Moisture Encounter Plus User Guide€¦ · Moisture Encounter Plus User Guide TRAMEX...

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Moisture Encounter PlusUser Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction ............................................................................3

Instrument Features ..............................................................4

Operating Instructions ..........................................................5

Working with your Moisture Encounter Plus ......................6

Scale 1 ................................................................................6

Testing wood and wood products ................................6

Relative humidity and moisture content ......................8

Wood Flooring ................................................................8

Notes on Specific Gravity (SG) ....................................9

How to use the Wood SG Tables ..................................9

Wood S.G. Table, 5% to 17% meter reading ..............10

Wood S.G. Table, 18% to 30% meter reading ............11

Scale 2 ..............................................................................12

Testing built-up-roofing ..............................................12

Testing Drywall. ............................................................12

Testing on ceramic tiles and other wall and floor

coverings.......................................................................13

Scale 3 ..............................................................................13

Testing plaster or brick ................................................13

Limitations............................................................................14

Warranty................................................................................14

Warranty Claims ..................................................................15

Product Development..........................................................15

Wood Timber Drywall Tiling Floor CoveringRoofing

Block Brick Coverings Plaster

®MEP1107

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TRAMEX MOISTURE/HUMIDITY INSTRUMENTS

SURVEY ENCOUNTER: The intelligent moisture meter.“State of the art” non-destructive moisture meter for measurementand data logging of moisture in building materials.

CONCRETE ENCOUNTER CME 4Non-destructive moisture meter for concrete floors.

MRH KIT

The complete moiosture and humidity meter. Non-destructive testing with 5scales for wood, roofing, masonry, drywall and laminate. Humidity probe fortesting of the environment and flooring to ASTM and British standards. Wood pin probe for moisture measurement of wood.

CRH FLOORING KITNon-destructive testing and data logging of moisture content and relative humid-ity measurements in concrete (to ASTM F 2170, ASTM F 2420 and BS 5325 &8203), gypsum screeds and sub-floors.

CMEXPERT FLOORING INSPECTION KITComplete kit for moisture testing of concrete, hardwood flooring and sub-flooring. Can also be used for relative humidity testing of flooring by either thein-situ probe method (ASTM F 2170) or the RH hood method (ASTM F 2420,BS 5325 and 8203).

FLOOR INSPECTION KITComplete kit for moisture testing concrete, hardwood flooring, subflooring andenvironmental monitoring.

PROFESSIONAL MOISTURE METERDigital resistance meter with probes, tests deep into wood.

COMPACT MOISTURE METEREconomical pin-type resistance meter for wood.

SKIPPER PLUSChecks wooden boats for decay and finds osmosis in GRP.

DEC SCANNERMobile non-destructive surveying of flat roofs.

WET WALL DETECTORNon-destructive moisture evaluation and tracing in EIFS.

RWS ROOF AND WALL SCANNER.For moisture scanning and leak tracing on roofing, EIFS and the building enve-lope.MOISTURE & HUMIDITY INSPECTION KITS ARE AVAILABLE FORTHE FOLLOWING INDUSTRIES:Floor inspection / EIFS wall inspection / Roof inspection / Indoor Air Quality /Water damage restoration and Marine.

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Introduction

Your Moisture Encounter Plus is a patented instrument, whichenables non-invasive moisture measurement and detection in awide range of building materials.The instrument operates on the principle that the electricalimpedance of a material varies in proportion to its moisture con-tent.To measure/detect moisture, the two co-planar conductive rubberelectrodes mounted on the base of the instrument case arelightly pressed onto the wood or material sample. The instrumentmeasures the electrical impedance of the sample by creating alow frequency alternating electric field between the electrodes.This field penetrates the material under test to a depth ofapproximately 30 mm (11/4 inches). The very small alternatingcurrent flowing through the field is inversely proportional to theimpedance of the material. The instrument detects this current,determines its amplitude and, after processing, drives thepointer of the moving coil meter to the computed moisture value.

As there is a wide variation in the nominal electrical impedanceof different material types, the instrument is provided with threeselectable scales which are optimized for testing (1) Wood,Timber (2) Drywall, Roofing and (3) Plaster, Brick. By selectionof an appropriate scale, the instrument can also be used for thedetection and location of elevated moisture in or behind a rangeof covering materials such as wall, floor, and ceiling tiles, siding,carpet, ceramic tiles and laminated floor coverings.

