Elcometer 118/2. Moisture Meter. Operating Instructions

Transcription

1 Elcometer 118/2 English Moisture Meter Operating Instructions

2 English The Elcometer 118/2 Moisture Meter has been tested in accordance with EU regulations governing Electro-magnetic compliance and it meets the required directives. Readings may be affected if the unit is operated within a radio frequency electromagnetic strength of greater than 3 V/m. is a registered trademark of Elcometer Limited. All other trademarks acknowledged. Copyright Elcometer Limited All rights reserved. No part of this Document may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored (in a retrieval system or otherwise) or translated into any language, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, magnetic, optical, manual or otherwise) without the prior written permission of Elcometer Limited. A copy of this Instruction Manual is available for download on our Website via Doc.No. TMA-0417 Issue 03 Text with Cover No: 20065

3 CONTENTS Section Page 1 About your meter Getting started Taking a reading Factors which affect moisture readings Maintenance Technical specification Spare parts and accessories Related equipment

4 Thank you for your purchase of this Elcometer 118/2 Moisture Meter. Welcome to Elcometer. Elcometer are world leaders in the design, manufacture and supply of inspection equipment for coatings and concrete. Our products cover all aspects of coating inspection, from development through application to post application inspection. Your Elcometer 118/2 Moisture Meter is a world beating product. With the purchase of this product you now have access to the worldwide service and support network of Elcometer. For more information visit our website at 1 ABOUT YOUR METER The Elcometer 118/2 Moisture Meter is a hand-held instrument which instantly determines moisture content in wood, wood by-products and building materials such as roofing, insulation, plaster and brick. Using builtin electrodes the instrument measures moisture content by the conductivity method. A clearly calibrated analog scale shows the result. The Elcometer 118/2 provides a range of readings; up to 42% moisture on a colour coded scale for wood, and 0 to 100 on a comparative scale allowing relative measurements to be taken on materials other than wood. 1.1 FEATURES Immediate results that are easy-to-read Wide moisture content range: up to 42% in wood Built-in electrodes - ready for service Heavy-duty yet light-weight aluminium construction Standard 9 V battery power source 2

5 1.2 WHAT THE BOX CONTAINS Elcometer 118/2 Moisture Meter Battery Fabric Carry Case Calibration Certificate Operating Instructions The meter is packed in a cardboard and foam package. Please ensure that this packaging is disposed of in an environmentally sensitive manner. Consult your local Environmental Authority for further guidance. To maximise the benefits of your new Elcometer 118/2 Moisture Meter please take some time to read these Operating Instructions. Do not hesitate to contact Elcometer or your Elcometer supplier if you have any questions. 2 GETTING STARTED 2.1 USING THIS METER SAFELY WARNING: Contact between the probe pins and high voltage can cause damage to the meter and injury to the user. Do not use this meter in areas known to have voltage potential higher than 50 V. Before inserting probe pins into any surface, always check for the presence of live cables. If live cables are found or the presence of live cables is suspected, do not take measurements. 3

6 2.2 FITTING THE BATTERY The Elcometer 118/2 uses a dry cell battery only. A sealed alkaline battery is recommended. One PP3 alkaline battery is supplied in the box. To fit or replace the battery: 1. Locate the two screws which retain the battery compartment cover at the base of the meter. 2. Using a suitable screwdriver, remove the screws and then lift off the battery compartment cover. 3. Clip the battery to the terminals ensuring correct polarity. 4. Replace the battery compartment cover and tighten the retaining screws. Note: Remove the battery from the meter if it is to remain unused for a long period of time. This will prevent damage to the meter in the event of malfunction of the battery. Note: Alkaline batteries must be disposed of carefully to avoid environmental contamination. Please consult your local Environmental Authority for information on disposal in your region. Do not dispose of any batteries in fire. 2.3 CHECKING THE BATTERY/METER CALIBRATION Press both the On button and the Cal button simultaneously. The meter needle should move to the cal line on the scale. This indicates that the battery contains sufficient charge and that the meter calibration is correct. If the needle does not reach the cal line, replace the battery and repeat the process. Should the needle not reach the cal line after replacing the battery, the instrument needs to be recalibrated and should be returned to Elcometer or your local Elcometer supplier. 4

7 3 TAKING A READING 1. Slide off the plastic pin cover. 2. With the pins aligned parallel to the grain of the wood, press them firmly into the surface being measured. 3. Press and hold the ON button. 4. Read the moisture content from the scale on the meter. THE TOP SCALE (H 2 O WOOD) This scale gives the percentage water content for wood. The coloured bands (green/yellow/red) give a clear indication of whether the moisture content of the wood is within normal limits: Green = Yellow = caution Red = Note: Readings above 27% (nominal value of the fibre saturation point) are indicative only. THE BOTTOM SCALE (COMPARATIVE) This scale is used only when assessing the moisture content of other substances such as plaster and concrete. The scale from 0 to 100 does not provide any quantitative values; it should only be used for comparative measurements. 5

8 4 FACTORS WHICH AFFECT MOISTURE READINGS When using an electronic moisture meter it is important to bear in mind a number of factors which will affect readings. An understanding of these factors (as described in the following sections) combined with common sense and experience will lead to improved results when taking readings with your meter. 4.1 SPECIES The electrical resistance of wood varies from species to species and with wood density. This can influence meter readings for the same moisture content and can also affect readings taken on samples of similar species from different origins. A species adjustment table can be downloaded from our Website, CHEMICAL TREATMENT OR CONTAMINATION Readings may be affected by certain flame retardants, preservatives, aluminium paint and by contamination by salt water. Treat all readings on such wood as indicative readings only. 4.3 SURFACE MOISTURE Surface moisture due to wetting or condensation can affect readings. Treat all readings on such wood as indicative readings only. 4.4 ABILITY TO ABSORB MOISTURE Materials will have different capabilities to hold moisture in a satisfactory state. Surface coatings such as paint will affect the ability of the material to absorb moisture. 6

