humimeter.com GF2 User manual

User manual
Building moisture meter
humimeter GF2
version 1.2_en
© Schaller GmbH
2014

page 2 version 1.2_en
Evaluation scale of measuring value
For some calibration curves, the measuring value shown on the display is
evaluated in 4 different increments. This evaluation scale bases on the
experience of Schaller GmbH. As the increments can differ according to the
craft resp. business, a plausibility check is recommended.
At increasing moisture, the 4 increments are:
dry -> optimum -> moist -> wet
According to the measured material the evaluation scale differs!
Design of GF2 basic device (article no. 12853)
calibration
curve
temperature
measuring value
batteries slot
(flipside) selection of
calibration curves
POWER button
external sensors
evaluation
optional USB interface

version 1.2_en page 3
Measuring procedure GF2 basic device
To switch on the instrument, press the key for
three seconds.
After showing the logo, the measuring window opens and
the current measuring values are displayed.
Now you can select the desired calibration curve by
pressing or . The calibration curves saved in the
device can be found in the list below.
List of calibration curves
Pressing the or key in the measuring window for at
least 3 seconds, a list with all available calibration curves
appears. Select your sort by pressing or and confirm
by pressing the key.
Look for some representative positions that are suitable for monitoring the
floor screed moisture. The thickness of concrete in these places has to be at
least 30mm.
Please make sure that there are no pipes, electric cables or iron gratings in
that area. Metal objects within the measuring field of 30mm lead to incorrect
measuring values.
Before measuring, clean the measuring area with a broad scraper. The
measuring device has to rest on the concrete with its full surface without any
air space. The measuring area must not be polluted by grit.
Select the calibration curve that best fits your material to measure using the
arrow keys. For a list of material types and corresponding densities, please
see the chart below.
Please ensure that the measuring instrument has nearly the same
temperature than the material to measure.
Press the measuring instrument with downward measuring surface with
a pressure of approx. 4kg onto the cleaned measuring area. The water
content is displayed in the measuring window immediately.
The interpretation of the shown floor screed water content needs the
experience of the user as well as the recommendations of the floor screed
producer.

page 4 version 1.2_en
The thickness of floor screed can differ. The humimeter GF2 always
measures the supreme layer of 30 mm.
If the thickness of the floor screed is less than 30 mm, iron gratings, heating
pipes and other metal can cause an incorrect measuring value. Therefore
please look for a measuring position without any metal in the measuring field.
The moisture meter displays an average value of a layer of 30 mm. The
moisture of deeper layers may be considerably higher than that value.
The water content of deeper layers can only be determined by the CM method
or in a drying chamber.
List of calibration curves
calibration curve description density measuring
range
floor screed cement screed
normally compacted
approx.
2000kg/m³ 0.5 to 4.5%
CM floor screed
cement screed
normally compacted
conversion CM %
approx.
2000kg/m³ 0.2 to 4.0%
concrete concrete normally
compacted
approx.
2400kg/m³ 0.5 to 5.0%
anhydrite
floor screed
anhydrite floor screed
normally compacted
approx.
2600kg/m³ 0.5 to 5.0%
aerated concrete blocks of aerated
concrete
300 kg/m³ to
800kg/m³ 4 to 20%
spec. floor scre cement screed lowly
compacted <1800kg/m³ 0.5 to 4.5%
special concrete concrete lowly
compacted <2200kg/m³ 0.5 to 5.0%
drywall 12.5mm drywall
12.5mm thickness 0.1 to 4%
drywall 15.0mm drywall
15.0mm thickness 0.1 to 4%
light conc.brick concrete bricks <2100kg/m³ 0.2 to 3.0%
concrete bricks concrete bricks approx.
2200kg/m³ 0.2 to 2.5%
heavy conc. bricks concrete bricks >2300kg/m³ 0.2 to 1.5%
Digit ------- 0 - 100%
reference
! only for device check!
------- -------

