Features .............................................................................................................................................. 3
Appendix A – Wood Groups ............................................................................................................... 16
Appendix B – Menu Structure User Interface ..................................................................................... 20
Introduction
Thank you for selecting the Extech MO270 Moisture Analyzer with full graphical display. The
MO270 detects moisture in wood, particle board, carpeting, and ceiling/bathroom tiles noninvasively (pinless); the MO270 also measures moisture in sheet rock and other building materials
using pins that are driven into the material under test. The Sensor unit (transmitter) detaches from
the Analyzer unit (receiver) for remote measurement operation. This analyzer is shipped fully
tested and calibrated and, with proper use, will provide years of reliable service. Extech
Instruments is an ISO-9001 certified company.
IMPORTANT NOTES – PLEASE READ BEFORE CONTINUING
The MO270 is a field upgradeable device in terms of its firmware. Please visit the
Extech Instruments website (www.extech.com) for the latest versions of the
firmware and the Instruction Manual.
To conserve battery energy, the MO270 is shipped with the two ‘hidden’ ON/OFF
switches set to OFF. Please refer to the ‘Analyzer Components’ diagram (items 5 and
6) in the Description section of this manual to locate these switches. Please switch
these ON in order to permit proper meter operation.
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Features
1. Detachable sensors transmit data up to 65ft (20m) to the analyzer’s display
2. Readings from up to eight (8) remote sensors can be viewed
3. Wireless sensor affixes to 4 ft. (1.2m) telescoping handle; Longer handles optional
4. Wood Moisture equivalent (%WME) pin readings
5. Programmable visual and audible High and Low Alarms
6. 2-point calibration check built into protective cap
7. Bluetooth capability
8. Includes two (2) 3.7V rechargeable Li-Polymer batteries (one for Analyzer and one for Sensor),
wireless moisture Sensor unit, external pin probe, replacement pins, telescoping handle, AC
adaptor, protective cap, 2G SD card, all necessary interconnecting cables, and hard case
Description
Analyzer Front View
1. Electrode pins and Protective cap with
calibration check points
2. Sensor release buttons (one on either side of
analyzer)
3. Graphical Display
4. Function buttons (F1, F2, F3)
5. Power button
6. Bluetooth status indicator lamp
7. Navigation (up, down, left, right) and ENTER
buttons
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Analyzer Side Views
1. Sensor release buttons
2. Ports reserved for future options
3. RJ-45 remote probe port
4. Sensor (transmitter) mini-USB charge-port
5. Mini-SD card slot
6. Analyzer (receiver) mini-USB charge-port
Analyzer Components
1. Cap with built-in calibration check
2. Measurement contact pins
3. Non-Contact capacitive sensor (transmitter)
4. Power button for sensor (used only when sensor is disconnected from receiver)
5. Lithium polymer battery shut-off switch for Sensor (transmitter); (used when
shipping/transporting the unit or when the unit is to be stored unused for long periods.
6. Lithium polymer battery shut-off switch for Analyzer (receiver)
7.Analyzer (Receiver) unit
IMPORTANT NOTE: The MO270 is shipped with the two ON/OFF slide switches set to OFF. Please
refer to the diagram above to locate these switches. Please switch these ON in order to permit
proper meter operation.
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Display Icons
ICON
Name
Function
(black)
Low Alarm set
Audible Low Alarm is set and active
(black)
High Alarm set
Audible High Alarm is set and active
(black)
Low Alarm set
Visual-only Low Alarm is set and active
(black)
High Alarm set
Visual-only High Alarm is set and active
(red)
Low Alarm triggered
Low Alarm has been triggered
(red)
High Alarm triggered
High Alarm has been triggered
(gray)
Transmitter ON
Transmitter is ON but not communicating with
peripheral device via BluetoothTM
(blue)
Active pairing
Active BluetoothTM communication between
receiver and peripheral device
(gray)
(RF) Wireless
Wireless transmitter is ON; sensor
communication is INACTIVE
(orange)
(RF) wireless
Wireless transmitter is ON; sensor
communication is ACTIVE
(blue)
REL mode
Reading moisture using non-invasive sensor
%
(blue)
%WME mode
Reading moisture using ‘pin’ sensors
(black)
External probe
Reading measurement from external probe
(blue)
Internal probe
Reading measurement from internal probe
(red)
Recording
Unit is actively recording (on-screen)
(green)
Sensor (transmitter)
battery
Sensor battery (shown here fully charged)
(orange)
Analyzer (receiver)
battery
Analyzer battery (shown here minimally
charged)
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Initial Setup and Battery Charging
Getting Started
1. Charge the Sensor and the Analyzer batteries if necessary (refer to the ‘Charging the Batteries’ section below). The battery icons on the upper right corner of the display provide
battery status for the Analyzer and the Sensor units.
