Elcometer Protovale 331 User manual

English
Elcometer Protovale 331
Concrete Covermeter
Model B
Operating Instructions

English
R
The Elcometer Protovale 331 Concrete Covermeter has been tested in
accordance with EU regulations governing Electro-magnetic
compliance and it meets the required directives.
Note: Readings may be affected if the unit is operated within a radio frequency
electromagnetic strength of greater than 3 V/m.
, CoverMaster®and are registered trademarks of
Elcometer Instruments Ltd.
All other trademarks acknowledged.
© Copyright Elcometer Instruments Ltd. 2005.
All rights reserved. No part of this Document may be reproduced, transmitted,
transcribed, stored (in a retrieval system or otherwise) or translated into any
language, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, magnetic,
optical, manual or otherwise) without the prior written permission of
Elcometer Instruments Ltd.
Doc.No. TMA-0312 Issue 01
Text with Cover No: 19344

CONTENTS
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CONTENTS
Section Page
1 About your Covermeter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2 Quick-start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3 Getting started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3.1 The power supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3.2 Fitting search heads. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3.3 The controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.4 Switching the Covermeter on and off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.5 The display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.6 Selecting a language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.7 Computer interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.8 Using the earphone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.9 Zeroing the Covermeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4 The menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5 Locating reinforcement bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5.1 Before you start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5.2 To locate a single layer of reinforcement bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
5.3 To locate two layers of reinforcement bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
5.4 To determine the orientation of a reinforcement bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
5.5 Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
5.6 Surface mapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
6 Measuring depth of cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
6.1 Before you start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
6.2 Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
6.3 Accuracy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

CONTENTS
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7 Selecting a bar size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
8 Adjusting sensitivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
9 Measuring welded mesh and joined bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
10 Search heads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
11 Error messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
12 Personalised welcome screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
13 Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
14 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
15 Upgrading your Covermeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
16 Related equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
17 Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
18 Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
19 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

1
ABOUT YOUR COVERMETER
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hank you for your purchase of this Elcometer Protovale 331 Model B
Concrete Covermeter. Welcome to Elcometer.
Elcometer are world leaders in the design, manufacture and supply of
inspection equipment for concrete and coatings.
Our concrete inspection products include a comprehensive range of concrete,
and civil engineering inspection equipment. Our coatings products cover all
aspects of coating inspection, from development through application to post
application inspection.
The Elcometer Protovale 331 Model B Concrete Covermeter is a world beating
product. With the purchase of this Covermeter you now have access to the
worldwide service and support network of Elcometer. For more information visit
our website at www.elcometer.com
1 ABOUT YOUR COVERMETER
The Elcometer Protovale 331 Model B Concrete Covermeter is a handheld
Covermeter for fast and accurate location, orientation and measurement of
concrete reinforcement bars.
Locate • Identify orientation • Measure depth of cover
The Covermeter is available in three versions; Model B (entry level), Model S
(intermediate level) and Model T (data logging). This manual describes the
operation of the Elcometer Protovale 331 Model B.
All versions of the Covermeter feature an easy-to-use menu-driven graphical
interface which guides the user during setup of the Covermeter and during
measurement.
A range of fully interchangeable search heads is available to suit your
requirements. Search heads include a keypad which allows remote operation
of the Covermeter. See “Search heads” on page 27 for full details.
To maximise the benefits of your new Elcometer Protovale 331 Concrete
Covermeter please take some time to read these Operating Instructions.
Do not hesitate to contact Elcometer or your Elcometer supplier if you
have any questions.
T

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ABOUT YOUR COVERMETER
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1.1 Features
• Menu-driven backlit graphical user interface
• 3 sizes of search head + borehole probe
• Weather proof to IP65
• International standard bar size database in memory
• Multiple languages
• Upgradeable
If you require more advanced features such as statistics or memory for
readings, Elcometer Protovale 331 models ‘S’ and ‘T’ provide this facility. Your
Elcometer Protovale 331 model ‘B’ can be upgraded to a model ‘S’ or ‘T’ - see
“Upgrading your Covermeter” on page 32. Contact Elcometer or your local
Elcometer supplier for more details.
1.2 What this box contains
• Elcometer Protovale 331 Model B Concrete Covermeter
• Standard search head
• Search head connecting cable
• Rechargeable battery pack and battery charger
• Earphone
• Shoulder strap
• Plastic carrying case
• Operating instructions

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ABOUT YOUR COVERMETER
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Figure 1. Elcometer Protovale 331 Model B Concrete Covermeter
1.3 Standards
The Elcometer Protovale 331 Model B Concrete Covermeter can be used in
accordance with the following National and International Standards:
ACI 318 BS1881:204 CP 110
DIN 1045 EC2 SIA 162
1.4 Conventions in these instructions
A simple menu structure helps you get the most from your Covermeter - see
“The menus” on page 14. There are many references to this menu structure in
these instructions.
As an example, the LANGUAGE option which is in SETUP from the MAIN
MENU would be shown in these instructions as:
MENU / SETUP / LANGUAGE
These instructions include images of Elcometer Protovale 331 screens with
units set to millimetres (mm). Similar screens will be seen when the Covermeter
is set to inches.

