NDT James Instruments Aquameter T-M-170 User manual

T-M-170
Aquameter
Operator’s Manual
Original Instructions: Revision August 2011

Notice
The James Instruments Aquameter™ has been tested in
accordance with the EU regulations governing Electro-
Magnetic compliance and it meets required directives.
Aquameter™ is a registered trademark of James
Instruments Inc. and is property of its respective owner.
© 2011 James Instruments Inc. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any
means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording,
or otherwise, without prior written permission of James
Instruments.
No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of
the information contained herein. Moreover, because
James Instruments is constantly striving to improve its
high-quality products, the information contained in this
manual is subject to change without notice. Every
precaution has been taken in the preparation of this
manual. Nevertheless, James Instruments assumes no
responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability
assumed for damages resulting from the use of the
information contained in this publication.

Contents
Table of Contents
Introduction............................................................... 1
Features .......................................................... 1
Aquameter Overview................................................ 2
Feature List...................................................... 3
Procedure................................................................. 4
Alarm Limits.............................................................. 8
Considerations ......................................................... 9
Battery Replacement.............................................. 10
Appendix 1: Pin Code Table .................................. 10
Appendix 2: Search/Density Code Table............... 13
Maintenance........................................................... 15
Replacing Pin Probes.................................... 15
Safety..................................................................... 16
Specifications......................................................... 16
Warranty Information.............................................. 18
Repair Policy.......................................................... 19
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We: James Instruments Inc.
Of: Chicago, IL
In accordance with the following Directive(s):
2006/95/EC Low Voltage Directive
hereby declare that:
Equipment Aquameter
Model Number T-M-170
is in conformity with the applicable requirements of the
following documents
Ref. No. Title Edition/date
ASTM F 2659 Standard Guide for 2010
Preliminary Evaluation
of Comparative Moisture
Condition of Concrete,
Gypsum Cement and
Other Floor Slabs and
Screeds Using a Non-
Destructive Electronic
Moisture Meter.
ASTM D 4444 Standard Test Method 2008
for Laboratory
Standardization and
Calibration of
Hand-Held Moisture
Meters.

EN 61000-6-3 Electromagnetic 2007
Compatibility (EMC).
Generic standards.
Emission standard for
residential, commercial
and light-industrial
environments.
EN 61000-6-2 Electromagnetic 1999
Compatibility (EMC)
Part 6-2: Generic
Standards—Immunity
for Industrial Environments.
I hereby declare that the equipment named above has
been designed to comply with the relevant sections of the
above referenced specifications. The unit complies with all
applicable Essential Requirements of the Directives.
Signed:
Name: Michael Hoag
Position: President, James Instruments Inc.
Location: Chicago, IL
On: 8/2/2011

Introduction
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Introduction
The James Instruments Aquameter (T-M-170) is a
powerful and versatile instrument which is used for
measuring the dampness in building materials. This
product enables building surveyors and other
practitioners to measure the moisture levels of
building elements such as walls, floors and other
materials simply by switching between two different
modes of operation – Pin and Search/Density.
Features
•Small, lightweight, and easy to carry
•Convenient to use and operate
•Digital display gives a precise moisture
reading
•Alarm values can be set by users
•Automatic power shut off to conserve battery
power

Aquameter Overview
Aquameter Overview
The following is an overview of all of the external
features of the Aquameter.
Figure 1: Aquameter System Overview
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Aquameter Overview
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Feature List
Item # Description
1 Pin Probe
2 Search Probe
3 Symbol for Search Mode
4 Display
5 Jack for RS232C Interface
6 Color Coded LED
7 Up/Hold Key
8 Select Key
9 Jack for External Pin Probe
10 Down/Zero Key
11 Power Key
12 Battery Compartment/Cover (Back Side)