2. To switch the analyzer ON, press and hold the power button for 3 seconds; the
navigation buttons will illuminate, the speaker will chirp, and the display will switch ON.
3. To power OFF, press and hold the power button for 3 seconds.
4. The F1, F2 and F3 buttons are ‘soft keys’; their functions change with the specific mode or
screen that is active.
5. The ▲, ►, ▼ and ◄ buttons are used to navigate the menu selections.
6. The center ENTER button is used to select the highlighted menu function and for
accessing the setup mode (by pressing and holding).
Charging the Batteries
1. Charging the batteries using an AC outlet
Connect the USB cable between the mini-USB port on the Sensor (or the Analyzer) and an
AC outlet. Charging will begin immediately. Note that connecting to the Analyzer’s USB port
charges both the Analyzer and the Sensor units simultaneously (while they are physically
connected to each other).
2. Charging the batteries using a PC USB port
a. With the Analyzer ON/OFF switch turned ON, connect the USB cable between the
mini-USB port on the Sensor (or the Analyzer) and a USB port on the PC. Note that
connecting to the Analyzer’s USB port charges both the Analyzer and the Sensor
simultaneously (while they are physically connected to each other).
b. Switch the Analyzer ON using the power button (hold it for 3 seconds) and the menu
show directly below will appear.
PC CAM (reserved for future use)
Disk Drive (meter behaves essentially as an external hard drive where stored
readings can be viewed and organized)
Charger (selected when connection to PC is to be used for charging purposes)
Note: The PC may return a driver error when the CHARGER option is selected as a
result of the PC sensing a new device connection; this can be ignored; the charging
process will not be affected.
3. Checking Battery Status
When ‘CHARGER’ is selected from the menu as discussed above (with the meter connected
to the PC), the battery icons will animate in a rising and falling motion indicating that
charging is taking place. To check the battery status, the meter must be disconnected from
the PC. Once disconnected, the display will show the two battery icons in the upper right.
The (Analyzer) and (Sensor) icons will be completely filled when the batteries are fully
charged and progressively emptier as the batteries weaken.
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Operation
Basic Operation for Pin Measurements
CAUTION: The electrode measurement pins are extremely sharp, use care when handling this
instrument. Cover the pins with the protective cap when the instrument is not in use.
1. Remove the protective cap to expose the electrode pins.
2. Press and hold the key for 3 seconds to switch the analyzer ON.
3. If the icon is displayed, proceed as follows to switch to the
a) Press the MENU (F1) button and navigate to the WME/REL box.
b) Press to toggle WME and REL (select WME) and then press EXIT.
4. Carefully push the electrode pins a minimum of 0.07” (2mm) into the material under test.
Note that the pins should be inserted into wood perpendicular to the wood’s fiber structure.
For high moisture readings, several minutes may be required for readings to stabilize.
5. Take readings in several locations on the material under test for the best representation of
the amount of moisture present.
6. Read the measurement value on the display.
7. Replace the protective cap when finished.
Using the Extender Probe Handle
The supplied telescoping handle can be used to extend the sensor into areas that are difficult or
unsafe to reach. Connect the sensor (transmitter) unit to the extender using the extender’s
mounting screw and the mounting screw hole on the sensor. Note that extender handles of
various lengths are optionally available. Once connected, instructions for use match those
provided above in the ‘Basic Operation for Pin Measurements’ section and below in the ‘Basic Operation for Pinless Measurements’ section.
Basic Operation for Pinless Measurements
%
%
icon.
1. Press and hold the key for three seconds to switch the analyzer ON.
2. If the
3. Press and hold the key for three seconds to switch the analyzer OFF.
4. Keep hands and other materials away from the rear sensor and then press and hold the
5. The pinless moisture detector is located at the rear of the instrument, just behind the display.
6. Place the analyzer so that the sensor lies flat against the surface of the material under test.
7. Take readings in several locations on the material for the best representation of the amount
8. Read the measurement values on the display.
%
icon is displayed, proceed as follows to switch to the icon.
a) Press the MENU (F1) button and navigate to the WME/REL box.
b) Press to toggle REL and WME (select REL) and then press EXIT.
button to switch the analyzer ON. The analyzer will auto-zero during power-on.
of moisture present.
