Zircon 540 User Manual

MultiScanner® 540

Multifunction Wall Scanner

The Zircon® MultiScanner® 540 features four scan modes to detect studs, metal, and hot unshielded AC wiring behind walls, floors, and ceilings. It features a bright, backlit display and the SpotLite® Pointing System, which automatically displays a beam of light over the center of a stud and near metal or AC voltage.

Normal/DeepScan Mode Indication

Note: This product is intended only for use with an optimum voltage

Mode Selector Switch

range of 110-127 V.

Power Button

Battery (back of unit)

DeepScan, MultiScanner, SpotLite, WireWarning, and Zircon are trademarks or registered trademarks of Zircon Corporation.

Visit www.zircon.com/support for the most current instructions.

LIMITED 1 YEAR WARRANTY

Zircon Corporation, (“Zircon”) warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for one year from the date of purchase. Any in-warranty defective product returned to Zircon*, freight prepaid with proof of purchase date and $5.00 to cover postage and handling, will be repaired or replaced at Zircon’s option. This warranty is limited to the electronic circuitry and original case of the product and specifically excludes damage caused by abuse, unreasonable use or neglect. This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, express or implied, and no other representations or claims of any nature shall bind or obligate Zircon. Any implied warranties applicable to this product are limited to the one year period following its purchase. IN NO EVENT WILL ZIRCON BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM POSSESSION, USE OR MALFUNCTION OF THIS PRODUCT.

In accordance with government regulations, you are advised that: (i) some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts and/ or the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations and/or exclusions may not apply to you, and further (ii) this warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

Backlit LCD Display

Stud Edge or Center Indication

Return product freight prepaid with proof of purchase date (dated sales receipt) and $5.00 to cover postage and handling, to:

Zircon Corporation *Attn: Returns Department 1580 Dell Avenue Campbell, CA 95008-6992 USA

Be sure to include your name and return address. Out of warranty service and repair, where proof of purchase is not provided, shall be returned with repairs charged C.O.D. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery.

Customer Service, 1-800-245-9265 or 1-408-963-4550 Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST www.zircon.com info@zircon.com

ZirconCorporation ZirconTV

ZirconTools

ZirconToolPro

SpotLite® Pointing System

AC Mode Indication

WireWarning

Detection

Metal Mode Indication

Over-the-Stud Indication

ZirconTools

1. MODE SELECTION

• When looking for studs, always start in STUD SCAN mode, which scans through surfaces up to

• DEEPSCAN and thicker than normal construction. You should always scan the area in STUD SCAN mode first, to verify that DEEPSCAN® mode is needed. DEEPSCAN® mode is for depths between 3⁄4 in. (19 mm) and 11⁄2 in. (38 mm).

• When scanning for metal pipes or rebar, select Metal Scan mode.

• When scanning for electrical wires, select AC SCAN mode.

2. OPERATING TIPS

• Tool Position. For proper use, always place tool flat against the surface before turning on power.

• Power. Press and hold in the Power Button continuously while in use.

• Calibration. Place tool flat on wall. Press and hold the Power Button. Do not

move tool until calibration is complete (1-2 seconds). When calibration is complete, tool will stop blinking and display the operating mode you selected.

• Operation. Move the tool slowly, while keeping it flat against the wall. Do not rock or lift it.

• Restart At New Location. If you see this message in STUD SCAN mode, you may have started over a stud. Move tool a few inches left or right, release the Power Button, and start over.

• If you calibrate over a stud in DEEPSCAN any studs. Move the tool a few inches left or right, release the Power Button, and start over.

• If you receive a CENTER or EDGE indication immediately after calibration without moving the tool, it may not have been flat against the wall. Release the Power Button and start over.

3. SCANNING IN STUD SCAN

OR DEEPSCAN

After calibrating (see 2), continue to hold the Power Button and slowly slide tool across the surface. As you approach the edge of a stud, bars on the display will indicate you are getting close. Continue moving tool slowly until the display indicates the EDGE of the stud.

Continue moving tool slowly. The audio signal, SpotLite® Pointing System, and display will indicate the CENTER of the stud (see illustrations at the top of next column). Continue in the same direction to find the other edge.

