MultiWetMaster - Measuring equipment Laserliner - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL MultiWetMaster Laserliner

Function / Application This material moisture measuring device operates in accordance with the resistance and capacitive measuring principle. The capacitive measuring principle uses 2 conductive rubber contacts on the underside of the device to determine the moisture-dependent dielectric permittivity of the material and calculate the relative material moisture as a percentage based on internal material-dependent characteristics. The resistance measuring principle determines the moisture-dependent conductivity of the material when the test prods make contact with the material, compares the result against the stored material-dependent characteristics and calculates the relative material moisture as a percentage. The device is used to determine the moisture content in wood and building materials with the aid of the corresponding measuring method. An additional pop-out sensor on the side of the device determines the ambient temperature and relative humidity and calculates the resulting dew point temperature. Read the operating instructions and the enclosed brochure „Guarantee and additional notices“ completely. Follow the instructions they contain. Safely keep these documents for future reference.

Automatic switch-off after 2 minutes. The integrated building materials characteristics correspond to the stated construction materials without admixtures. Construction materials will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, due to the way in which they are produced. This is why, in the event of different product compositions or un- familiar construction materials, a one-off comparative moisture measurement should be taken using methods that can be calibrated (e.g. kiln-drying method). If different measured values occur, they should either be viewed relatively or the index mode for moisture/drying behaviour should be used.

1 Test prods, resistance measurement 2 Rubber contacts, capacitive measurement 3 Pop-out sensor for measuring ambient temperature and humidity 4 Battery compartment 5 Wet/dry LED indicator 6 Material selection 7 ON/OFF 8 Measuring mode selection (resistance measurement, capacitive measurement) 9 LC display

Room climate measurement The device features a pop-out sensor to optimally measure ambient climatic conditions. Hold the sensor head close to the position to be measured and wait until the display has stabilised. The measured values for the ambient climatic conditions are permane. Wet/dry LED display 12-position LED: 0…4 LEDs green = dry 5…7 LEDs yellow = moist 8…12 LEDs red = wet green yellow red 1 Battery charge 2 Material indicator for building materials Resistance measurement: 1…19 3 Index mode 4 Resistance measurement 5 Capacitive measurement 6 Measured value in % of relative material moisture 7 Material indicator for wood Resistance measurement: A, B, C Capacitive measurement: S (softwood), H (hardwood) 8 Dew point temperature in °C/°F 9 Relative humidity in % 10 Ambient temperature in °C/°F Although measurement is also possible with the sensor retracted, air exchange is improved with the sensor extended, thus ensuring faster stabilisation of the measured values.

Relative humidity is indicated in relation to maximum possible humidity (100 %) at which air forms water vapour. The ability of air to hold water is temperature dependent. Thus humidity is the volume of water vapour in the air. The range for humidity is 0 ... 100%. 100% = saturation point. Under these conditions for temperature and atmospheric pressure, air cannot absorb any more water. Relative humidity Dew point temperature is the temperature at which current air conditions would produce condensation. The MultiWet-Master calculates the dew point temperature from ambient temperature, relative humidity and ambient atmospheric pressure. If the temperature of the measured location drops below the dew point, condensation (water) will form on the surface. Dew point temperature

15 Stone-wood, xylolite 16 Polystyrene 17 Soft fibre board wood, bitumen 18 Cement-bonded particle board 19 Brick 7 Cement screed, plastic additive 8 Ardurapid cement screed 9 Anhydrite screed 10 Elastizel screed 11 Plaster screed 12 Wood cement screed 13 Lime mortar KM 1/3 14 Cement mortar ZM 1/3 Measuring mode selection The device features two different measuring modes. Resistance measurement uses the test prods whereas capacitive measurement uses the contact surfaces on the underside of the device. You can switch between both measuring modes with the „MODE“ button. Resistance Capacitive Resistance measurement / material selection Various types of wood and building materials as well as material-independent index mode can be selected in resistance measuring mode. Measurements carried out in index mode are not material-related, i.e. for materials, for which no characteristics are stored in the device. Select the required material by pressing the „SET“ button. The types of wood and building materials that can be selected are listed under 7 and 8 in the following tables. Types of wood: A, B, C Building materials: 1,2,3.......,18,19 Index 1A Concrete C12/15 1B Concrete C20/25 1C Concrete C30/37 2 Cellular concrete (Hebel) 3 Limestone, density 1.9 4 Gypsum plaster 5 Cement screed 6 Cement screed, bitumen additive Material table - resistance measurement

