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WARNING: 

To reduce the risk of injury, user must read and understand instruction

manual.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Safety Warnings

• Do not operate the stud sensor in explosive atmospheres, such as in the presence of

flammable liquids, gases, or dust. 

• Use the stud sensor only with 2 AAA alkaline batteries. Use of any other batteries may

create a risk of fire.

WARNING:

Shock Hazard. Always turn off power when working near electrical wires.

Drilling into or touching live wires can result in severe injury or death.

CAUTION:

Material thickness, type of material, moisture content, and other variables

can effect sensing results. The sensor may detect electric wiring or pipes in the same
manner that studs are detected depending on their location to the wall surface. Use
caution when drilling, nailing or cutting into walls, floors and ceilings which may contain
electrical wiring or pipes. These items may be detected by the Stud Sensor in the same
manner in which studs are detected. Because studs are normally spaced 16 inches (406
mm) or 24 inches (610 mm) apart and are usually 1-1/2 inches (38 mm) wide, beware of
anything closer together or of a different width. 

Installing the Batteries

Remove the battery compartment cover (D) by pressing down in the center of the cover and
pulling back. Insert two fresh AAA batteries making sure to match (+) and (-) terminals
correctly. Replace the battery compartment cover. 

WARNING: Batteries can explode, or leak, and can cause injury or fire.

To reduce

this risk:

• Carefully follow all instructions and warnings on the battery label and

package. 

• Always insert batteries correctly with regard to polarity (+ and -), marked on 

the battery and the equipment.

• Do not short battery terminals.
• Do not charge batteries.
• Do not mix old and new batteries. replace all of them at the same time with 

new batteries of the same brand and type.

• Remove dead batteries immediately and dispose of per local codes.
• Do not dispose of batteries in fire.
• Keep batteries out of reach of children.
• Remove batteries if the device will not be used for several months.

Operating Instructions

Calibration and Scanning

Calibration

1.) Hold unit straight up and down and place flat against wall as shown in Figure 2. 
2.) Press in and hold the sensor ON/OFF button (C) while calibrating and continue holding 

in button while scanning. 

a.) The upper 

GREEN

LED (A) will light, 

b.) The unit will beep once while it is calibrating,
c.) The bottom 

RED

LED will light.

Scanning

For stud sensing up to 3/4 in. (19 mm) deep.

1.) After calibration, while still holding in button, slide sensor slowly, (Figure 2) horizontally 

across surface of wall without lifting or tilting. 

2.) The upper 

GREEN

LED will light and a beeper will sound when an edge is detected, 

mark that spot as shown in Figure 3.

Repeat this cycle coming from the other direction to confirm the mark.

Tips For Optimum Use

Test batteries before each use. Press and hold the on/off switch until the 

RED

LED

remains on. Then move your free hand toward the back of the unit. The 

GREEN

LED

should illuminate and then go out as you move your hand away from the unit. Replace the
batteries if the 

GREEN

LED does not illuminate.

• When voltage drops below 2.8V, the red LED (lowest position) will flash, indicating that the

batteries are weak and in need of replacement.

VEA EL ESPAÑOL EN LA CONTRAPORTADA.

SAVE THIS MANUAL FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

INSTRUCTIVO DE OPERACIÓN, CENTROS DE SERVICIO Y PÓLIZA DE GARANTÍA.

ADVERTENCIA: 

LÉASE ESTE INSTRUCTIVO ANTES DE USAR EL PRODUCTO. 

INSTRUCTION

MANUAL

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Cat No. BDL160S 

Form # 585439-01 

(May-04) 

Copyright © 2004 Black & Decker 

Printed in China

3/4" Stud Sensor

3/4" Stud Sensor

FEATURES

A.) Green LED (

Light

Emitting Diode)

B.) Red LEDs (4)

C.) On/Off Button

D.) Battery Compartment
Cover

1

2

B

C

A

• Hold stud sensor straight up and down.
• Because studs are normally spaced 16 inches or 24 inches apart and are 1-1/2 inches wide,

beware of anything closer together or of a different width. Doors and windows are
constructed with studs and headers which are closer together.

