TRAMEX CME 4 User manual

www.GlobalTestSupply.com
Find Quality Products Online at: [e-mail]

Concrete Encounter CME 4
User Guide 24/08/04
TRAMEX MOISTURE/HUMIDITY INSTRUMENTS
SURVEY ENCOUNTER: The intelligent moisture meter.
"State of the art" non-destructive moisture meter for measurement and data
logging of moisture in wood and building materials.
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER PLUS
General purpose non-destructive moisture meter employing advanced analog and
digital technology.
CONCRETE ENCOUNTER CME 4
Non-destructive moisture meter for concrete floors.
CRH FLOORING METER
"State of the art" Moisture and Relative Humidity meter for flooring. For non-
destructive testing and data logging of moisture content and relative humidity in
concrete, gypsum and other floor screeds. Relative humidity testing to: ASTM
F 2170-02, (in situ method) and BS 5325:2001 & 8203:2001, (hood method).
RHR FLOORING HYGROMETER
Complete kit for relative humidity testing of flooring by either the in situ probe
method to ASTM F2170-02 and/or the RH hood method to BS 5325:2001 &
8203:2001.
FLOOR INSPECTION KIT
Complete kit for moisture testing concrete, hardwood flooring, sub-flooring and
environmental monitoring.
WOOD MOISTURE ENCOUNTER
Non-destructive testing of wood products.
PROFESSIONAL MOISTURE METER
Digital resistance meter with probes, tests deep into wood.
COMPACT MOISTURE METER
Economical pin type resistance meter for wood.
SKIPPER
Checks wooden boats for decay and finds osmosis in GRP.
RHR HYGROMETER and PROBE
General-purpose hygrometer with detachable sensing probe for monitoring
Relative Humidity, Dewpoint, Mixing Ratio and Temperature in building
environments.
LEAK SEEKER
Leak tracing in flat and built-up roofing.
DEC SCANNER
Mobile non-destructive surveying of flat roofs.
WET WALL DETECTOR
Non-destructive moisture evaluation and tracing in EIFS.
1
CME4/1005
SURVEY ENCOUNTER: The intelligent moisture meter.
“State of the art” non-destructive moisture meter for measurement and data log-
ging of moisture in building materials.
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER PLUS
General purpose non-destructive moisture meter employing advanced analog
and digital technology.
CONCRETE ENCOUNTER CME 4
Non-destructive moisture meter for concrete floors.
CRH FLOORING
Non-destructive testing and data logging of moisture content and relative humid-
ity measurements in concrete (to ASTM F 2170-02, ASTM F 2420-05 and BS
5325:2001 & 8203:2001), gypsum screeds and sub-floors.
RHR FLOORING HYGROMETER KIT
Complete kit for relative humidity testing of flooring by either the in situ probe
method (to ASTM F 2170-02 and BS 5325:2001 & 8203:2001) or the RH hood
method (ASTM F 2420-05).
FLOOR INSPECTION KIT
Complete kit for moisture testing concrete, hardwood flooring, sub-flooring and
environmental monitoring.
MRH
Digital Moisture and Humidity Meter with 4 scales for wood, roofing, masonry
and drywall. Humidity probe also available. Suitable for humidity testing of floor-
ing by either the in situ probe method (to ASTM F 2170-02 and BS 5325:2001 &
8203:2001) or the RH hood method (ASTM F 2420-05).
PROFESSIONAL MOISTURE METER
Digital resistance meter with probes, tests deep into wood.
COMPACT MOISTURE METER
Economical pin-type resistance meter for wood.
SKIPPER PLUS
Checks wooden boats for decay and finds osmosis in GRP.
LEAK SEEKER
Leak tracing in flat and built-up roofing.
DEC SCANNER
Mobile non-destructive surveying of flat roofs.
WET WALL DETECTOR
Non-destructive moisture evaluation and tracing in EIFS.
RWS ROOF AND WALL SCANNER.
For moisture scanning and leak tracing on roofing, EIFS and the building enve-
lope.
MOISTURE & HUMIDITY INSPECTION KITS ARE AVAILABLE FOR
THE FOLLOWING INDUSTRIES:
Floor inspection / EIFS wall inspection / Roof inspection / Indoor Air Quality /
Water damage restoration.
www.GlobalTestSupply.com
Find Quality Products Online at: [e-mail]

