HD Electric V-WATCH Operating Instructions Manual

U.S. Patent 6,329,924

Other Patents Pending

Operating & Instruction Manual

V-WATCH

®

PERSONAL VOLTAGE DETECTOR

1475 Lakeside Drive • Waukegan, Illinois 60085 U. S.A. • 847.473.4980

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Making the Invisible Visible

®

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

POINTS TO UNDERSTAND BEFORE PROCEEDING . . . .5

SAFETY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

WARNING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

HOW IT WORKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

A WORD ABOUT ELECTRIC FIELDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .912

LIMITATIONS FOR USE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1314

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1415

HOW TO WEAR IT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

WHEN AND HOW TO USE IT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1618

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1920

WARNING DISTANCE CHARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2122

LIMITATION OF WARRANTY AND LIABILITY . . . . .2324

For the latest information on V-Watch Personal Voltage
Detectors including product updates and technical

information, visit our website at HDElectricCompany.com

V-WATCH

®

PERSONAL VOLTAGE DETECTOR

Operating & Instruction Manual

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The V-Watch® Personal Voltage Detector detects
the strong electric fields surrounding high voltage
conductors and power distribution equipment.
It is a small pocket size device worn on the outside
of the clothing or other protective gear by users
operating near power lines or high voltage
equipment. It provides an extra level of safety
for personnel trained in the use and application
while working on or near high voltage systems.

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The V-Watch Personal Voltage Detector
detects electric fields. Make sure you un­derstand these points before proceeding:

• Electric fields surround every energized AC conductor.

• The closer you are to a conductor, the stronger the
field will be.

• Higher voltage means a stronger electric field and
a greater warning distance. Lower voltage means
a reduced warning distance.

• Electric fields are NOT blocked by plastics, dry wood
or clothing.

• Electric fields ARE blocked by ANY conductor such
as a metal cabinet or door, wet wood, metal fences,
green trees, a growing shrub or hedge & tall wet grass.

• The detector will not find cables buried under the
ground. The ground is a conductor and will block
electric fields.

• Insulation on a wire does not block the electric field
and does not affect warning distances.

• Underground primary cables are both insulated
AND shielded. The shield is a conductor, is grounded,
and will block the electric field.

• Molded cable terminators such as elbows are, like
the cables they are installed on, both insulated and
shielded and will block electric fields.

• Your body will block electric fields. Wear the detector
front and center and do not walk backwards.

• Do not use the detector while holding it in your hand.
Wrapping your fingers around the device will block
electric fields, preventing it from working properly.

5

SAFETY

• Always use proper high voltage procedures,
including personal protective equipment,
when working near or around high voltage
equipment or conductors.

• Do not rely on the detector as your sole source
of high voltage detection. Risk of electrocution
is inherent in or around high voltage.

• Never contact high voltage with the V-Watch
detector.

• Always use proper high voltage procedures
for testing and grounding.

• Because the human body is a good electrical
conductor, electric fields are distorted or blocked
by the body. Thus, positioning of the detector
on the body and its location relative to the
voltage source can have a large effect on its
sensitivity to electric fields.

• Grounded equipment can appear to be live in
close proximity to energized conductors.

• The V-Watch Personal Voltage Detector is not
sensing electric fields when it is closed.

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WARNING

NOT FOR USE BELOW 2400 VOLTS AC.

OPERATIONAL IMPAIRMENT

If the detector is used in a manner not described in
this instruction manual, the protection and effective
operation of this equipment may be impaired.

The detector will not detect DC voltage or stored
charge such as in charged capacitors or underground
cable. When the detector is closed, it will not detect
or warn of nearby high voltage. Always use proper
high voltage procedures, including personal
protective equipment, when working near or
around high voltage equipment or conductors.
Never contact high voltage. Always use proper
high voltage procedures for testing and grounding.
Do not rely on the V-Watch Personal Voltage
Detector as your sole source of high voltage
detection. Risk of electrocution is inherent
in or around high voltage.

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HOW IT WORKS

The V-Watch Personal Voltage Detector works by
sensing the presence of the electric field surrounding
anything that conducts high voltage electricity and
sounding an alarm. It measures the strength of the
electric field; a higher voltage or stronger field will
cause the detector to alarm from a greater distance.

It emits a series of loud beeps and flashing lights when
an electric field is first detected. The beeps and flashing
lights increase in frequency as the user approaches
the source of the high voltage electric field. A steady
alternating tone and flashing lights indicates very
close proximity to high voltage and the need for
extreme caution. This variable beeping rate helps the
user to determine if they are approaching the high
voltage source or moving away from it to safety.

The detector tests itself automatically each time it is
opened. A successful self test is confirmed by a series
of tones and flashing lights. A failed test is indicated
by a solid error tone and no lights. A low battery alarm
is a slow alternating tone and flashing red lights. The
unit will shut off when it is closed and this is verified
by descending tones.

For more information, refer to the A Word About
Electric Fields section on page 9.

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