TransmitElectrode

Moisture Encounter Plus

AlternatingElectric Field

Material sampleunder test

ReceiveElectrode

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Instrument Features

Your Moisture Encounter Plus employs advanced analogue anddigital technology to enable the incorporation of many newfeatures, which greatly extend the capability of the instrument.

• Three simple pushbutton controls, ON/OFF, SCALE andHOLD/AUDIO.

• Non-destructive moisture readings taken in wood from 5% to30% are displayed on a moving coil meter with linear scale.

• Audio signal sounds when meter indicates high reading.

• Comparative readings between zero and 100 can be taken inor through drywall, ceramic tile, carpet, floor coverings,roofing, plaster, and other materials such as brick and cementblock. Meter scale is also color coded to assist in identifyingareas of wet and dry.

• Automatic supply timeout (10 minutes) conserves battery life.

• Supply timeout is automatically extended if a change in meterreading is detected or if any button is pressed.

• 10 second bleep warning on instrument sounder prior to endof supply timeout period.

• Last used scale is memorized at supply timeout andautomatically selected next time ON/OFF button is pressed.

• Three LEDs (light emitting diodes) show selected scale,indicate if HOLD/AUDIO selected and provide warning ofbattery nearing end of useful life.

• HOLD/AUDIO button freezes moving coil meter, whichfacilitates readings taken out-of-sight.

• If HOLD/AUDIO was selected prior to supply timeout, thefrozen meter reading is digitally memorized and restored nexttime ON/OFF is selected.


Operating Instructions

The instrument face with brief notes on the push button controlsand LED indicators is shown below.

1. Press the ON/OFF button to power up. The LED for the lastused scale will light. [Note – If the battery voltage is gettinglow, the three LEDs will flash sequentially for a short period.The instrument will continue to operate for some time but itis recommended that the PP3 (9 volt) battery be changed assoon as convenient.]

2. To change scale, press/release the SCALE button until theLED opposite the required scale lights.

3. Hold your Moisture Encounter Plus directly on the materialbeing tested ensuring both conductive rubber electrodes arefully in contact with the surface.

4. For wood or wood products read the moisture content fromthe upper line (Wood) of the meter dial which is marked from5% to 30%. Audio signal will sound when meter indicateshigh reading.

5. To turn audio signal on or off, press HOLD/AUDIO buttontwice in quick succession.

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6. For drywall, felt roofing, plaster or brick comparative(Relative) readings are taken from the lower line on the meterdial, which is marked from 0 to 100.

7. The instrument will automatically power-off after tenminutes if no button is pressed or if no change in meterreading is detected. If a button is pressed or the meterreading changes, the power-off will be extended for a furtherten minutes.

8. To freeze readings press the HOLD/AUDIO button once.While on Hold, the LED for the selected scale will flashslowly. This facility is extremely useful if readings are beingtaken in areas where it is difficult to see the instrument dial.To remove freeze, press the HOLD/AUDIO button again.

Working with your Moisture Encounter Plus

Scale 1Testing wood and wood products

a) When testing wood, power-on, select Scale 1 and press therubber electrodes directly to the surface. Read the moisturepercentage from the top line of the analog dial wherecalibration is marked from 5% to 30%. If switched on, theaudio signal will sound when readings are above 18%.

b) If possible, always take readings with the length of theinstrument parallel to the direction of the wood grain.

c) Calibration tests were carried out by Forbairt, the IrishInstitute for Industrial Research and Standards, and are basedon Douglas fir, which has a published specific gravity (SG)of 0.50. For wood having an SG other than 0.50 see “Noteson Specific Gravity” and “How to use the Wood SGAdjustment Tables” on page 9.

d) Acceptable levels of moisture content depend on climaticconditions and we advise you check the levels acceptable inyour area. The table on page 8 shows the approximate rela-tionship between the ambient relative humidity and equilib-rium moisture content in woods.

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e) As a rule of thumb and depending on climatic conditions,exterior wood is generally considered safe for painting whenthe moisture content is 14% or below. Wood below 10% isgenerally considered suitable for painting indoors. (Alwayscheck coating manufacturers recommendations).

f) The following moisture content levels are often quoted in thewood industry and should be used as a guide only. Pleasecontact industry associations and manufacturers for theirspecifications. • Furniture: 5% to 6% when used in locations of low

relative humidity and up to 10% to 11% may beacceptable where the relative humidity is higher.

