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 runs on a single 22-setting sensitivity scale. There is no Low, Medium or High range to select, on the device or in Navigator Mobile.
Compass Pro runs all 22 voltage settings. Compass Pro IS has no setting 22, so it runs 21. Compass Core is limited to two settings; ask your Safeguard representative which ones apply to your Core fleet.
If you are moving from the old Low, Medium and High ranges, the Compass Pro Legacy Sensitivity Conversion Chart maps every old range and setting to its new value.
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 current sensitivity setting. Compass Pro and Compass Pro IS provide settings 1–11 plus the adaptive modes 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.