SafeGuard Compass User manual

AlwAys on. AlwAys sAfe. AlwAys AwAre.
User GUide
PersonAl
VoltAGe & CUrrent
deteCtor

Safety Information
C was designed with safety in mind, but no design
can completely prevent incorrect use. It should be used by
trained and qualied personnel only. Electrical circuits can
be dangerous and lethal so always use caution and strictly
adhere to proper safety practices. Use proper high voltage
procedures for testing and grounding. Wearing personal
protective equipment is a necessary safety precaution when
working around high voltage equipment.
• Read the User Manual carefully and completely before
using C.
• C should never be placed in direct contact with a
live conductor or the wearer’s body.
• Do not rely on C as your sole source of high
voltage detection. C must never be in physical contact with a conductor. is is a proximity detector,
not a device which works by contact.
• Prior to using C in the eld, make sure to test and verify that sensitivity settings match employees
workspace needs.
• Always check that C is working before using it in the eld.
• Risk of electrocution is intrinsic in and around high voltage.
Overview
C is a non-contact high voltage detector that alerts users when they approach an electried source.
Its advanced notication system is designed to warn the user of the presence of voltage and current within a
proximate area. C’ internal sensors were designed to detect both electrical (V/m) and magnetic (T) elds.
Radiated electric and magnetic elds increase with higher distribution voltages and decrease with distance and/or
shielding. C is to be worn only on the underside brim of a standard hard hat and positioned to be within
the peripheral view of the wearer. Once an energized source is detected, the user is notied rst by LED lighting of
the approximate distance and then is followed by indicating the direction of the source. ese warnings are shown
to the wearer by the line of LED lights located within the peripheral view of the wearer.
P V 
C D
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A   © 2018
Typical Uses
• Identify live conductors.
• Detect residual or induced voltages.
• Identify energized lines aer power outages.
• Find energized lines underground or behind non-ferrous materials.
• Detect energized threats aer natural disasters.

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A   © 2018
WARNINGS
• Do not use C for voltages below 2400 VAC.
• C only detects 60Hz AC Voltage and Currents
• Every energized AC conductor is surrounded by an electric eld.
• Every electric current is surrounded by a magnetic eld.
• As you move closer to any conductor, the electric eld will become stronger.
• Greater voltages produce stronger electric elds.
• Lesser voltages produce weaker electric elds.
• Non-ferrous materials typically DO NOT block magnetic elds (i.e. plastics, dry wood, clothing, etc.).
• Ferrous materials DO block electric elds (i.e. iron, steel, etc.)
• Magnetic elds can be detected through non-shielded materials and some ferrous materials.
• C can’t tell if there is more than one energized threat in your area.
• Magnetic elds have a weaker eld strength and will thus have a shorter warning distance.
• Electric elds have a stronger eld strength and will thus have a greater warning distance.
• Underground PRIMARY cables are both insulated AND shielded. e shield is a conductor, it is
grounded, and will block the electric eld.
• Molded cable terminators such as elbows - like the cables they are installed on - are both insulated and
shielded and will block the electric eld.
• e human body WILL block electric elds, but will NOT fully block magnetic elds.
• Conductors lying on the ground or very close to it will result in unsafe warning distances.
• Electric elds will couple to the ground thus drastically reducing C warning distances.
• Use extreme caution around conductors near the ground as C will have substantially reduced
warning distances.
• Treat all conductors as “live” unless or until there is a visible break from a live source and a ground is
in place.
• Always use proper high voltage procedures for testing and grounding.
• Always use proper high voltage procedures, including personal protective equipment, when working
near or around high voltage equipment or conductors.
• Never rely on C as your sole source of high voltage detection.
• Risk of electrocution is inherent in and around high voltage.
• Do not walk backwards when working around energized equipment.
• Do not use C while holding it in your hand or in any other contact with your body. Doing so
will prevent electric current from being detected. Magnetic elds will still be detected, but the full
capacity of the C will not be utilized.
• C is to be used worn on the hard-hat only.
• Warning distances will be greatly reduced in high humidity and rainy environments.
• Never submerge C in water. If fully submerged, moisture could enter the enclosure and damage
C’ detection sensors leading to reduced warning distances or failure to detect a “live” voltage.
• ere will be a reduced alert distance for multi-phase systems.