Concrete Encounter CME 4
User Guide 24/08/04
Table of Contents
Introduction .............................................................. 2
How it works ............................................................. 3
Instrument Features................................................. 4
Operating Instructions............................................. 5
Working with your Concrete Encounter CME 4..... 7
Drying time for concrete floors and screeds...... 7
Testing for moisture content in a floor slab ....... 7
Pre-test conditioning and preparation...................7
Testing procedures...................................................8
Calibration................................................................. 9
Limitations ................................................................ 9
Warranty.................................................................. 10
Warranty claims...................................................... 10
Product development............................................. 11
Introduction
Congratulations on your selection of a new Concrete
Encounter CME 4 instrument from Tramex.
The Concrete Encounter utilises “state of the art” electronic
technology to provide the flooring industry with an accurate
and simple to use non-invasive handheld instrument for non-
destructive testing (NDT) of Moisture Content (MC) in
concrete and comparative moisture readings in, gypsum and
other floor screeds.
2
CME4/1005
www.GlobalTestSupply.com
Find Quality Products Online at: [e-mail]

Concrete Encounter CME 4
User Guide 24/08/04
How it works
The instrument operates on the principle that the electrical
impedance of a material varies in proportion to its moisture
content. The electrical impedance is measured by creating a
low frequency alternating electric field between the
electrodes as illustrated in the diagram below.
Transmit Electrode
Material sample
under test
Alternating Electric Field
Receive Electrode
Concrete Encounter CME 4
Concrete Encounter CME 4
Spring loaded pins
Glass fibre board
Copper electrode
Pins fully compressed
Instrument in free air
Instrument pressed on to material surface to measure/detect
moisture content
This field penetrates the material under test. The very small
alternating current flowing through the field is inversely
proportional to the impedance of the material. The
instrument detects this current, determines its amplitude and
thus derives the moisture value.
3
CME4/1005
www.GlobalTestSupply.com
Find Quality Products Online at: [e-mail]

Concrete Encounter CME 4
User Guide 24/08/04
Instrument Features
Your Concrete Encounter CME 4 employs advanced analog
and digital technology to enable the incorporation of many
new features which greatly extend the capability of the
instrument.
xTwo simple push button controls, ON and HOLD.
xConcrete moisture readings, 0% to 6%, are displayed on
a clear easy to read moving coil meter with linear scale.
xComparative or qualitative readings for gypsum and
other floor screeds are shown on a 0 to 10 scale.
xA reference scale of 0 to 100 is also provided.
xTo conserve battery life, the instrument automatically
powers OFF after 4 minutes of inactivity.
xPower remains on if a change in meter reading is
detected or any button is pressed.
xAn audio alert (bleep) will sound 10 seconds prior to the
meter automatically powering OFF.
xTwo LED (light emitting diode) indicators.
iThe lower LED illuminates when the ON button is
pressed and remains on until the CME 4 automatically
powers off.
iThe upper LED flashes when HOLD is selected.
iIf the battery is nearing the end of its useful life, both
LEDs flash sequentially for 3 seconds at each power
ON to indicate that the battery should be replaced.
xHOLD button freezes needle on moving coil meter, to
facilitate ease of recording readings.
xIf HOLD was selected prior to the CME 4 automatically
powering off, the frozen meter reading is digitally
memorized and restored next time ON is selected.
4
CME4/1005
www.GlobalTestSupply.com
Find Quality Products Online at: [e-mail]

Concrete Encounter CME 4
User Guide 24/08/04
Operating Instructions
A diagram of the instrument face with brief notes on the
push button controls and LED indicators is shown below.
Power ON button.
Automatic switch off
after 4 minutes if :-
1. No button pressed.
2. No change in meter
reading.
LED indicators show:-
1. Power on.
2. Hold – flashing LED.
3. Low battery - LEDs
flash sequentially.
Moving coil meter
HOLD button
Press once for HOLD
Press again to remove
HOLD
ON HOLD
CONCRETE ENCOUNTER
CME 4
Power On LED
Hold – flashing LED
0
1
3
5
7
9
0
6
5
4
3
2
1
GYPSUM
FLOOR
SCREED
CONCRETE
%H²O
100
80
60
40
20
0
8
6
4
2
10
Concrete
Encounter
1. Press the ON button to power up. The lower LED will
light. [Note – If the battery voltage is getting low, the
two LEDs will flash sequentially for a short period. The
instrument will continue to operate for some time but it
is recommended that the PP3 (9 volt) battery be
replaced as soon as convenient.]
2. Press your Concrete Encounter CME 4 directly onto
the surface of the material being tested ensuring that all
of the electrode spring loaded pins are fully compressed.
3. For concrete, read the moisture content from the top, 0%
to 6%, scale of the meter dial. Readings on a concrete
5
CME4/1005
www.GlobalTestSupply.com
Find Quality Products Online at: [e-mail]

