Overview
Voltage and current alerting helps workers recognize hazardous electrical conditions earlier when the device is used as designed. Compass Series is intended as a SECONDARY voltage detection method only — it supplements, but never replaces, your qualified electrical safety program, permits, lockout/tagout, and PPE.
Visual and audible alerts
- RED LEDs and a tone for voltage.
- BLUE LEDs and a tone for current.
- Urgency and frequency increase as the user approaches the source, scaled to the selected sensitivity setting.
Voltage detection
Voltage detection is split into three ranges, each tuned for a span of source voltages:
- Low Voltage Range: 120 V AC – 2.4 kV AC.
- Medium Voltage Range: 2.4 kV AC – 34.5 kV AC.
- High Voltage Range: 34 kV AC – 500 kV AC.
Compass Pro and Compass Pro IS support all three ranges. Compass Core supports the Medium range only. The voltage range setting can only be changed in Navigator Mobile (Tools tab), not on the device.
Directional voltage alerts
When the source is off to the side, the corner LEDs sweep RED toward the direction of the source. When the user is facing the source, the device flashes RED LEDs at each end of the light bar. Point-source directional accuracy is approximately ±20°.
Current detection
Current detection follows the same pattern with BLUE LEDs and a tone. Compass Core has a single sensitivity setting (11). Compass Pro and Compass Pro IS provide settings 1–11 plus Smart Adaptive Mode and Alert Disable.
First Alert vs Max Alert distances
Detection distances are documented in the Compass Series User Guide. As a working rule, the Max Alert distance is approximately 60% of the First Alert distance — for example, a First Alert at 10 ft (3.0 m) corresponds to a Max Alert at about 6 ft (1.8 m).
Operating limits
- Extreme humidity may decrease detection capability.
- Some materials shield electromagnetic fields from the detection circuits.
- Walking briskly may reduce initial warning distance.
- 3-phase systems can hinder detection accuracy by creating fields that cancel out in certain areas.
- Warning distances vary with the conductor's exposed surface area, elevation above ground, and proximity to other grounded conductive objects.