TRAMEX CME5 User manual

USER GUIDE
CONCRETE
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER
- CME5 -

CONCRETE MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction............................................................................................2
How it works......................................................................................3-4
Instrument Features......................................................................5-7
Working With your Concrete Moisture Encounter 5.........8
• Drying time for concrete floors and screeds.............8
• Pre-test conditioning and preparation.........................9
Operating Instructions........................................................... 0- 2
Limitations........................................................................................... 3
Calibration............................................................................................ 3
Warranty................................................................................................. 4
Warranty Claims ............................................................................... 5
Product Development.................................................................... 5
Safety...................................................................................................... 6
Contact Information........................................................................ 7

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CONCRETE MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
INTRODUCTION
Hi there! Thank you for trusting our brand and choosing
the Concrete Moisture Encounter CME5, from Tramex. It
is our goal to ensure that you are always happy with what
you bought from us, so please let us know if you have any
questions and rest assured, we are always here to help.
The Concrete Moisture Encounter CME5 is a non-invasive
handheld electronic instrument used for accurate,
instant and non-destructive testing of Moisture Content
in concrete and cementitious slabs and screeds, giving
Carbide Method equivalent readings for both concrete
and Anhydrite. It has been designed for the Flooring, Water
Damage Restoration, Inspection/Surveying and Indoor
Air Quality industries. To get the maximum benefit from
the Concrete Moisture Encounter CME5, it is suggested
that you read this manual to familiarize yourself with the
instrument and its capabilities, before undertaking any
flooring tests.
Why should a test be done?
Concrete floor slabs and screeds that are insufficiently
dry before flooring is posed, and high moisture content in
existing floor substrates can cause a host of costly
flooring system failures. Testing allows for confidence
in a job well done that meets manufacturer’s
recommendations, official standards and customer
satisfaction.
When should a test be done ?
Concrete floor slabs and screeds should be tested
regularly during the drying period, to help evaluate and
control the drying process, and ensure that the substrate
has reached sufficient dryness before the floor covering is
installed. For the purpose of restoration, testing can

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CONCRETE MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
be done on existing concrete, floors and screeds to
evaluate the extent and source of water damage, as well
as controlling the drying process
HOW IT WORKS
The Concrete Moisture Encounter CME5 detects and
evaluates the moisture conditions within the cementi-
tious slab or screed by non-destructively measuring the
electrical impedance, which varies in proportion to the
moisture content in the material under test. The
electrical impedance is measured by creating a low
frequency alternating electric field between the
electrodes on the base of the meter as illustrated in the
diagram below.

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CONCRETE MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
This field penetrates the material under test. A very
small alternating current flows through the field. The
Concrete Moisture Encounter CME5 detects this
current, determines its amplitude and converts it to a
moisture content value. By simply pressing the Concrete
Moisture Encounter CME5 down on the surface in stra-
tegically chosen locations, instant readings can be taken
over a large area in the shortest possible time.
Instrument pressed on to material surface to measure/detect moisture
Material sample
Alternating Electric Field

INSTRUMENT FEATURES
The instrument face with brief notes on the push button
controls and LED indicators is shown below.
85mm
= Moving coil meter.
2 = Bluetooth ON LED
3 = Hold flashing LED.
4 = Bluetooth button
5 = Hold button.
6 = Power ON LED.
7 = Power ON/OFF button.
85mm
= Moving coil meter.
5
3
6
2
60mm
47
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CONCRETE MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE

