TRAMEX CME5 User manual
USER GUIDE
CONCRETE
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER
- CME5 -
CONCRETE MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction............................................................................................2
How it works......................................................................................3-4
Instrument Features......................................................................5-7
Working With your Concrete Moisture Encounter 5.........8
• Drying time for concrete floors and screeds.............8
• Pre-test conditioning and preparation.........................9
Operating Instructions........................................................... 0- 2
Limitations........................................................................................... 3
Calibration............................................................................................ 3
Warranty................................................................................................. 4
Warranty Claims ............................................................................... 5
Product Development.................................................................... 5
Safety...................................................................................................... 6
Contact Information........................................................................ 7
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CONCRETE MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
INTRODUCTION
Hi there! Thank you for trusting our brand and choosing
the Concrete Moisture Encounter CME5, from Tramex. It
is our goal to ensure that you are always happy with what
you bought from us, so please let us know if you have any
questions and rest assured, we are always here to help.
The Concrete Moisture Encounter CME5 is a non-invasive
handheld electronic instrument used for accurate,
instant and non-destructive testing of Moisture Content
in concrete and cementitious slabs and screeds, giving
Carbide Method equivalent readings for both concrete
and Anhydrite. It has been designed for the Flooring, Water
Damage Restoration, Inspection/Surveying and Indoor
Air Quality industries. To get the maximum benefit from
the Concrete Moisture Encounter CME5, it is suggested
that you read this manual to familiarize yourself with the
instrument and its capabilities, before undertaking any
flooring tests.
Why should a test be done?
Concrete floor slabs and screeds that are insufficiently
dry before flooring is posed, and high moisture content in
existing floor substrates can cause a host of costly
flooring system failures. Testing allows for confidence
in a job well done that meets manufacturer’s
recommendations, official standards and customer
satisfaction.
When should a test be done ?
Concrete floor slabs and screeds should be tested
regularly during the drying period, to help evaluate and
control the drying process, and ensure that the substrate
has reached sufficient dryness before the floor covering is
installed. For the purpose of restoration, testing can
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CONCRETE MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
be done on existing concrete, floors and screeds to
evaluate the extent and source of water damage, as well
as controlling the drying process
HOW IT WORKS
The Concrete Moisture Encounter CME5 detects and
evaluates the moisture conditions within the cementi-
tious slab or screed by non-destructively measuring the
electrical impedance, which varies in proportion to the
moisture content in the material under test. The
electrical impedance is measured by creating a low
frequency alternating electric field between the
electrodes on the base of the meter as illustrated in the
diagram below.
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CONCRETE MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
This field penetrates the material under test. A very
small alternating current flows through the field. The
Concrete Moisture Encounter CME5 detects this
current, determines its amplitude and converts it to a
moisture content value. By simply pressing the Concrete
Moisture Encounter CME5 down on the surface in stra-
tegically chosen locations, instant readings can be taken
over a large area in the shortest possible time.
Instrument pressed on to material surface to measure/detect moisture
Material sample
Alternating Electric Field
INSTRUMENT FEATURES
The instrument face with brief notes on the push button
controls and LED indicators is shown below.
85mm
= Moving coil meter.
2 = Bluetooth ON LED
3 = Hold flashing LED.
4 = Bluetooth button
5 = Hold button.
6 = Power ON LED.
7 = Power ON/OFF button.
85mm
= Moving coil meter.
5
3
6
2
60mm
47
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CONCRETE MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
INSTRUMENT FEATURES
Your Concrete Moisture Encounter CME5 employs
advanced analog and digital technology to enable the
incorporation of the many features listed below.
• Three simple push controls - On/Off; Hold;
Bluetooth; with corresponding LED indicators.
• The Concrete Moisture Encounter CME5 has three
scales:
Top Scale - Red - Concrete Moisture Content
(MC%) readings for Concrete Slabs & Sand/Ce-
ment screeds, 0 - 6 % moisture by mass/weight as
per the oven dry/gravimetric method.
Middle Scale - Blue - for use with Anhydrite, Hemi-
hydrate or Calcium Sulphate Screeds. These are
equivalent readings to the Carbide Method (CM)
test for Anhydrite.
Bottom Scale - Yellow - for use with Concrete slabs
or Sand/Cement screeds. These are equivalent
readings to the Carbide Method (CM) test for
Concrete.
• To conserve battery life, the instrument automati-
cally powers OFF after 5 minutes of inactivity.
• Power remains on if a change in meter reading is
detected or any button is pressed.
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CONCRETE MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
• The 3 LED indicators:
The ON LED illuminates when the ON/OFF button
is pressed and remains on until the Concrete Mois-
ture Encounter CME5 automatically powers off.
The Hold LED flashes when HOLD is selected.
If the batteries are nearing end of life, all LEDs
flash sequentially for 3 seconds at each power ON
to indicate that the batteries should be replaced.
• HOLD button freezes needle on moving coil meter,
to facilitate ease of recording readings.
• If HOLD was selected prior to the Concrete Mois-
ture Encounter CME5 automatically powering off,
the frozen meter reading is digitally memorized
and restored next time ON/OFF is selected.
• If Bluetooth was selected prior to the Concrete
Moisture Encounter CME5 automatically power-
ing off it will be restored next time ON/OFF is
selected.
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CONCRETE MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
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CONCRETE MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
WORKING WITH THE CONCRETE MOISTURE
ENCOUNTER 5
Drying time for concrete floors and screeds
Concrete floors and screeds must be allowed to dry
to an adequate level before the installation of floor
coverings or application of coatings. Manufacturers of
such systems generally require moisture testing to be
performed before installation or use on a floor slab.
Excessive moisture in a floor slab after the installation
of a floor covering or coating can cause failures such as
condensation, blistering, delaminating, movement and
general deterioration of the finished flooring/coating.
There is also a risk of promoting microbial growth.
No exact period can be specified for the drying of such
floors as this is affected by temperature and humidity
within the building as well as concrete curing times and
other factors. Typically a period of at least 3 to 4 weeks
per 25mm ( inch) depth of concrete or sand/cement
screed needs to be allowed. Longer periods may be
required in areas of high humidity or low temperature.
During the drying period and prior to applying the
floor covering, the floor should be regularly checked to
monitor moisture content with the Concrete Moisture
Encounter CME5.
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CONCRETE MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
Pre-test conditioning and preparation
For best and most accurate results, to allow for an
accurate reflection of the amount of moisture present
and moisture movement in the slab during normal
operating conditions:
• Artificial heating or drying equipment should be
turned off at least 96 hours before final readings
are taken.
• Internal conditions of the building should have
been at normal service temperature and humidity
for at least 48 hours.
Prior to testing, the surface should be prepared:
• The test area should be clean and free of any
foreign substances.
• All covering materials, adhesive residue, cur-
ing compound, sealers, paints, etc., should be
removed to expose a test area of clean bare
concrete, strictly observing all the appropriate
safety and health practices.
• Removal of covering materials and cleaning if
required should take place a minimum of 48 hours
prior to testing.
• Use of water based cleaning methods that could
lead to elevated surface and/or sub-surface mois-
ture levels in the floor slab are not recommended.
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