Best Fuse Finder for Home & Vehicle: 2025 Expert Review
Oli at OR Electrics
18th Edition Electrician & Business Owner
One of the most frustrating tasks for any homeowner or tradesperson is 'fuse hunting'. In a property, this means standing by the consumer unit shouting 'is it off yet?' whilst someone checks a socket upstairs. In a vehicle, it involves contorting yourself under the dashboard to find which tiny blade fuse has blown.
As an electrician in Leeds, I spend half my life fault finding. With the mix of old wiring in our local stock and complex modern circuits, guessing simply isn't an option. Safety and speed are paramount, whether I am identifying a circuit for an EICR or fixing a fault in the work van.
In this review, I am looking at three distinct tools that cover the spectrum of 'fuse finding'. I have included the industry-standard kit we use for mains electricity in homes, alongside two excellent options for automotive diagnostics. Whether you are sorting out your house wiring or fixing your car, here is what you need.
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Specs vs. The Real World
The Spec: "Mains Fuse Finding Accuracy"
"The device will instantly identify the exact breaker every time."
In dense wiring setups (like crowded consumer units), signal bleed can occur. You often need to scan the breakers twice to let the processor filter out the false positives.
The Spec: "Digital vs Analogue"
"Digital displays are always better."
For mains work, a digital bar graph is helpful, but an audible tone is often faster when your head is stuck in a dark cupboard. The best tools combine both.
My Top 3 Recommendations
Three options to cover different needs and budgets
Car Fuse Tester - Auto Fault Finder, Current Flow Monitor
Generic
This is a handy little tool for the glovebox or tool bag if you regularly work on vehicles. It is designed specifically for automotive blade fuses, allowing you to check current flow and identify blown fuses without indiscriminately pulling them all out.
The Good
- Very affordable price point
- Night lighting design is useful for roadside emergencies
- Compact fits easily in a glovebox
The Bad
- Strictly for vehicles (DC) only - DO NOT use on mains
- Build quality is basic compared to professional diagnostic tools
Installer Tip:
Never try to use this on your home consumer unit. This is strictly for 12V/24V car systems. For a car, it's brilliant because it saves you resetting the radio/clock by pulling the wrong fuse.
Priced at £20.59 at the time of writing
Check Price on AmazonMARTINDALE ELECTRIC FUSE FINDER KIT | CONTINUITY VOLTAGE TEST, 1 X QTY - FD650
Martindale
This is the industry standard for UK electricians. If you need to identify which breaker in your consumer unit controls a specific socket or light fitting, the Martindale FD650 is the tool for the job. It works on live circuits, meaning you don't have to cut power to the whole house.
The Good
- The correct tool for finding breakers in UK homes
- Digital signal tracing reduces false positives
- Works on live circuits (safe tracing)
The Bad
- Significant investment for a DIYer
- Requires a bit of practice to get the sensitivity right
Installer Tip:
When scanning the breaker board, run the probe down the line of breakers once to 'teach' the receiver the signal level, then go back up. The device will then pinpoint the strongest signal (the correct fuse) much more accurately.
Priced at £203.96 at the time of writing
Check Price on Amazon2025 Autel PowerScan PS100 Power Circuit Probe Tester, 12-24V
Autel
If you are dealing with complex electrical gremlins in a vehicle, a simple fuse tester isn't enough. The Autel PS100 is a powerhouse probe that can inject power, check grounds, and trace short circuits. Ideally suited for the serious enthusiast or mechanic.
The Good
- Incredible diagnostic depth for the price
- Ability to 'power up' components (like window motors) to test them
- Long cable reaches right to the back of a trailer or van
The Bad
- Can be dangerous if used incorrectly (power injection)
- Overkill for just checking a simple blown fuse
Installer Tip:
The ability to supply power/ground with the rocker switch is brilliant for testing window motors or wiper motors without stripping the car down. Just be very careful you know what you are powering—you don't want to send 12V into a sensitive ECU data line.
Priced at £85.00 at the time of writing
Check Price on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Can I use a car fuse finder on my home consumer unit?
How accurate are mains fuse finders like the Martindale?
Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?
Do I need to turn the power off to use a fuse finder?
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