PCE Americas PCE-WT 1N User manual

Manual
Moisture Meter PCE-WT 1N
Version 1.0
Date of creation: 20.05.2016
Date of last change: 20.05.2016
PCE Americas Inc.
711 Commerce Way
Suite 8
Jupiter
FL-33458
USA
From outside US: +1
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]
www.pce-instruments.com/english
www.pce-instruments.com
PCE Instruments UK Ltd.
Units 12/13
Southpoint Business Park
Ensign way
Hampshire / Southampton
United Kingdom, SO31 4RF
From outside UK: +44
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]

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Contents
1Introduction ............................................................................................................. 3
1.1 Delivery content.......................................................................................................................... 3
2Safety notes ............................................................................................................. 3
3Specification ............................................................................................................ 3
4System description ................................................................................................. 4
4.1 Theoretical determination of humidity ........................................................................................ 4
4.2 Preparations before measurements........................................................................................... 4
4.3 Make a measurement................................................................................................................. 5
4.4 General information.................................................................................................................... 7
5Disposal ................................................................................................................... 8
6Contact ..................................................................................................................... 8
6.1 PCE Instruments UK .................................................................................................................. 8
6.2 PCE Americas ............................................................................................................................ 8

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1 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing a sawdust humidity detector from PCE Instruments.
The humidity detector for sawdust is designed for professional application in the pre-delivery inspection of
sawmills or the receipt inspection in pellet plants, manufacturers of heat- briquettes and other process
sections (for instance: in the manufacturing of wooden briquettes). The sawdust humidity detector PCE-
WT1N can be used to detect the absolute humidity of sawdust and similar biomass, such as chipped
wood, hay and straw, immediately after receiving the goods. The operation is quick and easy. The
sawdust humidity detector has to be filled with the measuring sample, which is then compressed inside
the device and after selecting the sample substance in the menu, the results can be read out at the
sawdust humidity detector. The sawdust humidity detector works with the electrical resistance method.
Thus the sawdust humidity detector is able to determine the humidity very quickly within a short time.
Another advantage of the humidity detector is its practical handling, the small dimensions as well as a
solid structure. The sawdust humidity detector is calibrated by the manufacturer.
1.1 Delivery content
- Sawdust humidity detector PCE-WT1N
- 9 V battery
- Carrying case
- Instruction manual
2 Safety notes
Please read this manual carefully and completely before you use the device for the first time. The device
may only be used by qualified personnel and repaired by PCE Instruments personnel. There is no
warranty of damages or injuries caused by non-observance of the manual.
- The device may only be used in the approved temperature range.
- The case should only be opened by qualified personnel of PCE Instruments.
- You should not make any technical changes to the device.
- The appliance should only be cleaned with a damp cloth / use only pH-neutral cleaner.
- Remove the batteries if the device is not used for a longer period of time to avoid damage on the
instrument.
- Replace the batteries if the device indicates a low battery level.
This user's handbook is published by PCE Instruments without any guarantee.
We expressly point to our general guarantee terms which can be found in our general terms of business.
If you have any questions please contact PCE Instruments.
3 Specification
Measurement range
sawdust, wood chips*
straw, hay
8 ... 30 %
8 …25 %
Resolution
0.1 %
Accuracy
±10 % of the measurement value
Volume of the measuring chamber
120 cm3
Sample size of chipped wood
*max. 20 x 15 x 15 mm
Compressive force during measurement
Approx. 0.2 MPa
Temperature compensation
Digitally adjustable
Display
3 digits LCD display
Power supply
1 x 12 V battery type A 23
Ambient temperature range
0 ... +50 ºC
Dimensions
300 x 220 x 65 mm
Weight
990 g

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4 System description
4.1 Theoretical determination of humidity
The humidity is calculated as follows:
Description:
Ww= Weight of the sample before the drying process
Wd= Weight of the sample after the drying process
4.2 Preparations before measurements
1. Open the head of the measurement chamber.
2. Pull back the compacting device completely in order to ensure that the measurement chamber
can take the maximum volume.
3. Fill the measurement chamber with the sample, according to the specifications of the sawdust
humidity detector. Fill the measurement chamber with at least 2 cm of sample material. An exact
amount of the sample is not prescribed and has no influence on the measurement result.

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4. Close the head of the measurement chamber again and make sure that it is not too tight.
5. Compress the sample within the sawdust humidity detector by using the compacting device.
After operating the compacting device a couple of times, an indicator will show up to give
information on the compression pressure. The appropriate compression is reached when a red
ring around the indicator is shown. The red ring should only point out of the head of the
measuring chamber by a maximum of 0.5 to 1 millimetre.
Red ring
Please be advised that the device may be damaged if the compression pressure is too high!
4.3 Make a measurement
1. Press and hold the ON/OFF button of the device to start it.
2. Press the MATERIAL button and adjust your desired sample material.
Material
Adjustment
Sawdust, wood chips
1
Straw, hay
2
3. Press the Temperature button to set the temperature the sample material has. Each time you
press the button, the temperature is increased in steps of 2 °C. By pressing and holding the
button, the speed of the increase will be higher. A difference between the set temperature and
the actual temperature of ±4 °C will not affect the measurement result.

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4. Wait until the measurement result has stabilized. When the sample is very dry, the measurement
may take up to 10 seconds. Moist samples will give a result within one or two seconds.
5. Pull back the press to its completely again and open the head.
6. Use the compacting device again to push out the sample.
7. After doing so, pull back the compacting device and close the head again.

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Please note that there may samples which are very dry. If that should be the case, the result may fall
below the measurement range. The display will show “LO” in that case. If the sample is too moist the
instrument will display “HI”.
4.4 General information
- Freshly produced material like pellets is usually very dry. It is then recommended to pre-dry the
sample for some days before making measurements.
- The samples should be taken out of the middle of the storage container to ensure certain
repeatability.
- The size of the sample has effects on the measurement results. The smaller the sample size, the
more precise the measurement result (pellets can be crushed with a hammer).
- You can also increase the accuracy of the measurements by calculating the mean value of all
measurements.
- If the display shows the BAT-Symbol, you should immediately insert new batteries to ensure
correct measurement values. It is recommended to replace the batteries every six months.
- If no measurements have been made for a longer period of time, you need to check the
measurement chamber. Inside the chamber, there may be remains of old samples.
- The device should only be stored in cool, dry and chemically neutral atmosphere.

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5 Disposal
For the disposal of batteries, the 2006/66/EC directive of the European Parliament applies. Due to the
contained pollutants, batteries must not be disposed of as household waste. They must be given to
collection points designed for that purpose.
In order to comply with the EU directive 2012/19/EU we take our devices back. We either re-use them or
give them to a recycling company which disposes of the devices in line with law.
If you have any questions, please contact PCE Instruments.
6 Contact
If you have any questions about our range of products or measuring instruments please contact PCE
Instruments.
6.1 PCE Instruments UK
By post:
PCE Instruments UK Ltd.
Units 12/13 Southpoint Business Park
Ensign Way, Southampton
Hampshire
United Kingdom, SO31 4RF
By phone:
02380 987 035
6.2 PCE Americas
By post:
PCE Americas Inc.
711 Commerce Way
Suite 8
Jupiter
33458 FL
USA
By phone:
561 320 9162