version 1.2_en page 5
Information regarding measurements with GF2 basic device
Screed and concrete
The degree of drying and the moisture dispersal can differ significantly.
Therefore we recommend to find out the wettest area by effecting a large
number of measurements with the humimeter GF2. Then knock off the bottom
layer of the wettest area and effect a final evaluation by drying in a drying
chamber or via a CM device.
density ranges:
concrete: between 2200kg/m³ and 2600kgm/³
special concrete: less than 2200kg/m³
floor screed: between 1800kg/m³ and 2200kgm/³
special screed: less than 1800kg/m³
anhydrite floor screed: 2600kg/m³

page 6 version 1.2_en
CM method
Another common method of determining the moisture of the bottom layer of
screed is the CM method. The accuracy of the CM method depends on
various parameters and is not suited for a comparison with the humimeter
GF2 resp. for material calibration. In the following chart of producers of CM
devices you can find comparative values of measurements in drying chamber
in weight% to CM% for some concrete types. Please find comparative values
for other concrete types in the user manual of your CM device.
CM calibration curve
The CM floor screed calibration curve is a conversion from water content into
CM %. The measurement values of this calibration curve are guidance values
and do not replace the CM method. However, via the non-destructive
measuring process of the GF2 the measurement is simplified. Subsequently
a CM measurement according to the norm is recommended!
cement
screed
weight %
1.8 2.2 2.7 3.2 3.6 4.1 4.5 5.0
CM %
0.7 1.0 1.4 1.8 2.1 2.5 2.9 3.2
anhydrite
floor
weight %
0.1 0.3 0.6 1.0 1.4 1.8 2.2 2.5
CM %
0.1 0.3 0.6 1.0 1.4 1.8 2.2 2.5
concrete
B15,B25,B35
weight %
1.3 1.9 2.5 3.2 3.8 4.4 5.0
CM %
0.3 0.8 1.3 1.7 2.2 2.7 3.2
If your CM device shows a cement screed moisture value of 1.8 CM%, this
value corresponds to 3.2 weight% corresponding to the norm method in the
drying chamber.
Drywall
For measuring drywall, press the humimeter GF2 with its
full surface and a pressure of approx. 4 kg on the outside
of the drywall. There must not be any metal or anything
similar in an area of 50mm behind the drywall.

version 1.2_en page 7
Concrete brick
For measuring concrete bricks, press the humimeter
GF2 with its full surface and a pressure of approx. 4
kg on an even area of the brick. Make sure that the
whole measuring area of the device rests on the brick!
Light concrete bricks: < 2100kg/m³
Heavy concrete bricks: > 2300kg/m³
Aerated concrete
For measuring aerated concrete, press the
humimeter GF2 with its full surface and a
pressure of approx. 4 kg on an even area of the
block.
Digit calibration curve
The digit calibration curve offers a dimensionless measuring range from 0 to
100, which corresponds to the total measuring range of the device. This
calibration curve is destined for measuring special material.
The digit calibration curve is also suitable for detecting water or damp areas
in the wall. The higher the shown value, the wetter the measured area.
very dry: 0% very wet: 100%
NOTE: Also electric cables or pipes can cause a high digit value.

page 8 version 1.2_en
Menu level overview
Type selection menu
Main menu
Previous calibration curve
Power off
Enter new log
Power off
Switch lower
Switch upper
Open this menu/Enter
Edit Logs
Manual Logs
Auto Logs
Clear Logs
Print Logs
Last Logs
All Logs
Clear Logs
Send Logs
Manual Logs
Auto Logs
Clear Logs
Options
Date/Time
Emission ratio
Datalog Time
Language
Unlock
°C/°F
Calib.
Userlevel
BL ON time
Auto Off time
Materialcalib.
Setting
Password
Reset
Status
Show last log
Next
calibration curve
Store menu
Keypad symbols
Measuring window:
Rolling Menu
Power ON / OFF
Switch upper
Switch lower
Save
Hold
Autolog
Watch saved data
Enter supplier´s
data
Menu:
Enter
Switch upper
Switch lower
Exit
Enter numbers
Enter letters
Next or right
Left
Yes
No
Shift
OK

