TRAMEX ME5 User manual

USER GUIDE
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER
-ME5 -

1
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction.......................................................................................2-3
Instrument Features.....................................................................4-5
Operating Instructions.................................................................6-8
Working With your Moisture Encounter ME5:
•Scale 1: Wood - Timber..................................................9-17
ƛ Testing wood and wood products............................9-11
ƛ Relative humidity and moisture content..................12
ƛ Wood Flooring........................................................................13
ƛ Notes on Specific Gravity (SG)......................................14
ƛ How to use the Wood SGTables....................................15
ƛ Wood SG Table, 5% to 17% meter reading............16
ƛ Wood SG Table, 18% to 30% meter reading.........17
•Scale2: ShallowDepth.......................................................18
•Scale 3: Drywall- Roofing..........................................18-19
ƛ Testing Drywall......................................................................18
ƛ Testing Roofing .............................................................18-19
•Scale 4: Plaster - Tile / Scale 5: Masonry..........20-22
ƛ Testing on ceramic and porcelain tiles and other
wall and floor coverings.............................................20-22
Limitations...........................................................................................22
Calibration....................................................................................22-23
Warranty and Warranty Claims..........................................23-24
Product Development....................................................................25
Safety......................................................................................................25
ContactInformation........................................................................26

2
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 two co-planar conduc-
tive 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
field penetrates the material under test to a depth of ap-
proximately 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 instrument detects this
current, determines its amplitude and, after process-
ing, drives the pointer of the moving coil meter to the
computed moisture value.

3
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, ceramic or
porcelain tiles and laminated floor coverings.

4
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:
• 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.
• 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.

5
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -
• If Bluetooth was selected prior to the Moisture
Encounter ME5 automatically powering off it will
be restored next time ON/OFF is selected.
• Five LEDs show selected scale, indicate if HOLD/
AUDIO selected and provide warning of battery
nearing end of useful life.
• HOLD/AUDIO button freezes moving coil meter,
which 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 will flash sequentially for a short period.
The instrument will continue to operate for
some time but it is recommended that the bat-
teries 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 button
4 = Bluetooth LED
5 = Hold/Audio button.
6 = Power ON/OFF button.
7 = Scale Select button.
1
5
4
6
3
160mm
2
7
6
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -

7
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 both conduc-
tive rubber electrodes 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.
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.

8
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.

9
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -
WORKING WITH YOUR Moisture Encounter ME5:
Scale 1: Wood - Timber
Testing wood and wood products
a. When testing wood, power-on, select Scale 1 and
press the rubber electrodes directly to the surface.
Read the moisture percentage from the top line of
the analog dial where calibration is marked from
5% to 30%. If switched on, the audio signal will
sound when readings are above 18%.
b. If possible, always take readings with the length
of the instrument parallel to the direction of the
wood grain.
c. 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” and “How to use theWood SG
AdjustmentTables” on page 14.
d. Acceptable levels of moisture content depend on
climatic conditions and we advise you check the
levels acceptable in your area. The table on page
12 shows the approximate relationship between
the ambient relative humidity and equilibrium
moisture content in woods.
e. As a rule of thumb and depending on climatic condi-
tions, exterior wood is generally considered safe

10
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -
for painting when the moisture content is 14% or
below. Wood below 10% is generally considered
suitable for painting indoors. (Always check coat-
ing manufacturers recommendations).
f. The following moisture content levels are often
quoted in the wood industry and should be used as
a guide only. Please contact industry associations
and manufacturers for their specifications.
• Furniture: 5% to 6% when used in locations of low
relative humidity and up to 10% to 11% may be
acceptable where the relative humidity is higher.
• Indoors wood: 6% in low humidity areas. Up to
12% in higher humidity locations.
• Exterior wood: 10% to 15% depending on local
humidity levels.
• Generally, wood moisture content in excess of
23% - 25% is susceptible to rot.
• Wood moisture content in excess of 18% - 20%
may provide an environment for termite and
wood-boring insects to thrive and multiply. Wood
at these high levels can also support mold and
biological growth.
• Wood at 28% moisture content is considered to
have reached fiber saturation point.

g. Avoid taking readings on wood from the top of a
stack stored outside as these may be affected by
surface moisture from recent rain.
h. When taking readings in chemically treated
wood, it is advisable to allow for possible effects
that the treatment may have on readings.
i. It is advised to not slide the meter across the sur-
face under test. Place the meter on the surface,
record the reading, lift and repeat.
Depth of field penetration
Depending on the density of the material being
tested, the instrument field can penetrate
approximately 30mm (1¼ inches) below the
surface.When testing thin materials such as
wood veneers it is recommended that they are
stacked to at least that thickness.
11
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -

Relative humidity and moisture content
The table below shows the approximate relationship
between relative humidity and equilibrium moisture
content of some woods. (These figures are approxi-
mate values at a temperature of 70º F, and may vary
for different species.)
Relative Humidity Wood MC %
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
3 to 5
5 to 6
6 to 8
8 to 9
9 to 11
11 to 13
13 to 15
16 to 19
20 to 22
25+
12
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -

13
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -
Wood Flooring
a. Excess moisture in wood flooring or concrete sub-
floors can cause major problems.
b. For instance, if installed with excess moisture,
the wood can subsequently shrink leading to job
failure.
c. If a wood floor (solid, laminated or engineered) is
installed above wet concrete the wood can absorb
moisture emitting from the concrete causing the
wood to swell and buckle and even cause struc-
tural damage to the building.
d. When vinyl or other impervious coverings are
applied over wet concrete, the result can be failure
of the adhesive and blistering of the surface.
Adhesives
The presence of different species, treatments,
adhesives, etc., within products such as plywood,
particleboard, OSB (oriented strand board),
laminated and engineered woods will affect
measurements. If in doubt please contact us and, if
you wish, we can work with you in developing your
own calibration for a specific product.
Your Moisture Encounter ME5 can be used to measure
the moisture content of the wood floor to ensure it
meets specification. Likewise it can be used to check,
on a qualitative basis, through the floor covering, to
identify elevated moisture in the substrate.

14
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -
Concrete
Your Moisture Encounter ME5 is not calibrated for
concrete. TheTramex Concrete Encounter instru-
ment is specifically designed for concrete flooring
and is recommended where quantitative measure-
ments are required. However a useful indication of
the moisture condition of a concrete or sub floor can
be obtained with the Moisture Encounter ME5 set
on the Masonry mode. Comparative readings can
also be obtained through coverings such as vinyl,
carpet and laminated wood flooring by using the
drywall scale.
Notes on Specific Gravity (SG)
The SG of wood varies between species and this has an
effect on moisture meter readings.The Moisture
Encounter 5 calibration is based on wood having an SG of
0.40. Wood is normally categorised as follows:
Density SG at 12% MC
Exceptionally Light
Light
Medium
Heavy
Exceptionally Heavy
0.30 or Less
0.30 to 0.45
0.45 to 0.65
0.65 to 0.90
0.90 or More

How to use the Wood SG tables
When testing wood, which does not have an SG of 0.40,
the meter reading can be adjusted by referring to the ta-
bles shown on pages 16 and 17. For example, if the wood
being tested has an SG of 0.50 and the meter reading
is 17% (top row of table) then the adjusted moisture
content reading can be found where the 0.50 SG row
intersects with 17% meter reading column. For this
example the adjusted moisture content would be 15%.
0.40 S.G. is chosen for the calibration of the
Shallow Depth scale to allow it be used on the
widest variety of building materials including
drywall/plasterboard.
15
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -

16
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -
Meter
Reading
0.40
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Specific
Gravity
0.3 7 8 9 11 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20
0.32 7 8 9 11 11 12 13 14 15 16 18 19 19
0.34 6 7 8 10 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19
0.36 6 7 8 10 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
0.38 6 7 8 10 10 10 11 12 14 14 16 17 18
0.4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
0.42 5 6 7 8 9 9 10 11 13 13 15 16 17
0.44 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
0.46 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
0.48 4 5 6 7 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 15
0.5 4 5 6 7 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
0.52 4 5 6 7 7 7 9 9 10 11 12 13 14
0.54 3 4 6 6 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
0.56 3 4 5 6 6 6 8 9 10 11 11 13 14
0.58 34566678910111213
0.6 34566678910111213
0.62 34566678910111213
0.64 33565678910111213
0.66 3345567899101112
0.68 3345556789101112
0.7 234555678991011
0.72 224555678991011
0.74 224555678991011
0.76 22344456899910
0.78 22344456899910
0.8 22344456788910
0.82 2234445678889
0.84 2234445678889
0.86 2234445678889
0.88 2234445678889
0.9 2233334577778
WOOD SPECIFIC GRAVITY ADJUSTMENT TABLE (5 to 17%)
ADJUSTED/CORRECTED MOISTURE CONTENT

