Zircon MultiScanner User manual

MultiScanner®/MultiScanner®Pro SL
Stud & Metal Locator
with AC Tracing
he Zircon MultiScanner®scanner uses four different scanning modes to detect studs, metal, and hot unshielded
AC wiring behind walls, floors, and ceilings, as well as rebar in concrete. MultiScanner®Pro SL also features the
SpotLite®Pointing System, which automatically displays a beam of light over the edge of a stud or near metal/AC.
On/Off Button
Mode Selector Switch
LCD Display
SpotLite®Pointing System
(MultiScanner Pro SL only
Metal Sensor
TruCal®Calibration Indicator
Low Battery Indicator
AC Indicator
Battery (back of unit
Stud Edge Indicator
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. his warranty is
limited to the electronic circuitry and original case of the product and
specifically excludes damage caused by abuse, unreasonable use or
neglect. his 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 EVEN WILL
ZIRCON BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDEN AL OR CONSEQUEN IAL
DAMAGES RESUL ING FROM POSSESSION, USE OR MALFUNC ION OF
HIS PRODUC .
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.
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
2390 Boswell Road, Suite 300
Chula Vista, CA 91914-3510 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 1-408-866-8600
E-mail: customer[email protected]
U.S. Patent #4464622, 5352974, 5619128, 6023159, 6259241, D427166
Canada Patent #1106932 • G.B. Patent #2117909B, 2159630B
©2002 Zircon Corporation • P/N 58933 • Rev B (11/02)

Position the MultiScanner flat
against the wall. Select mode. Press and hold
On/Off button.
CALIBRATING AND SCANNING
IN STUD SCAN OR STUD
DEEPSCAN®MODES
While holding in On/Off
button, slowly move unit
randomly to locate target.
LCD screen indicates proximity to
metal, with center arrow indicating
closest proximity. On the Pro SL
model, the SpotLite will also shine a
beam of light. Mark this spot.
Select Metal mode. Press and
hold On/Off button, then
calibrate MultiScanner in air,
away from metal objects, until the
ruCal®calibration indicator appears
on the screen. Place MultiScanner
flat on the surface.
Without releasing On/Off
button, slide unt in reverse
direciton to locate the other
edge of stud. Mark this second spot.
Middle of stud is centered between
the two marks.
When full arrow appears
on the LCD and steady
tone sounds, you have
located the edge of the stud.
Mark this spot. On the Pro SL
version, the SpotLite®Pointing
System will also shine a beam of
light at the stud edge. Continue
holding ON/OFF button in and
scan beyond the marked spot until arrow bars disappear.
Slowly slide unit
horizontally across wall,
right or left.
Note: Use Stud Scan mode for depths
to about 3⁄4in. (19 mm) and Stud
DeepScan for depths up to
11⁄2in. (38 mm).
Note: Do not lift or tilt unit during
calibration or scanning.
ruCal®calibration indicator will appear on LCD
screen as MultiScanner automatically calibrates in
less than one second.
Slide the Mode selector switch until you reach
desired scanning mode. he mode can be selected
with the unit on or off.
On: Press and hold the On/Off button on left side.
Off: Release On/Off button.
Note: The MultiScanner will automatically turn off after
15 minutes of continuous use (in case button is
accidentally held down in a toolbox).
INSTALLING THE BATTERY
Press battery door release
down with a coin and
remove door.
Connect 9-V battery to
cable and place inside.
Replace battery door and
snap shut. Battery will last
approximately 2 years under
normal conditions.
3
2
1
TURNING THE POWER ON/OFF
SELECTING MODE: STUD SCAN,
STUD DEEPSCAN®, OR
METAL SCAN
4
7
8
11
10
CALIBRATING AND
SCANNING IN METAL MODE
Metal can be detected to about 11⁄2 in. (38 mm)
deep in walls.
5
6

