Carrel & Carrel C400 Series User manual

CARREL-ELECTRADE LTD
MANUFACTURERS, IMPORTERSAND DISTRIBUTORS OF ELECTRICALENGINEERING PRODUCTS
POSTALADDRESS: P O BOX 11078 ELLERSLIE 1542,AUCKLAND NEW ZEALAND
FACTORYAND OFFICE: 661 GREAT SOUTH ROAD PENROSE 1061
TELEPHONE: [phone] FACSIMILE: [phone]
EMAIL: sales@ carrel-electrade.co.nz WEB: www.carrel-electrade.co.nz 11August 2011
An affordable digital resistance type moisture meter suitable for timber handlers, inspectors, tradesmen
and home owners.
This instrument is simple to use and is also capable of correcting readings for temperature and common
NZ building timbers.
The C400 meters measure the moisture content of timber using the electrical resistance method
specified in the AS/NZS 1080 Standard.
C400 DIGITAL TIMBER MOISTURE METER
Features
Calibrated toAS/NZS 1080 Standard (traceable)
Range: 10% to 100% moisture content
Optimum accuracy from 13% to 40% moisture content
Compact size: 130 x 67 x 25mm, weight 160gm
Sealed water resistant case
Long battery life on low cost 9V battery
Low battery indicator
Ambient temperature measurement on built in sensor
Automatic temperature correction of reading (selectable)
Correction scales for Standard, untreated Radiata Pine, NZ H1 & H3 treated
Radiata Pine
Supplied with either:
Built in 12mm pin electrodes model C400-P
or
BNC connector for external slide hammer electrode model C400-S
Adaptor available to use pinned meter with slide hammer
C400-P
C400-S

C400 DIGITAL TIMBER MOISTURE METER
The C400 moisture meters are initially set on the default settings which are:
No buzzer, no temperature correction and the standard scale (AS/NZS 1080 Standard Relationship).
These settings can be changed on a four way DIP switch located in the battery compartment (see below).
TheC400-SissuppliedwithaBNCconnectorsuitable for use withtheCSH102 slide hammer electrode and has
a battery fitted and is ready to use.
The C400-P is supplied with the electrode pins and battery already fitted and is ready to use.
Taking readings
C400-S Attach the slide hammer electrode unit and insert the pins into the sample. Hold down the button in the
middle of the meter. The meter will briefly show the temperature, then display the moisture content in %. If the
reading is below 10% (very dry timber) the display will flash "0.0". If the reading is more than 100% the display
will flash "100.0". When the button is released the display will hold the reading for 5 seconds. To display the
temperature give a very short press on the button.
C400-P Carefully insert the tips of the electrode pins into the sample and hold down the button. The meter will
briefly show the temperature, then display the moisture content in %. If the reading is below 10% (very dry
timber) the display will flash "0.0" . If the reading is more than 100% the display will flash "100.0". When the
button is released the display will hold the reading for 5 seconds. To display the temperature give a very short
press on the button. Please note that excessive force on the pins will damage the meter and that such damage
isnot covered by our warranty. Ifyou wish to takedeeper readingsintothe sample you must useaslide hammer
electrode such as the CSH102 with this meter. For this purpose a version of the meter is available fitted with a
BNC connector instead of the pins. If both pins and slide hammer are required then an adapter is available.
Battery
The meter uses a common PP3 (6F22) type 9V battery. The meter automatically senses the battery voltage
during a reading. If the battery needs replacing a message "Lo-b" will flash. Open the battery compartment by
unscrewing two (flat head) screws on the cover.
Settings
The optional functions are selected using the switches in the battery compartment. The function is selected by
pushing the relevant switch forward.
Switch 1: Buzzer If the reading exceeds 20% the buzzer will sound, for use where the display is not visible.
Switch 2: Temperature correction The reading is automatically corrected for the difference of ambient
temperature from 20°C. The display will flash "t" on the LH side.
Switch 3: Pine correction The reading is automatically corrected for untreated Radiata pine. The display will
briefly show "PinE" at the start of the reading.
Switch 4: H1/H3 correction The reading is automatically corrected for H1 and H3 treated timber. The display
will briefly show "H1H3" at the start of the reading.
Note Switch 3 over-rides Switch 4. If both are up then untreated Radiata is selected.
Precautions
The meter will not work correctly if it is in a dirty or damp state. It should not be left in the kiln or outside nor be
exposed to liquids or chemicals. This meter is specifically designed to work well in the range 13% to 40%
moisture which is the range of interest for most users. It has a reduced resolution from 13% down to 10% and
does not read below 10%. Such levels are very dry and only of interest to some timber processors. The values
above 40% are very wet, are not specified in the AS/NZS 1080 Standard and are only an indication of the
approximate moisture content. The ambient temperature is taken from a sensor inside the meter which may
differfrom the temperature ofthetimber. Aversion of themeterwithan external temperature sensor is available
and will overcome this difficulty.
MJH