Featuring Revolutionary Target Control
™
(TC
™
)
Technology
The SuperScan
™
K4 wall scanner features TC
™
technology,
tuned to find wood studs while filtering out metallic false
positive objects such as plumbing, conduit, straps, brackets,
or ducts beneath surfaces. With TC
™
mode, users can utilize
“Trust but Verify” technique to help identify “safe-to-drill” zones
between adjacent drywall screws, nails, and protector plates.
Five scanning modes:
•
Target Control
™
(TC
™
)
locates center, edges, and direction
of wood studs (while ignoring metal) up to ¾" (19 mm) deep.
LCD will be backlit with a pale blue light.
In TC
™
mode, the LoLevel
™
Indicator indicates low (weak) signal
objects, such as plastic water pipes, plastic sewer drains, or
studs deeper than ¾" (19 mm). When compared to stud
signals, the LoLevel
™
Indicator may help differentiate studs
from false positives.
•
StudScan
locates center, edges, and direction of both
wood and metal studs up to ¾" (19 mm) deep.
LCD will
not be backlit in this mode.
In StudScan mode, the
Signal Strength Indicator uses the same icon as the LoLevel
™
Indicator. When TC
™
is off, a strong signal is indicated by full
signal strength bars.
•
DeepScan
®
locates center, edges, and direction of studs
(wood and metal) up to 1½" (38 mm) deep.
LCD will be
backlit with a green light.
•
Metal Scan
locates ferrous (magnetic) metal, such as steel,
up to 3" (75 mm) deep, and non-ferrous (non-magnetic)
metal, such as copper, up to 1½" (38 mm) deep.
LCD will
be backlit with a dark blue light.
•
AC Scan
locates live, unshielded AC wires behind drywall
up to 2" (50 mm) deep.
LCD will be backlit with a
red light.
NOTE:
TC
™
and StudScan use the same switch setting but
function differently. StudScan detects both wood and metal
studs
during scanning, while TC
™
detects only wood studs and
ignores metal. You can distinguish between the two modes
by the pale blue backlight on LCD in TC
™
mode. StudScan is
not backlit.
MetalliWarning
™
Indicator
will display when
metal is detected or dangerously close in TC
™
, StudScan, and
DeepScan
®
modes.
WIREWARNING
®
DETECTION
The Zircon
®
WireWarning
®
Detection
continuously detects
and alerts for live, unshielded AC (alternating current) wires in
any mode. When live AC voltage is detected, warning indicator
appears and screen starts flashing red until scanner is moved
sufficiently away from the live wire. When calibration begins
over an AC wire in any mode, AC icon will flash.
Use extreme
caution under these circumstances or whenever live
AC wiring is present.
WARNING
Scanner may not detect AC activity if wires
are more than 2" (50 mm) behind 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.
SCAN IN DEEPSCAN
®
MODE
DeepScan
®
mode is used to scan for deeper studs, or for use
with thicker walls. It can detect studs up to 1½" (38 mm) deep.
1.
Set mode to DeepScan
®
.
2.
Repeat steps 2–4 under STUDSCAN MODE section.
NOTE:
When scanning on thicker surfaces, device may not find
edges on surfaces thicker than ¾" (19 mm).
SCAN FOR METAL
Use Metal Scan mode to locate and narrow metal behind walls.
1.
Set mode to Metal Scan.
2.
Hold scanner flat against wall, then press and hold
Power Button. In 1-2 seconds, unit will calibrate. A short beep
confirms that calibration is complete.
NOTE:
For maximum sensitivity, hold
scanner away from surface, press and
hold Power Button until a short beep
confirms calibration is complete, then
place against surface to be scanned.
3.
While continuing to hold Power
Button, slide scanner slowly against
wall. With a strong read, SpotLite
®
illuminates and a short beep sounds.
Mark spot where largest number of
Target Indicator Bars show. (
Figure D
)
4.