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A   © 2018
Operating Instructions
Proper Use
DO NOT RELY ON USING
COMPASS IN YOUR
HAND TO DETECT
THREATS AS THE
ACCURACY OF ALERTS
WILL BE DRAMATICALLY
REDUCED.
C has antennas under the curved LED bar. For proper VOLTAGE detection, these antennas should never
be blocked. Any obstruction placed in front of the curved section of C will block electric elds and prevent
VOLTAGE detection. Once unplugged from the charger, C briey displays the pre-set sensitivity level
before activating full function of the device.
C should be worn on the underside brim of the
user’s hard hat and within the user’s peripheral view
at all times. is proper positioning is important due
to the decreased sensitivity of electric eld from the
conductivity of the human body. C should always
be kept within the eyesight of the user to maximize
notication capability. Make sure C is rmly
attached to the visor directly in front of user’s face to
prevent errors in directional sensing or proximity alerts.
LED Bar / Antenna LED Bar / Antenna
Control Button
Micro USB Port

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A   © 2018
Basic Menu Functions
Function How Long To Hold
To Enable/Disable Alert Quickly press C’ center button.
Green enables alerts, Red disables alerts.
Power Down Hold C’ center button for 5 seconds.
Corner lights turn purple.
Battery Life C will indicate “low battery” by
ashing red lights (every 5 seconds) which
act as an indication that the battery level
is less than 15%. e ashing lights, or
“heartbeats,” will only be seen when battery
life reaches this level and will continue until
battery is dead.
Master Sensitivity Settings
(FOR MANAGEMENT ONLY)
Plug device into the micro USB to begin
charging, then hold the center button for
5 seconds. Red lights represent voltage
detection, blue lights represent current
detection. To INCREASE or DECREASE
sensitivity, quickly press button ONCE
until desired sensitivity is displayed. en
HOLD to conrm sensitivity. You are then
transitioned into the current detection
mode. When desired sensitivity is selected,
unplug C.
When approaching a VOLTAGE or CURRENT source the LED bar will
ash visual warnings. e device will also issue an audible warning.
A R W indicates
detected AC VOLTAGE.
A B W indicates
detected AC CURRENT.

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A   © 2018
Master Sensitivity Settings
Access to the Master Sensitivity Setting is for “Management-Use” Only.
Management should set C’ sensitivity setting based on the worker’s level of training around
high voltage equipment. Allowing your employees to have access to this setting will make you liable
for any changes that may be made on the device. Each C across the workspace should be set on
the same sensitivity to reduce risk of injury. If your device settings aren’t consistent, those units with
dierent settings could expose your employees to unintended threats. When “Power Down” is activated
on C, the prior sensitivity settings will remain on the device. When C is turned on, the
display will briey indicate the device’s “pre-set” sensitivity setting. It is the Employer’s responsibility to
manage the sensitivity settings for their employees.
To access C’ sensitivity settings, you must connect the device to the micro USB charger. Once
C is charging, hold the center button down for 5 seconds until the original blue charging light
transitions into an array of red lights indicating the adjustable AC VOLTAGE menu. Once you are in
this menu display, quickly press the center button to change the device’s sensitivity to Low (3 lights),
Medium (5 lights), High (7 lights), or Adaptive (all lights grow inward and outward). Once the desired
sensitivity is selected, hold the center button until the corner lights turn green. Once released, the array
of blue lights indicates that you’re now in the adjustable current menu. Once here, you can now adjust
the sensitivity of C’ CURRENT detection. With the same controls used to previously to operate
the AC VOLTAGE menu, set your desired CURRENT sensitivity to Low (3 lights), Medium (5 lights), or
High (7 lights). Once desired sensitivity is displayed, hold the center button until the exterior lights turn
green. Once the center button is released, the device then returns to its charging state indicated by the
blue charging light. At this point C is free to be unplugged from its micro USB and can be used
in the eld.
Each time the C is turned o - by holding the center button for 5 seconds - and then turned back
on, a quick press to the center button will reveal management’s preset sensitivity settings for both AC
VOLTAGE (Red) and AC CURRENT (Blue). is will inform the user of the current sensitivity setting of
the C. Once both settings have been displayed, C is available to use in the eld.