• Indoors wood: 6% in low humidity areas. Up to 12% inhigher humidity locations.

• Exterior wood: 10% to 15% depending on localhumidity levels.

• Generally, wood moisture content in excess of 23% -25% is susceptible to rot.

• Wood moisture content in excess of 18% - 20% mayprovide an environment for termite and wood-boringinsects to thrive and multiply. Wood at these high levelscan also support mold and biological growth.

• Wood at 28% moisture content is considered to havereached fiber saturation point.

g) Avoid taking readings on wood from the top of a stack storedoutside as these may be affected by surface moisture fromrecent rain.

h) When taking readings in chemically treated wood, it isadvisable to allow for possible effects that the treatment mayhave on readings.

Depth of field penetrationDepending on the density of the material being tested, theinstrument field can penetrate approximately 30mm (11/4 inches)below the surface. When testing thin materials such as woodveneers it is recommended that they are stacked to at least thatthickness.

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Relative humidity and moisture contentThe table below shows the approximate relationship between rel-ative humidity and equilibrium moisture content of some woods.(These figures are approximate values at a temperature of 70ºf,and may vary for different species.)

Wood Flooringa) Excess moisture in wood flooring or concrete sub-floors can

cause major problems.b) For instance, if installed with excess moisture, the wood can

subsequently shrink leading to job failure. c) If a wood floor (solid, laminated or engineered) is installed

above wet concrete the wood can absorb moisture emittingfrom the concrete causing the wood to swell and buckle andeven cause structural damage to the building.

d) When vinyl or other impervious coverings are applied overwet concrete, the result can be failure of the adhesive andblistering of the surface.

Your Moisture Encounter Plus can be used to measure themoisture content of the wood floor to ensure it meetsspecification. Likewise it can be used to check, on a qualitativebasis, through the floor covering, to identify elevated moisture inthe substrate.

Relative Humidity10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%

Wood MC%3 to 55 to 66 to 88 to 99 to 1111 to 1313 to 1516 to 1920 to 22

25 +

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AdhesivesThe presence of different species, treatments, adhesives, etc.,within products such as plywood, particleboard, OSB (orientedstrand board), laminated and engineered woods will affect meas-urements. If in doubt please contact us and, if you wish, we canwork with you in developing your own calibration for a specificproduct.

ConcreteYour Moisture Encounter Plus is not calibrated for concrete.The Tramex Concrete Encounter instrument is specificallydesigned for concrete flooring and is recommended wherequantitative measurements are required. However a usefulindication of the moisture condition of a concrete or sub floorcan be obtained with the Moisture Encounter Plus set on thewall/brick mode. Comparative readings can also be obtainedthrough coverings such as vinyl, carpet and laminated woodflooring by using the drywall scale.

Notes on Specific Gravity (SG)The SG of wood varies between species and this has an effect onmoisture meter readings. The Moisture Encounter Plus calibra-tion is based on wood having an SG of 0.50. Wood is normallycategorised as follows: -

How to use the Wood SG TablesWhen testing wood, which does not have an SG of 0.50, themeter reading can be adjusted by referring to the tables shown onpages 10 and 11. For example, if the wood being tested has anSG of 0.70 and the meter reading is 17% (top row of table) thenthe adjusted moisture content reading can be found where the0.70 SG row intersects with 17% meter reading column. For thisexample the adjusted moisture content would be 13%

SG at 12% MC0.30 or less0.30 to 0.450.45 to 0.650.65 to 0.900.90 or more

DensityExceptionally LightLightMediumHeavyExceptionally Heavy

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Wood S.G. Table, 5% to 17% meter reading

0.300.320.340.360.380.400.420.440.460.480.500.520.540.560.580.600.620.640.660.680.700.720.740.760.780.800.820.840.860.880.90