Continue sliding in same direction
until bars reduce, then reverse
direction. Mark spot where Target
Indicator Bars peak. The midpoint
between the two marks is the location
of metal object.
NOTE:
If unit indicates a large area of
metal, refine scan to narrow area.
REFINE METAL SCAN
1.
Release Power Button, then
place scanner over one of the
previous marks. (
Figure E
)
2.
Press and hold Power Button,
then repeat 3 and 4 under SCAN FOR
METAL. This resets metal calibration
to a lower sensitivity and narrows
scan area.
3.
Repeat as needed. (
Figure F
)
NOTE:
If any bars display,
metal is present.
SCAN FOR AC (ALTERNATING CURRENT)
Use AC Scan Mode to find live, unshielded electrical wiring.
ALWAYS TURN OFF POWER WHEN WORKING NEAR
ELECTRICAL WIRES (EXCEPT WHEN SCANNING).
1.
Set mode to AC Scan.
2.
Hold scanner flat against wall, then press and hold Power
Button. A short beep confirms that calibration is complete.
DO NOT MOVE SCANNER DURING CALIBRATION.
3.
While holding Power Button, slide scanner slowly against
wall. Mark spot where the most Target Indicator Bars show.
With a strong read, scanner will light up and a steady beep will
sound.
4.
Continue in same direction until bars reduce, then reverse
direction. Mark spot where Target Indicator Bars peak. The
midpoint between the two marks is the location of the live,
unshielded AC wiring. If unit indicates live electricity over a
large area, reduce sensitivity of scanner to refine scanning area
and more accurately locate the live AC wiring.
INSTALL 9-VOLT BATTERY
Always use a new 9V alkaline battery with an extended
expiration date at least 3 years beyond current date.
Match battery direction to image inside battery cavity.
WARNING
Do not rely exclusively on 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.
SELECT MODE / POWER UP
Move Mode Selector Switch to desired mode: Target Control
™
/
StudScan, DeepScan
®
, Metal Scan, or AC Scan.
To activate scanner, press and hold Power Button. Unit shuts off
1-2 seconds after Power Button is released.
FIND A CLEAN WOOD STUD IN TARGET
CONTROL
™
(TC
™
) MODE
TC
™
is designed to detect wood studs during
scanning.
For best results, hold scanner as shown and move
slowly when scanning.
Do not touch surface during
calibration or scan.
1.
Set mode to Target Control
™
/StudScan switch.
2.
Hold scanner flat against wall, then press and hold Power
Button. Unit will calibrate in 1–2 seconds. Proper calibration is
confirmed by a short beep, a flicker of
SpotLite
®
Pointer, and a flash of icons.
If a calibration error occurs, all icons
will flash continuously.
NOTE:
Screen will have a pale
blue backlight in TC
™
mode.
DO NOT MOVE SCANNER
DURING CALIBRATION.
3.
While holding down Power
Button, slide scanner slowly along
wall. When scanner finds edge
of a stud, Edge Indicator shows.
(
Figure A
)
4.
Continue sliding. When scanner
finds center of a stud, Crosshairs show
and SpotLite
®
illuminates. (
Figure B
)
Mark spot where stud was found.
5.
Scanner automatically recalibrates
when in use. If the two ACT
™
arrows
appear on LCD, scanner was calibrated
over a stud, then moved away. This is
ACT
™
(Auto Correcting Technology) in
action. (
Figure C
)
NOTE:
LoLevel
™
Indicator will display
rapidly cascading bars when device
senses a sustained weak signal,
indicating a false positive object may
be present.
6.
Use the
Trust but Verify
technique for finding drywall screws
or nails up and down stud to confirm
that you have located a wood stud. Other objects, such as
plastic plumbing pipes, do not contain nails or drywall screws.
(See important note under BEFORE YOU BEGIN
for more
information on this procedure.)
FIND A STUD IN STUDSCAN MODE (TC
™
OFF)
1.
