Zircon Pro SL User Manual
Helpful hints, Triscanner, Pro sl stud & metal locator with ac warning
Keep unit flat against wall
during calibration or scanning.
Position the TriScanner
Pro SL flat against the
wall. Select mode. Press and
hold On/Off button.
On/Off Button
(Side of unit)
Stud Edge
Groove
LED Sensing
Display
TruCal
®
LED
Mode Selector
Switch
Battery Door
(Back of unit)
Metal Sensor
AC LED
Stud Scan
Mode LED
Stud DeepScan
®
Mode LED
Metal Scan
Mode LED
SpotLite
®
Pointing System
TRISCANNER
PRO SL
9 VOLT
BATTERY
Slide the Mode selector switch until you reach
desired scanning mode. The mode can be
selected with the unit on or off.
ON: Press and hold ON/OFF button on the left
side. OFF: Release ON/OFF button.
Press battery door release with a coin and
remove door.
Connect battery to cable and place inside
battery compartment. Replace battery door
and snap shut. Battery will last approximately two
years under normal conditions.
SELECTING MODE: STUD SCAN,
STUD DEEPSCAN
®
, OR METAL SCAN
INSTALLING THE BATTERY
CALIBRATING IN STUD SCAN OR
STUD DEEPSCAN MODES
Mode LED and TruCal
®
LED will flash
quickly and then stay lit. TriScanner Pro SL
automatically calibrates in less than one second.
SCANNING IN STUD SCAN OR STUD
DEEPSCAN MODES
Use Stud Scan mode for depths to about
3
⁄
4
in.
(19 mm) and Stud DeepScan for depths up to
1
1
⁄
2
in. (38 mm) or double layers.
TURNING THE POWER ON/OFF
Note: the Triscanner Pro SL will automatically turn
off after 15 minutes of continuous use (in case
battery button is accidently held down in a toolbox.)
When center pair of
green LEDs light,
steady tone sounds, and the
SpotLite
®
Pointing System
shines, you have found the
stud edge. Mark this spot.
Continue holding
On/Off button in and
scan beyond marked spot until
the center green and 3 pairs
of red LEDs go out.
Without releasing On/Off
button, slide unit in reverse
direction to locate the other edge
of stud. Mark this second spot.
Middle of stud is centered
between the two marks.
Select Metal mode. Press
and hold ON/OFF button.
Calibrate TriScanner Pro SL in air,
away from metal objects. Position
unit flat against wall.
CALIBRATING IN METAL MODE
While holding in On/Off
button, slowly move unit
on surface, to locate targets.
Reverse directions to locate other
edge of target. Lights will indicate
metal in the same way as in find-
ing studs. When tone sounds,
LEDs light up, and SpotLite comes on, you are close
to metal. Mark this spot to help ensure that you’re
not nailing into a pipe.
SCANNING IN METAL MODE
The TriScanner Pro SL detects from 90 to 250 V
at 50 to 60 Hz AC in a HOT unshielded
electrical wire that is within 1
1
⁄
2
in. (38 mm) of
wall surface. The voltage detection feature works
continuously in all modes. The sensor is located in the
center of the back of the unit.
Caution: The TriScanner Pro SL will not detect hot
wires inside metal pipe or metal conduit, behind
metallic wall covering, or behind some plywood or
other dense materials. Use extra caution in these
construction situations. Always turn the power
off when nailing, cutting, or drilling near
electrical wires.
CONTINUOUS AC VOLTAGE
DETECTION
Questions? Check our Web site at www.zircon.com and click “Product Support.”
The Zircon TriScanner
®
Pro SL
scanner detects wood or metal
studs, metal pipes, and hot
electrical wires in interior walls,
floors, and ceilings, as well as
rebar in concrete. It features
the SpotLite
®
Pointing System,
three different scanning modes
plus continuous hot electrical
wire detection.
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VERIFYING IF THE UNIT WORKS
Turn unit on in the air.
If the LEDs light when
you bring your hand up to the
back, then the unit is working
properly.
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The AC LED should
light with an electrical
cord an inch or two away.
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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.
To avoid surprises, remember that studs or joists are
normally spaced 16 in. (406 mm) or 24 in. (610 mm)
apart and are 1
1
⁄
2
in. (38 mm) in width. Anything
closer together or a different width may not be a
stud, joist, or firebreak. Always turn off the power
when working near electrical wires.
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OPERATING CAUTIONS
Over-the-Stud Indicator.
(Flashing lights)
Working in DeepScan
mode and can’t detect
studs.
Detects other objects
besides studs in stud
Scan and DeepScan
modes.
You suspect electrical
wires, but do not
detect any.
Area of voltage
detection is too large.
Red LEDs light but center
pair of green LEDs don’t.
Difficulty detecting
metal.
Image of metal stud
appears wider than
actual size.
Red LEDs do not light up
as you test the unit with
your free hand moving
toward the back of the
TriScanner Pro SL.
• Scan began over a stud.
• Unit not flat against wall.
• Unit tilted or lifted during
scan. (All these factors affect
proper calibration.)
• You may have calibrated over
a stud. (The error condition is
disabled in DeepScan mode
because it is twice as
sensitive as Stud Scan.)
