Zircon MultiScanner L550 - Multifunction Wall Scanner 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 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 scanner to locate such 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 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 40 or 60 cm apart on centre, are normally 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

Stud EDGE / CENTER Indicators

4 scanning modes:

• StudScan locates centre and edges of stud (wood or metal) up to 19 mm deep
• DeepScan locates centre and edges of stud up to 38 mm deep
• Metal Scan locates ferrous (magnetic) metal, such as steel, up to 75 mm deep, and non-ferrous (non-magnetic) metal, such as copper, up to 38 mm deep
• AC Scan locates live, unshielded AC wires up to 50 mm deep

WireWarning Detection automatically detects and alerts for live, unshielded AC (alternating current) wires up to 50 mm deep in StudScan, DeepScan and Metal Scan Modes.
To activate scanner, press and hold Power Button. If button is not pressed and held, unit shuts off.

FIND A STUD

For best results, hold the scanner as shown (Figure A) and move slowly when scanning. Do not touch the surface during calibration or scan.

1. Set mode to StudScan.
2. Hold scanner 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 SCANNER DURING CALIBRATION.
3. While holding down the Power Button, slide the scanner slowly along the wall. When scanner finds the edge of a stud, EDGE displays. (Figure B)
   
4. Continue sliding. When scanner finds the centre 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. Select DeepScan Mode, and repeat scan.

Scanner automatically recalibrates when in use. If arrows appear on the display, the scanner was calibrated too close to a stud then moved away. This is ACT (Auto Correcting Technology) (Figure E).

SCAN IN DEEPSCAN MODE

DeepScan Mode can detect studs up to 38 mm deep. To scan for deeper studs, or for use with thicker walls:

1. Set mode to DeepScan.
2. Repeat steps 2 – 4 under FIND A STUD.

SCAN FOR METAL

Use Metal Scan Mode to determine if the stud found is wood, or a metal stud or pipe.

1. Set mode to Metal Scan.
2. For maximum sensitivity, press and hold Power Button. Hold the scanner away from the surface until a short beep confirms calibration is complete, then place against the surface to be scanned.
3. While continuing to hold Power Button, slide the scanner slowly against the wall. Mark the spot where the most middle bars display. For a strong read, the scanner will light up and a steady beep will sound. (Figure F)
   
4. Continue sliding in same direction until bars reduce, then reverse direction. Mark the spot where the display bars peak. The midpoint between the two marks is the location of the metal object.

NOTE: If the unit indicates a large area of metal, refine the scan to more accurately find the centre.

REFINE METAL SCAN

1. Release Power Button, then position the scanner over one of the previous marks. This will reset to a lower sensitivity and narrow the scan area. (Figure G)
2. Press and hold Power Button, then repeat 3 and 4 under SCAN FOR METAL.
3. Repeat as needed for increased accuracy. (Figure H)

NOTE: If any bars display, metal is present. Small targets or targets deep below the surface may only show one or two bars, and the scanner may not beable to locate the centre of the metal.

SCAN FOR AC (alternating current)

Use AC Scan Mode to find live, unshielded wiring.

ALWAYS TURN OFF POWER WHEN WORKING NEAR ELECTRICAL WIRES (EXCEPT WHEN SCANNING).

1. Set mode to AC Scan.
2. Hold scanner flat against wall, then press and hold Power Button. A short beep confirms that calibration is complete.
   DO NOT MOVE SCANNER DURING CALIBRATION.
3. While holding Power Button, slide the scanner slowly against the wall. Mark the spot where the most middle bars display. For a strong read, the scanner will light up and a steady beep will sound. (Figure F)
4. Continue in same direction until bars reduce, then reverse direction. Mark the spot where the display bars peak. The midpoint between the two marks is the location of the live, unshielded AC wiring. If the unit indicates live electricity over a large area, reduce the sensitivity of the scanner to refine the scanning area and more accurately locate the live AC wiring.

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.

REFINE AC SCAN

1. Release Power Button, then position the scanner over one of the previous marks. This will reset to a lower sensitivity and narrow the scan area. (Figure G)
2. Press and hold Power Button, then repeat 3 and 4 under SCAN FOR AC.
3. Repeat as needed for increased accuracy. (Figure H)

NOTE: AC Scan only detects live (hot) unshielded AC wiring. Refer to the WARNING statement under WireWarning Detection below for important details and warnings about AC detection.

WIREWARNING DETECTION
The Zircon^® WireWarning
Detection feature works continuously in StudScan, DeepScan and Metal Scan Modes. When live, unshielded AC voltage is detected, the WireWarning Detection Indicator shows. If scanning begins over a live AC wire, the Indicator or middle bars (in AC Scan) will flash on display continuously.

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 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 scanner functions normally on walls covered with wallpaper or fabric, unless the materials are metallic foil, contain metallic fibres, or are still wet after application. Wallpaper may need to dry for several weeks after application.

Freshly painted walls
Paint may take a week or longer to dry after application. If it is difficult to locate a stud in either stud scanning modes on dry or freshly-dried paint, switch to Metal Scan Mode to locate the nails or drywall screws holding drywall to the studs.

Lath and plaster
Due to irregularities in plaster thickness, it is difficult for this scanner to locate studs in either studscanning mode. Switch mode to Metal Scan Mode to locate the nail heads holding wood lath to the studs. If the plaster has metal mesh reinforcement, the scanner will be unable to detect studs through that material.

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. If irregular scanning results are received, switch to Metal Scan Mode to locate nails or drywall screws that line up vertically where a stud or joist is positioned.

Wood flooring, subflooring, or gypsum drywall over plywood sheathing
Use DeepScan Mode and move the scanner slowly. The Signal Strength Indicator may only display a few bars when the scanner locates a stud through a thick surface.

This scanner cannot scan for wood studs and joists through carpet and padding. In problematic situations, try using Metal Scan Mode to locate nails or screws that may line up vertically or horizontally where a stud or joist is respectively positioned.

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 scanner may detect them in the same manner as studs.

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 40 or 60 cm apart on centre and are 38 mm wide. Anything closer together, or of a different width, may not be a stud or joist.

TROUBLESHOOTING & CONSTRUCTION TIPS