background image

2 scanning modes:

• StudScan

 locates edges of stud (wood or metal)  

up to 

3

4

"

 (19 mm) deep

• DeepScan

 locates edges of stud up to 1

1

2

"

  

(38 mm) deep

WireWarning

 

Detection

 automatically detects and  

alerts for live, unshielded AC (alternating current)  

wires in both modes. When AC voltage is detected,  

the WireWarning Detection Indicator illuminates.

INSTALL 9-VOLT BATTERY

Always use a new alkaline

 

battery 

with an extended expiration date at 

least 3 years beyond current date.  

Match battery direction to image 

inside of battery cavity.
 

WARNING

Do not rely exclusively on the 

scanner 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.

OVER-THE-STUD WARNING

If scanning begins directly over a stud, the tool will emit a 

continual beep and the lights will flash.

If this happens, restart the scan in a different location.

WIREWARNING

 

DETECTION

The Zircon

®

 WireWarning Detection 

feature works continuously in  

both modes. When live,  

unshielded AC voltage is detected, 

the WireWarning Detection 

Indicator illuminates. If scanning 

begins over a live, unshielded 

AC wire, the indicator will flash 

continuously. (

Figure F

)

Use extreme caution under these  

circumstances, or whenever live  

AC wiring is present.

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.
 

WORKING WITH DIFFERENT MATERIALS

This tool can scan effectively through most sheet  

materials, including: 
• Bare wood flooring (in DeepScan Mode)
• Linoleum on wood base 
• Gypsum drywall over plywood sheathing 
• Walls with wallpaper (if dry)
• Textured ceilings with uniform thickness (place a thin 

piece of cardboard on ceiling and scan over it to avoid 

damage to texturing)

SELECT MODE / POWER UP

Move Mode Selector Switch to desired mode: 

StudScan

  

or 

DeepScan

.

To activate tool, press and hold Power Button.  

If button is not pressed and held, unit shuts off.

FIND A STUD

For best results, hold the tool  

as shown (

Figure A

) and move 

slowly when scanning. 

Do not 

touch the surface during 

calibration or scan.

1. 

Hold tool flat against wall, 

then press and hold Power Button. 

In 1–2 seconds, the unit will  

calibrate, the lights and SpotLite 

Pointer will flash, the tool will 

beep, and the Green READY Light 

will illuminate.  

DO NOT MOVE TOOL     

DURING CALIBRATION.

2. 

While holding down the  

Power Button, slide the tool slowly 

along the wall. (

Figure B

)

3. 

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 C

)

4. 

Without releasing  

Power Button, continue the  

scan direction until the Red EDGE 

Light and the SpotLite Pointer turn 

off, then reverse direction. 

(

Figure D

)

5. 

Slide tool until the other edge 

of the stud is detected, and mark 

this as well. (

Figure E

)

The center of the stud is the 

midpoint between the two marks.

DEEPSCAN MODE

DeepScan Mode will detect studs up to 1

1

2

"

 (38 mm) deep, 

or twice the depth of StudScan. Move the Mode Selector 

Switch to DeepScan Mode, then follow steps 1–5 under 

FIND A STUD.

WARNING

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.

It is 

not

 designed for use with:

• Ceramic tile, slate, granite, marble and other             

rock surfaces 

• Carpeting and padding
• Wallpaper with metallic fibers
• Freshly painted walls that are still damp (may take one 

week or longer to dry after application)

• Lath and plaster walls 
• Foil covered insulation
• Glass or any other dense material
• Bathroom inserts such as bathtubs and showers
• Surfaces thicker than 1

1

2

" (38 mm)

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

  It 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 and 

scan over the cardboard in DeepScan Mode. 

Wood flooring, subflooring, or gypsum drywall  

over plywood sheathing

  Use DeepScan Mode and 

move the tool slowly.
This tool cannot scan for studs and joists through carpet 

and padding.

NOTE: Sensing depth and accuracy can vary 

depending on scanning environment conditions 

such as mineral content, moisture, texture and 

consistency of the wall materials.

 

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 1

1

2

" (38 mm) wide. Anything closer 

together, or of a different width, may not be a stud or joist.

LIMITED 1 YEAR WARRANTY
Zircon Corporation (“Zircon”) warrants to the product 

owner that this product will be free from defects in 

materials and workmanship for one year from the 

original date of purchase. Any defective product 

returned to Zircon within the warranty period to the 

address below, freight prepaid, along with proof of 

purchase, will be repaired or replaced, at Zircon’s 

option. Repair or replacement may be made with a 

new or refurbished product or components, at Zircon’s 

sole discretion. If the returned product is no longer 

available, Zircon may replace the product with a 

similar product of similar function. This warranty is 

limited to the electronic circuitry of the product and 

original case of the product, and specifically excludes 

any damage caused by abuse, modification, handling 

contrary to these instructions, other unreasonable use, 

or neglect. This is your sole and exclusive remedy for 

breach of this Limited Warranty.
This Limited Warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, 

express or implied, and no other representations or 

claims of a similar nature will bind or obligate Zircon. 