Resistance measurement / material moisture measurement Be sure neither supply lines (electric lines, water pipes, etc) nor a metal subsurface is present at the location to be measured. Insert the electrodes as far into the material as possible but never use excessive or sudden impact force as this could damage the device. Always pull the device out of the material with left/right twisting motion. Perform several comparative measurements at different locations to minimise measurement error. The sharply pointed electrodes present an injury hazard. Always put the safety cap on the device when it is not in use or being transported. The location to be measured should be untreated, free of knots, dirt and resin. Measurements should not be made on the end faces of wood because these areas dry particularly quickly such that they produce incorrect measurement results. Perform multiple comparative measurements. Wait until the % symbol stops blinking and remains constantly lighted. Only then are measurement values stable. Be aware that walls (or surfaces) with differing material structures, or even variations in material composition, can cause measurement results to be falsiÖ ed. Perform multiple comparative measurements. Wait until the % symbol stops blinking and remains constantly lighted. Only then are measurement values stable. Capacitive measurement / material selection Two different wood groups and material- independent index mode can be selected in capacitive measuring mode. Measurements carried out in index mode are not material- related, i.e. for materials, for which no characteristics are stored in the device. Select the required material by pressing the „SET“ button. The wood groups that can be selected are listed under 11 in the following table. Mineral building materials Wood Types of wood: [S] softwood, [H] hardwood Index

Softwood low-density woods: e.g. spruce, pine, limewood, poplar, cedar, mahogany Hardwood higher-density woods: e.g. beech, oak, ash, birch – place the conducting contacts completely on the material to be measured, pressing them down evenly and lightly to achieve good contact – measured surface should be free of dust and dirt – keep at least a 5Ɓcm distance from metal objects – metal pipes, electric lines and reinforcing steel can falsify measurement results – make measurements at several locations on the surface Due to the differing constitution and composition of materials, specific application notices are to be followed for their moisture assessment: Wood: The measurement should be made with the length of the device in parallel with the grain of the wood. The measured depth in wood is 30Ɓmm maximum but does vary somewhat with differing wood densities. Measurements made on thin wood boards should, if possible, be made on a stack of these boards as otherwise the measurement will be too low. Measurements made on installed wooden structures are influenced by the structural conditions and their chemical treatments (e.g. paints) with various materials. Thus such measurements should only be viewed relatively. Nevertheless, the differences in moisture distribution are very good for localising moist places as an indication of damage, e.g. in insulation. Greatest accuracy is reached between 6Ɓ% and 30Ɓ% material moisture. In very dry wood (< 6Ɓ%) irregular moisture distribution can be detected, in very wet wood (> 30Ɓ%) saturation of the wood Ö bres begins. Material relative moisture reference values, in %, for use with wood: – Outdoor usage: 12Ɓ% … 19Ɓ% – Use in unheated rooms: 12Ɓ% … 16Ɓ% – In heated rooms (12 °C … 21 °C): 9Ɓ% … 13Ɓ% – In heated rooms (> 21 °C): 6Ɓ% … 10Ɓ% Example: 100% material moisture for 1Ɓkg of wet wood = 500Ɓg water. Application notices

Index mode is used to rapidly locate moisture with comparative measurements, without a direct output of material moisture in %. The output value (0 through 1000) is an indexed value that increases as material moisture becomes greater. Measurements made in index mode are independent of material type and particularly useful with materials for which no characteristics are stored. When comparative measurements reveal strongly deviating values, the course of moisture in the material can be localized quickly. The wet/dry LED indicator is programmed in line with the relevant material characteristics so the LEDs also provide information about whether the material should be classiÖ ed as dry, moist or wet. However the values in index mode, which is independent of the material type, are output on a neutral scale whose value increases as the moisture level rises. The LED indicator can be speciÖ cally programmed for index mode by deÖ ning the end values for “dry” and “wet”. The difference between the value set for “dry” and that set for “wet” is converted and displayed by the 12 LEDs. Setting the wet/dry threshold values in index mode

Index mode Index mode can be used in both resistance measurement as well as in capacitive measurement. See Step 6 and 10 for setting index mode.