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QUICK-START
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2 QUICK-START
To configure the Covermeter quickly and start taking readings:
1. Charge the batteries. . . . . . . . . . . . see page 4
2. Fit search head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . see page 6
3. Switch on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . see page 10
4. Select language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . see page 12
5. Zero the Covermeter . . . . . . . . . . . see page 13
6. To locate a bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . see page 16
7. To measure depth of a bar . . . . . . . see page 21
For an overview of your Covermeter menus and functions, see pages 14 to 15.
3 GETTING STARTED
This section of the instructions is intended for first-time users of the Covermeter.
It contains essential information about batteries, assembling the Covermeter,
the controls and the display. At the end of this section you will be ready to take
readings.
3.1 The power supply
Your Covermeter is powered by a rechargeable Lithium-Ionabattery pack which
can be charged inside or outside the Covermeter.
One battery pack is supplied with the Covermeter. To increase productivity on
site, Elcometer recommends that you purchase a spare battery pack which can
be charged while you are using your Covermeter. To order an additional battery
pack (see “Accessories” on page 36), contact Elcometer or your local
Elcometer supplier.
Charging the batteries
The rechargeable battery must be fully charged before using the Covermeter for
the first time. Use the charger supplied with your Covermeter to charge the
battery; use of any other type of charger is a potential hazard, may damage your
Covermeter and will invalidate the warranty. Do not attempt to charge any other
batteries with the supplied charger.
Always charge the battery indoors. To prevent overheating, ensure that the
charger is not covered.
a. The Covermeter is not designed to operate using dry cell batteries.

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GETTING STARTED
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1. Referring to Figure 2, unscrew the retaining screw (1) and open the
interface access cover (2) on the rear of the Covermeter.
Figure 2. Covermeter rear panel
2. Connect the lead from the charger into the socket marked ‘Charger Input’
behind the interface access cover (Figure 3).
The Covermeter will automatically switch off when the lead from the
charger is connected.
Figure 3. Charging the batteries
3. Plug the charger supplied into the mains supply. The LED indicator on the
charger will glow orange.
4. Leave the gauge charging for at least 4 hours. The LED indicator changes
colour from orange to green when charging is complete.
5. When charging is complete, disconnect the charger from the mains supply
before removing the lead from the Covermeter.
To remove the battery pack for charging outside the Covermeter, unscrew the
two battery pack retaining screws (Figure 2, item 3) at the rear of the
Covermeter and slide out the battery pack. To charge the battery once it has
been removed, connect the lead from the charger into the socket on the battery
pack (Figure 3).
331
Made In England
www.elcometer.com
Li-Ion
7.4V
4Ah
Battery Pack
See Charging
Instructions
Elcometer Offices
!
1
2
3
3
(battery in the Covermeter) (battery removed)

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GETTING STARTED
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Do not allow metallic objects to come into contact with the battery
terminals; this may cause a short circuit and result in permanent
damage to the battery.
Battery condition indicator
The state of charge of the battery is shown by a symbol on the display:
3.2 Fitting search heads
The Covermeter must be switched off when search heads are fitted or
removed.
Connect the search head to the Covermeter using the supplied connecting
cable. The connecting cable is fitted with a metal screw-type connector at each
end. To fit a connector, align the keyway, push the connector into place and
then tighten the metal collar.
A range of search heads is available for your Covermeter - see “Search heads”
on page 27 for full details. The search head icon on the reading screen
indicates the type of search head connected to the Covermeter:
Narrow pitch
Standard
Deep cover
Borehole probe - set to forward-looking operation
Borehole probe - set to sideways-looking operation
Symbol Battery charge/action required
70% to 100%
40% to 70%
20% to 40%
10% to 20%, charging recommended
<10%, Covermeter beeps every 10 seconds and symbol flashes
- immediate charging required
5 loud beeps, Covermeter switches off automatically

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GETTING STARTED
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The Covermeter must be zeroed after a search head has been fitted - the
display will show PLEASE ZERO and the ZERO softkey will flash to remind you.
The metal and plastic bracket on the outside of the main unit is a storage clip
for standard and narrow pitch search heads. The bracket provides a convenient
place to store the search head while the Covermeter is not in use.
Figure 4. Search head storage clip
3.3 The controls
All functions of the Covermeter can be controlled using the keypad on the main
unit. There are two types of keys on the keypad; fixed function keys and ‘soft’
keys (Figure 5).
Figure 5. Elcometer Protovale 331 Concrete Covermeter main keypad
ALL DIMENSIONS IN m.m.
Menu
Esc
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Fixed function keys
‘Soft’ keys