Concrete Encounter CME 4
User Guide 24/08/04
floor slab obtained on this scale indicate moisture
content measurement and should not be confused with
lbs emission or any other unit of measurement obtained
by other moisture testing methods or meters. It should
also be noted that there seems to be no linear correlation
between moisture content measurements and lbs
emission measurements as obtained using calcium
chloride testing methods.
4. For gypsum and other floor screeds, comparative or
qualitative readings should be taken from the middle, 0
to 10, scale of the meter dial.
5. Alternatively, the lower, 0 to 100, reference scale can be
used for comparative readings. This scale is not to be
interpreted as a measurement of percentage moisture
content, or relative humidity. It is not a relative humidity
reading and it does not have any linear correlation with
Relative Humidity measurements. This scale should be
regarded as a comparative or qualitative scale only. This
scale is included to facilitate comparative testing of
different areas where direct contact with the bare
concrete surfaces may not be possible due to some form
of thin coating or covering on the concrete, or additive
in the concrete that could influence the readings.
Readings from the reference or relative scale are
comparative only and of help in identifying areas with
moisture problems.
6. The CME 4 will automatically power-off after four
minutes if no button is pressed or if no change in meter
reading is detected. If a button is pressed or the meter
reading changes, the power-off will be extended for an
additional four minutes.
7. To freeze readings press the HOLD button once. While
on HOLD, the upper LED will flash slowly. If the unit
powers OFF while on HOLD, the frozen meter reading
is digitally memorized and restored next time ON is
selected. To remove freeze, press HOLD button again.
6
CME4/1005
www.GlobalTestSupply.com
Find Quality Products Online at: [e-mail]

Concrete Encounter CME 4
User Guide 24/08/04
Working with your Concrete Encounter CME 4
Drying time for concrete floors and screeds
Concrete floors and screeds must be allowed to dry to an
adequate level before the installation of sheet material, tile,
wood or coating. Manufacturers of such systems generally
require moisture testing to be performed before installation
on a floor slab. Moisture content measurement is one such
method. Excessive moisture in or permeating from a floor
slab after the installation of a floor covering or coating can
cause failures such as condensation, blistering, delaminating,
movement and general deterioration of the finished
flooring/coating. There is also a risk of promoting microbial
growth.
No exact period can be specified for the drying of such
floors as this is affected by temperature and humidity within
the building as well as concrete curing times and other
factors. Typically a period of 3 to 4 weeks per 25mm (1inch)
depth of concrete or sand/cement screed needs to be
allowed. Longer periods may be required in areas of high
humidity or low temperature. During the drying period and
prior to applying the floor covering, the floor should be
regularly checked to monitor moisture content.
Testing for moisture content in a floor slab
Pre-test conditioning and preparation
For best and most accurate results, tests should be carried
out after the internal conditions of the building in which the
slab is located have been at normal service temperature and
humidity for at least 48 hours.
All artificial heating or drying equipment should be turned
off at least 96 hours before final readings are attempted,
otherwise results may not accurately reflect the amount of
moisture present or moisture movement in the slab during
normal operating conditions.
Prior to testing, the actual test area should be clean and free
of any foreign substances.
7
CME4/1005
www.GlobalTestSupply.com
Find Quality Products Online at: [e-mail]