8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 2287 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 217 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 217 8 9 11 12 12 13 14 16 16 18 19 206 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 206 7 8 9 11 11 12 13 15 15 17 18 196 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 195 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 185 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 175 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 175 6 7 8 9 9 11 11 12 13 14 15 174 5 7 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 164 5 6 7 8 8 10 11 12 13 13 15 164 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 154 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 154 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 154 4 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 154 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 11 12 13 144 4 5 6 7 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 143 4 5 6 7 7 8 9 10 11 11 12 133 3 5 6 7 7 8 9 10 11 11 12 133 3 5 6 7 7 8 9 10 11 11 12 133 3 4 5 6 6 7 8 10 11 11 11 123 3 4 5 6 6 7 8 10 11 11 11 123 3 4 5 6 6 7 8 9 10 10 11 123 3 4 5 6 6 7 8 9 10 10 10 113 3 4 5 6 6 7 8 9 10 10 10 113 3 4 5 6 6 7 8 9 10 10 10 113 3 4 5 6 6 7 8 9 10 10 10 113 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 9 9 9 9 10

9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22

MeterReading

SpecificGravity

WOOD SPECIFIC GRAVITY ADJUSTMENT TABLE (5 to 17%)

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

ADJUSTED/CORRECTED MOISTURE CONTENT

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Wood S.G. Table, 18% to 30% meter reading

0.300.320.340.360.380.400.420.440.460.480.500.520.540.560.580.600.620.640.660.680.700.720.740.760.780.800.820.840.860.880.90

23 25 26 27 28 29 31 32 33 34 35 37 382322 24 24 26 27 28 29 31 31 32 33 35 3622 23 24 25 27 28 29 30 30 31 32 34 3521 23 23 24 26 27 29 30 30 30 32 34 3521 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 29 30 31 33 3420 21 22 23 25 26 27 28 28 29 31 32 3320 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 28 30 31 3219 20 21 22 23 24 24 26 27 28 29 30 3118 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 27 28 29 3018 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 3017 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 2917 18 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 2816 17 17 18 19 20 21 22 22 23 25 26 2716 17 17 18 18 19 20 21 21 22 24 24 2515 16 16 17 18 19 19 20 20 21 23 23 2415 16 16 17 18 19 19 20 20 21 22 23 2315 15 15 16 17 18 18 19 20 20 21 22 2314 15 15 16 17 18 18 19 19 19 20 21 2214 14 14 15 16 16 17 18 18 19 20 21 2114 14 14 15 16 16 17 17 18 18 19 20 2014 14 14 15 16 16 17 17 18 18 19 20 2013 14 14 14 15 15 16 16 17 18 19 19 2013 13 13 14 15 15 16 16 17 18 18 19 1913 13 13 14 15 15 16 16 17 17 18 18 1813 13 13 13 14 15 15 16 16 17 17 18 1812 12 12 13 14 14 14 15 16 16 17 17 1812 12 12 13 14 14 14 15 16 16 17 17 1712 12 12 13 14 14 14 14 15 16 16 17 1712 12 12 13 14 14 14 14 15 15 16 17 1712 12 12 12 12 13 14 14 15 15 16 16 17

24 25 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 36 37

MeterReading

SpecificGravity

WOOD SPECIFIC GRAVITY ADJUSTMENT TABLE (18 to 30%)

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

ADJUSTED/CORRECTED MOISTURE CONTENT

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Scale 2.Testing built-up-roofinga) The presence of moisture in built-up roofs covered with

multi-ply roofing felt, PVC, modified bitumen (torch-on) orother membranes, can cause blistering and splitting of theroof surfacing. In addition moisture can cause considerabledamage to the contents and fabric of the building as well asheat loss through wet insulation. Your Moisture EncounterPlus can be used to confirm a new roof has been installeddry.

b) When the waterproofing membrane develops a leak, thewater can travel within the built-up-roof structure and enterthe building some distance away. Testing the membranesurface and comparing the dry areas with areas wheremoisture is present below the surface can assist in tracingsuch a leak to its source.

c) As there are many different types and thickness sizes ofroofing membranes, it is not possible to give a calibratedpercentage measurement. Instead, the comparative scale,marked 0 to 100, is used for checking the difference betweenwet and dry.

d) If gravel surfacing is present, this should be removed toensure your Moisture Encounter Plus comes into directcontact with the surface of the membrane.

e) It is recommended that a core be cut to determine the depthand extent of the moisture before carrying out roof repairs.Alternatively, the area can be checked with a TramexCompact or Professional resistance type moisture meter withinsulated pins.