Set mode to Target Control
™
/StudScan switch.
2.
Hold scanner flat against wall,
press Power Button,
release it, then press it again,
holding it down the second
time. Unit will calibrate in 1–2 seconds. A short beep confirms
that calibration is complete. If a calibration error occurs, all icons
will flash continuously.
NOTE:
Scanner is in StudScan mode (TC
™
off) when
LCD backlight is off.
When TC
™
mode is off, metal objects
may be indicated as a stud and Signal Strength Indicator will
have steady strength bars.
DO NOT MOVE SCANNER DURING CALIBRATION.
3.
While holding down Power Button, slide scanner
slowly along wall. When scanner finds edge of a stud,
Edge Indicator shows.
4.
Continue sliding. When scanner finds center of a stud,
Crosshairs turn on, SpotLite
®
illuminates, and a beep sounds.
Mark spot where stud was found.
5.
Scanner automatically recalibrates when in use. If the two
ACT
™
arrows appear on LCD, scanner was calibrated too close
to a stud, then moved away. This is ACT
™
(Auto Correcting
Technology) in action.
To return to Target Control
™
(TC
™
) mode, release and press
Power Button again. When the display is backlit pale blue, you
are back in TC
™
mode.
NOTE:
AC Scan only detects live (hot) unshielded AC wiring.
Refer to the WARNING statement under WIREWARNING
®
DETECTION for important details and warnings
about AC detection.
REFINE AC SCAN
1.
Release Power Button, then position the scanner over one
of the previous marks. This will reset to a lower sensitivity and
narrow the scan area.
2.
Press and hold Power Button, then repeat 3 and 4 under
SCAN FOR AC.
3.
Repeat as needed for increased accuracy.
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.
WORKING WITH DIFFERENT MATERIALS
Wallpaper
Scanner 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. If it is difficult to locate a stud in StudScan
Mode on dry or freshly-dried paint, switch to Metal Scan Mode
to locate the nails or drywall screws holding drywall to the studs.
Lath and plaster
Due to irregularities in plaster thickness,
it is difficult for this scanner to locate studs in any stud-scanning
mode. Switch mode to Metal Scan to locate the nail heads
holding wood lath to the studs. If the plaster has metal mesh
reinforcement, the scanner wil be unable to detect studs through
that material.
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
scanner slowly. This scanner cannot scan for wood 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, 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
Studs are normally spaced 16" or 24" (40 cm or 60 cm)
apart on center and are 1½" (38 mm) wide. Anything closer
together, or of a different width, may not be a stud.
Figure A
Figure B
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 THAT EVERYTHING DETECTED IS A STUD.
- Always use a new 9V alkaline battery with an extended expiration date at least 3 years beyond the current date. Match battery
direction to the 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, wiring into walls such as in a basement,
and standard stud-spacing practices.
- Always start your scan in Target Control
™
(TC
™
) mode, which scans through standard single layer drywall up to ¾" (19 mm) deep.
- 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.
- Studs normally run from floor to ceiling, except above and below windows and above doors.
- Readings should always be consistent and repeatable.
- Zircon
®
stud finders are recommended for interior use only.
- Other objects commonly contained in walls, floors, or ceilings are water pipes (plastic and metal), 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.
- Depending on the proximity of electrical wiring or pipes to the wall surface, 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 could
contain these items. Use extreme caution under these circumstances or whenever live AC wiring is present.
- Studs are normally spaced 16" or 24" (40 cm or 60 cm) apart on center, are normally 1½" (38 mm) wide, and may be separated
by firestops. Anything closer together, or of a different width, may not be a stud.