Concrete Encounter CME 4
User Guide 24/08/04
Where covered floor slabs are being tested, all covering
materials, adhesive residue, curing compound, sealers, paints
etc., shall be removed to expose a test area of clean bare
concrete. For removal of any existing flooring or adhesives,
strictly observe all the appropriate safety and health
practices relevant to cleaning and removal of these types of
materials. Removal of covering materials and cleaning if
required shall take place a minimum of 48 hours prior to
testing.
Use of water based cleaning methods that could lead to
elevated surface and/or sub-surface moisture levels in the
floor slab are not recommended, and testing after such
treatment could result in elevated readings.
No visible water in liquid form should be present on the
concrete at the time of testing with the CME 4.
Avoid testing in locations subject to direct sunlight or
sources of heat.
Use of artificial aids for accelerated drying of concrete is not
recommended. If they are being used it is recommended they
should be turned off at least four days before taking final
readings.
Testing procedures
1. Remove any dust or foreign matter from the Concrete
Encounter CME 4 electrodes before commencing tests.
Make sure that the floor slab being tested is clean and
bare and free from dust, dirt or standing water.
2. Push the ON button and press the instrument directly
onto the surface of the material being tested ensuring
that all of the electrode spring loaded pins are fully
compressed. Read the moisture measurement from the
appropriate scale of the moving coil meter dial.
3. On a rough surface, take a number of readings in close
proximity to one another. If the readings vary, always
use the one with the highest value.
8
CME4/1005
www.GlobalTestSupply.com
Find Quality Products Online at: [e-mail]

Concrete Encounter CME 4
User Guide 24/08/04
4. On a normal smooth surface it is also recommended that
anumber of tests in close proximity to each other be
carried out, as the distribution of moisture tends to
become erratic as concrete dries out. Use only the
highest reading.
5. Always refer to the adhesive and/or floor covering
manufacturer’s recommendations for the acceptable
moisture content levels of concrete or floor screeds.
Calibration
For regular on-site assessment of your Concrete Encounter
CME 4, a calibration check-plate is available from Tramex.
Should it be found that readings are outside the set
tolerances, it is recommended that the Concrete Encounter
CME 4 be returned for re-calibration.
Calibration adjustments should not be carried out by anyone
other than Tramex or their authorised service provider who
will issue a calibration certificate on completion.
Limitations
The Concrete Encounter CME 4 will not detect or measure
moisture through any electrically conductive materials
including metal sheeting or cladding, black EPDM rubber or
wet surfaces.
The Concrete Encounter CME 4 is not suited for taking
comparative readings in the concrete substrate through
thick floor coverings such as wood. The Tramex Moisture
Encounter Plus (ME Plus) is more suited to this purpose.
Moisture readings tests taken with the CME 4 indicate the
conditions at the time of testing.
9
CME4/1005
or MRH are more suited to this
purpose. Moisture readings tests taken with the CME 4
indicate the conditions at the time of testing.
www.GlobalTestSupply.com
Find Quality Products Online at: [e-mail]

Concrete Encounter CME 4
User Guide 24/08/04
Warranty
Tramex warrants that this instrument will be free from
defects and faulty workmanship for a period of one year
from date of first purchase.
If a fault develops during the warranty period, Tramex, at its
option, will, at its absolute discretion, either repair the
defective product without charge for the parts and labour, or
will provide a replacement in exchange for the defective
product returned to Tramex Ltd.
This warranty shall not apply to any defect, failure or
damage caused by improper use or improper or inadequate
maintenance and care.
In no event shall Tramex, its agents or distributors be liable
to the customer or any other person, company or
organisation for any special, indirect, or consequential loss
or damage of any type whatsoever (including, without
limitation, loss of business, revenue, profits, data, savings or
goodwill), whether occasioned by the act, breach, omission,
default, or negligence of Tramex Ltd., whether or not
foreseeable, arising howsoever out of or in connection with
the sale of this product including arising out of breach of
contract, tort, misrepresentation or arising from statute or
indemnity.
Without prejudice to the above, all other warranties,
representations and conditions whether made orally or
implied by circumstances, custom, contract, equity, statute or
common law are hereby excluded, including all terms
implied by Section 13, 14 and 15 of the Sale of Goods Act
1893.
Warranty claims
A defective product should be returned shipping pre paid,
with full description of defect to your supplier or Tramex at
address shown below.
10
CME4/1005
www.GlobalTestSupply.com
Find Quality Products Online at: [e-mail]

Concrete Encounter CME 4
User Guide 24/08/04
Product development
It is the policy of Tramex to continually improve and update
all its products.
We therefore reserve the right to alter the specification or
design of this instrument without prior notice.
CME4/1005
www.GlobalTestSupply.com
Find Quality Products Online at: [e-mail]