Note: DEEPSCAN® mode may report other things besides studs. Please see 5 and Helpful Hints

⁄4 in. (19 mm) thick.

mode should only be selected if you know the surface is built-up

mode, you likely will not detect

MODE

4. SCANNING IN METAL OR AC MODE

Select mode. After calibrating (see 2), continue to hold the Power Button and slowly slide tool across the surface. Mark the spot where the display bars peak and a steady tone sounds. The SpotLite Continue in the same direction until display bars reduce.

Reverse direction and mark the spot where the display bars peak from that direction. The midpoint of the two marks is the approximate center of the object.

In METAL SCAN mode, if you calibrate directly over metal, you likely will not detect any metal. Move tool a few inches left or right, release the Power Button, and start over.

In AC SCAN mode, if you calibrate over AC voltage, tool will automatically recalibrate when you move it.

WireWarning

WireWarning SCAN modes. When AC voltage is detected, the AC Alert warning icon will display on the screen.

than 2 in. (51 mm) from the scanned surface, in concrete, in plastic conduit or behind a plywood shear wall or metallic wall covering.

COULD BE DANGEROUS IF THE WALL CONTAINS A LIVE ELECTRICAL WIRE. ALWAYS TURN OFF THE ELECTRICAL POWER, 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.

Scanning in STUD SCAN or DEEPSCAN

Pointng System will also shine a beam of light.

mode

Metal or AC Wire

Detection

detection works continuously in STUD SCAN, DEEPSCAN®, and METAL

WARNING

Electrical field locators may not detect live AC wires if moisture is present in the wall, or if wires are more

DO NOT ASSUME THERE ARE NO LIVE ELECTRICAL WIRES IN THE WALL. DO NOT TAKE ACTIONS THAT

5. OPERATING CAUTIONS

Depending on the proximity of electrical wiring or pipes to the wall surface, the MultiScanner® 540 scanner may detect them in the same manner as studs, especially in DEEPSCAN® mode. Caution should always be used when nailing, sawing, or drilling into walls, floors, and ceilings that may contain these items. Because of its increased sensitivity, DEEPSCAN are not studs.

To avoid surprises, remember that studs or joists are normally spaced 16 or 24 in. (406 or 610 mm) apart and are 1 or a different width may not be a stud, joist, or firebreak. Always turn off the power when working near electrical wires.

WORKING WITH DIFFERENT MATERIALS

• Wallpaper: The MultiScanner wallpaper or fabric, unless the materials are metallic foil, contain metallic fibers, or are still wet after application.

• Lath & plaster: Due to irregularities in plaster thickness, it is difficult for the

• Textured walls or acoustic ceilings: When scanning a ceiling or wall with an

• Wood flooring, subflooring, or gypsum drywall over plywood sheathing:

• MultiScanner

• In problem situations, try using METAL SCAN to locate nails or drywall screws that

Note: Sensing depth and accuracy can vary due to moisture content of materials, wall texture, and paint. Indoor use only

sources to help locate items before penetrating the surface. Such additional sources include construction plans, visible points of entry of pipes and wiring into walls, such as in a basement, and in standard 16 and 24 in. (41 and 61 cm) stud spacing practices.

6. CHANGING THE BATTERY

Press battery door release down with your finger or a coin and remove door. Connect brand new 9V alkaline battery to cable and place inside.

Replace battery door and snap shut.

MultiScanner METAL SCAN mode to locate nail heads holding laths to studs. If plaster contains metal mesh reinforcement, MultiScanner through that material.

uneven surface, place thin cardboard on ceiling or wall and scan over the cardboard using DEEPSCAN® mode. Calibrate with cardboard in place.

Use DEEPSCAN® mode.

ceramic floor tile, or carpeting and pad.

540 scanner to locate studs in STUD SCAN mode. Change to

540 scanner cannot scan for wood studs and joists through concrete,

line up vertically where a stud is positioned.

WARNING

mode may also detect other things in walls that

⁄2 in. (38 mm) in width. Anything closer together

540 functions normally on walls covered with

540 will be unable to detect anything

Do not rely exclusively on the detector to locate items behind the scanned surface. Use other information

FCC Part 15 Class B Registration Warning

This device complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

7. HELPFUL HINTS (See also number 2, OPERATING TIPS)

Not certain the object

found is a stud in DEEPSCAN

Display indicates

“Restart at New Location”.