• 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.
• If wires are shielded behind
metallic wall coverings, or in
metal conduit, TriScanner Pro
SL will not be able to find
them.
• The wires may not be HOT.
• Wires may be too deep to
sense.
• Static charge may develop on
drywall, spreading voltage
detection as much as 12 in.
(305 mm) from each side.
• Wall is particularly thick
or dense.
• Unit calibrated over metal.
• Metal targets are too deep.
• Metal has greater density
than wood and is sensed
farther from edge.
• Battery voltage is low.
• Turn unit off, move over a few inches, and start again.
• Hold unit with thumb and index finger no higher than
handgrips.
• On rough surfaces, place a piece of paper on wall,
scanning through it to help slide unit more smoothly.
• In Stud Scan or DeepScan modes, hold unit parallel to
and move perpendicular to object you’re trying to locate.
• Move TriScanner Pro SL over a few inches and recalibrate.
• Hold the TriScanner Pro SL 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.
• Use CAUTION when nailing, cutting, or drilling in walls,
floors, and ceilings that may contain wiring.
• Use extra caution if the area has plywood, thick wood
backing behind drywall, or thicker than normal walls.
• Remember that studs or joists are normally spaced
16 in. (406 mm) or 24 in. (610 mm) apart and are 1
1
⁄
2
in.
(38 mm) wide.
• If a switch controls an outlet, make sure it is ON for detection.
• To narrow detection, turn unit off and on again at the edge
of where wire was detected and scan again.
• Place free hand flat against wall near tool to discharge
static.
• Interpret pair of red LEDs closest to center as stud edge.
• Switch to DeepScan to locate the stud.
• Always calibrate in the air for best sensitivity and to avoid
calibrating over metal.
• Scan in both horizontal and vertical directions. Sometimes
metal sensitivity is greater when metal object is parallel to
sensor, which is along top of unit.
• To narrow image, scan and mark first indications and then
calibrate TriScanner Pro SL over either of the first two marks.
Scan again and mark the new, narrowed detection points.
Repeat if necessary.
• Replace battery to maintain sensitivity.
HELPFUL HINTS
Probable Causes
Solutions
Situation
WORKING WITH DIFFERENT MATERIALS
Wallpaper: TriScanner Pro SL functions normally on
walls covered with wallpaper or fabric, unless the
materials are metallic foil, contain metallic fibers, or
are still wet after application.
Textured Ceilings: When scanning on an uneven
surface, place thin cardboard on ceiling and scan over
the cardboard. Calibrate with cardboard in place.
Note: TriScanner Pro SL cannot scan through
carpeting and pad or, in most cases, lath and plaster.
If you are having difficulty scanning through any of
these or other materials, use the Metal mode to
locate nails in the stud or joist. Try to locate several
nails to get a better idea of how the stud is oriented.
FCC Part 15 Class B Registration Warning
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of FCC
Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in
a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and
can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used
in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interfer-
ence to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee
that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this
equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment
off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interfer-
ence by one or more of the following measures:
(1) Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
(2) Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
(3) Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit, different
from that which the receiver is connected (if applicable).
(4) Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician
for help.
LIMITED 1 YEAR WARRANTY
Zircon Corporation, (“Zircon”) warrants this product to be free from defects
in materials and workmanship for one year from the date of purchase. Any
in-warranty defective product returned to Zircon*, freight prepaid with proof
of purchase date and $5.00 to cover postage and handling, will be repaired or
replaced at Zircon’s option. This warranty is limited to the electronic circuitry
and original case of the product and specifically excludes damage caused by
abuse, unreasonable use or neglect. This warranty is in lieu of all other
warranties, express or implied, and no other representations or claims of any
nature shall bind or obligate Zircon. Any implied warranties applicable to this
product are limited to the one year period following its purchase.
IN NO EVENT WILL ZIRCON BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM POSSESSION, USE OR
MALFUNCTION OF THIS PRODUCT.
In accordance with government regulations, you are advised that:
(i) some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts
and/or the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so
the above limitations and/or exclusions may not apply to you, and further (ii)
this warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other
rights which vary from state to state.
Return product freight prepaid with proof of purchase date (dated sales
receipt) and $5.00 to cover postage and handling, to:
Zircon Corporation
*Attn: Returns Department
2390 Boswell Road, Suite 300
Chula Vista, CA 91914-3510 USA
Be sure to include your name and return address. Out of warranty service and
repair, where proof of purchase is not provided, shall be returned with repairs
charged C.O.D. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery.
Customer Service, 1-800-245-9265 or 1-408-866-8600
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST
E-mail: [email protected]
U.S. Patent #4464622, 5352974, 5619128, 6023159, 6249113, 6259241,
D419546, D419149, D419545, D427166, and D419544
Canada Patent #1106932 • G.B. Patent #2117909B, 2159630B
©2002 Zircon Corporation • P/N 58756 • Rev B 11/02
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TriScanner
®
Pro SL
Stud & Metal Locator
with AC Warning
Slowly slide unit
horizontally across wall,
left or right.
7
Metal can be detected up to 1
1
⁄
2
in. (38 mm) deep
in walls and up to 3 in. (77 mm) deep in concrete.