TRAMEX ME5 User manual

USER GUIDE
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER
- ME5 -

1
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction.......................................................................................3-4
Shallow-DepthFunctionality.....................................................5-6
Instrument Features.....................................................................7-8
Operating Instructions..............................................................9-12
ScalesandSensitivity.....................................................................10
Working With your Moisture Encounter ME5:
SCALES..........................................................................................13-21
• Scale 1: Wood - Timber.......................................15
• Scale 2 : Shallow Depth. ..................................... 16
• Scale 3 : Drywall (Comparative)....................17
• Scale 3 : Roofing (Comparative)....................17
• Scale 4 : Plaster (Comparative) .....................18
• Scale 4 : Tile (Comparative)..............................19
• Scale 5 : Masonry (Comparative) .................20
Working with your Moisture Encounter ME5:
MATERIALS.........................................................................................22
• Wood and wood products
Scales 1 & 2 ....................................................................22-24
• Wood Flooring
Scales 1 & 2....................................................................25-26
• Drywall (Comparative) Scale 3......................27
• Carpet, Vinyl & Low Density Coverings
(Comparative) Scale 3......................................................27
• Roofing (Comparative) Scale 3....................28
%MC
%MC
%MC

2
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
• Plaster (Comparative) Scale 4...........................29
• Tile (Comparative) Scale 4....................................29
• Masonry (Comparative) Scale 5.............................30
Working with your Moisture Encounter ME5
Readings and SG Tables................................................................31
• Notes on Specific Gravity (SG).......................................31
• How to use the Wood SG Tables....................................32
• Wood SG Table, 5% to 17% meter reading.............33
• Wood SG Table, 18% to 30% meter reading..........34
• Relative humidity and moisture content...................35
Limitations............................................................................................36
Calibration.............................................................................................36
Warranty.................................................................................................37
Warranty Claims.................................................................................38
Product Development.....................................................................38
Safety......................................................................................................38
Contact Information........................................................................39

3
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -
INTRODUCTION
Hi there! Thank you for trusting our brand and choosing
the Moisture Encounter ME5, 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 Moisture Encounter ME5 enables non-invasive
moisture measurement and detection in a wide range of
building materials. The instrument operates on the prin-
ciple that the electrical impedance of a material varies in
proportion to its moisture content.
To measure/detect moisture, the three co-planar
conductive rubber electrodes mounted on the base of
the instrument case are lightly pressed onto the wood or
material sample. The instrument measures the electrical
impedance of the sample by creating a low frequency
alternating electric field between the electrodes.This
non-destructive field penetrates the material under test
to a depth of approximately 30mm (1 1/4 inches), or 10
mm (0.4 inches) in Shallow Depth mode.The very small
alternating current flowing through the field is inversely
proportional to the impedance of the material. The instru-
ment detects this current, determines its amplitude and,
after processing, drives the pointer of the moving coil
meter to the computed moisture value.

4
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -
As there is a wide variation in the nominal electrical
impedance of different material types, the instrument is
provided with five selectable scales which are optimized
for testing:
1. Wood, Timber
2. Shallow Depth
3. Drywall, Roofing
4. Plaster, Tile
5. Masonry
By selection of an appropriate scale, the instrument can
also be used for the detection and location of elevated
moisture in or behind a range of covering materials such
as wall, floor and ceiling tiles, siding, carpet and laminated
floor coverings.
Shallow Depth:
10 mm or
0.4 inches
Regular Depth:
30mm or
1 1/4 inches

5
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -
SHALLOW-DEPTH FUNCTIONALITY:
The ME5 incorporates non-destructive dual-depth func-
tionality. The regular non-destructive penetration depth is
30mm (1 ¼ inches) when using :
Scale 1 - Wood, Timber;
Scale 3 - Drywall, Roofing;
Scale 4 - Plaster, Tile;
Scale 5 - Masonry.
(The depth of field penetration will depend on the density
of the material being tested.)
The Shallow Depth scale is designed to have a field
penetration of up to 10mm (0.4 inches).
Shallow depth penetration allows for:
• the elimination of substrate influence when testing
the moisture conditions of the coverings,
• greater accuracy and precision of the readings
within the coverings.
This non-destructive accuracy and precision is compara-
ble to actual pin readings.
NOTE:
While the Shallow Depth scale eliminates the influence
of any substrate beyond 10mm (0.4 inches), the regular
depth does not eliminate the surface coating.The regular
depth gives readings from the surface to a depth of up to
30mm (1 ¼ inches).

6
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -
Using the Dual-Depth functionality by switching between
the appropriate ‘regular depth’ scale and shallow depth
scale, allows for a comparative of ‘surface’ versus ‘surface
+ core’ moisture.
• Shallow Depth reads the surface or top 10mm only.
• ‘Regular depth’ scales read the surface and the
substrate up to 30mm.
• A comparative of moisture conditions both ‘within
the materials’ and ‘within and behind the materials’
can be made on this basis.

