The Versatility of Moisture Meters

Moisture meters, also called moisture analysers, are instruments that measure the moisture content of various materials. They do this by applying an electromagnetic field to absorb and emit different wavelengths of radiation. These different frequencies will tell the meter reader what the moisture content of the item is.

moisture meterMoisture meters function by measuring the moisture content of every component of a surface, such as concrete, slate, brick, stone, marble, etc. This test is performed regularly so that the engineers and contractors can make changes to prevent the failure of structures and detect potential problems early. When moisture meter testing is conducted, it checks for the presence of the following: condensation, dampness, friability, colour, fungi, and so forth. Condensation occurs when there is a relative humidity higher than 60% at any one time. On the other hand, dampness and friability are indicators of a lack of adequate ventilation in the space under consideration.

Moisture meters can come in two forms; wet and dry. A wet moisture meter measures the water absorbed by the material, while a dry one measures only the dried-out water. The former type can only gauge moisture levels, while the latter can gauge the drying period of the tested material. If the meter is dry, you will get a reading of relative humidity, but if it is wet, you will see a change in the colouration of the tested materials. For example, a wet material may turn greenish when it’s saturated, but it will turn blue when it has gone through the process of dehydrating. Dry materials will remain the same colour.

Some moisture meters have a third type, the moisture analyser. These are generally available for low-cost purposes and are used extensively in industrial environments. They measure the relative humidity and determine the average moisture content of the air. They also indicate the dew point, the highest temperature in the atmosphere that can be sustained for an hour or so. It is the point at which water condenses and becomes dew. The typical moisture content of the air cannot exceed 50%.

Other types of moisture meters from instrumentchoice.com.au have a higher accuracy level than the primary wet/dry method. It is because they can measure changes in the physical properties of substances. For example, the change in the physical properties when it comes to temperature can be significant. However, these physical properties must be determined over a length of time, and this is where a masonry moisture meter comes into play. The meter shows the changes in physical properties of a specific masonry material as a function of time and can show the moisture content of a specific sectional wall.

Other types of moisture meters can also have expansion probes. These probes allow the user to calculate the expansion of materials under specific temperatures. It would help if you had a probe to get this information because the expansion of the masonry sample depends only on temperature. You can purchase expansion probes that fit right onto the masonry pinholes, or you can order them from suppliers.

The third type of moisture meter has thermocouple accuracy features built into them. These thermocouples measure the temperature that the glass probe inside the meter measures. They work through two different transducers, one having a quartz tube that changes its conductivity depending on the temperature. The other having a transducer that changes its resistance depending on the temperature. When the temperature difference between the two transducers changes, the conductivity changes. By measuring the amount of time the transducers take to change their conductivity levels, the meter can determine its accuracy.

Moisture measuring devices can be calibrated as well, allowing you to compare your readings overtime against your average. Calibration ensures that your meter consistently measures the correct moisture level for the area you are working. Most commercial and industrial moisture meters come with easy to follow instructions that allow you to perform the necessary measuring steps. Some also come with software that will help you to interpret your results and optimise your measurement performance.