Testing Drywall.Because of its deep signal penetration, your Moisture EncounterPlus can identify excess moisture within and behind drywall. Itcan also identify excess moisture behind ceramic tile and otherwall coverings. As calibration is not practical on this type of con-struction, readings should be taken from the comparative scale (0to 100) on the meter dial.

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Testing on ceramic tiles and other wall and floor coverings.Your Moisture Encounter Plus can be used to detect andidentify areas of elevated moisture within or behind most typesof wall and floor coverings. For example the MoistureEncounter Plus can detect elevated moisture behind most typesof ceramic tiles. Excess moisture trapped behind covering mate-rials such as ceramic tiles, carpet, wall coverings etc can causemajor problems. For instance, excess moisture behind ceramictiles on drywall or other substrates can cause decay, delaminationand mold growth, the longer these problems go undetected theworse the problem can get eventually leading to system failure.

As calibration is not practical because of the variation incomposition of these types of construction, tests should becarried out on a comparative basis selecting the most appropriatescale, and readings should be taken from the 0 to 100 compara-tive scale on the meter dial.

Scale 3.Testing plaster or bricka) Your Moisture Encounter Plus gives qualitative (relative)

reading on walls, plaster, brick, drywall and block. Makesure the appropriate wall scale is used i.e. Scale 2 for drywalland Scale 3 for plaster or brick. Always press the electrodesfirmly against the surface.

b) The moisture profile of a wall can be determined by slidingyour Moisture Encounter Plus across the surface where itwill read through most paints, vinyl, wall coverings and evenceramic tiles.

c) The Moisture Encounter Plus will help identify the differentlevels of moisture even if not apparent on the surface.Moisture can often be trapped behind drywall and wallcovering.

d) Rising damp and moisture migration from leaks anddefective, or non-existent, vapor barriers can be identifiedand profiled and often its source identified by sliding theinstrument across the wall surface.

e) Water damage following flooding or fire fighting can bechecked and the drying out and de-humidification processcan be monitored.

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‘Acceptably Dry’Your Moisture Encounter Plus will give low readings when theplaster or brick is acceptably dry. Due to the hygroscopic natureof these materials, moisture values are affected by ambienthumidity and thus can vary according to climatic conditions. Werecommend you satisfy yourself as to what is ‘acceptably dry’ inyour area, and use the instrument to compare these with areasthat are unacceptable.

LimitationsThe Moisture Encounter Plus will not detect or measuremoisture through any electrically conductive materials includingmetal sheeting or cladding, black EPDM roofing, butyl roofing,aluminum siding or wet surfaces.

WarrantyTramex warrants that this instrument will be free from defectsand faulty workmanship for a period of one year from date offirst purchase. If a fault develops during the warranty period, Tramex, at itsoption, will either repair the defective product without charge forthe parts and labour, or will provide a replacement in exchangefor the defective product returned to Tramex Ltd.This warranty shall not apply to any defect, failure or damagecaused by improper use or improper or inadequate maintenanceand care.In no event shall Tramex, its agents or distributors be liable to thecustomer for any special, indirect, or consequential loss or dam-age of any type whatsoever (including, without limitation, loss ofbusiness, revenue, profits, data, savings or goodwill), whetheroccasioned by the act, breach, omission, default, or negligence ofTramex Ltd., whether or not foreseeable, arising howsoever outof or in connection with the sale of this product including arisingout of breach of contract, tort, misrepresentation or arising fromstatute or indemnity.Without prejudice to the above, all other warranties, representa-tions and conditions whether made orally or implied by circum-stances, custom, contract, equity, statute or common law arehereby excluded, including all terms implied by Section 13, 14and 15 of the Sale of Goods Act 1893.

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Warranty claimsA defective product should be returned shipping pre-paid, withfull description of the defect to your supplier or Tramex ataddress shown below.

Product developmentIt is the policy of Tramex to continually improve and update allits products.We therefore reserve the right to alter the specification or designof this instrument without prior notice.


Tramex LimitedShankill Business CentreShankillCo. DublinIrelandTel: +353 1 282 3688Fax: +353 1 282 7880Email: [email protected] Site: www.tramexltd.com

USA TramexC/O Black Hawk Sales Inc.28 Pin Oak DriveLittletonCO 80127Tel: 303 972 7926Fax: 303 972 7106Email: [email protected] Site: www.tramexltd.com

U.K. Tramex Ltd.,Tel: 0870 735 2870Web Site: www.tramex.co.uk

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