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A   © 2018
Proximity Alerts (High Sensitivity)
e C issues proximity alerts until information is gathered to then approximate the direction to the source.
In proximity mode, the curved LED bar is illuminated. e closer the user gets to a source; the more LEDs will
light up and the frequency of those alerts will increase. Proximity mode works in every sensitivity level. Refer to
the illustrations below for a proximity distances when setting is at the default (HIGH) level. e models below
represent the process practiced by Safeguard Equipment to verify C’ detection distances. e “busbar”
shown was elevated three (3) feet above ground. Detection distances will vary as the height of the conductor
changes.
WHEN USING COMPASS, USERS SHOULD KNOW THE FOLLOWING:
• e tone of the audible alerts are constant.
• T VOLTAGE warnings are given priority over CURRENT warnings if both are present.
• If a conductor is on or near the ground, the warning distances will be dramatically reduced and can sometimes
result in unsafe warning distances.
20 ft
0 ft
Busbar
First Alert: 12 ft
Max Alert: 6 ft
2.4 kV
Proximity Alert Distance: Sensitivity set to HIGH
20 ft
0 ft
Busbar
First Alert: 14 ft
Max Alert: 7 ft
4.2 kV
Proximity Alert Distance: Sensitivity set to HIGH
20 ft
0 ft
Busbar
First Alert: 16 ft
Max Alert: 8 ft
7.2 kV
Proximity Alert Distance: Sensitivity set to HIGH
D R: . V
e rst alert will be provided at
12 feet. As the user moves forward,
they will receive the maximum alert
at 6 feet. e sensitivity of C
is set to high.
D R: . V
e rst alert will be provided at
14 feet. As the user moves forward,
they will receive the maximum alert
at 7 feet. e sensitivity of C
is set to high. In this illustration it is
important to note that the detection
distance has been extended.
D R: . V
e rst alert will be provided at
16 feet. As the user moves forward,
they will receive the maximum
alert at 8 feet. e sensitivity of
C is set to high. In this
illustration it is important to note
that the detection distance has
been extended.

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A   © 2018
Sensitivity Key
Proximity: Important Notes
Typical Warning Distances for Voltage Detection
EXTENSIVE
EXTENSIVE
LIMITED
NONE
2.4 kV 4.2 kV 7.2 kV 20 kV 34.5 kV
12 Ft >12 Ft
>10 Ft
>6 Ft >10 Ft
>10 Ft
>12 Ft
>12 Ft
>12 Ft
>12 Ft >12 Ft
>12 Ft
>12 Ft
>12 Ft>12 Ft
>12 Ft
>12 Ft8 Ft
4 Ft
8 Ft*
ADAPTIVE*
(Oscillating)
LOW (3)
MEDIUM (5)
HIGH (7)
High Voltage
Experience
Sensitivity
(Lights)
Single-Phase Conductor
*First alert distances start in Medium Sensitivity. Adaptive sensitivity allows users to silence redundant alerts by
adjusting COMPASS to its surrounding environment by pressing the control button. Alerts will be re-enabled if the
user gets closer to the source.
Sensitivity
(Lights)
HIGH
(7)
MEDIUM
(5)
LOW
(3)
Amperes
RMS First Alert
Single-Phase Conductor
Max Alert
100 A >50 Ft
>15 Ft
>10 Ft
>20 Ft
>10 Ft
>6 Ft
100 A
100 A
Typical Warning Distances for Current Detection
Important Notes:
Directional alerts are not
provided with Current
Detection.
The Current Detection
distances will be reduced
when around three-phase
conductors.
Below you will nd Safeguard Equipment’s rated distance for each sensitivity level provided by C. It is
important to note that these established ranges uctuate slightly due to a variety of work environment variables.
Potential variables include, but are not limited to, the work-site’s humidity level, the user’s body mass, interference
from additional energized systems, and metal infrastructures.
• e following detection ranges were evaluated by a third-party testing facility. e test set-up is illustrated on
the previous page under “Proximity Alerts (HIGH).”
When using C’ Proximity notications, it’s important to understand potential variables that could aect
the accuracy of alerts.
• Warning distances can vary greatly with (1) exposed conductor surface area, (2) conductor’s elevation above
ground, and (3) any other conductive grounded objects near the energized conductor.
• If the user’s walking pace increases to a brisk walk, warning distances can experience a reduction of two (2)
feet.
• C warning distance will not be signicantly aected due to dierent ground types such as soil, gravel,
concrete, or wet surfaces unless ferrous material is encased in the soil.
• Warning distances are reduced by conductive objects, such as a fence or vehicle. ese objects attract the
electric eld of the nearby energized conductor.
• A 3-phase system can create an electric eld which, in eect, can cancel the overall eld strength.

