We just recently lost power to an entire circuit of outlets (seven outlets, no lights) in our five year old house. I found the last one in the chain and disconnected them one by one tracing the circuit back via an external wire and the continuity setting on my DMM - there are six standard outlets with a GFCI outlet being the first (as far back as I can trace it, that is) in the circuit. After the GFCI I have no idea where the circuit may go, I assume back to the breaker panel as every other outlet, light, etc is accounted for on other circuits.
Unfortunately, the GFCI is at the front door entry way, so it is surrounded on three sides by brick and the the fourth side abuts the front door, so getting to the wiring behind the box to trace it is nearly impossible. At this point, I think there's an open in the wiring between the breaker (which is new and tests fine) and the GFCI outlet (which is also new). What do you, as electricians, do to find an open to repair such an event? Is there some sort of tracing rig that will work on a non-energized (open) circuit to help trace the wire in the wall?
Any help appreciated, thanks in advance...