EN
StudSensor
L40
™
Edge-Finding Stud Finder
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
ZIRCON
®
STUD FINDERS WORK BY SENSING DENSITY CHANGES BEHIND THE WALL. OTHER OBJECTS CAN BE DETECTED
ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE VERY CLOSE TO THE WALL. DO NOT ASSUME EVERYTHING DETECTED IS A STUD.
- Always use a new 9V alkaline battery with an extended expiration date at least 3 years beyond the current date.
Match battery direction to image inside of battery cavity.
- Do not rely exclusively on the tool to locate items behind a surface. Use other information to help locate items before
penetrating the surface, including construction plans, visible points of entry of pipes and wiring into walls such as in a
basement, and standard stud-spacing practices.
-Always start your scan in StudScan Mode which scans through surfaces up to
Mode may detect an object further behind the wall that may or may not be a stud.
- Always scan for studs at several different heights on the wall and mark the location of every target indicated by
the stud finder. This is called "mapping the wall." Pipes and other objects will likely not give consistent readings from
floor to ceiling, like a stud will.
- Readings should always be consistent and repeatable.
- Zircon stud finders are recommended for interior use only.
- Studs normally run from floor to ceiling, except above and below windows, and above doors.
- Other objects commonly contained in walls, floors, or ceilings are water pipes, gas lines, firestops, and electrical wiring.
- Sensing depth and accuracy can vary depending on scanning environment conditions such as mineral content, moisture,
texture and consistency of the wall materials.
- Always turn off power when working near electrical wires.
- Depending on the proximity of electrical wiring or pipes to the wall surface, the tool may detect them in the same
manner as studs. Caution should always be used when nailing, cutting, or drilling in walls, floors, and ceilings that may
contain these items.
- Studs and joists are normally spaced 16 or 24" apart (40 or 60 cm), are normally 1
separated by firestops. Anything closer together, or of a different width, may not be a stud or joist.
TROUBLESHOOTING & CONSTRUCTION TIPS
SITUATION
LIKELY CAUSE
• Hold the tool with thumb on one side and fingers on the other side. Do not touch
Tool may not be flat against wall.
the surface being scanned or the scanning head of the tool.
• Move the tool straight up and down, parallel to the studs. Do not rotate the tool.
• When scanning an uneven surface, place thin cardboard on the surface to be scanned
All display elements
and scan over the cardboard in DeepScan Mode.
Tool tilted or lifted during scan.
turn on at the same
time and the tool
• Move Mode Selector Switch to enter DeepScan Mode.
beeps continuously.
Scanning surface is too dense or too
If tool is used on a surface that was recently taped, painted, or wallpapered wall,
wet for tool to operate.
allow time to dry and try scanning again.
Power Button pressed before placing
Place tool on wall, then press Power Button, and wait for tool to calibrate
tool on surface.
before scanning.
Unable to detect studs
• Switch to DeepScan Mode to locate the stud.
in StudScan Mode–
Wall is thick or dense.
the top EDGE arrow
• Use the top EDGE arrow as the indication of stud edge.
doesn't illuminate.
Tool may not be flat against wall.
Hold tool so that the pads on the back make full contact with the surface.
Green READY light
illuminates but nothing
Calibration may have occurred over a
Recalibrate in a different area, then continue the scan.
happens during scan.
stud in DeepScan Mode.
Can't detect studs in
Calibration may have occurrend over
Move the unit to a different area, then scan again. Also ensure that the tool is
DeepScan Mode.
a stud.
held against the wall as shown in illustrations.
Check for other studs equally spaced to either side at 12, 16 or 24" intervals (30, 40,
Tool detects objects other
Electrical wiring and metal or plastic
or 60 cm), or check for the same stud at spots directly above or below the first scan
than studs or finds more
pipes may be near or touching the
area. Studs will run straight up and down, from floor to ceiling, while pipes may change
studs than should be there.
back of the wall surface.
direction. Standard studs measure approximately 1
Anything larger or smaller is likely not a stud (unless near door or window).
Voltage detection can spread on
Area of voltage detection is
Narrow the scan detection: 1. Turn tool off. 2. Turn it on again at the edge of where the
drywall by as much as 12" (30 cm)
too large.
wire was first detected. 3. Repeat scan.
on each side of the wire.
Wires are shielded by a metal
If there is an outlet switch, turn it to ON position while scanning, but turn OFF when
conduit, braided wire or metallic
working near the wires. Use extra caution if the area has plywood, thick wood
wall covering.
backing behind drywall, or walls that are thicker than normal.