version 1.2_en page 9
Checking of calibration
The calibration of your humimeter GF2 can be
checked using the optionally available proof
plate (article no. 10003). For this procedure,
the device has to show a temperature
between 18.0 and 24.0°C.
Switch on the instrument and select the
calibration curve „digit“ using the arrow keys.
Hold the humimeter GF2 in one hand and
press it onto the grey proof plate with a
compacting pressure of 4kg.
The shown measuring value should range between 17.5 and 18.5. If the
shown value is out of this range, you have to carry out a calibration (see
instructions below).
Calibration
If the deviation at the calibration check has been too
high, you can correct that by effecting a zero point
adjustment.
For that please proceed as follows:
Press the very left key twice to reach the menu
level. Navigate to the menu item „Options“ using the
arrow keys. Confirm by pressing the button.
Select the menu item „Calibrate“ using the arrow
keys and confirm by pressing .
This menu item has to be unlocked. For that you
have to enter the 4-digit serial number of your
humimeter. You can find the serial number on the
top right edge of the display a short time after
switching on the instrument, or on the sticker in the
battery slot.
Press the third button as long as the black bar
shows the first digit of the serial number. After a
waiting time of a few seconds the device accepts
the entered digit. Now the other 3 digits have to be
entered. When the 4-digit number has been entered
correctly (see picture), press the button to
confirm.
Hold the humimeter GF2 in one hand up in the air
and make sure that nothing stands behind the black
measuring plate. Now press the second button ( )
with one finger.

page 10 version 1.2_en
The calibration procedure will take a few seconds.
During that time, the instrument has to be held up in
the air and the measuring field must NOT be
touched.
The device is ready when the picture shown on the
right disappears automatically.
Changing the batteries
Your new device is provided with batteries. For inserting resp. changing the
batteries, please proceed as follows:
1.) First of all remove the rubber protection
cover. For that, hold the rubber protection
cover at the upper side and pull it over. If your
humimeter is provided with an optional USB
port, you have to remove the protection cap
before.
2.) Press with one finger onto the arrow of the
battery cap and pull it back.
3.) Remove the empty batteries.
4.) Put four new 1.5 Volt AA Alkaline batteries
in the device. Make sure that the position of
the battery poles is correct.
5.) Press down the batteries and close the cap.
6.) Mount the rubber protection cover again.

version 1.2_en page 11
If the battery symbol appears in the measuring window resp. if a critical charge
of battery is shown in the status (!), the batteries have to be changed
IMMEDIATELY. If you do not use your humimeter device for a longer period,
remove the batteries. For eventual resulting damages we cannot provide any
warranty.
Operating the instrument
Switching on: Press for three seconds.
Changing the calibration curve: press or .
Setting date and time:
two times - Options – date / time
Set date and time using the button , according to the format indicated
(JJ.MM.TT). After entering the year, press the button for entering the month
and again for entering the day. For changing from date to time also press
the button . After finishing, press for saving the entered data.
Datalog
Select your desired interval in the menu Options – Log Time using the arrow
keys, and confirm by pressing OK. Now the symbol appears in the store
menu. By pressing this symbol you can activate the AutoLog.
Info: In order to save battery power at a log interval of 1 minute or longer
the device switches off automatically during the waiting time and
activates again for saving the logs!
For completing the AutoLog, switch on the device (if necessary) and press the
button. If you want to add supplier´s data press the button. Supplier´s
data can also be entered on the PC subsequently.
Switching on the display lighting
Press the key briefly; the display lighting switches off automatically after
approx. 20 seconds. Pressing any key activates the display lighting again, and
the period for switching off again is prolonged to four minutes (The display
lighting time can be modified in menu level Options – BL ON Time).

