TRAMEX MEX5 User manual
USER GUIDE
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER
MEX5
- MEX5 -
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER MEX5 USER GUIDE
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction......................................................................................5-7
- Non-destructive test (NDT) mode.............................5
- Pin Probe mode ..................................................................5
- Hygrometer / Psychrometrics mode.......................6
- In-Situ Equilibrium Relative Humidity Probe
mode..........................................................................................6
- Settings & Advanced Features...............................6-7
How the MEX5 works - Overview
- Non-destructive testing, Scales and Sensitivity,
Shallow-Depth Functionality...................................8-9
- Pin Probe,Wood, Drywall, WME (Wood Moisture
Equivalent).................................................................10-11
- Psychrometrics and Built-in ambient
Hygrometer........................................................................12
- In-Situ Equilibrium Relative Humidity Probe....12
Operating Instructions - Overview.........................................13
- Quick Start Operating Instructions ..............14-15
- Non-destructive testing (NDT)........................15-18
- Pin Probe.....................................................................19-21
- Psychrometrics........................................................22-23
- In-situ Equilibrium Relative Humidity...................23
- Settings.......................................................................24-27
• Advanced Features
- Baseline Reference.............................................24
- Specific Gravity ofWood.................................25
- Surface Temperature.........................................25
- Pin Temperature Correction...........................26
- Pin EMC (Expected Moisture Content)....26
• Buzzer..............................................................................26
• Cº/Fº and GPP or g/kg choice.............................26
• Backlight timeout......................................................27
• Language.......................................................................27
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER MEX5 USER GUIDE
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Non-Destructive Testing Measurement Mode Guide......28
- Wood-Timber Scale Guide..............................................29
• Introduction......................................................................29
• Using the Wood-Timber Scale ................................30
• Relative Humidity & Moisture Content..............32
• Specific Gravity...............................................................33
• Table of Wood Specific Gravities (SG)........34-35
- Shallow Depth Scale Guide............................................36
• Using the Wood-Timber scale alongside the
Shallow-Depth scale forWood...............................37
• Flooring with Wood-Timber & Shallow-Depth
Scale ....................................................................................37
- Drywall - Roofing Scale Guide.......................................39
- Plaster - Tile Scale Guide.................................................42
- Masonry Scale Guide.........................................................44
Pin Probe Mode Guide........................................................................45
- Pin Probe Menu Selections ...........................................45
• Wood Standards.............................................................45
• WoodSpecies...................................................................46
• WME.....................................................................................46
• Drywall ................................................................................46
• Calibration Check ..........................................................46
- Factors Affecting Moisture Readings In Wood....47
- Pin Moisture Readings and Wood Flooring............48
- PinTemperature Correction...........................................49
- Humidity and Moisture Content Relationship......50
Psychrometrics Mode Guide..........................................................51
- DeltaT Temperature..........................................................51
- SurfaceTemperature.........................................................52
- Thermal Hygrometer and Enthalpy.............................54
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER MEX5 USER GUIDE
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
In-Situ Equilibrium Relative Humidity Probe Mode
Guide..........................................................................................................55
- Building Envelope In-Situ Equilibrium Relative
Humidity..................................................................................56
- Concrete In-situ Equilibrium Relative
Humidity..................................................................................56
- CalibrationCheck Salts....................................................63
Limitations..............................................................................................65
Calibration...............................................................................................65
Warranty...................................................................................................66
ProductDevelopment........................................................................67
Safety.........................................................................................................67
Wood Species Correction Charts........................................68-79
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER MEX5 USER GUIDE
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INTRODUCTION
Thank you for trusting our brand and choosing the
Moisture Encounter MEX5 from Tramex. It is our goal
to ensure that you are always happy with your Tramex
products, so please let us know if you have any questions
and rest assured, we are always here to help.
The Moisture Encounter MEX5 employs advanced digital
technology to enable the incorporation of 4 measurement
modes, and a number of Advanced Features to select
from, all displayed on a large, clear easy-to-read digital
display: 2.3” x 1.4” (58mm x 35mm).
1. Non-destructive test (NDT) mode
The Moisture Encounter MEX5 enables dual-depth,
non-invasive moisture measurement of %MC Moisture
Content in wood.The comparative scales (or relative, REL)
have different ranges of sensitivity that are appropriate
to materials of different densities.These are used for
moisture readings in wood by-products and a wide range
of building materials including drywall, roofing, plaster,
tiles and masonry. The shallow depth mode can also be
used for comparative readings for these materials.
2. Pin Probe mode (optional plug-in probe)
The Moisture Encounter MEX5 becomes a a pin-type
meter utilising resistance to measure the percentage
moisture content (%MC) of wood when used with the
optional plug-in Pin Probe meter. International wood
standards or preprogrammed wood species can be
selected. Pin Probe mode can also be used for Drywall
%MC and WME (Wood Moisture Equivalent) readings for
other materials.
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER MEX5 USER GUIDE
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3. Hygrometer/ Psychrometrics mode
The Moisture Encounter MEX5 uses its built-in
hygrometer that measures the ambient relative
humidity (RH), ambient temperature (Ta), dew point
temperature (Td) and humidity ratio (GPP, g/kg) of the
environment. These measurements are shown at the
bottom of the screen for each mode or scale being used.
