General Tools VR40 User Manual

NON-CONTACT

VOLTAGE DETECTOR

WITH ADJUSTABLE

SENSITIVITY AND

IR THERMOMETER

USER’S MANUAL

VR40

Please read this manual carefully and thoroughly

before using this product.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 –6

Key Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 –9

What’s in the Blister Pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Product Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 – 12

Setup Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Install Batteries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Operating Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 – 19

Detecting AC Voltage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 – 16

Using the IRT to Measure Temperature

Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 – 20

Operating & Maintenance Tips . . . . . . . . . 20 – 21

Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Return for Repair Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

. 16 – 19

2

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing General Tools & Instruments’
(General’s) VR40 Non-contact Voltage Detector with
Adjustable Sensitivity and IR Thermometer. Please read
this manual carefully and thoroughly before using the
instrument.

The VR40 offers a safe (non-contact) way to check
whether a line, cable or AC outlet is “hot” (energized).
It does so by using a blade tip to sense from a short
distance the electromagnetic field created by AC
voltage. When voltage is detected, the VR40 produces
audible and visual alarms (a beeping sound, and a
flashing red light adjacent to the tip.

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 (NCV)
detector can sense this current via induction, in much
the same way that a sensitive radio receiver can sense
weak radio waves.

NCV detectors, including the VR40, cannot detect DC
voltages, such as those present in automotive electrical
systems. In addition, the VR40 typically cannot detect
120VAC from a distance of more than 0.25 in. (6.2mm),
and never through a wall or metal conduit.

3

Unlike other NCV detectors with only one sensitivity
level—and therefore the ability to detect only one range
of voltages (typically 50 to 600VAC)—General’s VR40 has
four sensitivity levels. They were chosen to optimize
voltage detection over four practical ranges: 12 to 25VAC,
70 to 125VAC, 150 to 240VAC and 250 to 600VAC.

The ability to detect the presence of 12VAC in non­contact fashion comes in very handy during
troubleshooting of branch circuits and 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
VR40’s ability to detect 480V using its lowest sensitivity
range makes troubleshooting and installing generators
and fluorescent lighting ballasts easier, faster and safer.

User-adjustable sensitivity does more than make the
VR40 more versatile. It also improves the instrument’s
performance. The value of the VR40’s highest sensitivity
level (12 to 25VAC) is obvious: it allows non-contact
detection of 12VAC, an ability that most other NCV
detectors lack. However, the VR40’s lower sensitivity
levels, which cover common AC power voltages, also
have great value, for the following reason.

4

Merely detecting the presence of 120VAC near a bundle
of wires does not tell you which wire of the bundle is
the “hot” wire; any of the wires could be activating the
alarms. The VR40 can help you isolate the hot wire. This
application calls for turning down the sensitivity in
stages after the NCV detector senses voltage. As you
reduce sensitivity, at some stage only the energized
wire will produce a field strong enough to activate the
NCV’s alarms. In this way, the VR40’s adjustable
sensitivity takes the guesswork out of identifying the
“hot” wire of a bundle.

Four additional features increase the versatility and
utility of the VR40:

• Because its tip can fit in the slots of 110VAC
receptacles, as it checks for voltage the VR40 also
indicates whether the receptacle is wired correctly, or
wired in reverse.

• A bright white LED flashlight

• An infrared thermometer (IRT) for non-contact
measurement of local surface temperatures. Using an
IRT is a safe, reliable way to detect and isolate
overload currents in motors and electrical conduit and
junction boxes. Measured temperatures are displayed
in °F or °C on a 4-digit (2000 count) LCD and
automatically held for 15 seconds after the IRT
activation button is released.

5

• A unique, patent-pending ergonomic design that
places the IR and NCV sensors and the flashlight on
the same end of the instrument.

KEY FEATURES

• Dual indications (beeper sounds and red LED under
translucent cap flashes) when voltage is detected

• Unique adjustable sensitivity feature enables accurate
detection of voltage on 12VAC to 480VAC branch
circuits and makes individual live wires in bundles
easier to isolate

• Safe for CAT III 600V use

• Also checks 110VAC outlets for reversed wiring and
open circuits

• 4:1 IRT with measurement range of -4° to 626°F
(-20° to 330°C) and fixed emissivity

• 4-digit (2000 count) LCD temperature readout in
°F or °C

• Powerful white LED flashlight under translucent cap

• 15-second Auto Power Off (APO)

• Low battery indication

• Pocket clip on back

• Powered by (2) “AAA” batteries

6

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

• WARNING •

• You must confirm that the batteries powering the
VR40 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 into both slots of an outlet known to be
energized; 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; static electricity has more than
enough voltage to activate the beeper and LED.

• The VR40 is designed to indicate the presence of AC
voltage with an amplitude between 12VAC and
600VAC. Accordingly, do not assume that the absence
of a positive indication means that the circuit under
test is de-energized (not “hot”). Although they can
cause shock and/or serious personal injury, voltages
below 12V may not be detected by the VR40.
Whenever you have reason to suspect that a line or
outlet is “hot”, confirm your suspicion by measuring
the voltage of the line or outlet with a multimeter or
clamp meter.

7

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

• Do not use the VR40 if it appears to be damaged or
malfunctioning.

• Do not expose the tester to temperatures above
113°F (45°C), relative humidity greater than 95%, or
voltages higher than 600V.

• Do not use the VR40 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 fingers well behind the tip when
performing a test. Never touch any conductor with
your hand or skin until you have confirmed that it is
not “hot”. To repeat: whenever you have reason to
believe that a line or outlet is “hot”, measure its
voltage with a multimeter or clamp meter.

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