page 12 version 1.2_en
Switching off
Press the key in the measuring window for 5 seconds. The instrument
switches off after releasing the key. The instrument switches off automatically
after approx. four minutes. (The turn-off time can be modified in menu level
Options – Auto Off Time.)
Activation of the “super user” function
2 times - Options – Unlock
Enter the 4-digit password by using the button (standard is the 4-digit serial
number) and confirm by pressing the button.
Changing the Userlevel
Changing from advanced user to single user:
Make sure that you have activated the “super user” functions according to the
instructions above. Afterwards change to the menu and choose „Options“.
In the submenu please select „o Userlevel“ (2 times - Options – o
Userlevel)
Confirm by pressing the button. Now the single user is activated.
Changing from single user to advanced user:
Keep both the buttons and pressed directly after switching on the device.
Your humimeter automatically starts the main menu. Activate the “super user”
functions according to the instructions above.
Navigate to “Options – o Userlevel” and confirm by pressing the button.

version 1.2_en page 13
Transfer saved data to the PC
(
only possible with optional USB interface)
To send your saved logs to the PC, connect the
humimeter device to your PC using the USB cable
that was delivered with your device. Carefully loose
the protection cap on your humimeter and plug in
the USB mini B connector. The bigger connector
has to be connected to a USB slot on your PC.
Start the LogMemorizer software on your PC and
switch on your humimeter.
The data transfer can be started on your humimeter
or on the software.
Starting the data transfer on the humimeter:
Press the key until you reach the menu (see
image on the right). Then choose „Send Logs“ and
confirm by pressing the key. Now choose
„Manual Logs“ or “Auto logs” and confirm with
again. All saved logs will be sent to your PC.
Starting the data transfer on your PC:
Press the button „remote control“ in the
LogMemorizer software. A drop-down menu with
several options opens (see image).
For transferring the data you can select „Import last
manual log“ (the last saved measuring series is
transferred) or „Import all manual logs“ (all saved
logs are transferred).
If you click on one of these menu items, the transfer
starts immediately.

page 14 version 1.2_en
For the basic adjustments of the software please
look through the LogMemorizer instructions on
USB flash drive.
Print saved data
(
only possible with optional USB
interface)
To print your saved data, connect the device to the
printer using the printer cable that was delivered
with your device. Carefully loose the protection cap
on the humimeter. At first plug in this side of the
connector having the plastic casing closer to the
end at the humimeter. Then switch on the device.
Not till then the other side of the cable has to be
plugged in at the printer. Switch on the printer by
pressing . Now the green LED is blinking. If it
does not blink, please change the batteries and try
again.
Press the button at your humimeter until you
reach the menu (see image on the right). Choose
„Print Logs“ and confirm by pressing .
Now you can select a print of the last saved
measuring series or of all saved measuring series
(logs).
Confirm by pressing again. The selected logs are
printed out now.
NOTE: To save paper, please think of clearing the data storage regularly.

version 1.2_en page 15
Changing the sensor
Plug in the desired sensor (if necessary screw off the other sensor before).
The device automatically recognizes which sensor is active and provides the
corresponding calibration curves.
Info: using 2 sensors at the same time is not possible!!
Changing the sensor in detail:
If an external sensor is mounted, screw off this sensor and put it into the
plastic case again. If no external sensor is plugged in, the internal building
moisture sensor with its corresponding calibration curves is active. When
plugging in a sensor, please pay attention to the polarity. The female and the
male connector have a notch (resp. a lug) which allow the plugging in only in
the right position. The sensor must not be plugged in by force. This may cause
mechanical resp. electrical consequential damages. Take care that the
external sensors are fixed strongly. The sensors are not waterproof. Protect
the sensors from strong dust exposure.
USB connector sensor connector

page 16 version 1.2_en
Design GF2 external conductance electronics
(article no. 13141)
Information for measuring with GF2 external conductance
electronics
This external conductance electronics is necessary to connect the optionally
available conductance sensors to the humimeter GF2. The calibration of the
conductance electronics box can only be effected by Schaller GmbH.
The electronics box article no. 13141 includes a connection cable article no.
12881, for connecting the conductance sensor with the electronics box. This
cable can be used for all external conductance sensors.
connection to humimeter
connection to conductance sensor