9 4.5 TEMPERATURE Meter readings can be affected by wood temperature. The Elcometer 118/2 is calibrated at 20 C (68 F). At higher wood temperatures the meter readings are higher and at lower wood temperatures the meter readings are lower. A temperature adjustment chart is given below. Meter Reading Wood Temperature ºC ºF Adjustment

10 4.6 PURITY OF WATER The conductivity of water varies with its purity. If the material you are testing has been in contact with water with high salts content, conductivity (and hence the reading) will be higher. 4.7 SURFACE TREATMENT Certain surface treatments may be conductive. Residue may contain carbonaceous material or have a misleadingly high moisture content. Wood treatments consisting of a salt based liquid will also modify conductivity. 4.8 TIMBER GRAIN Due to the cellular structure of timber, readings will be less accurate taken in the end grain. 4.9 TIMBER ADHESIVE Composite materials such as plywood will give artificially high readings due to adhesive content HOMOGENEITY Density may vary throughout a material; knots in wood will produce readings different from the surrounding areas ELECTRICAL CONTACT It is important to maintain good contact between the pins and the material being measured. Hard surfaces may first require small holes to be drilled. 8

11 4.12 MOISTURE GRADIENT The moisture content of a material may vary across its section due to various factors including: Gravity and/or capillary action Evaporation. The bottom of a material may well be wetter due to evaporation from the top surface. Conversely, if the material has been covered with an impervious membrane, the top may be wetter. Local influence. For example, a timber bridge deck in summer will undoubtedly have a wetter soffit and drier surface. Limitations As can be seen above, it is extremely difficult to obtain precise and quantitative moisture content readings using an electronic moisture meter. Their main use is as an easy-to-use, convenient method of verifying approximate moisture content with the ability to compare the moisture content of like materials. Your Elcometer 118/2 Moisture Meter should be used as a guide and the readings interpreted using common sense and knowledge gained from experience in the use of the meter. 9

12 5 MAINTENANCE The Elcometer 118/2 Moisture Meter is designed to give many years reliable service under normal operating and storage conditions. 5.1 REPLACING A PROBE PIN Replacement probe pins are available in packs of 10 - see Spare parts and accessories on page 12. To fit a pin: 1. Using an 8 mm spanner, unscrew the pin holder from the top of the meter. 2. Replace the pin. 3. Re-fit the pin holder and tighten gently. 5.2 CHECKING INSTRUMENT CALIBRATION The calibration of the Elcometer 118/2 Moisture Meter has been based on studies carried out in Australia, Canada, the United States, South Africa and the UK. Readings have been verified by tests carried out in-house and also by FORBAIRT, the Irish Institute of Research and Standards. Field testing, as specified in ASTM D444-92, can be carried out to test the operation of your meter by connecting external resistors of known value to the resistor pins. This can be achieved by plugging a Standard Calibration Plug into the phono socket on the top of the meter and noting the reading on the H 2 O WOOD scale. 10

13 Standard Calibration Plugs are available as optional accessories for your meter (see page 12) in the following values: Standard Calibration Plug - 1; Moisture reading 14.2% Standard Calibration Plug - 2; Moisture reading 18.3% Standard Calibration Plug - 3; Moisture reading 21.5% To check calibration: 1. Insert a Standard Calibration Plug into the phono socket. 2. Press the On button and note the reading. Your meter readings are accurate to within ±1.5%. If the reading obtained using the Standard Calibration Plug is outside this tolerance, return your meter to Elcometer or your local Elcometer supplier. Regular calibration checks over the life of the instrument and the Standard Calibration Plugs are a requirement of quality management procedures, e.g. ISO 9000, and other similar standards. For checks and certification contact your local Elcometer supplier. The instrument does not contain any user-serviceable components. In the unlikely event of a fault, the Elcometer 118/2 should be returned to your local Elcometer supplier or directly to Elcometer. The warranty will be invalidated if the instrument has been opened. Contact details can be found on the outside cover of these instructions, or on the Elcometer website, 11

14 6 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION Range: Up to 42% wood moisture content a Accuracy: ±1.5% Size: 190 mm x 75 mm x 30 mm (7.4" x 3" x 1") Net weight: 250 grams (8.8 ounces) Battery: 9 V, alkaline, PP3 Battery life: 72 hours continuous use 7 SPARE PARTS AND ACCESSORIES The following replacement and optional items are available from Elcometer or your local supplier. Description Sales Part No. Probe pins, pack of 10: T Calibration plugs, set of 3 T a. Readings above 27% (nominal value of the fibre saturation point) are indicative only 12

15 8 RELATED EQUIPMENT In addition to the Elcometer 118/2 Moisture Meter, Elcometer produces a wide range of other surface condition monitoring equipment and associated paint inspection equipment. Users of the Elcometer 118/2 Moisture Meter may also benefit from the following Elcometer products: Elcometer Surface Cleanliness Test Kits Elcometer Climatic Condition Testers Elcometer Oven Temperature Data Recorders Elcometer Non-intrusive Moisture Meters Elcometer Wet Film and Dry Film Thickness Gauges Elcometer Material Thickness Gauges For further information contact Elcometer, your local Elcometer supplier, or visit 13