General tools PE14 User manual

ELECTRICALLY INSULATED
14mm PROBE
USER’S MANUAL
NOTE: ETL SAFETY RATING ONLY APPLIES TO THE
DCS400 SERIES SYSTEMS.
PE14
Please read this manual carefully and thoroughly before using this product.

I TRODUCTIO
Thank you for purchasing a PE14 Electrically Insulated Probe for
your Seeker™400 Series (DCS400, DCS400-05 or DCS400-09)
Wireless Recording Video Inspection System. Please read this
user’s manually thoroughly and carefully before using the
product.
The PE14 is a unique, electrically insulated, far-focus
camera-tipped probe that gives the DCS400 system it is
attached to an ETL safety rating of CAT III 1000V, CAT IV 600V.
WARNING 
Although the PE14 probe is also compatible with the
handle of Seeker 300, 200 and 100 (DCS300, DCS200
and DCS100) systems, attaching it to those systems
does N T upgrade their safety ratings. General does
not advise and bears no responsibility for use of the
PE14 probe with any system other than the DCS400.
Working in concert with a DCS400, the PE14 makes it safe to
inspect two kinds of environments:
1. Any area or enclosure where you would expect to find
electrical wiring. Examples include junction and distribution
boxes, circuit breaker panels, electrical cabinets, equipment
chassis and enclosures, and motor control centers. Whether
the wiring is exposed or hidden, it represents a potential
hazard hazard to anyone operating a video camera scope
with a conventional probe with a metal exterior.
2. Any area or enclosure where you would not expect to find
electrical wiring, but exposed wiring nevertheless may be
present. Examples include attics, crawl spaces, rafters, ducts
and basements of houses—in short, any area that is too
inaccessible, confined or dark to be visible to the naked eye.
2

Such areas may contain electrical hazards created by age
(worn insulation, e.g.) or structural modifications.
The PE14 makes it possible to inspect electrically hazardous
areas (as well as safe areas) using the capabilities and
features of a Seeker 400 Series system. The probe has many
applications in the automotive/boat/aircraft repair, plumbing,
construction, restoration and HVAC/R industries.
KEY FEATURES
• Attachment to DCS400 Series video camera scope
gives entire system an ETL safety rating of CAT III
1000V, CAT IV 600V
• Flexible-obedient design lets user bend probe into
different shapes and hold them to facilitate inspection
of different areas
• 14mm diameter enables use in close quarters
• Wide depth of field of 1 in. (25mm) to infinity for clarity
at all distances
• Adjustable LED lights inside probe tip illuminate dark
spaces
• Water, dust, oil and scratch-resistant to IP67 standard
3

SAFETY I STRUCTIO S
WARNING
• D N T attach the PE14 to the handle of any video
inspection system other than the DCS400, DCS400-05
or DCS400-09. Doing so does N T upgrade the ETL
safety rating of that unit. Doing so also voids the
warranty of the PE14.
• If you have attached any of the three included probe
tip accessories (the 45° mirror, the magnetic pickup,
or the pickup hook), to the PE14, D N T use it to
inspect any equipment or area known or suspected to
contain “live” electrical wiring. Doing so could cause
an explosive short-circuit that could cause serious
equipment damage or personal injury.
• Before using the PE14 probe, carefully inspect it for
any cuts, nicks or abrasions in its insulation. If you
detect any flaws, discard the probe and purchase a
new one. It is extremely importa t to i spect the
probe for flaws before each a d every use.
WHAT’S I THE BOX
The PE14 comes in a box with a package of three probe tip
accessories (a 45° mirror, a magnetic pickup, and a pickup
hook) and this user’s manual.
4

