General VS4000 User Manual

AUDIBLE/VISUAL

NON-CONTACT

VOLTAGE TESTER

WITH ADJUSTABLE

SENSITIVITY

USER’S MANUAL

VS4000

Please read this manual carefully and thoroughly before using this product.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 –4

Key Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 –6

Product Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Setup Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Install Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 –9

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Return for Repair Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Guide de L'Utilisateur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 – 24

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INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing General Tools & Instruments’
(General’s) VS4000 Audible/Visual Non-contact Voltage
Detector with Adjustable Sensitivity. Please read this manual
carefully and thoroughly before using the product.

The VS4000 provides a safe (non-contact) way to check
whether an electric line or cable or AC outlet is “hot”
(energized). It does so by sensing from a short distance the
electromagnetic field created by AC voltage.

Even unloaded AC circuits generate electromagnetic fields.
Although these fields are extremely weak, their constantly
changing nature means that they generate some current.
A sensitive non-contact voltage detector can sense this
current via induction, in much the same way that a sensitive
radio receiver can sense weak radio waves.

Non-contact voltage (NCV) detectors, including the VS4000,
cannot detect DC voltages, such as those found in automotive
electrical systems. Like other NCV units, the VS4000 also
cannot detect AC voltage through a wall or metal conduit.

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Unlike the typical NCV detector, the VS4000 has adjustable
sensitivity—a feature that makes it possible to determine
which wire in a bundle is the “hot” wire. This application calls
for turning down the sensitivity in stages after the VS4000
senses voltage. As you reduce sensitivity, at some stage only
the energized wire will produce a field strong enough to
activate the audible and visual alarms from a short distance.
In this way, the VS4000’s adjustable sensitivity takes the
guesswork out of identifying the “hot” wire of a bundle.

The VS4000 also has a wider detection range (5 to 1000VAC)
than the typical NCV unit. The ability to detect the presence of
12VAC in non-contact fashion is particularly useful during
troubleshooting of hardwired process plant and industrial
automation systems and equipment such as gas and water
valves, fans, lights, relays, inverters, solenoids and horns.
12VAC is also commonly used to power hardwired
commercial and residential building doorbells/buzzers and
thermostats. Separately, the VS4000’s ability to detect 480V
using its lowest sensitivity setting makes troubleshooting and
installing generators and fluorescent lighting ballasts easier,
faster and safer.

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KEY FEATURES

• Redundant indications (beeper sounds and red LED
flashes rapidly) when voltage is detected

• Adjustable sensitivity

• 5 to 1000VAC detection range

• Safe for CAT IV 1000V use

• Pocket clip

• ETL approved

• Powered by (2) “AAA” batteries

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

•

WARNING

•

• You must confirm that the batteries powering the VS4000
are not weak or dead before you use the unit to test for the
presence of AC voltage. It is essential that you do this
each time you use the instrument.

The usual way to check the batteries is to insert the blade
tip (Fig. 1, Callout 1) into both slots of a 110VAC outlet
known to be energized with the VS4000’s sensitivity set to
maximum. If the beeper does not sound and the LED does
not light for either slot, replace both “AAA” batteries before
proceeding. Another simple way to check for live batteries
is to briskly rub the tip of the unit through your hair with
sensitivity maximized; static electricity has more than
enough voltage to activate the beeper and LED.

• Remember to move the power switch of the VS4000 to the
OFF position after you have finished using the unit. This is a
safety instruction because leaving the instrument powered

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on (in standby) will drain the batteries over time. The same
red LED used to indicate detected voltage will flash slowly
and continuously in standby mode to remind you to turn off
the VS4000. If you still forget to power off the unit, and fail
to confirm that the batteries are charged the next time you
use it, you risk your safety on the results of a test that the
VS4000 may be unable to perform.

• To avoid electric shock, do not operate the unit without the
battery compartment cover in place.

• Physically separate the multiple lines of 2-phase and
3-phase circuits before testing them.

• Do not use the VS4000 if it appears to be damaged or
malfunctioning.

• Do not expose the tester to temperatures above 104°F
(40°C), relative humidity greater than 85%, or voltages
higher than 1000V.

• Do not use the VS4000 to test for the presence of DC
voltage.

• Do not use the unit to test for the presence of AC voltage on
a shielded conductor, behind a wall or conduit, or under
soil.

• Keep your hand behind the finger guard (Fig. 1, Callout 3)
when performing a test. Never touch any conductor with
your hand or skin until you have confirmed that it is not
“hot”. Whenever you have reason to believe that a line or
outlet is “hot”, measure its voltage with a multimeter or
clamp meter.

6

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

Fig. 1 below shows the controls, indicators and key
components of the VS4000.

Fig. 1

1. Blade tip

2. White LED work light

3. Finger guard

4. Power switch/sensitivity control thumbwheel

5. Pocket clip

6. Work light on button

7. Red LED. Flashes twice every 2-1/2 seconds to indicate

unit remains powered on. Flashes multiple times per
second when AC voltage is detected.

8. Battery compartment (on back)

7

5

4

3

7

6 8

1 2

SETUP INSTRUCTIONS

INSTALL BATTERIES

1. Prepare to open the battery compartment (Fig. 1, Callout 8)

by rotating the unit 180° so its back is facing you.

2. Place your right thumb on the raised III왘 icon near the

center of the back and move it to the right to slide the
battery compartment cover away from the unit.

3. Install two “AAA” batteries in series in the battery

compartment by observing the polarity marks stenciled
inside it.

4. Close the battery compartment by sliding the cover back

into its original position until the flange snaps it shut.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

To check the charge of the batteries, power on the VS4000
by slowly rotating the power switch forward out of the OFF
position until it just clicks. As the SENSITIVITY label below
the switch indicates, in this position the NCV detector is
operating at its highest sensitivity. Rotating the thumbwheel
further forward decreases sensitivity. When the thumbwheel
cannot be moved further forward, the detector’s sensitivity is
at its lowest level (as indicated by the MIN label).

With the sensitivity set to maximum, insert the blade tip
(Fig. 1, Callout 1) into both slots of an AC outlet known to be
energized (left figure above). If the batteries are adequately
charged, the beeper will sound and the red LED near the
blade tip (Fig. 1, Callout 7) will flash rapidly when the tip is in
one of the slots.

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