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SETTINGS Menu Basics
1. Turn the analyzer ON.
2. Press and hold the button until the Main Menu appears
3. Press F1 (SETTINGS) to view the SETTINGS menu
4. Navigate the menu and sub-menus as desired. Each menu item is explained in the next section.
SETTINGS Menu in Detail
AUTO POWER OFF (APO) AND BACKLIGHT Settings
1. The APO or backlight timeout can be set in minutes.
2. Navigate to the APO/BL sub-menu in the SETTINGS menu
and press .
3. Scroll to the desired setting.
4. Press and then press EXIT or BACK when done.
CHANNEL Setting
Select the common channel over which a transmitter and receiver
will communicate. If several transmitters are owned, a unique
channel number can be used for each. Note that the transmitter
and receiver units must be interlocked when changing to a new
matching channel number.
1. To set the channel, first navigate to the CHANNEL sub-menu
in the SETTINGS mode and then press .
2. Navigate to the desired channel and then Press . The
Channel number will highlight.
3. Press EXIT or BACK when finished.
IMPORTANT NOTE: When two or more devices are set to the same channel, communication errors
between devices may result. Use separate channel numbers for multiple devices wherever possible.
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DATA FORMAT Setting
This allows the user to set the numerical delineator to a decimal
point (.) or to a comma (,).
1. Navigate to DATA FORMAT in the SETTINGS menu and
then press.
2. Scroll to the desired selection and then press.
3. Press EXIT or BACK when finished.
BLUETOOTH ON-OFF
1. To activate the BluetoothTM function, select BLUETOOTH
from the SETTINGS menu.
2. Scroll to PC MODE or OFF and press .
3. Software developers may contact Extech for the MO270
communication programming protocol.
4. Press BACK or EXIT when done.
TIME/DATE and FORMAT Settings
1. Navigate to TIME/DATE in the SETTINGS menu and then
press .
2. Scroll to the desired field and then press .
3. To change the Date or Time, use the left/right arrow keys to
move the triangle shaped pointer to the digit that is to be
changed.
4. Use the up/down arrows to change the digit’s value. Press
to store the new value and to switch off the arrow
pointer.
5. To select a time format, scroll to the desired field (MM/DD/YYY, DD/MM/YYY, 12H, 24H, AM, or
PM) and press . When in item is highlighted it is selected.
6. Press EXIT or BACK when finished.
SYSTEM INFORMATION (INF)
1. To view the System Information, navigate to SYSTEM INF in
the SETTINGS menu and then press .
2. The OWNER NAME and NUMBER can be changed by the
user; all other fields are provided for informational purposes.
3. Scroll to the OWNER NAME or NUMBER field and press .
4. An alpha-numeric utility will appear allowing the user to select
text using the arrows buttons and the button.
5. To lock the Owner information so that it can not be
overwritten, press the CONF (confirmation) button.
6. Press BACK or EXIT when finished.
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Measurement Screen Menus
F1 - MENU
Press the F1 MENU button from the main analyzer display to open the sub-menu list:
WME/REL
The WME/REL menu allows for selecting either pin measurements, displayed as a ‘wood
moisture equivalent %’ (WME), or pin-less measurements displayed as a relative measurement
(REL) using the non-contact sensor. When highlighted, use the ENTER button to toggle
WME and REL.
ALARM
1. Navigate to the ALARMS box and press the button.
2. Alarm limits can be set manually by entering a numerical value or by using a measurement
(scanned) value.
3. To set an Alarm limit manually, use the right arrow to scroll to the Alarm limit (%) box and
press . An arrow will appear under one of the digits, use the up and down arrow buttons
to change its value if desired. Use the left and right
arrows to choose another digit to edit. When finished
editing, press the button store the setting.
4. To use the real time measurement as the alarm limit,
use the arrow keys to scroll over to the SCAN box (for
either the HIGH or the LOW Alarm limit). When the
SCAN box is highlighted, press the button to
automatically transpose the real time measurement to
the Alarm limit value. Important: Press the CONF key to the lock the reading in place.
5. Note that the High Alarm limit cannot be set lower than the Low Alarm limit and the Low
Alarm Limit cannot be set higher than the High Alarm limit.