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Directional Notications
Directional: Important Notes
Once C gathers enough information to approximate the direction to the energized source, the LED alert
animation will change from PROXIMITY to DIRECTIONAL mode. In directional mode, the LEDs make a
sweeping animation which guides the user’s attention to the approximate location of the source.
WHEN USING COMPASS, USERS SHOULD KNOW THE FOLLOWING:
• For all modes, the rate of alerts will increase as the user gets closer to the source.
• Directional notications are provided only when VOLTAGE is detected. Direction notications are NOT
provided when CURRENT is detected as these elds are signicantly weaker.
When using C’ directional notications, it’s important to understand potential variables that could aect
the accuracy of alerts.
• Accuracy of directional alerts will be reduced when an overhead power system is above the energized ground-
level conductor. If a 7.2 kV power system is present overhead, the accuracy of directional notications will by
widened to ± 25°.
• Accuracy of C’ directional alerts will be reduced when there are multiple ground-level conductors.
With two energized conductors at ground level, accuracy of directional alerts could widen to ± 30°.
• Range of C’ directional alerts will be reduced when an energized conductor is close to conductive
objects such as a vehicle or a fence. In situations like this, the detection radius of directional alerts will be
reduced. Once detected, C will direct the user towards the conductive object’s direction.
Directional Alerts
Source to Left Source to Right
240° active bearing range
±10° accuracy ≤10 Ft.
±15° accuracy ≥11 Ft.

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A   © 2018
Adaptive Mode
Adaptive: Important Notes
If the user is alerted and recognizes they are near an energized source - and does not require further alerts - the
user can quickly press the center button to mute the notications. is will be signaled by three decreasing tones
and two RED lights. C then adjusts to the environment and will eliminate redundant alerts. If the user gets
closer to the source, alerts will re-enable. If the user moves away from the source, C will regain its prior
voltage sensitivity.
Quickly pressing the center button will revert C back to its full sensitivity and re-enable full intensity
notications. is will be signaled by two increasing tones followed by corner GREEN lit LEDs.
How the Adaptive Setting Works:
NOTE: The alerts provided with the adaptive
setting will be those under the MEDIUM
sensitivity.
The adaptive setting allows the user to
manually notify the COMPASS unit that the
user is aware of the threat in the area, but
they desire to work in that environment
without the unit continuing to emit alerts.
If the user stays in place, no further alerts will
be emitted.
Should the user move closer to the threat, the
COMPASS will again initiate alerts.
As the user moves away from the working
zone - and the threat - COMPASS will
automatically adjust and will again issue
alerts if the user once again gets closer to the
threat.
Once the user gets out of range of any
detected threats, the unit will automatically
revert to the the original notication ranges
found in the MEDIUM Sensitivity.
When using C in the Adaptive setting, it’s important to understand potential variables that could aect the
accuracy of alerts.
• C will operate at MEDIUM sensitivity when using adaptive sensitivity.
• If the user’s walking pace increases to a brisk walk, warning distances can experience a reduction of two (2)
feet.
• C warning distance will not be signicantly aected due to dierent ground types such as soil, gravel,
concrete, or wet surfaces unless ferrous material is encased in the soil.
• Warning distances are reduced by conductive objects, such as a fence or vehicle. ese objects attract the
electric eld of the nearby energized conductor.
• Use of the Adaptive Sensitivity mode should be reserved for experienced professionals.