Any implied warranties applicable to this product 

that cannot be disclaimed are limited to the one year 

period following its purchase. This Limited Warranty 

does not cover consumable parts, including batteries, 

or software, even if packaged with the product.  

IN NO EVENT WILL ZIRCON BE LIABLE FOR ANY 

SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES 

RESULTING FROM POSSESSION, USE OR MALFUNCTION 

OF THIS PRODUCT.
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. 
Return products for warranty service, freight prepaid 

with proof of purchase (a dated sales receipt) to:
Zircon Corporation, Attn: Returns Department 

1580 Dell Avenue 

Campbell, CA 95008-6992 USA
Be sure to include your name and return address.  

Allow 4–6 weeks for delivery. 
Customer Service: 1-800-245-9265 or 1-408-963-4550 

Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. PT 

[email protected] • www.zircon.com
©2018 Zircon Corporation • P/N 69589 • Rev B 07/18 
DeepScan, SpotLite, StudSensor, WireWarning,  

and Zircon are registered trademarks or trademarks  

of Zircon Corporation.

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 at least 3 years beyond current date. Match battery 

direction to image inside of battery cavity.
- Do not rely exclusively on the scanner 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 start your scan in StudScan Mode which scans through surfaces up to 

3

4

" (19 mm) deep. Scanning in 

DeepScan

®

 Mode may detect an object further behind the wall that may or may not be a stud.

- 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 would.
- 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 scanner 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 1

1

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.

StudSensor

 

Pro

45

Edge-Finding Stud Finder

EN

Visit www.zircon.com for the 

most current instructions.

FCC Part 15 Class B Registration Warning: This device complies  

with Part 15 of 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.

ZirconCorporation

ZirconTV

ZirconTools

 | 

ZirconToolPro

ZirconTools

Figure A

Figure C

Figure B

Figure D

Figure E

SpotLite

®

 Pointer

Stud Edge Groove

Battery 

Door Tab

Ergonomic Grip

Power Button

Red EDGE Light

WireWarning

®

  

Detection 

Indicator

Mode Selector Switch

Green  READY   

Light

TROUBLESHOOTING & CONSTRUCTION TIPS

SITUATION

LIKELY CAUSE

SOLUTION

All lights turn on at the 

same time and the tool 

beeps continuously.

Tool not held flat  

against wall.

• Hold the tool with thumb on one side and fingers on the other side. Do not touch the 

surface being scanned or the scanning head of the tool.
• Move the tool straight up and down, parallel to the studs. Do not rotate the tool.

Tool tilted or lifted  

during scan. 

• Move Mode Selector Switch to enter DeepScan Mode.
• When scanning an uneven surface, place thin cardboard on the surface to be scanned 

and scan over the cardboard in DeepScan Mode. 

Scanning surface is too 

dense or too wet for tool  

to operate.

If tool is used on a recently taped, painted, or wallpapered wall, allow time to dry  

and try again.

Unable to detect studs in 

StudScan Mode.

Wall is thick or dense.

Switch to DeepScan Mode to locate the stud.

Green READY Light 

illuminates but  

nothing happens  

during scan.

Tool may not be flat  

against wall.

Hold tool so that the pads on the back make full contact with the surface.

Calibration may have 

occurred over a stud in 

DeepScan Mode.

Recalibrate in a different area, then continue the scan.

Can't detect studs in 

DeepScan Mode.

Calibration may have been 

over a stud. 

Move the unit to a different area, then scan again. Also ensure that the tool is held 

against the wall as shown in illustrations.

Tool detects objects 

other than studs, or finds 

more studs than should 

be there.

Electrical wiring and metal 

or plastic pipes may be near 

or touching the back of the 

wall surface.

Check for other studs equally spaced to either side at 12, 16 or 24

"

 (30, 40, or 60 cm),  

or check for the same stud at spots directly above or below the first scan area.  

Studs will run straight up and down, from floor to ceiling, while pipes may change 

direction. Standard studs measure approximately 1

1

2

"

 (38 mm) between edges.  

Anything larger or smaller is likely not a stud (unless near door or window).

Area of voltage detection 

is too large.

Voltage detection can 

spread on drywall by as 

much as 12" (30 cm) on 

each side of the wire.

Narrow the scan detection:  

1. 

Turn tool off.  

2. 

Turn it on again at the edge of where the 

wire was first detected.  

3.

 Repeat scan.

Electrical wires suspected, 
but WireWarning

® 

Detection does not alert.

Wires are shielded by a 

metal conduit, braided wire 

or metallic wall covering.

If there is an outlet switch, turn it to ON position while scanning, but turn OFF when 

working near the wires. 

Use extra caution if the area has plywood, thick wood 

backing behind drywall, or walls that are thicker than normal. 

Wires deeper than 2

"

  

(50 mm) from the surface 

might not be detected.

See above.

Wires may not be live.

Plug a lamp into the outlet and turn it on to test whether wires are live.

Figure F

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