In Psychrometrics mode the DELTAT temperature value
(difference between the ambient temperature and
the dew point temperature).The surface temperature,
and Enthalpy value (the measurement of energy in a
thermodynamic system) can also be viewed.
4. In-Situ Equilibrium & Ambient Relative Humidity
mode (optional plug-in probe)
Using the optional plug-in Hygro-i2 RH probes, the
Moisture Encounter MEX5 will measure In-Situ Relative
Humidity, Temperature, Dew Point and Specific Humidity
within structural materials, insulation or internal air
spaces. A structural material such as a concrete slab can
be tested using the in-situ method or RH Hood methods
(International Standards: ASTM F2170 & BS 8201,
8203, 5325). Relative Humidity Probes can also be used
for RH measurements within air spaces in the building
envelope.
5. Settings & Advanced Features
In Settings, chose to turn on/off the backlight timeout
and high reading buzzer alert, as well as chose between
language and Farenheit and Celcius preferences.
The MEX5 incorporates a number of advanced features
such as:
●‘Baseline’ reference reading for the non-destructive
scales is comparable to a ‘known dry reading’ or ‘dry
standard reading’.The MEX5 can be set to show how
far or close the readings are to that ‘drying goal’.
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER MEX5 USER GUIDE
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●Specific Gravity ofWood adjustment allows
for adjustment of the sensitivity of the non-
destructive readings to correlate to the density of
the wood under test according to that wood.
●SurfaceTemperature thermometer provides
surface temperature temperature measurements
from a built-in non-contact infrared thermometer
on the base of the meter.
●Pin probe temperature correction will
automatically adjust the %MC depending on the
wood temperature to give more precision to the
pin probe measurements.
●Pin probe EMC of Wood (Expected Moisture
Content). The Expected Moisture Content option
allows the meter to give an expected moisture
content value based on the ambient temperature
and relative humidity conditions.
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER MEX5 USER GUIDE
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HOW THE MEX5 WORKS - Overview
In Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) mode, the instrument
operates on the principle that the electrical impedance
of a material varies in proportion to its moisture
content.
To measure/detect moisture, the three co-planar
conductive rubber electrodes mounted on the base
of the instrument case are pressed onto the wood or
material sample. The instrument measures the electrical
impedance of the sample by creating a low frequency
alternating electric field between the electrodes.This
non-destructive field penetrates the material under
test to a depth of approximately 30mm (1 ¼ inches),
or 9 mm (⅜ inch) in Shallow Depth mode.The very
small alternating current flowing through the field is
inversely proportional to the impedance of the material.
The instrument detects this current, determines its
amplitude and thus derives the moisture value.
NDT Scales and Sensitivity
The Moisture Encounter MEX5 measures moisture
content and conditions with non-destructive, material-
specific scales designed and calibrated for wood,
drywall, plaster, tile, roofing and masonry.
Scales forWood and Shallow Depth, when used with
wood, will give a %MC reading between 0 and 30% MC.
Scales for other materials have a preset sensitivity
appropriate to the density of the materials indicated,
and give a comparative (relative, REL 0-99) reading.
These scales are not exclusive to the materials named. If
the sensitivity of a selected scale allows for meaningful
comparative readings appropriate to the density of the
material under test, that scale can be used.
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER MEX5 USER GUIDE
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The Drywall-Roofing scale is the most sensitive for less
dense materials; the Plaster-Tile scale is mid-sensitive;
and the Masonry scale is the least sensitive for more
dense materials.
The Shallow depth scale can be used for %MC
measurements in wood and on a comparative basis
similar to a non-destructiveWood Moisture Equivalent
reading (NDTWME 0-30) in non-wood materials.
NDT Shallow-depth functionality
The Moisture Encounter MEX5 incorporates non-
destructive dual-depth functionality. The regular non-
destructive penetration depth is 30mm (1 ¼ inches)
when using the Wood-Timber scale, Drywall-Roofing
scale, Plaster-Tile scale, or Masonry scale.The Shallow
Depth scale is designed to have a field penetration of up
to 9mm (⅜ inch). The Shallow depth scale gives 0 - 30
%MC for wood, and when used on non-wood materials
can be considered similar to comparative 0-30 NDT
WME readings (Non-DestructiveTest Wood Moisture
Equivalent).While the Shallow Depth scale eliminates
the influence of any substrate beyond 9mm (⅜ inch),
the regular depth does not eliminate the surface coating.
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER MEX5 USER GUIDE
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In Pin Probe mode the Moisture Encounter MEX5 is a
resistance-type pin-meter that works on the principle of
DC resistance. When the electrode pins are pressed or
driven into the wood, the electrical resistance between
the electrodes is measured. If the wood is dry, the
resistance is high. If moisture is present in the wood
the electrical resistance between the pins changes.The
higher the moisture content the greater the reduction
in resistance. The level of resistance is accurately
measured by the instrument, which translates it into a
moisture value.
Wood - Pin Probe
This is a percentage of dry weight moisture content for
wood.The MEX5 gives moisture readings from 6% to
approx 50%. It should be noted that readings above
27% (nominal value of the fiber saturation point) are
indicative only. International wood standards or pre-
programmed wood species can be selected.
Drywall and WME - Pin Probe
Pin Probe mode can also be used for Drywall %MC
and WME (Wood Moisture Equivalent) readings for
many other materials. The MEX5 gives Drywall %MC
measurements between 0 - 8.5%, and WME readings on
a relative scale of 0 -99.9.
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