7
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -
INSTRUMENT FEATURES
Your Moisture Encounter ME5 employs advanced analog
and digital technology to enable the incorporation of the
many features listed below:
• There are 2 scales on the meter face. AWood Scale
and Comparative Scale. Refer to the top Wood
scale when measuring moisture in wood using Scale
1 - Wood, Timber; or when measuring wood using
Scale 2 - Shallow Depth. Refer to the bottom
Comparative Scale when testing all other materials.
• Four simple pushbutton controls, ON/OFF, SCALE,
HOLD/AUDIO and Bluetooth.
• Non-destructive moisture readings taken in wood
from 5% to 30% are displayed on a moving coil
meter with linear scale.
• Audio signal sounds when meter indicates high
reading.
• Comparative readings between zero and 100 can
be taken in or through drywall, ceramic or porcelain
tiles, carpet, floor coverings, roofing, plaster, and
other materials such as brick and cement block. The
meter scale is also color coded to assist in
identifying areas of wet and dry.

8
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -
• Automatic supply timeout (5 minutes) conserves
battery life.
• Bluetooth connectivity.
• Supply timeout is automatically extended if a
change in meter reading is detected or if any
button is pressed.
• 10 second bleep warning on instrument sounder
prior to end of supply timeout period.
• Last used scale is memorized at supply timeout
and automatically selected next time ON/OFF
button is pressed. If Bluetooth was selected prior
to the Moisture Encounter ME5 automatically
powering off it will be restored next time ON/OFF
is selected.
• LEDs illuminate for selected scale.
• HOLD/AUDIO button freezes moving coil meter
and LED will flash. HOLD facilitates readings taken
out-of-sight.
• If HOLD/AUDIO was selected prior to supply
timeout, the frozen meter reading is digitally
memorized and restored next time ON/OFF is
selected.
• If the battery voltage is getting low, the five
LEDs flash sequentially for a short period.The
instrument will continue to operate for some
time but it is recommended that the batteries be
changed as soon as convenient.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
The instrument face with brief notes on the push button
controls and LED indicators is shown below.
85mm
1 = Moving coil meter.
2 = LED Scale Indicators.
3 = Bluetooth ON/OFF
4 = Bluetooth LED
5 = Hold/Audio.
6 = Power ON/OFF.
7 = Scale Select.
1
5
4
6
3
160mm
2
7
9
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -

SCALES AND SENSITIVITY
Scales 1 and 2, when used with wood, will give a %MC
reading.
Scales 3, 4 and 5 have a preset sensitivity appropriate to
the density of the materials indicated.
10
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -

11
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
1. Press the ON/OFF button to power up. The LED
for the last used scale will light.
2. To change the scale, press the the Scale Select
button until the LED opposite the required scale
lights.
3. Hold your Moisture Encounter ME5 directly on
the material being tested ensuring the electrodes
on the base are fully in contact with the surface.
The meter should be held by the rubber grips
when taking readings. It is advised to not slide
the meter across the surface under test. Place
the meter on the surface, record the reading, lift
and repeat.
4. For wood or wood products read the moisture
content from the upper line (Wood) of the meter
dial which is marked from 5% to 30%. Audio sig-
nal will sound when meter indicates high reading.
5. To turn audio signal on or off, press HOLD/AUDIO
button twice in quick succession.
6. To turn Bluetooth On/Off, press the Bluetooth
button. The blue LED will iluminate when on.
7. For drywall, roofing, plaster, tile or masonry com-
parative readings are taken from the lower line on
the meter dial, which is marked from 0 to 100.

12
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -
8. The instrument will automatically power-off after
five 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 a further five minutes.
9. To freeze readings press the HOLD/AUDIO button
once. While on Hold, the LED for the selected scale
will flash slowly. This facility is extremely useful if
readings are being taken in areas where it is difficult
to see the instrument dial. To remove freeze, press
the HOLD/AUDIO button again.
Best Practice
It is advised to avoid sliding or dragging the meter
across the surface under test. Place and press the
meter on the surface, record the reading, lift and
repeat.

13
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -
Note - Scale Choice, Material density and Scale
Sensitivity:
It is important that the appropriate scale is
used for the type of material being tested.This
ensures that the most accurate and meaningful
readings are obtained. The scale descriptions
on the instrument show the materials that the
meter was calibrated to. This should be used as
a guide, ie the least sensitive Scale 5 to be used
for the most dense material.
SCALES - WORKING WITH YOUR MOISTURE
ENCOUNTER ME5:
Note - Depth of Non-Destructive Penetration:
Depth of non-destructive Penetration field of
each Scale 1,3,4 and 5
Depending on the density of the material being
tested, these fields penetrate the material under
test to approximately 30mm (1 1/4 inches) from
the surface.When testing thin materials such as
wood veneers it is recommended that they are
stacked to at least that thickness.