Working in DEEPSCAN

mode and can’t detect studs.

Detects other objects

besides studs in STUD SCAN and DEEPSCAN

Finds more targets than

there should be.

Area of voltage appears

much larger than actual wire (AC only).

EDGE or CENTER

indication doesn’t appear on LCD.

Difficulty detecting

metal.

Image of metal object

appears wider than actual size.

Constant readings of

studs near windows and doors.

You suspect electrical

wires, but do not detect any.

Situation

mode.

modes.

Probable Causes

increased sensitivity

• DEEPSCAN may have located something other than a stud.

• Tool was calibrated over a stud or on dense part of wall.

• Tool tilted or lifted during scan.

• You may have calibrated over a stud.

mode is very sensitive.

(DEEPSCAN The error condition has been disabled in this mode.)

• Electrical wiring and metal/plastic pipes may be near or touching back surface of wall.

• Static charge may develop on drywall, spreading voltage detection as much as 12 in. (305 mm) laterally from each side of an actual electrical wire.

• Wall is particularly thick or dense.

• Tool not properly calibrated.

• Metal targets too deep.

• Metal has greater density than wood.

• Double and triple studs are usually found around doors and windows. Solid headers are above them.

• Wires may be shielded in metal conduit or behind metallic wall covering.

• Wires deeper than 2 in. (51 mm) from surface might not be detected.

• Wires may not be hot.

• Scan the same area with METAL SCAN and AC SCAN. If tool indicates the presence of metal or hot AC, the original stud indication is probably false.

• Turn tool off, move over a few inches, press Power Button, and start again.

• On rough surfaces, place thin cardboard on wall, scanning through it to help tool slide more smoothly.

• Move MultiScanner and recalibrate.

• Switch to METAL mode, where combined with WireWarning pipes and electrical wiring should be detected adequately.

• Check for other studs equally spaced to either side (12, 16, or 24 in. apart [305, 406, or 610 mm]) or the same stud at several places directly above or below the first.

• Use CAUTION when nailing, sawing, or drilling into walls, floors, and ceilings where these items may exist.

• To narrow detection, turn scanner off and on again at the edge of where wire was first detected and scan again.

• Place your free hand flat against wall near tool to drain static.

• Switch to DEEPSCAN

• The tool may have been calibrated over a metal object, reducing sensitivity. Try calibrating in another location.

• Scan in both horizontal and vertical directions. Metal sensitivity is increased when metal object is parallel to sensor, located at front end of scanner beneath crosshair.

• To reduce sensitivity, recalibrate MultiScanner first two marks.

• Detect outer edges so you know where to begin.

• Try METAL SCAN to see if you can find metal, wire, or metal conduit.

• Try turning on switches to outlet.

• Try plugging a lamp into outlet and turning on switch.

Always turn off the power when working near electrical wires.

Solutions

540 scanner over a couple of inches

mode, recalibrate, and try again.

540 over either of

detection,

MultiScanner® 540

Multifunction Wall Scanner

The Zircon four scan modes to detect studs, metal, and hot unshielded AC wiring behind walls, floors, and ceilings. It features a bright, backlit display and the SpotLite® Pointing System, which automatically displays a beam of light over the center of a stud and near metal or AC voltage.

Note: This product is intended only for use with an optimum voltage range of 110-127 V.

DeepScan, MultiScanner, SpotLite, WireWarning, and Zircon are trademarks or registered trademarks of Zircon Corporation.

Visit www.zircon.com/support for the most current instructions.

LIMITED 1 YEAR WARRANTY

MultiScanner® 540 features

Normal/DeepScan Mode Indication

Mode Selector Switch

Power Button

Battery (back of unit)

Backlit LCD Display

Stud Edge or Center Indication

Return product freight prepaid with proof of purchase date (dated sales receipt) and $5.00 to cover postage and handling, to:

Zircon Corporation *Attn: Returns Department 1580 Dell Avenue Campbell, CA 95008-6992 USA

Customer Service, 1-800-245-9265 or 1-408-963-4550 Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST www.zircon.com info@zircon.com

ZirconCorporation ZirconTV

ZirconTools

ZirconToolPro

SpotLite

Pointing System

AC Mode Indication

WireWarning® Detection