version 1.2_en page 17
Calibration curves conductance sensor
calibration curve description density measuring
range
brick 1.0 to 30%
gypsum 0.5 to 14%
lime mortar 0.5 to 10%
lime gypsum plaster
approx.
1150kg/m³ 0.1 to 10%
lime cement plaster approx.
1250kg/m³ 0.4 to 10%
lime plaster approx.
1450kg/m³ 0.8 to 10%
cork 4.0 to 30%
cellulose injected insulation
material
approx.
55kg/m³ 10.0 to 40%
Digit ------- 0 to 100
test block
! Only for checking the
instrument ! ------- -------
Calibration curves for plaster
Due to the multitude of diverse plastering mixtures, the calibration curves
have been determined based on a selection of various plastering mixtures of
different producers, which have been summarised in the above mentioned
main groups of plaster.
The curves have been determined in plastered condition. It is not possible to
measure the powder or not processed plaster!

page 18 version 1.2_en
Measuring value wood moisture
At delivery, the humimeter GF2 indicates the wood moisture. This means
that no conversion from water content is necessary. On request, the device
can also determine the water content. This has to be effected in the factory.
Please contact [e-mail].
Wood moisture
The wood moisture defines the amount of water contained in the wood, related
to its dry weight.
Example: 0.6 kg wood + 0.4kg water:
0.6 kg correspond to 100%, that means that 0.4 kg water add up to a moisture
content of 66.7 %.
Water content
The water content defines the amount of water contained in the wood, related
to its total weight. Example with same data: 1 kg wood, 40% water content:
The wood consists of 0.4 kg water and 0.6 kg wood.
Wood types
Main Group Sub groups
Beech
Rubber Eucalyptus
Oak
Mahogany
Wenge
Alder
Acacia Alstonia Birch
European
chestnut Horse chestnut
Cherry
Tree Walnut
Okan
Ash
Keruing
Spruce
Pine
Balsa Yew Tree
Stone
Pine
Larch
Maple Douglas Fir Hemlock Cotton Wood Elm
Fir
Ceiba Linden
Willow
Pear Hickory
Olive
wood Ramin Teak
Measuring range: The minimum measuring range of the humimeter GF2 is
9% wood moisture. If the wood moisture is below 9%, the measurement may
reveal incorrect values.
Description: The measuring window of the humimeter GF2 shows the
calibration curves named in the main group. If you want to measure a wood
type not mentioned in the main group, please look for your wood type in the
sub groups of the above list and choose the corresponding main group (e.g.
if you want to measure cottonwood you have to choose the main group larch).

version 1.2_en page 19
evaluation
calibration
curve
temperature
measuring
value
Design GF2 plug-in electrodes (article no. 13011)
Information for measuring with GF2 plug-in electrodes:
The plug-in electrodes are used
for determining the water
content of hardened and set
building materials. The distance
between the two electrodes
should be approx. 10 cm.
The electrodes are also used
for connecting the flat
electrodes article no. 13012.
measuring tips
conductance electronics
13141 incl.
connecting cable 12881

page 20 version 1.2_en
evaluation
measuring
value
temperature
calibration
curve
Design GF2 pair of flat electrodes (article no. 13012)
Information for measuring with GF2 flat electrodes:
The flat electrodes are used for detecting
moisture in expansion joints and edge joints.
Furthermore the moisture in the insulation or
in the fill can be measured. The flat
electrodes have to be inserted with a
distance of 10 cm to each other.
NOTE: the flat electrodes are equipped with
a shrink hose which ensures the
measurement only at the naked tips. A
damage of the shrink hose may cause
incorrect measurement values!
conductance electronics
13141 incl.
connecting cable 12881
plug-in electrodes
13011 required!
flat electrodes