6. To turn an Alarm ON or OFF: Use the arrow buttons to move the cursor to the Alarm limit
OFF box. Press the button to toggle between ON (OFF) or OFF (OFF).
7. To set the audible Alarm beeper ON or OFF: Navigate to the SOUND ON or OFF box.
Select the desired condition and the press.
8. Press F3 to store the values and to exit this mode.
9. Refer to Alarm Operation instructions later in this instruction manual.
WOOD TYPE
The WOOD TYPES menu allows for selecting various species of wood which are arranged in
groups (1 through 8) according to hardness. Refer to Appendix A for the timber lists and
associated group number settings. Select a group number that corresponds to the wood type
under test using the arrow keys and the enter key in the Wood Type menu.
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MEMORY
The MEMORY menu allows for viewing data and naming/clearing data for up to 10 memory
groups. Refer to the dedicated ‘Memory Logging Mode’ section later in this guide.
ZERO MODE (Relative)
The ZERO function allows measurements to be displayed as the difference between the actual
reading and a stored reference reading. Follow the steps below:
1. From the normal measurement mode, take a moisture measurement that will represent the
reference value.
2. With the meter continuing to take this reading press the MENU (F1) soft-key, scroll to the
ZERO MODE field, and press the Enter key (the field color will change to blue indicating that
the ZERO function is active). The current measurement has now been zeroed.
3. Return to the normal measurement mode by pressing the EXIT soft-key. Now, all
subsequent readings will be displayed as on offset from the stored reference reading. For
example, if the reference is 20 and a measurement of 50 is taken, the meter will display 30
(50 actual reading minus 20 reference reading = 30 displayed reading).
Note: The REL icon will flash on the measurement display screen while the ZERO function
is active.
4. To switch the ZERO function OFF, scroll to the ZERO MODE field again and press Enter
(the field color will change to gray indicating that the ZERO function is switched OFF).
Note: The default state is ZERO MODEOFF.
F2 - MODE
Repeated presses of the F2 MODE button allows scrolling through the three display modes:
Digital display, Graphical Trend Analysis display, and Analog display. The digital display includes
a bargraph at the bottom of the display. Note that the bargraph is color-coded where the alarm
region is shown in red and the acceptable region in green. For more on the Trend Analysis
display refer to the Trend Analysis section later in this guide.
TREND DIGITAL ANALOG
F3 – HOLD/SAVE
The HOLD menu freezes the displayed reading. When HOLD is pressed, two sub-menus SAVE
and EXIT appear. Press EXIT to un-freeze the display and return the meter to the normal
operating mode. Press SAVE to store the data to memory.
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Alarm Operation
The HIGH and LOW Alarm limits are user programmable as described in the OPERATION
(SETTINGS) section. Note that the High Alarm limit cannot be set lower than the Low Alarm limit
and the Low Alarm Limit cannot be set higher than the High Alarm limit.
When an alarm is set to ON in the SETTINGS mode, the analyzer will indicate the alarm symbol
(high or low) in black with the associated alarm value on the display (see the Display Icons
section).
Once the high and low alarm limits are set, the analyzer will audibly and/or visually alarm (in
flashing red) when a measurement limit is exceeded. Note that if the SOUND setting is turned
OFF in the SETTINGS mode, only the visual alarm will trigger.
To silence an alarm, go to the ALARM sub-menu in the SETTINGS menu and select OFF for the
alarm SOUND setting.
Trend Analysis Display Feature
Press the F2-MODE soft-key once from the main analyzer display to access the Trend Analysis
display mode.The Trend Analysis screen is shown below.
The digits on the right side of the Trend Analysis screen show the actual measurement (center),
the highest reading (top), and the lowest reading (bottom) for a given measurement session.
The x-y graph on the left represents the measurements (vertical scale) over time (horizontal)
To begin a Trend session, press F3-START from the Trend Analysis screen (the red REC icon
will be visible on the upper right hand corner of the display while the analyzer is trending).
Press the F3-STOP soft-key to stop a trending session (the REC icon will switch off).
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Memory Logging Mode
Store a reading
To store a reading into one of the ten memory locations (known as Groups) press the F2-MODE
soft-key from the main display screen. Note that stored readings are date/time stamped.
Use the F2-MODE soft-key again to select the Analog pointer or the Digital display mode.