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GETTING STARTED
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Fixed function keys
Softkeys
These are the four keys located immediately below the display.
Key Name Functions
Scroll
Up
Scrolls up through menus and lists of values
Increases sensitivity
Scroll
Down
Scrolls down through menus and lists of values
Decreases sensitivity
Menu/
Esc
Accesses menus
Escapes from menus
Discards values entered on display
On/Off Switches the Covermeter on or off
Enter Selects menu items
Toggles tick boxes on/off
Confirms values entered on display
The function of these keys varies and is defined by
symbols and text on the screen
Menu
Esc

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GETTING STARTED
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Search head keypad
The search head is fitted with a keypad which mimics
the functions of some of the keys on the main unit.
Use the keys on the search head in the same way as
you use the keys on the main unit.
The function of the Enter and Menu/Esc keys
is identical to the corresponding keys on the main unit.
The function of the Scroll Up/ZERO and Scroll
Down/SIZE keys depends upon whether the
reading screen is displayed or not.
Key Name Functions
Scroll
Up/
ZERO
Zeros the Covermeter (only when the display shows the
reading screen)
Scrolls up through menus and lists of values
Increases numerical values
Scroll
Down/
SIZE
Bar size selection (only when the display shows the
reading screen)
Scrolls down through menus and lists of values
Decreases numerical values
Enter Selects menu items
Toggles tick boxes on/off
Confirms values entered on display
Menu/
Esc
Accesses menus
Escapes from menus
Discards values entered on display
Menu
Esc
0
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Figure 6. Search
head keypad
Menu
Esc
0
0
Menu
Esc

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GETTING STARTED
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3.4 Switching the Covermeter on and off
Note: Before switching the Covermeter on for the first time read “Selecting a
language” on page 12.
To switch the Covermeter on, press .
To switch the Covermeter off, press and hold for two seconds. The
Covermeter will beep, two single tones followed by a double tone, and will then
switch off.
The Covermeter includes an automatic switch off feature which will help to
extend the battery life (time between charges). The automatic switch off time
can be set to OFF, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 minutes.
MENU / SETUP / AUTO SWITCH OFF
A countdown timer is displayed on the screen 60 seconds before the
Covermeter automatically switches off. The timer counts down from 60 to 0 to
warn you that the Covermeter is about to switch off. Press any key while the
countdown timer is displayed to cancel automatic switch off.
3.5 The display
Take some time to familiarise yourself with the information displayed on the
screen of your Covermeter. The screen shows:
• Welcome information
• Measurement information
• Menus to configure the Covermeter and control functions
• Help and miscellaneous information
When the Covermeter is switched on an opening (welcome) information
screenbmay be displayed briefly before the main reading screen appears.
The information displayed depends upon whether you are taking
measurements, reviewing readings or setting up the Covermeter.
b. The opening (welcome) screen can be disabled.
MENU / SETUP / OPENING SCREEN.
Customised welcome screens can be created on a PC and downloaded into the
gauge - see “Personalised welcome screen” on page 31.

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GETTING STARTED
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The main screen displayed (while you are taking measurements) is the Reading
Screen. The components of the reading screen are described below:
Refer to page numbers in brackets ( ) for more information.
Symbols
A wide range of symbols is used on the display. The meaning of all these
symbols is stored in the Covermeter.
MENU / ABOUT / HELP
LCD contrast
Adjust the contrast of the display to suit lighting conditions.
MENU / SETUP / LCD CONTRAST
Signal strength indicator bar (16) Battery condition indicator (6)
Bar size/number (23) Depth of cover (21)
Sensitivity (24) Search head type (6)
Softkey function indicators (8)

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GETTING STARTED
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Backlight
The display includes a backlight which illuminates the display for 10 seconds
after any key is pressed and during measurements. Switch the backlight on or
off as required. Switching the backlight off will increase battery life.
MENU / BACKLIGHT
3.6 Selecting a language
Your Covermeter has a number of built-in
languages. When the Covermeter is switched
on for the first time after dispatch from the
Elcometer factory the display will show the
language selection screen (Figure 7).
At first switch on
1. Press or to locate language
required.
2. Press to activate the selected language.
The Covermeter operates in the new language until changed.
At any time
1. Switch Covermeter off.
2. Press and hold left hand softkey.
3. Press to switch on Covermeter.
The display will show the language selection screen with the current
language highlighted by the cursor.
4. Release left hand softkey.
5. Press or to locate language required.
6. Press to activate the selected language.
Alternatively, select a language at any time.
MENU / SETUP / LANGUAGE
3.7 Computer interface
Your Covermeter is fitted with an RS232 interface. The interface is located
under the interface access cover at the rear of the Covermeter - see Figure 2
and Figure 3 on page 5.
Figure 7. Language
selection screen