14
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -
Depth of Penetration field Scale 2 Shallow
Depth
The shallow depth scale 2, field depth of
penetration is reduced to approximately 10mm
(0.4 inches) also depending on the density of the
material.
Use Shallow Depth scale in conjunction with all
scales and materials to get a more complete
comparative understanding of the moisture
distribution at different depths both within the
materials, and within and behind the materials.
Place, Lift, Place. Do not Slide.
It is advised to not slide the meter across the
surface under test. Place the meter on the
surface, record the reading, lift and repeat.

15
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -
SCALES - WORKING WITH YOUR MOISTURE
ENCOUNTER ME5
SCALE 1: WOOD - TIMBER (%MC)
a. When testing wood & Wood Products, select Scale
1 and lightly press the rubber electrodes directly to
the surface. Read the moisture % from the top line
of the analog dial where calibration is marked from
5% to 30%. If readings are in the high range (red)
and if the audio is turned on, it will sound when read-
ings go above 18%.
b. If possible, always take readings with the length of
the instrument parallel to the direction of the wood
grain.
c. Avoid taking readings on wood from the top of a
stack stored outside as these may be affected by
surface moisture from recent rain.
d. Calibration tests were carried out by Forbairt, the
Irish Institute for Industrial Research and Standards,
and are based on Scots Pine, which has a published
specific gravity (SG) of 0.40. For wood having an SG
other than 0.40 see “Notes on Specific Gravity” on
page 31 and “How to use the Wood SG Adjustment
Tables” on page 32.
%MC

16
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -
SCALE 2: SHALLOW DEPTH (%MC FOR WOOD OR
COMPARATIVE)
The Shallow Depth scale is calibrated to work in conjunc-
tion with all Scales. When using both shallow and regular
scales the user can get a comparative of moisture condi-
tions up to a depth of 10mm (0.4 inches) and moisture
conditions up to a depth of 30mm (1 1⁄4 inches).
Shallow depth scale used on wood will give a %MC at
SG 0.40, as Scale 1 does for wood.While the Shallow
Depth scale eliminates the influence of any substrate
beyond 10mm (0.4 inches), the regular depth does not
eliminate the surface coating.The regular depth Scales
3,4 & 5 gives readings from the surface to a depth of up
to 30mm (1 1⁄4 inches).
This dual-depth feature gives the user more versatility
and allows for a better understanding of moisture condi-
tions at different depths and ‘within’ / ‘within and behind’
a wide variety of materials.

17
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -
SCALE 3: DRYWALL (COMPARATIVE)
Scale 3 has a high sensitivity and deep non-destructive
penetrating field.The Moisture Encounter ME5 can iden-
tify excess moisture within and behind drywall. As calibra-
tion is not practical on this type of construction, readings
should be taken from the comparative bottom line of the
meter dial (0 to 100).
Scale 2 Shallow Depth can be utilised for Drywall if
readings are required whilst reducing the influence of the
substrate materials.
SCALE 3: ROOFING (COMPARATIVE)
Scale 3 has high sensitivity and deep non-destructive
penetrating field.This scale allows the user to detect the
presence of moisture in built-up roofing systems covered
with multi-ply roofing felt, PVC, modified bitumen (torch-
on) or other non-conductive membranes. As calibration is
not practical on this type of construction, readings should
be taken from the comparative bottom line of the meter
dial (0-100).

18
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -
SCALE 4: PLASTER (COMPARATIVE)
Scale 4 has a medium sensitivity and a deep non-
destructive penetrating field and can be used to detect
the presence of moisture in plastered walls and ceilings.
The moisture profile of the surface can be determined
by taking readings across the entire surface. Place and
press the meter lightly on the surface, record and repeat.
As calibration is not practical on this type of construction,
readings should be taken from the comparative bottom
line of the meter dial (0-100). The shallow depth scale
can be utilised for plaster if readings are required whilst
reducing the influence of the substrate materials.
Note - Acceptably Dry Plaster
The Moisture Encounter 5 will give low readings when
the plaster is acceptably dry. Due to the hygroscopic
nature of this material, moisture values are affected
by ambient humidity and thus can vary according to
the climate conditions. We recommend checking what
is ‘acceptably dry’ in your area and use the instrument
to compare these with readings that are ‘acceptable’
or 'unacceptable'.

19
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -
SCALE 4: TILE (COMPARATIVE)
Due to the medium sensitivity and deep non-destructive
penetrating field, this scale should be used when detect-
ing the presence of moisture both within and behind the
ceramic and porcelain tile substrate material. As calibra-
tion is not practical on this type of construction, readings
should be taken from the comparative bottom line of the
meter dial (0-100). The shallow depth scale can be utilised
for tile if readings are required only within the tile, whilst
reducing the influence of the substrate materials.