Finding the studs in your walls is an important part of hanging pictures, shelves, or any other object that needs to be attached to a wall. You don't want to just randomly start hammering nails into your walls! A stud finder can help make the process a lot easier.
There are a few things you need to consider when choosing a stud finder. One of the most important factors is whether the stud finder also detects AC wires. That is because it is important to know where the current enters your house in order to determine where you need to hang your picture.
In this article, we will take a look at the best stud finder with AC wire detection available on the market and discuss the things to consider when choosing one for your future home improvement projects.
Top 3 Best Stud Finders with AC Wires Detection
#1. Zircon MultiScanner A200 Electronic Wall Scanner
#2. Bosch GMS120 Digital Multi-Scanner
#3. Walabot DIY Plus - Advanced Wall Scanner for Android Devices
What is a Stud Finder and How Does It Work?
A stud finder is a tool used to help identify the location of studs in a wall. Most stud finders also have the ability to detect the presence of metal objects, such as nails or screws.
The use of a stud finder can help make it easier to hang pictures, shelves, or other objects on a wall. There are many different types of stud finders on the market, however, one of the most popular is the portable electric stud finder.
This type of stud finder is also known as a multipurpose wall scanner, which can also detect AC wires behind the wall along with wooden or metal studs.
In this article, we are going to look at the best portable electric stud finders in 2024 that can help you detect hidden electrical wires correctly and easily.
What to Look for in a Stud Finder with AC Wire Detection?
To find the best stud finder with AC wire detection, you need to consider a few factors. Let's have a look at these factors below.
3 Stud Finders with AC Wire Detection Reviews
Product | Type | AC Wire Scanning Depth | Our Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|
Electronic | Up to 2 inches | ||
Electronic | Up to 2 inches | ||
Android compatible | Up to 4 inches (but not specifically mentioned) |
The Zircon MultiScanner A200 Electronic Wall Scanner is a top-rated wireless wall scanner that will allow you to scan all kinds of different things on your wall.
The scanner is able to detect all kinds of different objects hiding behind the wall including wood studs, metal studs up to 3/4 inches deep; the Metal Scan mode enables you to locate both magnetic and non-magnetic metal up to 1 1/2 inches deep; and WireWarning mode helps you to find live, unshielded AC wires in up to 2 inches deep (that means if the hidden objects are located deeper than 3/4 inches, 1 1/2 inches, 2 inches, the sensor might be inaccurate).
The ergonomic design of this wall scanner makes it extremely easy to hold and operate at any angle. The scanner is very lightweight and can be used comfortably with one hand. It is powered by a small 9V rechargeable battery (not included).
The LCD display is also backlit, which means it can be used even at night. Plus, it comes with a lifetime warranty and it is manufactured by a top-rated company that has been in business since 1975.
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The Bosch GMS120 is a multi-purpose tool that can be used to scan different surfaces and then give you a reading on how many hidden objects are behind the wall. It has three scanning modes, one for wood studs, one for metal objects, and one for live wiring.
This wall scanner can easily detect the deepest point in cured concrete up to 4 3/4 inches, detect live wiring that is up to 2 inches deep; and for wood studs, it goes as far down as 1 1/2 inches. The scanning accuracy of this product is 0.0625 according to the manufacturer.
The Bosch GMS120 also features a backlit graphical display that is easy to read at a glance. It also comes with an automatic detection ring that can flash automatically when you are close to a hidden object (green light means no object found, orange means there is an object nearby, and red means a high chance of hidden objects found with the sensor range).
This device has an ergonomic design that is also very helpful. It fits perfectly in the hand and weighs only 6 pounds. Its soft grip makes this tool very comfortable to use. The device comes with a 2-year warranty, so you can be sure that you will get help if you need it.
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Walabot DIY Plus is the most advanced smart stud finder for Android smartphones. It scans a wall, ceiling or other surface using radio frequency technology (RF) to detect wood studs, metal studs, AC wires, plumbing pipes and other hidden objects behind the wall.
The device can detect the presence of a stud at a distance of up to 4 inches deep. The special feature that makes this stud finder stand out is that it can show exactly what is behind your walls instead of just alerting you with a "beep" sound or LED flashing. In our opinion, Walabot may be the next generation of wall scanner devices.
There are two ways of showing objects hiding behind your walls: "Image Mode" and "Expert Mode". In "Image Mode", this device will show the visual image of the hidden object while in "Expert Mode", it shows the raw radio signals from the sensor.
Walabot works with any Android smartphone (6.0 and above). The app can also be used to scan a wall or ceiling to locate the location of outlets, switches and electrical wires that are not visible to the naked eye.
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Tips for Locating AC Wires with the Help of a Stud Finder
Finding the location of AC wires in a wall can be difficult, but with the help of a stud finder, it can be a lot easier. There are a few things you need to consider when doing this task:
Final Words
Electric stud finders are very useful when you need to find not only studs but also live wires behind walls. Their design is simple and they're mostly easy to use. Through this product roundup, we found out that the Zircon MultiScanner A200 Electronic Wall Scanner is probably the best stud finder with AC wire detection on the market today due to its functionality, lifetime warranty and unbeatable price.
However, you have to know how to use these devices correctly and set their sensitivity properly, otherwise, you will not be able to find a live wire behind the wall.
If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to leave your comment below.