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GETTING STARTED
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This 5-pin RS232 interface is used with an optional data transfer cable (see
“Accessories” on page 36) to connect the Covermeter to the RS232 portcof a
computer. When the Covermeter is connected to a computer you can:
• Download personalised screens to the Covermeter (see “Personalised
welcome screen” on page 31).
3.8 Using the earphone
To use the earphone, plug the connector into the 3.5 mm socket marked on
the front of the Covermeter. Replacement earphones are available as an
optional accessory - see “Accessories” on page 36.
3.9 Zeroing the Covermeter
This action is requested by the Covermeter whenever it is switched on, and
periodically thereafter (at least once every 10 minutes). The user can optionally
zero the instrument at any time.
If zeroing is required, the cover display is blanked, the user is prompted, and no
further readings can be entered until zeroing is completed.
To zero the Covermeter, hold the search head in the air well away from any
metal and press the ZERO softkey. Zeroing is complete when the ZERO softkey
indicator stops flashing. Sometimes more than one press of the ZERO softkey
will be required; this is quite normal.
c. An RS232 to USB transfer cable is available which allows you to connect your
Covermeter to a USB port on your computer. See “Accessories” on page 36 for
ordering details.

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THE MENUS
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4 THE MENUS
To access the menus press the MENU softkey. To return to the reading screen
quickly, press and hold the MENU softkey.
4.1 MENU
BACKLIGHT . . . . . . . . . . .Toggles the display backlight on or off
SETUP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Opens Setup menu . . . . . . . . . See 4.2 SETUP
ABOUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Opens About menu . . . . . . . . . See 4.3 ABOUT
RESET. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Opens Reset menu . . . . . . . . . See 4.4 RESET
Note: When Backlight is on, the display is illuminated for approximately 10 seconds after
any key is pressed and during measurements.
MENU
BACKLIGHT
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SETUP
ABOUT
RESET
z
z
z
SETUP
UNITS
BEEP VOLUME 3
LANGUAGE
AUTO SWITCH OFF 5
OPENING SCREEN
LCD CONTRAST
R
ABOUT
GAUGE INFORMATION
PROBE INFORMATION
CONTACT
HELP
RESET
INTL GAUGE
USA GAUGE
R
R

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THE MENUS
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4.2 SETUP
UNITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Use Scroll keys to select measurement units (mm/inch)
and then press Enter
BEEP VOLUME. . . . . . . . . Use Scroll keys to select beep volume 0 (off) to 5 (maximum)
and then press Enter
LANGUAGE. . . . . . . . . . . .Use Scroll keys to select menu language and then press
enter
AUTO SWITCH OFF . . . . . Use Scroll keys to select auto switch off time, 5 to 10 minutes
or off and then press Enter
OPENING SCREEN . . . . . Press Enter to toggle the opening screen on or off
LCD CONTRAST. . . . . . . .Use Scroll keys to select LCD contrast, 0 to 8
and then press Enter
4.3 ABOUT
GAUGE INFORMATION . . Press Enter to display technical information about the
Covermeter
PROBE INFORMATION . . Press Enter to display technical information about the search
head
CONTACT . . . . . . . . . . . . . Press Enter to display Elcometer offices worldwide and
(if programmed) Supplier contact details
HELP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Press Enter to display an explanation of all the symbols
used on the display
4.4 RESET
INTL GAUGE. . . . . . . . . . .Press Enter to Reset Covermeter to International settingsd
(DD/MM/YYYY date format, metric units, etc.)
USA GAUGE . . . . . . . . . . . Press Enter to Reset Covermeter to USA settingse
(MM/DD/YYYY date format, imperial units, etc.)
Note: The Covermeter will display a Yes/No confirmation screen before reset is
activated.
d. International settings can also be activated at switch on:
Press and hold third softkey and switch on gauge.
e. USA settings can also be activated at switch on:
Press and hold fourth softkey and switch on gauge.

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LOCATING REINFORCEMENT BARS
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5 LOCATING REINFORCEMENT BARS
This section describes how to set up and use your Covermeter to locate
reinforcement bars.
5.1 Before you start
•Are you using the correct search head?
See “Search heads” on page 27.
5.2 To locate a single layer of reinforcement bars
1. Connect the search head to the Covermeter.
2. Switch on the Covermeter.
3. Zero the Covermeter.
4. Adjust sensitivity - see “Adjusting sensitivity” on page 24.
5. Align the search head parallel to the reinforcement bars being sought.
6. Maintain the alignment of the search head and move the search head
across the search area (Figure 8).
Figure 8. Align search head and scan across bars
Menu
Esc
0
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Menu
Esc
0
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