Electrical wires suspected
but WireWarning
Detection
®
Wires deeper than 2" (50 mm) from
See above.
does not alert.
the surface might not be detected.
Wires may not be live.
Plug a lamp into the outlet and turn it on to test whether wires are live.
FCC Part 15 Class B Registration Warning: This device complies with
Visit www.zircon.com for the
Part 15 of FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
most current instructions.
conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including
ZirconCorporation
ZirconTV
interference that may cause undesired operation.
|
ZirconTools
ZirconToolPro
ZirconTools
Mode
Selector Switch
3
inch deep. Scanning in DeepScan
®
⁄
4
StudScan Mode
Indicator
Power Button
Ergonomic Rubber Grip
WireWarning
Detection Indicator
2 scanning modes:
• StudScan locates the edges of studs (wood or metal)
1
" (38 mm) wide, and studs may be
⁄
2
up to
⁄
" (19 mm) deep
3
4
• DeepScan locates the edges of studs up to 1
(38 mm) deep
WireWarning Detection automatically detects and alerts
for live, unshielded AC (alternating current) wires in both
SOLUTION
modes. When AC voltage is detected, the WireWarning
Detection Indicator shows on the display.
INSTALL 9-VOLT BATTERY
Always use a new 9V alkaline battery
with an extended expiration date at
least 3 years beyond the current date.
Match battery direction to image
inside of battery cavity.
Do not rely exclusively on the tool
WARNING
to locate items behind a surface.
Use other information to help locate items before
penetrating the surface, including construction
plans, visible points of entry of pipes and wiring
into walls such as in a basement, and standard
stud-spacing practices.
1
⁄
" (38 mm) between edges.
2
POWER UP
SpotLite
®
Pointer
Move Mode Selector Switch to desired mode: StudScan
Stud Edge Groove
or DeepScan.
Red EDGE Light
To activate tool, press and hold Power Button.
If button is not pressed and held, unit shuts off.
Green READY
Light
FIND A STUD
DeepScan
®
The tool is designed to locate the
Mode
edges of wood and metal studs
Indicator
up to
⁄
" (19 mm) behind the
3
4
scanned surface in StudScan Mode.
The accuracy of the position of
a stud found is typically within
1
⁄
" (3 mm).
8
For best results, hold the tool as
shown (Figure A), and move slowly
when scanning. Do not
touch the surface during
calibration or scan.
1. Hold tool flat against wall,
Battery Door Tab
®
then press and hold Power Button.
(door on bottom)
In 1–2 seconds, the unit will
calibrate, and the Green READY
Light will illuminate.
DO NOT MOVE TOOL DURING
CALIBRATION.
2. While holding down the Power
Button, slide the tool slowly along
"
1
⁄
2
the wall. (Figure B)
3. When the tool reaches the
edge of the stud, the top Red EDGE
Light will illuminate, the SpotLite
Pointer will shine, and a steady
tone will sound. Mark the spot.
(Figure C)
4. Without releasing Power
Button, continue the scan direction
until the Red EDGE Lights and
the SpotLite Pointer turn off,
then reverse direction. (Figure D)
5. Slide the tool until the other
edge of the stud is detected and
mark this as well. (Figure E)
The center of the stud is the
midpoint between the two marks.
DEEPSCAN MODE
DeepScan Mode will detect studs up to 1
deep, or twice the depth of StudScan.
Switch to DeepScan Mode, then follow steps 2–5 under
FIND A STUD.
DO NOT ASSUME THERE ARE NO LIVE
WARNING
ELECTRICAL WIRES IN THE WALL.
DO NOT TAKE ACTIONS THAT COULD BE
DANGEROUS IF THE WALL CONTAINS A LIVE
ELECTRICAL WIRE. ALWAYS TURN OFF THE
ELECTRICAL, GAS, AND WATER SUPPLIES BEFORE
PENETRATING A SURFACE. FAILURE TO FOLLOW
THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN ELECTRIC
SHOCK, FIRE, AND/OR SERIOUS INJURY OR
PROPERTY DAMAGE.
WIREWARNING DETECTION
The Zircon
WireWarning
®
Detection feature works
continuously in both modes.
When live, unshielded AC voltage
is detected, the WireWarning
Detection Indicator shows.
If scanning begins over a live
AC wire, the Indicator will
Figure F
flash continuously. (Figure F)
Use extreme caution under these circumstances,
or whenever live AC wiring is present.