INSTRUMENT FEATURES
Your Concrete Moisture Encounter CME5 employs
advanced analog and digital technology to enable the
incorporation of the many features listed below.
• Three simple push controls - On/Off; Hold;
Bluetooth; with corresponding LED indicators.
• The Concrete Moisture Encounter CME5 has three
scales:
 Top Scale - Red - Concrete Moisture Content
(MC%) readings for Concrete Slabs & Sand/Ce-
ment screeds, 0 - 6 % moisture by mass/weight as
per the oven dry/gravimetric method.
 Middle Scale - Blue - for use with Anhydrite, Hemi-
hydrate or Calcium Sulphate Screeds. These are
equivalent readings to the Carbide Method (CM)
test for Anhydrite.
 Bottom Scale - Yellow - for use with Concrete slabs
or Sand/Cement screeds. These are equivalent
readings to the Carbide Method (CM) test for
Concrete.
• To conserve battery life, the instrument automati-
cally powers OFF after 5 minutes of inactivity.
• Power remains on if a change in meter reading is
detected or any button is pressed.
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CONCRETE MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE

• The 3 LED indicators:
 The ON LED illuminates when the ON/OFF button
is pressed and remains on until the Concrete Mois-
ture Encounter CME5 automatically powers off.
 The Hold LED flashes when HOLD is selected.
 If the batteries are nearing end of life, all LEDs
flash sequentially for 3 seconds at each power ON
to indicate that the batteries should be replaced.
• HOLD button freezes needle on moving coil meter,
to facilitate ease of recording readings.
• If HOLD was selected prior to the Concrete Mois-
ture Encounter CME5 automatically powering off,
the frozen meter reading is digitally memorized
and restored next time ON/OFF is selected.
• If Bluetooth was selected prior to the Concrete
Moisture Encounter CME5 automatically power-
ing off it will be restored next time ON/OFF is
selected.
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CONCRETE MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
WORKING WITH THE CONCRETE MOISTURE
ENCOUNTER 5
Drying time for concrete floors and screeds
Concrete floors and screeds must be allowed to dry
to an adequate level before the installation of floor
coverings or application of coatings. Manufacturers of
such systems generally require moisture testing to be
performed before installation or use on a floor slab.
Excessive moisture in 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 at least 3 to 4 weeks
per 25mm ( inch) 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 with the Concrete Moisture
Encounter CME5.

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Pre-test conditioning and preparation
For best and most accurate results, to allow for an
accurate reflection of the amount of moisture present
and moisture movement in the slab during normal
operating conditions:
• Artificial heating or drying equipment should be
turned off at least 96 hours before final readings
are taken.
• Internal conditions of the building should have
been at normal service temperature and humidity
for at least 48 hours.
Prior to testing, the surface should be prepared:
• The test area should be clean and free of any
foreign substances.
• All covering materials, adhesive residue, cur-
ing compound, sealers, paints, etc., should be
removed to expose a test area of clean bare
concrete, strictly observing all the appropriate
safety and health practices.
• Removal of covering materials and cleaning if
required should 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 mois-
ture levels in the floor slab are not recommended.

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CONCRETE MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
Operating Instructions
. Power on by pressing ON/OFF button. The power
LED will light up and remain on.
NOTE
If the battery voltage is getting low, the LEDs will
flash sequentially for a short period. The instru-
ment will continue to operate for some time but it
is recommended that the batteries be replaced as
soon as convenient.
2. The Concrete Moisture Encounter CME5 features
Bluetooth wireless connectivity. If you would like
to use an APP to record readings and information,
please ensure that the Bluetooth is turned on and
the LED indicator illuminated. Your Concrete Mois-
ture Encounter CME5 identifier will be the serial
number that is found on the back of the meter.
3. Press the Concrete Moisture Encounter CME5
directly onto the surface of the material being
tested, having removed any dust or foreign matter
from both the Concrete Moisture Encounter CME5
electrodes and the floor slab. Ensure that all of the
electrode spring-loaded pins are fully compressed.

