right away or the unit will just beep constantly. The current detector part can't really be used for tracing live wires in walls, it's primarily used for checking exposed cables. Mine doesn't work when held against a live plug socket (as per the instructions) but it does detect electricity if a plug is inserted into the socket. Also as a sidenote, it doesn't detect power in an armoured cable :) These are quirky little devices that you need to get used to. But, I'm glad I have a new one as they really do come in useful.

Once again, I'm compelled to write a review on amazon because of the incredibly annoying negative reviews that to be fair, if this were more expensive, would have put me off purchasing an awesome device.So, I will be short and sweet:WHAT IT DOES:1. You can detect pipes, conduits, etc behind walls. Switch on, move wheel until the alarm sound ceases, position against the wall and voila, you get a beep and a red light if it detects anything behind the wall.2. You can detect whether a wire is LIVE. Change to the other mode by switch, move wheel until the alarm sound ceases, position against wire, and bingo you get red light and alarm if it detects live current.WHAT IT DOESN'T DO:1. Detect LIVE wires THROUGH walls. This is incredibly clear by virtue of the fact that it as two specific modes. - live wire detection and pipe/conduit detection through walls. It does not do both at the same time!2. Make cappucinos3. Detect satellites orbiting the earth4. Beep when there's a moron close byAnd that's it! Worked perfectly first time and everytime. I've traced the entire water and electricity supply around my lounge with this, which has been absolutely invaluable with some extensive re-decoration. If that's the kind of thing you want, then this is the gizmo for you.

Easy to set uo and understand. Works well with pipes. Not sure about electricity cables. Seems to work when there is current flowing but unable to detect if not. Have used around areas where there must be wires eg plug but been anable to detect with certainty

This is the perfect tool if you want to check what things are made of metal in your house. For example, I can confirm that my toaster and my kettle are made of metal, while my wooden chopping board isn't. However, I already knew all that, so this device was less useful than a chocolate teapot. I can only assume all the reviews saying it worked are faked by the manufacturer. I've never written an amazon review before but this product is such a blatant con that I've been moved to tell people. Don't buy this "rapeytest". Even the name is a joke. You have to be within 1cm of a metal object with nothing but air in between. Don't do what I did and dismiss the 1 stars as people who just didn't read the instructions. Oh and there is no battery included unlike one of the reviews.

I bought it,then read the reviews.Negative to a large extent.Thought I'd bought. a turkey.However,I followed instructions of a punter who ahd used one for years,and lo,the damned thing work brilliantly.Drilled about 100+ holes,checking everyone with rapitest on no.1.Didn't try 2.It detected wiring from switch and screws.What I did was put the switch to 1.Found what looked like a non-wired place on the wall.Switched it on,turned it up,'til the green light became red with the sound came on,then turned it down just 'til the red light went off-calibration.I then moved it over where I was going to drill,and because I was fitting shelf brackets,where the other holes would be as well.Having tested it with wires going to the light switch[the red light and sound came on],I felt secure in it finding wires,and felt safe drilling where it had 'cleared'-not gone off.To be safer,I calibrated [above] every time.Maybe this doesn't need to be done-once it's calibrated for that work area it's done-I dont know.But it was no hastle in the light of possibly getting electrocuted.For me this is a brilliant tool for my diy projects.Drilling into pipes or wires is a constant worry which this removes.I'm not sure about the 2 switch,and I'm not sure about the calibration frequency,but it's still a great tool for me.I'm glad to have written this review.It's seriously useful.