General Tools MSV250 User Manual [en, es, fr]

MSV250

USER’S MANUAL

LED

STUD/VOLT/METAL

DETECTOR

This 3-in-1 Stud/Volt/Metal Detector is an
unique instrument combining 3 tools in one unit.
It detects wood studs, metal studs, objects
carrying voltage, along with metal pipes and
conduits behind walls, floors and ceilings.
By employing the latest CPU technology, it will
give an accurate visual reading shown on the
LCD screen along with an audio signal. Ideal
for the Professional Technician, Handyman,
Homeowner, and Hobbyist.

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1

3

2

2

4
5

6

9

METAL

VOLTAGE

STUD

8

7

FRONT

BACK

2

1. Indicator Arrow

2. Metal/Voltage Sensors Location

3. Metal/Voltage Indicator

4. Stud Edge Indicator

5. ON/OFF + Sensitivity Adjustment Knob for
Metal/Voltage Detector

6. Metal/Voltage Selector Switch

7. Push Button for Stud Seeking

8. Battery Cover

9. Stud Sensor Location

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3

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

BATTERY INSTALLATION

This unit is operated by one “9V” battery which is
not included.

• Slide open the battery cover on the back of the

instrument

• Attach the battery to the battery connector and

insert it into the battery compartment.

• Slide the battery cover back into place.

POWER

Power on the instrument using the thumb switch
on the right side of the unit.

SET UP

Hold the unit against the wall surface in a
vertical position (Figure 1). Press in and hold
down the button “STUD” which is located on the
left side of main body to calibrate the normal
density of the wall. A short beep will sound, and
the top red LED will light momentarily and then
go off. Do not move the unit until the top LED as
well as the beep sound goes off. Continue
holding down the button during all of the
following steps. (See “Notes for Stud Seeking”)

Steps for locating a vertical batten or wall stud:

Place the instrument against the wall in a
vertical orientation (Figure 2). Move the unit
horizontally across the wall. As the unit moves
towards a stud, the bottom red LED will light up.
As it moves closer, the upper LED will light up to
indicate the stud is nearby. When it detects the
edge of the stud, the top red LED lights up and
the beep sounds continuously. Mark the first spot

Figure 1

Hold down the
button “STUD”

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Figure 2

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at the marking position at the head of the
instrument. Continue moving the unit in the same
horizontal direction until the top LED and the
beep sound just goes out. Mark the other edge of
the stud. The stud is now located and the middle
of stud is at the center between the two marks.

Steps for locating a horizontal batten or wall
stud:

Place the instrument against the wall in a
horizontal position (Figure 2). Repeat the same
procedure for locating a vertical wall stud but
move the instrument in a vertical (top to bottom)
direction.

NOTES FOR STUD SEEKING

• In case the instrument is placed over a dense

wall surface material, such as concrete wall,
during calibration procedure; the reading only
shows difference of wall density on the
surface. It is actually not a stud.

• If by chance the instrument is placed over the

wall batten or stud during calibration, the other
studs may be hard to detect. It is suggested
that you frequently re-calibrate on various
place on the same wall to avoid the false
readings. To do so, press Scan button once and
repeat the above procedures.

• The stud detection can be carried out normally

on wallpapered walls. However, it may not
function on some types of foil-backed or
metallic fabric surfaces.

• A double width of stud will be detected around

door or window frames as a double batten or
double stud is encountered.

Hold down
the button

“STUD”

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• A solid wood header may exist in some doors.

The stud location will not be found if the
instrument is calibrated over the header.
However, if the unit is calibrated on a normal
wall first and then moved to the header area, it
will indicate the presence of the header.

• If the wall material is especially dense or thick,

the top arrow bar icon may not appear. Instead,
the other scanning bars might appear which
will actually be the “PEAK”.

• It is recommended to perform metal/voltage

detection to make sure the detected wood stud
or batten is not a metal pipe or energized
cable. Please note that some small securing
screws or nails may be detected.

METAL DETECTION

Slide the selector switch, which is located on the
right side of main body, to the “METAL” position.
Check that there is no metal in the immediate
vicinity and then turn on the detector by rotating
the sensitivity control towards the ‘ON’ position.
A short beep will sound and the red LED on the
left will flash momentarily. Continue to rotate the
sensitivity control towards to the ‘ON’ position at
the right side of the unit until the beeps sound
continuously, and the LED stays on all the time.
Then, gradually turn the sensitivity control back
towards the ‘OFF’ position until the beep stops
and the LED goes out.

METAL SCANNING

Hold the instrument horizontally with the sensor
head pointing towards the wall (Figure 3) and
sweep systematically over the required area.
If a metal object is detected, the unit will beep

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Water Pipe

Figure 3

Electrical
Wire

Figure 4

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continuously and the LED will light up. To
pinpoint the exact position after the metal has
been located, gradually rotate the sensitivity
control toward the ‘OFF’ position to reduce the
sensitivity and sweep over the area again.

VOLTAGE DETECTION

Slide the selector switch which is located on the
right side of main body to the “VOLTAGE”
position. Check that there is no source of
electricity in the immediate vicinity then adjust
the sensitivity control in the same way for
metal detection.

Steps for Voltage Scanning

Hold the detector horizontally with the marking
position pointing towards the wall (Figure 4) and
sweep systematically over the required area. If a
source of voltage is detected, the unit will beep
on and off and the red LED will flash. If the
source of the voltage is very close to the
detector, the beep will sound continuously and
the red LED will light up. Pinpointing the exact
position of the voltage source is done by

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Figure 5

Water Pipe
and Stud

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gradually rotating the sensitivity control towards
the ‘OFF’ position to reduce the sensitivity and
sweeping over the area again.

NOTES FOR VOLTAGE DETECTION

• Some walls may contain metallic fiber for

fireproofing; this will spread the area of voltage
pick-up. Placing your free hand on the wall
may cancel the effect.

• Rubbing or banging the instrument on the wall

may generate static electricity and cause a
false reading.

• Only a small amount of electricity will trigger

the detector and can cause false readings,
such as a badly insulated cable touching a
damp wall.

• When the instrument gives a “No Voltage”

reading, check the unit on a known voltage
source before touching any conductor.

• It will not detect shielded conductors (i.e. those

in metal conduct, the unit only shows presence
of METAL).

• Never take risks! If unsure, consult a qualified

electrician.

• The instrument can operate in both Metal

Detecting and Stud Seeking models
simultaneously. Since plumbing may exist at
same location inside the wall (Figure 5), Metal
as well as Stud Indicators will come on
together. If the wiring that is carrying voltage is
located at the wall batten or stud inside the
wall (Figure 5), Voltage as well as Stud
indicators will come on together. In case of
abnormal performance when operating the
unit, replace with a fresh battery.

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MSV250

MANUAL DEL USUARIO

DETECTOR DIGITAL

3 EN 1 DE VIGAS,

METALES Y VOLTAJE

El detector digital 3 en 1 para Vigas/Voltaje y
Metal es un instrumento único que combina
3 herramientas en una sola. Detecta vigas de
madera o metal, objetos con voltaje y tuberías o
conductos metálicos dentro de paredes, pisos
o cielo rasos. Gracias al empleo de la última
tecnología CPU, ofrece lecturas visuales precisas
sobre la pantalla LCD en simultaneidad con
señales acústicas. Ideal para el técnico
profesional, aficionados, propietarios
y operarios.

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