4. Reading the Concrete Moisture Encounter CME5
analog dial:
• Top Scale - Red - Concrete Moisture Content (MC%)
readings for Concrete Slabs & Sand/Cement
screeds, 0 - 6 % moisture by mass/weight as per the
oven dry/gravimetric method.
• Middle Scale - Blue - for use with Anhydrite, Hemi-
hydrate or Calcium Sulphate Screeds. These are
equivalent readings to the Carbide Method (CM) test
for Anhydrite.
• Bottom Scale - Yellow - for use with Concrete slabs
or Sand/Cement screeds. These are equivalent read-
ings to the Carbide Method (CM) test for Concrete.
5. The HOLD function is especially useful when taking
readings in areas where it is difficult to see the
analog dial while it is being pressed onto the surface.
• Press the HOLD button once for easy and accurate
readings. The needle freezes on the analog dial. The
HOLD LED light flashes slowly indicating HOLD is on.
• If the Concrete Moisture Encounter CME5 is
powered off while on HOLD, the frozen reading is
digitally memorized and restored when powered on
again.
• Press the Hold button again to remove the frozen
reading in order to take further readings.
6. Recommendations.
• Take a number of tests (3-4) in close proximity to
each other, as the distribution of moisture
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CONCRETE MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE

7. Power down by pressing ON/OFF. The power
LED light will go off.
tends to become erratic as concrete dries out. Use
only the highest reading.
• Avoid testing in locations subject to direct sunlight or
sources of heat.
• Include tests in potentially damp areas such as the
center of the slab and within 3 feet ( meter) of the
walls.
• Always refer to the adhesive and/or floor covering
manufacturer’s recommendations for the acceptable
moisture content levels of concrete or floor screeds.
NOTE
To conserve battery life, the Concrete Moisture
Encounter CME5 automatically powers OFF after 5
minutes of inactivity.
NOTE
The Concrete Moisture Encounter CME5 is calibrated
to give percentage moisture content readings on a
clean, bare dust free concrete floor slab, therefore
readings taken on concrete slabs through paint, coat-
ing, adhesives or other materials on the surface of the
slab should be regarded as qualitative or comparative
and not quantitative.
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LIMITATIONS
The Concrete Moisture Encounter CME5 will not detect
or measure moisture through any electrically conductive
materials including metal sheeting or cladding, many
types of black EPDM rubber or wet surfaces. The Con-
crete Moisture Encounter CME5 is not suited for taking
comparative readings in the concrete substrate through
thick floor coverings such as wood. The Tramex Moisture
Encounter is more suitable for this purpose. Moisture
readings taken with the Concrete Moisture Encounter
CME5 indicate the conditions at the time of testing.
CALIBRATION
For regular on-site assessment of your Concrete Mois-
ture Encounter CME5 in moisture measurement mode,
a calibration-check plate is available from the suppliers
of your Concrete Moisture Encounter CME5. Should it
be found that readings are outside the set tolerances, it
is recommended that the Concrete Moisture Encounter
CME5 be returned for re-calibration. Click here for a
Calibration Request. Calibration adjustments should
not be carried out by anyone other than Tramex or their
authorized service provider who will issue a calibration
certificate on completion. Requirements for quality man-
agement and validation procedures, such as ISO 900 ,
have increased the need for regulation and verification of
measuring and test instruments.

It is therefore recommended that calibration of the
Concrete Moisture Encounter CME5 should be checked
and certified in accordance with the standards and/
or protocols laid down by your industry (usually on an
annual basis) by an authorized test provider. The name
of your nearest test provider and estimate of cost is
available on request.
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 will, at its absolute discretion,
either repair the defective product without charge for
the parts and labor, 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 inad-
equate 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, with-
out 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
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of or in connection with the sale of this product
including arising out of breach of contract, tort, mis-
representation 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 3, 4 and 5 of the Sale
of Goods Act 893 and Sale of Goods and Supply of
Services Act 980.
WARRANTY CLAIMS
A defective product should be returned shipping pre
paid, with full description of defect to your supplier or
to Tramex Ltd.
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.

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SAFETY
This Users Guide does not purport to address the safety
concerns, if any, associated with this instrument or its
use. It is the responsibility of the user of this instrument
to establish appropriate safety and health practices and
determine the applicability of regulatory limitations
prior to use.