Avoid materials which have inconsistent density such as:

• Carpeting and padding
• Ceramic floor tile
• Wallpaper containing metallic foils or fibers. Generally, surfaces covered with regular 

wallpaper or fabric will scan with no difference in function.

• Walls that are freshly painted and are still damp.
• Excessively thick plaster and lath. 

Maintenance

Use only mild soap and damp cloth to clean the tool. Never let any liquid get inside the tool;
never immerse any part of the tool into a liquid.

IMPORTANT:

To assure product SAFETY and RELIABILITY, repairs, maintenance and

adjustment (other than those listed in this manual) should be performed by authorized service
centers or other qualified service personnel, always using identical replacement parts.

WARNING:

The use of any accessory not recommended for use with this tool could be

hazardous.

FCC Warning

This device complies with part 15 of the 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.

Service Information

All Black & Decker Service Centers are staffed with trained personnel to provide customers
with efficient and reliable power tool service. Whether you need technical advice, repair, or
genuine factory replacement parts, contact the Black & Decker location nearest you. To find
your local service location, refer to the yellow page directory under "Tools—Electric" or call: 

1-800-544-6986 or visit www.blackanddecker.com

Full Two-Year Home Use Warranty 

Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc. warrants this product for two years against any defects in material
or workmanship. The defective product will be replaced or repaired at no charge in either of
two ways.
The first, which will result in exchanges only, is to return the product to the retailer from whom
it was purchased (provided that the store is a participating retailer). Returns should be made
within the time period of the retailer’s policy for exchanges (usually 30 to 90 days after the
sale). Proof of purchase may be required. Please check with the retailer for their specific
return policy regarding returns that are beyond the time set for exchanges.
The second option is to take or send the product (prepaid) to a Black & Decker owned or

Catalog No. BDL160S

BEFORE RETURNING THIS PRODUCT 

FOR ANY REASON PLEASE CALL 

1-800-544-6986

IF YOU SHOULD HAVE A QUESTION OR EXPERIENCE A

PROBLEM WITH YOUR BLACK & DECKER PRODUCT,

CALL 1-800-544-6986

BEFORE YOU CALL, HAVE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AVAILABLE, CATALOG No., TYPE No., AND

DATE CODE (e.g. 20000130M). IN MOST CASES, A

BLACK & DECKER 

REPRESENTATIVE CAN RESOLVE

YOUR PROBLEM OVER THE PHONE. IF YOU HAVE A SUGGESTION OR COMMENT, GIVE US A CALL.

YOUR FEEDBACK IS VITAL TO BLACK & DECKER.

2

*Recess edge 

indicates 

approximate

center of stud...

3

User can mark

the location for 

nailing, securing,

etc...

3

User can mark

the location for 

nailing, securing,

etc...

2

*Recess edge 

indicates 

approximate

center of stud...

D

3

*Based on stud 1-1/2 inches wide

Possible Cause

• Weak battery.
• Nothing to detect in that
area.
•May have  been calibrated
over a stud. 

Solution

• Replace with fresh batteries.
• Start again moving farther to either
side.

Problem

• LEDs do not light.

• Because studs are normally
spaced 16 inches or 24 inches apart
and are 1-1/2 inches wide, beware
of anything closer together or of a
different width.

• LEDs light in too many
places.

• Detects other objects
besides studs.
• Electrical wiring and
metal or plastic pipes
may be near or touching
back surface of wall.

T

T

T

T

R

R

R

R

O

O

O

O

U

U

U

U

B

B

B

B

L

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L

L

E

E

E

E

S

S

S

S

H

H

H

H

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

O

T

T

T

T

II

II

N

N

N

N

G

G

G

G

1

LED brightens to

signal edge of stud...

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