What Causes False Readings on Moister Meters

When to Utilise a Moisture Meter

When trying to diagnose or prevent wet issues in wood flooring and other wood projects, the obvious tool to apply is a wood moisture meter; and, it follows, that the showtime obvious mistake is not to utilize 1. Merely there are a number of factors to consider when both choosing the correct meter and using the meter you've chosen. Your choices can mean the difference between an accurate moisture content (MC) reading, and a potential problem down the route.

There are two basic types of wood moisture meters: pivot-style and pinless. Read more than almost the top differences betwixt a pivot-style vs pinless meter.

Pin-way meters brand use of two narrow metal probes that are inserted into the wood product yous are testing. An electrical signal is passed between the tips of the two probes and the resistance measurement is then interpreted into a moisture level content that is read on the meter. Large hammer probes can be attached to a hand meter for deeper measurements every bit the probes are driven in past force, or shorter pins are nigh commonly pushed in by hand.

A pinless meter, equally suggested by this common name, does not utilise pins or probes simply instead makes utilise of either a radio or electromagnetic signal that will change characteristics depending on the moisture level in the woods being tested.

So, while the meter types are fairly like shooting fish in a barrel to sympathise, at that place are still several mistakes that prevent these tools from being an asset on the job site. Some are issues that are inherent to certain meter types, simply others can be easily avoided with a piddling noesis. What should you sentinel for?

Mutual Moisture Meter Mistakes

1. For a pivot-less blazon of meter, not knowing the meter'southward reading depth. For example, if the meter you've chosen takes readings at up to 1 ½" deep but y'all're taking readings on already-installed ¾" thick flooring, obviously the reading you get will be somewhat affected past the MC of the subfloor. Not necessarily a helpful prepare of wet readings from which to make decisions.
2. Using too little pressure. Pinless meters can produce improper readings if the correct pressure is not applied. As well little, and the air gap under the meter'south sensor can impact the reading information technology takes. Some lower-terminate meters are fifty-fifty skewed by the position of the user'southward manus and tin vary depending on the position of the hand. It is non necessary to apply more than almost three pounds of pressure for virtually pinless meters.
3. The obvious risk of over-stressing a pin-style meter is that pins can curve or suspension. Most pivot-mode meter manufacturers are clear that pounding or banging on the meter is non the correct way to insert the pins into a pin-style meter. Hammer probes are obviously built to withstand more force, but over time, even these more rugged pins can break, especially in hardwood applications.
4. Improperly driven pins. Pin-fashion meters (and even the hammer probe type) take a considerable corporeality of pressure level to reach the proper pivot depth. In softer woods, the effort exerted is oftentimes minimal but when yous are working with many hardwoods, especially some very dense tropical species, the effort needed to properly insert the pins to depth tin become quite a claiming – if not well-nigh impossible – peculiarly if your meter is not constructed to accept that type of strength. Bent or broken pins or even cracked meter housings go more and more common with increased density of the wood types. The temptation is to non completely insert the pins, merely obviously, and then the reading will non be taken at the correct depth. A reading taken with pins close to the surface will never accurately reflect the wet conditions deeper in the wood.
5. Trying to have a shortcut. Because of the endeavor to insert pin-style meters, or because of their tendency to bend or interruption, it can be tempting to shortcut the testing process. Obviously, this will speed up the testing, but it will not requite any sense of the real moisture atmospheric condition of the wood or forest flooring that volition be used. When testing large quantities of wood, or multiple parcels, it can be tempting to only test a few representative boards from the edges of the package. But fifty-fifty in acclimated woods, wet conditions tin can change in areas with more restricted airflow. Handheld moisture meters, like the Orion^® 930, let you "scan" lumber or wood stock to rapidly guess the moisture weather condition in much of the wood. But if a representative number of boards aren't tested, the potential for problem will still be high.


Gratis Download – Is a Pin or Pinless Moisture Meter All-time For You?



6. Overlooking general maintenance. Whatever meter will suffer when exposed to high temperatures, overly wet conditions, being dropped or other circumstances that compromise the integrity of the housing and the circuitry. But even something as seemingly pocket-size equally peeling insulation on the insulated pins of hammer style probes tin can skew the readings of the meter. Because the signal is not restricted to a certain depth of the wood (at the tips of the probes), readings volition not be precise depthwise and may correspond a sort of composite reading of the signal along the length of the probe, or just read too shallow based on where the signal is strongest. Pinless meters may as well give skewed readings if their sensors become scratched or otherwise damaged. Lack of regular maintenance can also upset the calibration of the meter. Only the Wagner Meters Orion line of moisture meters provide an On-Demand-Calibrator to recalibrate the meter almost instantly.
7. Non using the correct species settings or species aligning. Most moisture meters use either user-programmed species settings or species aligning tables. Apparently, a piece of oak volition accept dissimilar backdrop than Douglas fir, then dissimilar species settings would exist needed for these two. Only if your meter doesn't allow for those differences, the readings it takes will hateful poor decisions about applied finishes, or its readiness to exist installed. Be certain y'all've read and understood the settings for your meter.

Can a Wet Meter Be Wrong?

A wet meter tin can be an invaluable tool for advising finish and adhesive options or for fugitive moisture-related problems in a finished project. Merely if improperly used, a moisture meter will not do the job it is designed to do. Know your meter, follow the manufacturer'south instructions and be sure you lot are choosing the meter that best suits your purposes. Then you'll easily avoid those costly mistakes.

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As Sales Manager for Wagner Meters, Ron has more 35 years of experience with instrumentation and measurement systems in different industries.  In previous positions, he has served as Regional Sales Managing director, Product and Projects Manager, and Sales Director for manufacturers involved in measurement instrumentation.

Last updated on Apr 20th, 2021

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Source: https://www.wagnermeters.com/moisture-meters/wood-info/moisture-meter-mistakes/

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