IMPORTANT:
Trust but Verify
is a technique that can help indicate “safe-to-drill” zones to minimize hitting existing metals
on a stud, such as nails, screws, and protector plates. When the Crosshairs show in TC
™
, run scanner vertically up and down the
stud. The stud indicators (Crosshairs, Edge Indicators, Target Indicator Bars, Target Spotlight, and SpotLite
®
Pointer) will all turn off
over screws and other metal, then turn on again when the stud is free from metal. The "safe-to-drill" zones are typically between
adjacent drywall screws, nails, or protector plates, assuming the builder properly installed metal protector plates on the stud, and
over plumbing and electrical. If stud indicators do not disappear when running vertically up and down the object in TC
™
mode, the
absence of drywall screws, nails, and protector plates indicates this could be a non-metallic object such as plastic plumbing or PEX
tubing, and should not be mistaken for a stud.
SuperScan
™
K4
Advanced Wall Scanner
TROUBLESHOOTING & CONSTRUCTION TIPS
SITUATION
LIKELY CAUSE
SOLUTION
Scanner detects objects other
than studs in StudScan mode
or finds more objects that
look like studs than should
be there.
Electrical wiring
and metal or plastic
pipes may be near,
or touching, the back
of the wall surface.
• Scan the area in Metal Scan to determine if metal is present.
• Check for other studs equally spaced to either side at 16" or 24" (40
cm or 60 cm) and check for the same stud at spots directly above or
below the first scan area.
• Standard studs measure approximately 1½" (38 mm) between edges.
Anything smaller or larger is likely not a stud (unless near door or
window).
Difficulty detecting metal.
Metal object is too
deep or too small.
• Try calibrating in another location.
• Scan in both horizontal and vertical directions. Metal sensitivity is
increased when metal object is parallel to the sensor (located under the
Zircon
®
logo).
Metal object reading appears
wider than actual size.
Metal has a greater
density than wood.
To reduce sensitivity in Metal Mode, recalibrate scanner over either of
first two marks (see steps under REFINE METAL SCAN).
Studs are continuously
detected near windows and
doors.
Multiple studs are
in use.
Double and triple studs are sometimes used around doors and
windows. Headers are used above them. Detect outer edges so you
know where to begin.
Electrical wires suspected but
none detected.
Wires are shielded
by a metal conduit,
braided wire, or
metallic wall covering.
Use Metal Scan mode to scan for metal, wire, or metal conduit.
Wires deeper than
2" (50 mm) from the
surface might not be
detected.
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 may not be live. Plug a lamp into the outlet and turn it on to test whether wires are live.
LCD screen flashes
continuously when trying to
find stud.
Scanner is
experiencing
oversaturation of
exposure to metal.
Switch to Target Control
™
or StudScan modes to lessen sensitivity to
metal.
NOTE:
Scanner may not beep over studs 1" (25 mm) or deeper when
doing this.
Low Battery Indicator on.
Low battery.
Install a new 9V alkaline battery with an extended expiration date.
Low Battery Indicator flashes
and scanner does not operate. Dead battery.
Install a new 9V alkaline battery with an extended expiration date.
EN
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 4–6 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 • info@zircon.com
©2020 Zircon Corporation • P/N 71225 • Rev A 09/20
ACT, ColorTrip, DeepScan, LoLevel, MetalliWarning,
SpotLite, SuperScan,
Target Control, TC, WireWarning, and Zircon are trademarks or registered
trademarks of Zircon Corporation.
Visit www.zircon.com for the
most current instructions.
Scan QR code for more information.
Figure D
Figure E
Figure F
Figure C
Edge Indicators
Scan Mode
Indicator
Crosshairs
LoLevel
™
/Signal
Strength Indicator
Metal Scan/
MetalliWarning
™
Indicator
Low Battery
Indicator
AC Scan/
WireWarning
®
Detection
Indicator
ACT
™
(Auto
Correcting
Technology)
Arrows
Target Indicator Bars
Target
Spotlight
SpotLite
®
Pointer
Mode Settings:
Target Control
™
/StudScan
DeepScan
®
Metal Scan
AC Scan
Battery
Door
Tab
Ergonomic Rubber Grip
Power Button
ColorTrip
®
Display
Mode
Selector Switch