Procedure
Procedure
1) After installing the batteries, press and release
the power key, to turn ‘ON’ the Aquameter.
2) To verify the material code setting, press and
release the Select key. The material code will be
displayed for about 5 seconds. During this time, the
code setting can be changed by using the Up/Hold
or Down/Zero keys; when ‘cdxx’ is on the display.
Here ‘cd’ is the abbreviation for ‘code’, and ‘xx’
refers to the material number. By continuing to press
(or hold) the Up/Hold or Down/Zero key, the material
code will advance to next number once every
second. Adjust this value until the material code is
properly set for the material being tested.
2a) Code Selection for the Pin Mode. The material
code for the Pin-type mode is listed in the Pin Code
table on page 10 - Appendix 1. If the material to be
measured is not listed in the table, select the
standard code ‘cd00’. Do this also if the material
code must be ascertained by the standard oven-
drying method.
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Procedure
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2b) Code selection for the Search/Density Mode.
The standard material code for the search/density
mode is ‘cd10’; which is suitable for measuring
materials whose density is like that of pine, fir, oak
etc. The user can carry out an accurate
measurement by selecting one of the material codes
between ‘cd01’ and ‘cd20.’ The greater the density
of the material to be measured, the larger the
material code number to be selected. For measuring
moisture in a concrete wall, the user should select a
code around ‘cd18’.
2c) Factors affecting the choice of material code.
There are many factors that affect the material code,
for instance: different places, different soil - even if in
the same place will lead to a different code for the
same material. The best way to ascertain the
material code is based on standard tests done by
oven-drying commercial samples of the material to
be measured. The code by which the measuring
results are closest to those of the oven-drying
method is the right code. Write down the code
number for such material(s) for later use.

Procedure
3) Moisture measurement. Check which operational
mode the instrument is in by looking at the symbol
‘(•)’ in the display. It is in a Search Mode if the
symbol ‘(•)’ shows up on the display. And it is in a
Pin Mode if the display is without this symbol.
3a) Measurements if in a Pin Mode. Connect the Pin
Probe into the external jack on the side of the test
unit. (See Fig.1) Pop off the top of the Pin probe
using your thumbs. (Caution – the pins are very
sharp.) Push the pins firmly into the surface of the
material, about 6 mm deep at the test point.
3b) Measurements if in a Search Mode. Hold the
unit firmly in your hands, and using your thumbs,
pop off the top of the test unit to expose the white
sensor bar. This is the search probe for the unit.
Place the search probe against the surface of the
material (ie. a wall, floor, etc...) to be measured.
3c) Read the moisture level value from the display,
and note the moisture condition of the material from
the tri-color coded LED. (See display specs. or
Alarm Limits below for more information.)
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Procedure
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3d) To hold the max. value during measurements,
just depress the Up/HOLD key until the symbol ‘max’
appears on the display. To display again the instant
values, just press the Up/HOLD key until the symbol
‘max’ disappears from the display.
4) Zero Adjustment. The Zero adjustment feature
enables the user to compensate for the effects of
changes in both temperature and humidity. The Zero
adjustment should be carried out independently in
different modes.
4a) To perform a Zero Adjustment while in a Pin
Mode, press the Power key to switch the meter ‘on’.
Verify the unit is in a Pin Mode (see steps 3 and 5).
Let the pins of the meter touch nothing except the
surrounding air. Press the Down/Zero key to make
the meter display read ‘0’. The meter is now zeroed.
4b) To perform a Zero Adjustment while in a
Search/Density Mode. Keep the search probe of
the meter at least 15 cm away from the surface of
any material. Then press the Down/Zero key to
make the meter display ‘0’. The meter is now
zeroed.

Alarm Limits
5) Changing the measurement mode. To switch
between modes, press and hold the Select key until
the letters ‘CH’ appears on the display. When this is
seen, release the Select key, and the mode has now
changed to the other mode. Which mode is the
Aquameter in now? (See step 3 above to verify.)
Alarm Limits
1) There is a Tri-color coded LED indicating the
status of moisture. It is controlled by 2 alarm limits.
The factory settings are: AL1 = 13 and AL2 = 18.
Thus, if the reading is <AL1, the LED is Green. If the
reading is >AL2, the LED is Red. And if the reading
lies between AL1 and AL2, the LED is Yellow.
(Note: Users can adjust the alarm limits above
according to their needs; see below.)
2) How to set the alarm limits.
2a) Depress and hold the Select key until ‘AL1’ or
‘AL2’ appears on the Display. (This should take
about 7-9 seconds after pressing the Select key.)
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2b) These values can be adjusted according to your
needs by pressing the Up or Down keys. Then when
complete, press the Select key again to return to the
measurement mode. (Warning: If the second limit
AL2 is less than the first limit AL1, the setting is
invalid, and the factory settings for AL1 and AL2 are
restored to AL1 = 13 and AL2 = 18 automatically.)
Considerations
1) Although this instrument is designed with a high
input resistance, and adequate insulation; please
store it in a dry, dustproof place when not in use.
2) The measured results may vary, if taking the
measurement from different directions of the
surface. This is because water in the material tested
may not be distributed evenly throughout.
3) Although this instrument is designed to measure
the surface (or near to surface) moisture level, it is
not meant to be used on a wet surface.

