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.
The error condition has been
disabled in this mode.)
• You may be holding the unit like a TV
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.
• Turn 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 CAUTION when nailing, cutting, or drilling in walls, floors, and
ceilings where these items may exist.
• To 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.
• To reduce sensitivity, recalibrate MultiScanner over either of first
two marks.
• Detect outer edges so you know where to begin.
• Try Metal scan to see if you can find metal, wire, or metal conduit.
• Always turn off the power when working near electrical wires.
• Try turning on switches to outlet.
• Try plugging a lamp into outlet and turning on switch.
• Replace battery.
Questions? Check our Web site at www.zircon.com and click “Product Support.”
