EN
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.
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.
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.
POWER UP
To activate tool, press and hold Power Button.
If 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.
1.
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 TOOL DURING CALIBRATION.
2.
While holding down the Power Button,
slide the tool slowly along the wall.
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 B
)
4.
Without releasing
Power Button, continue the scan
direction until the Red EDGE Light
and the SpotLite
®
Pointer turn off,
then reverse direction.
5.
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.
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 1
1
⁄
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 one
week 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)
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 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
™
L
30
Edge-Finding Stud Finder
SpotLite
®
Pointer
Stud Edge Groove
Battery Door Tab
(door on bottom)
WireWarning
®
Detection Indicator
Ergonomic Grip
Power Button
Red EDGE Light
Green READY
Light
Figure C
Figure D
Figure B
Figure A
TROUBLESHOOTING & CONSTRUCTION TIPS
SITUATION
LIKELY CAUSE
SOLUTION
No indications.
No studs in the area.
Move tool several inches (13 – 15 cm) to the left or right and start again.
READY Icon shows but
nothing happens when
scanning.
Tool may not be flat
against wall.
Hold tool so that the pads on the back make full contact with the surface.
Unit beeps repeatedly.
Tool was calibrated over a
stud or on dense part of wall.
Turn tool off, move over a few inches (5 – 8 cm), press Power Button, and start again.
Tool tilted or lifted
during scan.
On rough surfaces, place thin cardboard on wall, scanning over it to help slide tool
more smoothly.
Tool detects objects
other than studs
or finds more studs
than should be there.
Electrical wiring and metal or
plastic pipes may be near to
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).
Use caution when nailing, sawing or drilling into walls, floors and ceilings
where these items may exist.
Electrical wires
suspected but
WireWarning
®
Detection
does not alert.
• Wires are shielded by a
metal conduit, braided wire,
or metallic wall covering.
• Wires deeper than 2"
(50 mm) from the surface
might not be detected.
• Wires may not be live.
• 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.
• See above.
• Plug a lamp into the outlet and turn it on to test whether wires are live.
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.
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 • [email protected]
©2020 Zircon Corporation • P/N 71891 • Rev A 12/20
SpotLite, StudSensor, WireWarning, and Zircon
are trademarks or registered trademarks of
Zircon Corporation.