Battery Replacement
Battery Replacement
When the battery symbol appears on the display, it
is time to check or replace the batteries. Open the
back compartment of the unit. Remove the old
batteries, and install new ones; paying close
attention to the battery polarity.
Appendix 1: Pin Code Table
Code Material
Cd00 Abies grandis, Acer macrophyllum, Maple, Acer
saccharum, Pine (scots), yellow Pine, Dalbergia
latifolia, Dipterocarpus zeylanicus, Eucalyptus
microcorys, Fraxinus excelsior, Cupressus spp,
Pinus contorta, Pterygota bequaertii, Quercus
robur, Pinus sylvestris, Balsa, Boxwood
(maracaibo), red Gum (American), Gum
spotted, Gurjun, Birch, Cypress (African) Karri,
Oak (European), Oak (Japanese), black Poplar,
Redwood (Baltic European), Rosewood
(Indian), Pine (lodgepole), Tallowwood, Walnut
(American), Kapur
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Appendix 1: Pin Code Table
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Cd01 Araucaria bidwilli, Eucalyptus crebra,
Eucalyptus saligna, Flindersia brayleyana,
Fraxinus Americana, Intsia bijuga, Podocarpus
dacrydioides, Sequoia sempervirens, Pinus
pinaster, Gum (southern), Mahogany (west
Indian), Douglas fir, Maple (queensland), red
(light or dark) Meranti, white Meranti, Redwood
(Californian), Walnut (new guinea), white Pine
(new Zealand), Araucaria angustifolia
Cd02 Distemonanthus benthamianus, Jarrah,
Endiandra palmerstonii, Erythrophleum spp,
Abies alba, Fagus sylvatica, Grevillea robusta,
Juglans regia, Larix deciduas, Larix
occidentalis, Podocarpus spicatus, picea abies,
Pinus caribaea, Pinus nigra, Pinus palustris,
Pinus ponderosa, Pinus radiate, Taxus baccata,
Thuja plicata, Tsugaheterophylla, red Cedar
(western), Chestnut, Greenheart, Hemlock
(western), Larch (European), Larch (Japanese),
Queensland walnut, red Seraya, Spruce, Silky
oak (African), Silky oak (Australian), Pine
(Corsican), Pine, radiate, Walnut (European),
Walnut (queensland), Whitewood, Yew, Pine
(ponderosa), Stringybark, Oak (tasmanese)
Cd03
Khaya senegalensis, Podocarpus totara, Quercus cerris, Ulmus American, Ulmus
procera, Ulmus thomasii, Afzelia, Kauri (new
Zealand), Lime, Elm (English), white Elm, Matai,
Oak (Turkey), Pyinkado

Appendix 1: Pin Code Table
Cd04 Acer pseudoplatanus, Carya glabra, Sycamore,
Cassipourea elliotti, Dipterocarpus (keruing),
Teak, Cordia al liodore, Larix occidentalis,
Pterocarpus soyauxii, Hickory, Padauk (African)
Cd05 Afrormosia elata, Diospyros virginiana,
Gonystylus macrophyllum, Pterocarpus indicus,
Afrormosia, Amboyna, Basswood, Coachwood,
Persimmon
Cd06 Calophyllumbrasiliense, Guarea cedrata, white
Guarea
Cd07 Abies procera, Agathis robusta, Betula pendula,
Croton megalocarpus, Prunus avium, Agba,
Birch (European), Cedar (west Indian), black
Guarea, Kauri (queensland), Walnut (African),
Cherry (european), Utile
Cd08 Chipboard, Paper
Cd09 Building, Wall, Concrete
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Appendix 2: Search/Density Code Table
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Appendix 2: Search/Density Code Table
Density Code Materials
Kg/m3 (Only for Reference)
200 1
220 2
240 3 Foam
Soft Wood
320 4 Felt
400 5 Peat
Charcoal
440 6 Coke
480 7 White Lime
520 8
560 9 Veneer
Timber, Chipboard
600 10 Pine, Fir, Oak
800 11 Leather, Slag, Kerosene, Alcohol
Polyethylene
1000 12 Soft Coal, Bamboo, Paraffin
ABS
1200 13 Clunch, Organic Glass
Asphaltum, Lime
1400 14 Bakelite, Fiberboard
Rubber
1600 15 Stone, Sand (Dry)
Clayey Brick

Appendix 2: Search/Density Code Table
1800 16 Asbestine Board
Vitriol (87%)
2000 17 Sand (Wet)
Bricklaying, Firebrick
2200 18 Quartz Glass
Concrete, Asbestos, Plaster
2500 19 China, Glass
3000 20 Marble, Granite, Magnetite
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