ATTACHI G THE PROBE
To attach the PE14 probe to the handle (grip) of a DCS400
Series system, first roll the rubber insulation back from the
connector end of the probe. Then line up the probe’s alignment
key with the flat on the coupling of the DCS400’s probe
connector (left photo below). Push the two ends together until
they mate. To secure the connection, turn the collar of the probe
connector (right photo below). Finally, roll the yellow insulation
forward until it covers both joined metal connectors. Make sure
to extend the insulation until it reaches the grip's plastic
housing (bottom figure).
To detach the probe, reverse the process: After rolling back the
insulation, turn the collar counterclockwise and pull the PE14
straight out from the DCS400 probe connector.
USI G THE PROBE
To use the probe, follow the operating instructions for the
DCS400 found in its user’s manual. Before using a DCS400
system with a PE14, read the Safety Instructions section of this
manual.
5

SPECIFICATIO S
Type Flexible-obedient
Length 3.28 ft. (1m)
Diameter 14mm (0.55 in.)
Camera Light Source 2 high-intensity white LEDs
Camera Field of View 60°
Camera Depth of Field 1 in. (25mm) to infinity
Camera Resolution 640 x 480 pixels (still images);
320 x 240 pixels (video)
Certifications Water, dust, oil and scratch-resistant to
IP67 standard
ETL CAT III 1000V, CAT IV 600V
(only when used with DCS400
Series system)
Tensile Strength >12mPa
Breakdown Voltage 715kV/m
Electrical Volume Resistivity 1 x 1014 Ω-cm
perating Temperature -50° to 257°F (-45° to 125°C)
@<80% relative humidity
Weight 9.5 oz. (269g)
OPERATI G A D
MAI TE A CE TIPS
• Please read the Safety Instructions on p. 4 carefully.
• The probe is flexible to help you operate in hard-to-reach
areas. Never insert or bend it by force, and never over-bend
any part of the probe. To avoid permanently damaging the
delicate wires and optics inside the probe, keep its bending
radius above 2 in. (50mm).
• Never use the probe or camera head to modify surroundings
or to clear pathways or clogged areas.
6

• The camera head and its cover are waterproof, but not acid-
proof or fire-proof. Do not touch acidic, corrosive or hot
materials or they will ruin the camera head’s protective
plastic. Never place the camera head in contact with corrosive
or oily places or high temperature objects.
• When inspecting a vehicle, shut off the engine. Metal and
liquid under the hood may be hot. Don’t get oil or gas on the
camera head.
• Cover the camera-tipped end of the probe with the protective
rubber cap when not using it.
WARRA TY I FORMATIO
General Tools & Instruments’ (General’s) PE14 Electrically
Insulated Probe for Seeker 400 Wireless Recording Video
Inspection Systems is warranted to the original purchaser to be
free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of
three years. Subject to certain restrictions, General will repair or
replace this product if, after examination, the company
determines it to be defective in material or workmanship.
This warranty does not apply to damages that General
determines to be from an attempted repair by non-authorized
personnel or misuse, alterations, normal wear and tear, or
accidental damage. The defective unit must be returned to
General Tools & Instruments or to a General-authorized service
center, freight prepaid and insured.
Acceptance of the exclusive repair and replacement remedies
described herein is a condition of the contract for purchase of
this product. In no event shall General be liable for any
incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages, or for
any cost, attorneys’ fees, expenses, or losses alleged to be a
consequence of any damage due to failure of, or defect in any
product including, but not limited to, any claims for loss of
profits.
7

RETUR FOR REPAIR POLICY
Every effort has been made to provide you with a reliable
product of superior quality. However, in the event your
instrument requires repair, please contact our Customer Service
to obtain an RGA (Return Goods Authorization) number before
forwarding the unit via prepaid freight to the attention of our
Service Center at this address:
General Tools & Instruments
80 White Street
New York, NY 10013
212-431-6100
Remember to include a copy of your proof of purchase, your
return address, and your phone number and/or e-mail address.
GE ERAL TOOLS & I STRUME TS
80 White Street
ew York, Y 10013-3567
PHO E [phone]
FAX [phone]
TOLL FREE [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]
www.generaltools.com
PE14 User’s Manual
Spe ifi ations subje t to hange without noti e
NOTICE - NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS.
©2011 GENERAL TOOLS & INSTRUMENTS
MAN#PE14 8/02 /11