Depending on the proximity of electrical wiring or
pipes to the wall surface, the MultiScanner may
detect them in the same manner as studs. Caution
should always be used when nailing, cutting, or drilling in
walls, floors, and ceilings that may contain these items.
o avoid surprises, remember that studs or joists are
normally spaced 16 in. (406 mm) or 24 in. (610 mm)
apart and are 11⁄2in. (38 mm) in width. Anything closer
together or a different width may not be a stud, joist,
or firebreak. Always turn off the power when working
near electrical wires.
Continue tracing by watching for same indication
as you move along other areas of wall.
he MultiScanner detects from 90 to 250 V at 50 to 60 Hz
AC in a HO electrical wire. he voltage detection feature
works continuously in all modes for safety.
Caution: The MultiScanner will not detect hot wires inside
metal conduit, behind metallic wall covering, or behind
some plywood or thick wall sections. Use extra caution in
these construction situations. lways turn off the power
when nailing, cutting, or drilling near electrical wires.
While holding in the
On/Off button, slowly
slide unit across the
wall. AC indicator will appear on
LCD if a hot wire is nearby.
LCD display indicates proximity
to hot wire, with center arrow
indicating closest proximity. Mark this spot. On the Pro SL
version, the SpotLite will also shine a beam of light.
Select AC Scan mode to determine position of hot
wires. Begin by placing the MultiScanner at some
position away from hot wiring.
Continue scanning
beyond the marked spot
to detect width of target.
If target is wide, reverse to
locate and mark the other edge.
Avoid sawing or drilling
between the two marks. Widths
will vary from single peak for
narrow rebar to wide area for
metal studs, I beams, junction
boxes, etc.
12
13
15
14
16
SCANNING IN AC MODE
C depths to about 2 in. (51 mm) deep.
OPERATING CAUTIONS
WORKING WITH DIFFERENT MATERIALS
• Wallpaper: he MultiScanner functions normally on walls
covered with 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 MultiScanner to locate studs in Stud Scan mode.
Change to Metal mode to locate nail heads holding laths to stud.
If plaster has metal mesh reinforcement, MultiScanner will be
unable to detect anything through that material.
• Acoustic ceili gs: When scanning ceiling with uneven surface,
place thin cardboard on ceiling and scan over the cardboard using
DeepScan mode. Calibrate with cardboard in place.
• Wood floori g, subfloori g, or gypsum drywall over plywood
sheathi g: use DeepScan mode.
• MultiScanner cannot scan for wood studs and joists through
ceramic floor tile or carpeting and pad.
• In problem situations, try using Metal Scan to locate nails or
drywall screws that line up vertically where a stud is positioned.
FCC Part 15 Class B Registratio War i g
his equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of FCC Rules.
hese limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a
residential installation. his equipment generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to
radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off
and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by
one or more of the following measures:
(1) Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
(2) Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
(3) Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit, different from
that which the receiver is connected (if applicable).
(4) Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/ V technician for help.

HELPFUL HINTS
Situation Probable Causes Solutions
Flashing Display!
Error Indicator
Working in DeepScan
mode and can't
detect studs.
Detects other objects
besides studs in Stud
Scan and DeepScan
modes.
Finding more targets
than there should be.
Area of voltage
appears much larger
than actual wire.
(AC only)
Center arrow 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.
Low Battery Indicator
• Scan began on dense part of wall or
over stud.
• Unit not flat against wall.
• Unit tilted or lifted during scan.
• You may have calibrated over a stud.
(DeepScan mode is very sensitive.
he error condition has been
disabled in this mode.)
• You may be holding the unit like a V
remote, aiming it at the wall.
• 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.
• Unit 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.
• Battery is running out.
• urn unit off, move over a few inches, press On/Off button, and
start again.
• On rough surfaces, place thin cardboard on wall, scanning through
it to help slide unit more smoothly.
• Always hold unit parallel to and move perpendicular to the object
you’re trying to locate.
• Move MultiScanner over a couple of inches and recalibrate.
• Hold the MultiScanner so that the two Velcro™ strips on the
back make contact with the wall.
• Switch to Metal mode, where combined with Continuous AC
detection, 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 CAU ION when nailing, cutting, or drilling in walls, floors, and
ceilings where these items may exist.
• o narrow detection, turn unit 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.
• Interpret the pair of LCD bars closest to the center as stud edge.
• Switch to DeepScan, where more bars may appear, to locate the stud.
• Always calibrate in air for best sensitivity and to avoid calibrating
over any metal.
• Scan in both horizontal and vertical directions. Metal sensitivity is
increased when metal object is parallel to sensor, located at front
end of unit beneath crosshair.
• o reduce sensitivity, recalibrate MultiScanner over either of first
two marks.
• Detect outer edges so you know where to begin.
• ry Metal scan to see if you can find metal, wire, or metal conduit.
• Always turn off the power when working near electrical wires.
• ry turning on switches to outlet.
• ry plugging a lamp into outlet and turning on switch.
• Replace battery.
Questio s? Check our Web site at www.zirco .com a d click “Product Support.”