17
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -
Meter
Reading
O.40
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Specific
Gravity
0.3 23 25 26 27 28 29 31 32 33 34 35 37 38
0.32 23 24 25 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 36 37
0.34 22 24 24 26 27 28 29 31 31 32 33 35 36
0.36 22 23 24 25 27 28 29 30 30 31 32 34 35
0.38 21 23 23 24 26 27 29 30 30 30 32 34 35
0.4 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 29 30 31 33 34
0.42 20 21 22 23 25 26 27 28 28 29 31 32 33
0.44 20 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 28 30 31 32
0.46 19 20 21 22 23 24 24 26 27 28 29 30 31
0.48 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 27 28 29 30
0.5 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
0.52 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
0.54 17 18 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
0.56 16 17 17 18 19 20 21 22 22 23 25 26 27
0.58 16 17 17 18 18 19 20 21 21 22 24 24 25
0.6 15 16 16 17 18 19 19 20 20 21 23 23 24
0.62 15 16 16 17 18 19 19 20 20 21 22 23 23
0.64 15 15 15 16 17 18 18 19 20 20 21 22 23
0.66 14 15 15 16 17 18 18 19 19 19 20 21 22
0.68 14 14 14 15 16 16 17 18 18 19 20 21 21
0.7 14 14 14 15 16 16 17 17 18 18 19 20 20
0.72 14 14 14 15 16 16 17 17 18 18 19 20 20
0.74 13 14 14 14 15 15 16 16 17 18 19 19 20
0.76 13 13 13 14 15 15 16 16 17 18 18 19 19
0.78 13 13 13 14 15 15 16 16 17 17 18 18 18
0.8 13 13 13 13 14 15 15 16 16 17 17 18 18
0.82 12 12 12 13 14 14 14 15 16 16 17 17 18
0.84 12 12 12 13 14 14 14 15 16 16 17 17 17
0.86 12 12 12 13 14 14 14 14 15 16 16 17 17
0.88 12 12 12 13 14 14 14 14 15 15 16 17 17
0.9 12 12 12 12 12 13 14 14 15 15 16 16 17
WOOD SPECIFIC GRAVITY ADJUSTMENT TABLE (18 to 30%)
ADJUSTED/CORRECTED MOISTURE CONTENT

Scale 2: Shallow Depth
The Shallow Depth scale is designed to have a field pen-
etration of up to 10mm (0.4 inches).The depth of field
penetration will depend on the density of the material
being tested. When the material being tested is wood or
timber, the same principals as for Scale 1 as outlined on
pages 9 - 17 can be observed. Dual-Depth penetration
allows for a comparative of surface and core moisture
and shallow depth penetration allows for the elimina-
tion of substrate influence when testing the moisture
conditions of the coverings.
Scale 3: Drywall - Roofing
Testing Drywall user guide
Because of its deep signal penetration, your Moisture
Encounter ME5 can identify excess moisture within
and behind drywall. It can also identify excess moisture
behind behind ceramic and porcelain tiles and other
wall coverings. As calibration is not practical on this
type of construction, readings should be taken from the
comparative scale (0 to 100) on the meter dial.
Testing Roofing
a. The presence of moisture in built-up roofs
covered with multi-ply roofing felt, PVC, modified
bitumen (torch-on) or other membranes, can cause
blistering and splitting of the roof surfacing. In
addition moisture can cause considerable damage
18
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -

19
MOISTURE ENCOUNTER 5 USER GUIDE
- Back to Top -
to the contents and fabric of the building as well
as heat loss through wet insulation. Your Moisture
Encounter ME5 can be used to confirm a new roof
has been installed dry.
b. When the waterproofing membrane develops a
leak, the water can travel within the built-up-roof
structure and enter the building some distance
away. Testing the membrane surface and compar-
ing the dry areas with areas where moisture is
present below the surface can assist in tracing
such a leak to its source.
c. As there are many different types and thickness
sizes of roofing membranes, it is not possible
to give a calibrated percentage measurement.
Instead, the comparative scale, marked 0 to 100,
is used for checking the difference between wet
and dry.
d. If gravel surfacing is present, this should be
removed to ensure your Moisture Encounter ME5
comes into direct contact with the surface of the
membrane.
e. It is recommended that a core be cut to determine
the depth and extent of the moisture before car-
rying out roof repairs. Alternatively, the area can
be checked with aTramex Professional resistance
type moisture meter with insulated pins.