THE TOOL MAY NOT DETECT LIVE
WARNING
CURRENT IF WIRES ARE MORE
THAN 2" (50 mm) BELOW THE SCANNED SURFACE,
Figure A
IN CONCRETE, ENCASED IN CONDUIT, BEHIND
A PLYWOOD SHEAR WALL OR METALLIC WALL
COVERING, OR IF MOISTURE IS PRESENT IN THE
ENVIRONMENT OR SCANNED SURFACE.
WORKING WITH DIFFERENT MATERIALS
Wallpaper This tool functions normally on walls covered
with wallpaper or fabric, unless the materials are metallic
foil, contain metallic fibers, or are still wet after application.
Figure B
Wallpaper may need to dry for several weeks after
application.
Freshly painted walls Paint may take a week or longer
to dry after application.
Lath and plaster Due to irregularities in plaster thickness,
this tool is not recommended for use on lath and plaster.
Highly textured walls or acoustic ceilings
When scanning a ceiling or wall with an uneven surface,
Figure C
place thin cardboard on the surface to be scanned and
scan over the cardboard in DeepScan Mode.
Wood flooring, subflooring, or gypsum drywall
over plywood sheathing Use DeepScan Mode and
move the tool slowly.
This tool cannot scan for studs and joists through carpet
and padding.
NOTE: Sensing depth and accuracy can vary
Figure D
depending on scanning environment conditions
such as mineral content, moisture, texture and
consistency of the wall materials.
Figure E
LIMITED 1 YEAR WARRANTY
Zircon Corporation ("Zircon") warrants to the product
owner that this product will be free from defects in
materials and workmanship for one year from the
original date of purchase. Any defective product
1
⁄
" (38 mm)
2
returned to Zircon within the warranty period to the
address below, freight prepaid, along with proof of
purchase, will be repaired or replaced, at Zircon's
option. Repair or replacement may be made with a
new or refurbished product or components, at Zircon's
sole discretion. If the returned product is no longer
available, Zircon may replace the product with a
similar product of similar function. This warranty is
limited to the electronic circuitry of the product and
original case of the product, and specifically excludes
any damage caused by abuse, modification, handling
contrary to these instructions, other unreasonable use,
or neglect. This is your sole and exclusive remedy for
breach of this Limited Warranty.
This Limited Warranty is in lieu of all other warranties,
express or implied, and no other representations or
claims of a similar nature will bind or obligate Zircon.
Any implied warranties applicable to this product
that cannot be disclaimed are limited to the one year
period following its purchase. This Limited Warranty
does not cover consumable parts, including batteries,
or software, even if packaged with the product.
Electrical wiring and pipes Depending on the proximity
of electrical wiring or pipes to the wall surface, the tool
may detect them in the same manner as studs.
Caution should always be used when nailing, cutting,
or drilling in walls, floors, and ceilings that may contain
these items.
Studs and joists are normally spaced 16 or 24" apart
⁄
" (38 mm) wide. Anything closer
(40 or 60 cm), and are 1
1
2
together, or of a different width, may not be a stud or joist.
This tool is not designed for use with:
• Ceramic tile, slate, granite, marble and other
rock surfaces
• Carpeting and padding
• Wallpaper with metallic fibers
• Freshly painted walls that are still damp (may take
one week or longer to dry after application)
• Lath and plaster walls
• Foil-covered insulation board
• Glass or any other dense material
• Bathroom inserts such as bathtubs and showers
• Surfaces thicker than
3
⁄
" (19 mm)
4
IN NO EVENT WILL ZIRCON BE LIABLE FOR ANY
SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
RESULTING FROM POSSESSION, USE OR MALFUNCTION
OF THIS PRODUCT.
Some states do not allow limitations on certain
implied warranties and/or the limitation on incidental
or consequential damages, so the above limitations
and exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty
gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have
other rights which vary from state to state.
Return products for warranty service, freight prepaid
with proof of purchase (a dated sales receipt) to:
Zircon Corporation
Attn: Returns Department
1580 Dell Avenue
Campbell, CA 95008-6992 USA
Be sure to include your name and return address.
Allow 4–6 weeks for delivery.
Customer Service: 1-800-245-9265 or 1-408-963-4550
Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. PT
info@zircon.com • www.zircon.com
©2018 Zircon Corporation • P/N 66308 • Rev C 11/18
DeepScan, SpotLite, StudSensor, WireWarning,
and Zircon are registered trademarks or trademarks
of Zircon Corporation.
Need help?
Do you have a question about the StudSensor L40 and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers