ZIRCON StudSensor L30 Edge-Finding Stud Finder Instruction Manual
- June 5, 2024
- ZIRCON
Table of Contents
ZIRCON StudSensor L30 Edge-Finding Stud Finder
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
ZIRCON® STUD FINDERS WORK BY SENSING DENSITY CHANGES BEHIND THE WALL. OTHER OBJECTS CAN BE DETECTED ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE VERY CLOSE TO THE WALL. DO NOT ASSUME EVERYTHING DETECTED IS A STUD.- Always use a new alkaline battery with an extended expiration date. Match battery direction to image inside of battery cavity.
- Do not rely exclusively on the tool to locate items behind a surface. Use other information to help locate such items before penetrating the surface, including construction plans, visible points of entry of pipes and wiring into walls such as in a basement, and standard stud-spacing practices.
- Always scan for studs at several different heights on the wall and mark the location of every target indicated by the stud finder. This is called “mapping the wall.” Pipes and other objects will likely not give consistent readings from floor to ceiling, like a stud will.
- Readings should always be consistent and repeatable.
- Zircon® stud finders are recommended for interior use only.
- Studs normally run from floor to ceiling, except above and below windows, and above doors.
- Other objects commonly contained in walls, floors, or ceilings are water pipes, gas lines, firestops, and electrical wiring.
- Sensing depth and accuracy can vary depending on scanning environment conditions such as mineral content, moisture, texture and consistency of the wall materials.
- Always turn off power when working near electrical wires.
- Depending on the proximity of electrical wiring or pipes to the wall surface, the tool 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.
- Studs and joists are normally spaced 16 or 24″ (40 or 60 cm) apart, are normally 11⁄2″ (38 mm) wide, and may be separated by firestops. Anything closer together, or of a different width, may not be a stud or joist.
TROUBLESHOOTING & CONSTRUCTION TIPS
INSTALL 9-VOLT BATTERY
Always use a new alkaline battery with an extended expiration date. Match battery direction to image inside of battery cavity.
WARNING Do not rely exclusively on the tool to locate items behind a surface. Use other information to help locate items before penetrating the surface, including construction plans, visible points of entry of pipes and wiring into walls such as in a basement, and standard stud-spacing practices.
POWER UP
To activate tool, press and hold Power Button. If the button is not held, unit shuts off.
FIND A STUD
The tool is designed to locate the edges of wood and metal studs up to 3⁄4″ (19 mm) behind the scanned surface. The accuracy of the position of a stud found is typically within 1⁄8″ (3 mm). For best results, hold the tool as shown (Figure A), and move slowly when scanning.
Do not touch the surface during calibration or scan.
- Hold tool flat against wall, then press and hold Power Button. In 1 – 2 seconds, the unit will calibrate, and the Green READY Light will illuminate.
DO NOT MOVE THE TOOL DURING CALIBRATION.
- While holding down the Power Button, slide the tool slowly along the wall.
- When the tool reaches the edge of the stud, the Red EDGE Light will illuminate, the SpotLite® Pointer will shine, and a steady tone will sound. Mark the spot. (Figure B)
- Without releasing Power Button, continue the scan direction until the Red EDGE Light and the SpotLite® Pointer turn off, then reverse direction.
- Slide the tool until the other edge of the stud is detected and mark this as well. (Figure C) The center of the stud is the midpoint between the two marks.
OVER-THE-STUD WARNING
If scanning begins directly over a stud, the tool will emit a continual beep.
If this happens, restart the scan in a different location.
WIREWARNING® DETECTION
WireWarning® Detection works continuously during a scan. When live, unshielded AC voltage is detected, the WireWarning® Detection Indicator lights up. If scanning begins over a live AC wire, the WireWarning® Detection Indicator will flash continuously. (Figure D)Use extreme caution under these circumstances, and whenever live AC wiring is suspected.
WARNING THE TOOL MAY NOT DETECT LIVE CURRENT IF WIRES ARE MORE THAN 2″ (50 mm) BELOW THE SCANNED SURFACE, IN CONCRETE, ENCASED IN CONDUIT, BEHIND A PLYWOOD SHEAR WALL OR METALLIC WALL COVERING, OR IF MOISTURE IS PRESENT IN THE ENVIRONMENT OR SCANNED SURFACE. DO NOT ASSUME THERE ARE NO LIVE ELECTRICAL WIRES IN THE WALL. DO NOT TAKE ACTIONS THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS IF THE WALL CONTAINS A LIVE ELECTRICAL WIRE. ALWAYS TURN OFF THE ELECTRICAL, 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.
WORKING WITH DIFFERENT MATERIALS
Wallpaper This tool functions normally on walls covered with wallpaper or fabric, unless the materials are metallic foil, contain metallic fibers, or are still wet after application. Wallpaper may need to dry for several weeks after application. Freshly painted walls Paint may take a week or longer to dry after application. Lath and plaster Due to irregularities in plaster thickness, this tool is not recommended for use on lath and plaster. Highly textured walls or acoustic ceilings When scanning a ceiling or wall with an uneven surface, place thin cardboard on the surface to be scanned. This tool cannot scan for wood studs and joists through carpet and padding. Electrical wiring and pipes Depending on the proximity of electrical wiring or pipes to the wall surface, the tool 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. Studs and joists are normally spaced 16 or 24″ apart (40 or 60 cm), and are 11⁄2″ (38 mm) wide. Anything closer together, or of a different width, may not be a stud or joist. NOTE: Sensing depth and accuracy can vary depending on scanning environment conditions such as mineral content, moisture, texture and consistency of the wall materials. This tool is not designed for use with:
- Ceramic floor tile
- Carpeting and padding
- Wallpaper with metallic fibers
- Freshly painted walls that are still damp (may take oneweek or longer to dry after application)
- Lath and plaster walls
- Foil-covered insulation board
- Glass or any other dense material
- Surfaces thicker than 3⁄4″ (19 mm)
LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
Zircon Corporation (“Zircon”) warrants to the original purchaser (or original
user by gift) that this product will be free from defects in materials and
workmanship for its useful life (not to exceed twenty years from date of
purchase). This warranty is limited to the electronic circuitry of the
product, and specifically excludes consumable parts, including batteries, and
software, even if packaged with the product. Defects caused by abuse,
modification, handling contrary to these instructions, other unreasonable use,
or neglect are not covered under this warranty. No liability is accepted for
normal wear and tear and minor defects which do not detract from the function
of the product.
THIS LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT WILL ZIRCON BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL,
INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM POSSESSION, USE,
OR MALFUNCTION OF THIS PRODUCT. NO OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR CLAIMS OF A
SIMILAR NATURE WILL BIND OR OBLIGATE ZIRCON.
Some states do not allow limitations on certain implied warranties and/or the limitation on incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations and exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. This Limited Lifetime Warranty applies only to products purchased within the United States of America (USA) and Canada. For warranty applicable to products purchased in all other geographical areas, see www.zircon.com/warranty.Any in-warranty defective product returned to Zircon, freight prepaid, along with dated purchase receipt and $10.00 to cover shipping and handling, will be repaired or replaced, at Zircon’s option. If the returned product is no longer available, Zircon may replace the product with a similar product of similar function. This is your sole and exclusive remedy for breach of this Limited Lifetime Warranty. To return product, call the Zircon Customer Service number below to request an RMA number and return product with shipment tracking to: Zircon Corporation Attn: Returns Department 1580 Dell Avenue Campbell, CA 95008-6992 USA Include your name, return address, RMA number, and package tracking number. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery. If you do not agree to the terms of this Limited Lifetime Warranty, you may not use this product and must promptly return it to the retailer, along with a dated purchase receipt within 30 days of purchase for a refund of the purchase price. Customer Service: 1-800-245-9265 or 1-408-963-4550 Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. PST www.zircon.com • info@zircon.com ©2020 Zircon Corporation • P/N 71891 • Rev A 12/20 SpotLite, StudSensor, WireWarning, and Zircon are trademarks or registered trademarks of Zircon Corporation.