ZebraStat ZS-2 User manual
ZebraStat
Operation Manual
™
Model: ZS-2
Analyzer, Remote Control, and
Multi-Mode Tester
Contents
Contents and Specifications ...........................2
Safety..............................................................3
Using the ZebraStat.....................................4-5
Continuity Mode ...........................................6-7
Analysis Mode.............................................8-9
ZebraStat Features...................................10-11
Activation Mode........................................12-13
Troubleshooting Electronic Boards..........14-15
Voltage Problems.....................................16-17
Circuit Protection...........................................18
Avoiding Problems........................................19
Warranty.........................................Back Cover
Maximum Input Voltage ...........................28 Volts
Overall Circuit Protection .....................5A. @ 24V
White Wire Circuit Protection ...............3A. @ 24V
Unit Size ...................................8”L x 5”W x 2.25”H
Specifications
2
Maximum Current Through Unit................5 Amps
Unit Weight .................................................18 oz.
Warranty ....................One-Year Limited Warranty
3
Safety
Please read all of these instructions before
using your Zebra-Stat. Information provided will
protect you, your customers, and their property
from harm or damage. Understanding the
proper use of this tool will also help you to make
more accurate diagnosis on the equipment that
you are servicing.
ŸNEVER connect any lead to (nor allow
any unconnected lead to touch) line
voltage, or any voltage higher than 28
Volts.
ŸDo not perform an activation that a normal
thermostat could not perform, such as
c a l l i n g f o r h e a t i n g and c o o l i n g
simultaneously. (Unless you are servicing a
heat pump.)
ŸIf the equipment requires it, respect staging
precedence. (i.e.: Do not turn on stage two if
stage one is not already activated.)
ŸDo not allow your ZebraStat to get wet. If it
does get wet; dry it thoroughly before using.
4Using the ZebraStat
To use your ZebraStat, follow these steps:
1.) Decide the . Mode
2.) appropriate leads.Hook up
3.) Mode & Component switches.Manipulate
4.) the LED’s and equipment tested.Observe
Explanation of steps:
1.) Mode: The ZebraStat operates in three
different modes. You can easily leave it hooked
up and use all three modes on the same
equipment as needed.
ŸContinuity - This mode tests that the wires
that y o u connect to electri c a lly ‘go
somewhere.’ For instance, the wire that you
connect to the FAN lead normally goes
through a fan relay, and the continuity mode
will tell you if there is a continuous circuit
through that relay on the other end of the
equipment’s wire.
ŸAnalyze - This mode simply displays the
power flowing though the circuits that your
leads are connected to. Red LED’s tell you
power is available in the equipment. Yellow
LED’s light when the thermostat is calling for
heating, cooling, fan, or reversing valve.
5
ŸActivate - This mode is like having a remote-
control thermostat. Technicians often use it
when the thermostat is not easily accessible:
when making a diagnosis or repair to a unit in
an attic, basement, roof, or new construction
where the thermostat hasn’t been installed
yet.
2.) Hook-Up - Start with the mode switch in the
ANALYZE position and have all component
switches OFF. The hookup of the ZebraStat’s
leads is the same for all modes. Connect the
leads to their respective wires at the equipment.
(Common uses of wire colors are listed below
the component switches. However, you can use
any of the wires to test any other 24V function,
like ‘Emergency Heat.’) Connect the red and
blue leads to the equipment’s 24V power,
observing polarity. All modes, except
ANALYZE, require that all thermostat functions
be OFF.
3.) & 4.) Manipulate Controls & Observe
LED’s & Equipment. See the following
sections (Continuity, Analysis, or Activation) for
the proper steps to follow next.
6Continuity Mode
Continuity Mode tests that the wires your
ZebraStat’s leads are connected to ‘go
somewhere’ electrically. For instance, the wire
that you connected the FAN lead to normally
goes through a fan relay. Using this mode will
tell you if there is a continuous circuit through
that relay on the other end of the wire.
1.) Turn all thermostat functions to OFF.
2.) Turn all the ZebraStat’s component switches
to OFF, and put the Mode Switch in the
ANALYZE position.
3.) Attach the ZebraStat’s component leads to
the appropriate equipment wires, then
attach the red and blue power leads to the
equipment’s 24VAC hot and common wires,
observing polarity.
4.) Verify that no yellow LED’s are lit before
proceeding. If they are, re-check thermostat
for ON (or wiring for shorts) before
continuing.
7
Caution: The continuity mode passes a very
small amount of current to ‘test’ each of the
circuits that it is connected to. As more modern
equipment uses computer-type processing
boards to control equipment, some may be
designed that have functions that might be
activated by the ZebraStat ’s tiny (about 7 ’
milliamps) of current to test the different circuits.
Be aware that some circuits might possibly be
activated while testing in Continuity Mode.
5.) Place the mode switch to the continuity
position. Green LED’s should illuminate
under each component being tested. No
light probably indicates an incomplete
circuit. A yellow LED indicates the
component under t e s t is currently
ACTIVATED; the LED will change back to
green when activation is removed. Control
boards on some new variable speed units
may give false positive indications.
8Analysis Mode
Analysis Mode simply displays any control
power that is being sent to the circuits that your
leads are connected to. This mode is often used
by a tech to isolate the general area of a
problem. Red LED’s will indicate the level of AC
power available at the equipment. Yellow LEDs
will illuminate on each circuit that is currently
energized.
For instance, you turned the FAN switch on at
the thermostat, but the fan does not start.
Observing a lit yellow LED in the FAN section of
the ZebraStat connected to the equipment
would tell you that the signal is getting to the
equipment (suggesting a problem inside the
equipment.) If the corresponding LED was NOT
lit, (the signal was not getting to the equipment)
it suggests that the problem may be in the
thermostat or its associated wiring.
1.) Turn all of the ZebraStat component
switches to OFF, and put the Mode Switch
in the ANALYZE position.
9
2.) Attach the ZebraStat’s leads to the
appropriate equipment wires, then attach
the red and blue power leads to the
equipment’s 24VAC hot and common wires,
observing polarity.
3.) Notice which yellow LED’s are illuminated
under their component switches. (All of the
component switches must be OFF.) These
LED’s indicate which circuits are currently
receiving power. Technicians often use this
feature to troubleshoot: (a) cross-wired
thermostat wires (for instance, if the
condensing unit starts when the fan switch is
activated on the thermostat) or; (b) shorted
thermostat wires (for instance, if the two
cooling stages start simultaneously when
only one is being calle d for ; or a
continuously operating fan.) Note: many
thermostats pre-connect FAN & COOL
leads when set to ‘cool’ mode, etc.
4.) Manipulate the thermostat’s switches and
observe the results on the ZebraStat to
verify that all functions are working
properly.
10 ZebraStat Features
Mode Switch
Upper Trip LED (Red)
Voltage Monitor
Lower Trip LED
Instruction Manual
(QR Code)
Lead Compartment
Magnet
(On Back)
Quick Reference
ZebraStat Webpage
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