Zircon StudSensor 70 - Center-Finding Stud Finder Manual

OVERVIEW

The Zircon StudSensor^™ 70 detects both the center and edges of wood and metal studs and joists in walls, floors, and ceilings in one step. It features a durable high-impact case and patented SpotLite^® Pointing System.

WireWarning^® detection automatically detects and alerts of live AC wires. When AC voltage is detected, the WireWarning^® icon will illuminate.

Note: This product is intended only for use with an optimum voltage range of 110–127 V.

INSTALLING THE BATTERY

Press battery door release in with your finger or a coin and lift up to remove door.

Place a brand new 9V alkaline battery into the compartment and press into place.

Replace battery door and snap shut.

OPERATING TIPS

For optimum scanning results, it is important to properly hold StudSensor^™ 70 and move slowly when scanning. The following tips will provide more accurate scanning results:

• Grasp the handle with your thumb on one side and your fingers on the other side. Make sure your fingertips are resting on or above the running board and not touching the surface being scanned or the scanning head of the tool.
• Hold the tool straight up and down, parallel to the studs, and do not rotate the tool.
  
• Keep the tool flat against the wall and do not rock or tilt the tool when slowly sliding across the surface being scanned.
• Avoid placing your other hand, or any other part of your body, on the surface being scanned. This will interfere with the tool's performance.
• If you're receiving erratic scanning results, it may be a result of humidity, moisture within the wall cavity or drywall, or recently applied paint or wallpaper that hasn't fully dried. While the moisture may not always be visible, it will interfere with the tool's sensors. Please allow a few days for the wall to dry out.
• 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.
• To avoid surprises, remember that studs or joists are normally spaced 16 or 24 in. (41 or 61 cm) apart and are 1½ in. (38 mm) in width. Anything closer together or a different width may not be a stud, joist, or firebreak.

Always turn off power when working near electrical wires.

SCANNING DIFFERENT SURFACES

Freshly painted walls: May take one week or longer to dry after application.

Wallpaper: The StudSensor^™ 70 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.

Extremely 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. Calibrate, with cardboard in place, in High Sensitivity mode.

Wood flooring, subflooring, or gypsum drywall over plywood sheathing: Use the High Sensitivity mode and move the tool slowly.

Lath & plaster: Due to irregularities in plaster thickness, this tool is not recommended for use on lath & plaster.

StudSensor^™ 70 cannot scan for wood studs and joists through concrete, carpeting and pad. In Stud Scan mode, the StudSensor^™ 70 will NOT be able to scan through dense materials such as glass, ceramic tile, and foil.

Note: Sensing depth and accuracy can vary due to moisture, content of materials, wall texture, and paint. Indoor use only.

Do not rely exclusively on the detector to locate items behind the scanned surface. Use other information sources to help locate items before penetrating the surface. Such additional sources include construction plans, visible points of entry of pipes and wiring into walls, such as in a basement, and in standard 16 and 24 in. (41 and 61 cm) stud spacing practices.

TURNING ON/CALIBRATING THE TOOL

Place StudSensor^™ 70 flat against the wall, then press and hold the Power button. Upon completion of calibration, the SpotLite^® Pointing System and buzzer will momentarily activate and the tool will begin continuous measurements.

Note: It is important to wait for calibration to complete (1–2 seconds) before moving the scanner.

ACT^™ (Auto Correcting Technology): During scanning, the tool will provisionally recalibrate itself when needed. This recalibration is usually transparent and no indication is made.

FINDING A STUD

Always start with the scanner placed flat against the wall, then press the Power button. Wait for beep to confirm calibration has completed before moving tool.

Slowly slide tool across surface. EDGE LED will illuminate, indicating location of the stud edge.

Continue sliding tool. When the center of the stud is located, the buzzer will sound, and both the CENTER LED and the SpotLite^® will illuminate.

In cases of deeper studs (thicker walls) when the center of the stud is located only the three middle and CENTER LEDs will illuminate. If you still can't locate a stud, try the next step.

Note: The tool may detect other objects behind the wall such as pipes and conduit. See Section Operating Tips for ways to confirm that you found a stud.

DIFFICULTY LOCATING A STUD? TRY HIGH SENSITIVITY MODE

If you have difficulty locating a stud after following Step 4, it could be that the stud is deep (the walls are thick). With the tool still placed flat against the wall and turned on, quickly (within one second) release and re-press the Power Button. The scanner will enter the High Sensitivity Mode and the DEEP LED will flash continuously. Center of a very deep stud will be indicated by the three middle LEDs illuminating.

MARKING THE CENTER OF THE STUD

Once an object is located, mark the location by gently pulling down the MARK button with your fingertip. A pencil point will extend from the front of the handle, placing a short, erasable line on the wall.

WIREWARNING^® DETECTION

Zircon's WireWarning^® detection works continuously. When live AC voltage is detected, the WireWarning^® LED will illuminate.

If scanning begins over a live AC wire, the WireWarning^® LED will flash continuously. Use extreme caution in these circumstances or whenever live AC is present.

Electrical field locators may not detect live AC wires if wires are more than 2 in. (51 mm) from the scanned surface, in concrete, encased in conduit, present behind a plywood shear wall or metallic wall covering, or if moisture is present in the environment or scanned surface.

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 POWER, 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.

Always turn off power when working near electrical wires.

CHANGING MARKER TIPS

Removal: Pull and hold the MARK button to fully extend the marker tip. Grasp the marker and pull it off the marker post.

Replace: Pull and hold the MARK button to fully extend the marker post. Push the new marker onto the marker post.

Note: Two spare markers are stored in the battery compartment. Additional marker tips can be ordered from Zircon Customer Service at 1-800-245-9265.

HELPFUL HINTS (See also Operating Tips)

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

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