Take a measurement and when the desired reading is displayed, press the F3-HOLD soft-key.
Press the F1-SAVE soft-key to begin storing. The memory locations screen will appear.
Select a memory Group using the arrow buttons. Press the button when the desired memory
location is highlighted. The reading will now be stored in the selected memory group.
View stored readings
To view data from a memory group, press the F1-MENU soft-key from the main display screen
and navigate to the MEMORY sub-menu and press .
Highlight VIEW from the sub-menu and press . The groups list will appear.
Navigate to the desired group and press .
Use the up/down arrow buttons to scroll through the readings in the group. Use the CLEAR
button to delete a displayed reading.
Press F1-BACK to return to the Groups list or press EXIT to return to the normal operating mode.
Rename a Memory Group
To rename a memory group, press the F1-MENU soft-key from the main display screen and
navigate to the MEMORY sub-menu and press .
Highlight NAME from the sub-menu and press . The groups list will appear.
Navigate to the desired group and press .
An alpha-numerical screen will appear with the current group name shown at the top.
Use the arrow keys to select the desired digit to change and then press .
Now scroll to the new digit using the arrow keys. When the desired new digit is highlighted, press
and the old digit will be replaced by the new digit.
When editing is complete, press CONF to save entries and to return to the Groups list.
Deleting Memory
To delete stored data, press the F1-MENU soft-key from the main display screen and navigate to
the MEMORY sub-menu and press .
Highlight CLEAR from the sub-menu and press .
Three sub-menus will appear: INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, and ALL. Select INDIVIDUAL to delete one
reading from within one group; Select GROUP to delete an entire group; and select ALL to delete
all readings in all groups. Click to clear the item.
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Calibration Verification
Calibration Zero Check for Pinless Mode
1. Switch the analyzer to the Pinless mode of operation (REL mode) from the F1-MENU. The box
at the upper left will either be labeled WME or REL. Use the ENTER button to toggle WME and
REL modes.
2. Switch the meter OFF.
3. Ensure that the analyzer is not near any objects or surfaces. Hold the analyzer near the bottom
to avoid contact with the pinless sensor.
4. Switch the meter ON.
5. The display should read zero.
6. If an error is displayed or if the analyzer reads other than zero, please return the unit for
service.
Calibration Check for Pin Mode
1. Switch the analyzer to the Pin mode (WME) from the F1-MENU. Use the ENTER key to toggle
REL and WME.
2. The three calibration check points are located in the holes at the top of the protective cap.
3. The first measurement is made by connecting to the two test points labeled ‘L’ (for LOW) with
the meter’s pins. The second measurement is made by connecting to the two test points
labeled ‘H’ (for HIGH).
4. The display should read between 60.0 to 85.0 for the high measurement and between 17.0
and 19.0 for the low measurement.
5. If the readings are not correct, return the analyzer for service.
FCC Compliance
FCC-ID: IWK-EX3000
FCC-ID: IWK-MO270X
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part
15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off
and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Warning: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the
user's authority to operate the equipment.
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Battery Replacement
If the instrument does not switch ON or displays low battery symbols, recharge the batteries as
detailed earlier in this guide. If the batteries require replacement, the unit must be returned for
service.
Maintenance
Always keep the instrument dry
To clean, wipe the analyzer with a damp cloth. Use a mild detergent if necessary but never use
abrasives or solvents.
Prevent dirt from accumulating at the electrode pins
Specifications
Display Full color graphical display
Measurement resolution 0.1
Measurement accuracy Pin mode: ± (5% rdg + 5 digits)
Pinless mode is a relative reading only
Measurement principle Electrical resistance (pins)
Electromagnetic sensor (pinless)
Measurement ranges 0.0 to 99.9 Relative (pinless)
7.0 to 99.3 %WME (pins)
Electrode pin length 0.75” (22mm)
Electrode pin type Integrated, replaceable
Transmission frequency Analyzer/sensor communication frequency: 2.4GHz
Power supply Rechargeable Li-Polymer batteries (not user replaceable)
Low Battery Indication Battery symbols (for analyzer and sensor) displayed on LCD
Analyzer housing Impact-proof plastic
Operating Temperature 32 to 122o F (0 to 50oC)
Operating Humidity 80% Relative Humidity maximum
Dimensions 8 x 2.3 x 1.7” (203 x 58 x 43mm); not including remote probe
Weight 7.2 oz. (204g); not including remote probe
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form