Zircon StudSensor A150 - Center-Finding Stud Finder Manual

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 alkaline battery with a valid extended expiration date. Match battery direction to image inside of battery cavity.
• Do not rely exclusively on the scanner to locate items behind a surface. Use other information to help locate such 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 3⁄₄" (19 mm) deep. Scanning in DeepScan^® 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 would.
• 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 scanner 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" (40 or 60 cm) apart, are normally 11⁄₂" (38 mm) wide, and may be separated by firestops. Anything closer together, or of a different width, may not be a stud or joist.

OVERVIEW

Two scanning modes:

• StudScan locates center and edges of stud (wood or metal) up to 3⁄₄" (19 mm) deep
• DeepScan locates center and edges of stud up to 11⁄₂" (38 mm) deep

WireWarning Detection automatically detects and alerts for live AC (alternating current) wires in both modes. When AC voltage is detected, WireWarning Detection Indicator shows on the display.

INSTALL 9-VOLT BATTERY

Always use a new alkaline battery with a valid extended expiration date. Match battery direction to image inside of battery cavity.

Low Battery Indicator will flash when battery charge is too low for scanner to function properly.

Do not rely exclusively on the scanner 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.

POWER UP

To activate tool, press and hold Power Button. If button is not pressed and held, unit shuts off.

FIND A STUD

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, then press and hold Power Button. In 1–2 seconds, the unit will calibrate. A short beep confirms that calibration is complete. DO NOT MOVE TOOL DURING CALIBRATION.
2. While holding down the Power Button, slide the tool slowly along the wall. When tool finds the edge of a stud, EDGE displays. (Figure B)
3. Continue sliding. When tool finds the center of a stud, CENTER displays, light illuminates, 3 bars show signal strength, and a buzzer sounds. (Figure C)
   NOTE: If only two signal bars show (Figure D), stud may be too deep. Switch to DeepScan Mode, and repeat scan.
4. Use the SpotLite Pointer to mark the location of the center of the stud. (Figure E)
   Tool automatically recalibrates when in use. If an arrow shows (Figure F), the tool was calibrated too close to a stud, then moved away. Arrow indicates the direction to the stud. This is ACT (Auto Correcting Technology).

DEEPSCAN MODE

DeepScan Mode will detect studs up to 11⁄₂" (38 mm) deep, or twice the depth of StudScan.

To activate DeepScan Mode:

1. Place the tool flat against the wall.
2. Quickly press the Power Button twice, and hold it down after the second press. The DeepScan Mode Indicator will light. (Figure G)
   
3. To find a stud, follow steps 2 and 3 under FIND A STUD.

DO NOT ASSUME THERE ARE NO LIVE 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 AC voltage is detected, the WireWarning Detection Indicator shows. If scanning begins over a live AC wire, the indicator will flash continuously. (Figure H)

Use extreme caution under these circumstances, or whenever live AC wiring is present.

THE SCANNER MAY NOT DETECT LIVE CURRENT IF WIRES ARE MORE THAN 2" (50 mm) BELOW THE SCANNED SURFACE, 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. Wallpaper may need to dry for several weeks after application.

Freshly painted walls It 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, 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. The Signal Strength Indicator may only display one or two bars when the tool locates a stud through a thick surface.

This tool cannot scan for wood studs and joists through carpet and padding.

NOTE: Sensing depth and accuracy can vary depending on scanning environment conditions such as mineral content, moisture, texture, and consistency of the wall materials.

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" (40 or 60 cm) apart, and are 11⁄₂" (38 mm) wide. Anything closer together, or of a different width, may not be a stud or joist.

TROUBLESHOOTING & CONSTRUCTION TIPS

FCC Part 15 Class B Registration Warning: This device complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

1. this device may not cause harmful interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

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.

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 95008-06992 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 69337 • Rev A 03/18

ACT, DeepScan, SpotLite, StudSensor, WireWarning, and Zircon are registered trademarks or trademarks of Zircon Corporation.

Visit www.zircon.com for the most current instructions.