4 x In addition to numeric measurement display in % of relative material moisture, the LED display also provides a material-dependent evaluation of moisture. The LED display bar becomes larger, from left to right, with increasing moisture content. The 12-position LED display is subdivided into 4 green (dry), 3 yellow (moist) and 5 red (wet) segments. Wet material causes an additional acoustic signal. The classification „dry“ means that materials in a heated room have reached a balanced moisture level and are thus suitable for further processing. Green = dry Yellow = moist Red = wet Wet/dry LED indicator Relative material moisture is dependent on the temperature of the material. The device automatically compensates different material temperatures in that it measures ambient temperature and uses this measurement for its internal calculation.However, the measuring device also offers an option for setting the temperature manually to increase measuring accuracy. This value is not stored and must be set again each time the device is switched on. Material temperature compensation The units of measure for ambient temperature and material com-pensation can be set to either °C or °F. The setting is stored and remains in effect until it is changed manually. Temperature units of measure setting

8 x 1 sec AUTO: Display illumination switches off during periods of inactivity and switches on again automatically for measurement procedures. ON: Display illumination remains on permanently. OFF: Display illumination remains off permanently. The setting is stored and remains in effect until it is changed manually. LCD backlight Auto-Hold function The last measurement value will continue to display for about 5 seconds after removing the device from the measured material. During this period the LEDs will blink and show the last measurement value. LED display illumination can be varied with 3 different settings: Self-test function

1. Round deep-insertion electrode (non-insulated, ø 2|mm)

for moisture measurements in building and insulating materials or between joints or joint intersections.

2. Round deep-insertion electrode (insulated, ø 4|mm)

for moisture measurement in the concealed structure levels of multi-layer wall or ceiling structures.

3. Brush deep-insertion electrode

for moisture measurement in a homogeneous building material. Contact is established by the brush tip.

4. Flat deep-insertion electrode (insulated, 1|mm flat)

for targeted moisture measurement in the concealed structure levels of multi-layer wall or ceiling structures. Electrodes can, for example, be inserted through edge strips or at the wall-ceiling transition. Applying deep electrodes The spacing of bore holes should be between 30 and 50Ɓmm and be ø 8Ɓmm for brush electrodes. After boring the hole, wait for about 30 minutes to allow moisture driven out of the hole by drilling heat to return to its original value. Otherwise measurement results could be falsified. Connecting deep electrodes with connecting cable (Art.-Nr. 082.026A)

Art.-Nr. 082.020.1 Functional and operational safety is only warranted when the instrument is operated within the speciÖ ed climatic conditions and is only used for those purposes for which it is designed. The assessment of measurement results and actions taken as a consequence lie in the user‘s scope of responsibility, depending on the given type of work.

The external hand-held electrode is suitable for all types of wood and soft building materials. The self-test function can also be performed with the external hand-held electrode (see Step 21). Be sure the connecting cap is securely attached to the MultiWet-Master. When you are not using the hand-held electrode, always keep it stored in its carrying case to prevent injuries from being caused by the electrode spikes. Connecting the external hand-held electrode (Art. No. 082.024) Replacing the measuring spikes

Technical data Room climate measurement Measuring range / accuracy, ambient temperature -10 °C … 60 °C/± 2 °C Measuring range / accuracy, relative humidity 20 % … 90 % rH/±3 % Dew point display -20 °C … 60 °C Relative humidity resolution ±1 % Dew point resolution 1 °C Resistance measurement Measuring principle Material moisture measurement via integrated electrodes; 3 wood groups, 19 building materials, index mode, self-test function Measuring range / accuracy Wood: 0…30 %/±1 %, 30…60 %/±2 %, 60…90 %/±4 % Other materials: ±0.5 % Capacitive measurement Measuring principle Capacitive measurement via integrated rubber electrodes Measuring range / accuracy Softwood: 0 %…52 %/±2 % (6 %…30 %) Hardwood: 0 %…32 %/±2 % (6 %…30 %) Operating temperature 0 °C ... 40 °C Storage temperature -20 °C ... 70 °C Power supply Type 9V E Block Type 6LR22 Weight 185 g EU directives and disposal This device complies with all necessary standards for the free movement of goods within the EU. This product is an electric device and must be collected separately for disposal according to the European Directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment. Further safety and supplementary notices at: www.laserliner.com/info1 2