Greisinger GMH 3850 User guide

H60.0.12.6C-09

Operating Manual

Resistive Material Moisture Measuring

GMH 3850 as of version 1.5

GREISINGER electronic GmbH Hans-Sachs-Str. 26 Tel.: +49 9402 / 9383-0 http://www.greisinger.de

D-93128 Regenstauf Fax: +49 9402 / 9383-33 eMail: [e-mail]

H60.0.12.6C-09 Operating Manual GMH3850 page 2 of 20

Contents

1 IN GENERAL.............................................................................................................................................................................3

1.1 S

1.2 O

1.3 D

1.4 C

1.5 D

1.6 P

AFETY INSTRUCTIONS .........................................................................................................................................................3

PERATING AND MAINTENANCE ..........................................................................................................................................3

ISPOSAL NOTICE .................................................................................................................................................................3

ONNECTIONS.......................................................................................................................................................................4

ISPLAY ELEMENTS ..............................................................................................................................................................4

USHBUTTONS ......................................................................................................................................................................4

2 DEVICE CONFIGURATION...................................................................................................................................................5

3 SOME BASICS OF PRECISION MATERIAL MOISTURE MEASURING ......................................................................6

3.1 M

3.2 S

3.3 A

3.4 A

3.5 M

3.6 M

OISTURE CONTENT U AND WET-BASIS MOISTURE CONTENT W ..........................................................................................6

PECIAL FEATURES OF THE DEVICE........................................................................................................................................6

UTOMATIC TEMPERATURE-COMPENSATION ('ATC').............................................................................................................6

UTO-HOLD FUNCTION.........................................................................................................................................................7

EASURING IN WOOD: MEASURING WITH TWO MEASURING-PIKES ....................................................................................7

EASURING OTHER MATERIALS ...........................................................................................................................................7

3.6.1 ‘Hard‘ Materials (concrete or similar): Measuring with brush-type probes (GBSL91 or GBSK91).............................7

3.6.2 ‘Soft‘ Materials (polystyrene or similar): Measuring with Measuring-pikes or -pins (GMS 300/91) ...........................7

3.6.3 Measuring bulk cargo, bales and other special measures ...........................................................................................8

3.7 M

EASURING OF MATERIALS, HAVING NO CHARACTERISTIC CURVES STORED.........................................................................8

4 HINTS FOR THE SPECIAL FUNCTIONS ............................................................................................................................8

4.1 M

4.2 P

4.3 I

OISTURE ESTIMATION ('WET' - 'MEDIUM' - 'DRY') .....................................................................................................8

RE-SELECTION OF FAVOURITE MATERIALS ('SORT') .............................................................................................................8

NDIVIDUALLY PROGRAMMABLE CHARACTERISTIC CURVES.................................................................................................8

5 OPERATION OF LOGGER.....................................................................................................................................................9

5.1 „F

5.2 „F

UNC-STOR“: STORING SINGLE MEASUREMENTS................................................................................................................9

UNC-CYCL“: AUTOMATIC RECORDING WITH SELECTABLE LOGGER-CYCLE-TIME ........................................................10

6 OUTPUT...................................................................................................................................................................................11

6.1 I

6.2 A

NTERFACE - BASE ADDRESS ('ADR.') .................................................................................................................................11

NALOGUE OUTPUT – SCALING WITH DAC.0 AND DAC.1 .................................................................................................11

7 FAULT AND SYSTEM MESSAGES.....................................................................................................................................12

8 APPLICATION IN THE GLUED TIMBER CONSTRUCTION ACC. TO DIN 1052-1 (MPA CERTIFIED) .............12

9 INSPECTION OF THE ACCURACY / ADJUSTMENT SERVICES ................................................................................12

10 SPECIFICATION................................................................................................................................................................13

APPENDIX A: SORTS OF WOOD ...............................................................................................................................................14

APPENDIX B: ADDITIONAL MATERIALS ..............................................................................................................................19

H60.0.12.6C-09 Operating Manual GMH3850 page 3 of 20

1 In General

1.1 Safety Instructions

This device has been designed and tested in accordance to the safety regulations for electronic devices.
However, its trouble-free operation and reliability cannot be guaranteed unless the standard safety measures and
special safety advises given in this manual will be adhered to when using it.

1. Trouble-free operation and reliability of the device can only be guaranteed if it is not subjected to any other climatic
conditions than those stated under “Specification”.

2. Transporting the device from a cold to a warm environment condensation may result in a failure of the function. In
such a case make sure the device temperature has adjusted to the ambient temperature before trying a new start­up.

3. The circuitry has to be designed most carefully if the device should be connected to other devices. Internal
connection in third party devices (e.g. connection GND and earth) may result in not-permissible voltages impairing
or destroying the device or another device connected.

4. Warning: Operating the device with a defective mains power supply (e.g. short circuit from mains voltage to output
voltage) may result in hazardous voltages at the device (e.g. at sensor socket)

5. Whenever there may be a risk whatsoever involved in running it, the device has to be switched off immediately and
to be marked accordingly to avoid re-starting. Operator safety may be a risk if:

- there is visible damage to the device

- the device is not working as specified

- the device has been stored under unsuitable conditions for a longer time
In case of doubt, please return device to manufacturer for repair or maintenance.

6. Warning: Do not use these product as safety or emergency stop device, or in any other application where failure of
the product could result in personal injury or material damage.
Failure to comply with these instructions could result in death or serious injury and material damage.

7. Risk of injury! The used measuring heads are very sharp, use thoroughly during your measuring to eliminate a
possible risk of injury.

1.2 Operating And Maintenance

• Battery Operation
The battery has been used up and needs to be replaced, if and „bAt“ are shown in lower display. The device
will, however, continue operating correctly for a certain time.
The battery has been completely used up, if ´bAt´ is shown in the upper display.
The battery has to be removed, when storing device above 50°C.

Hint: We recommend to remove the battery if device is not used for a longer period of time! Risk of Leakage

• Mains Operation

Attention: When using a power supply unit please note that operating voltage has to be 10.5 to 12 V DC. Do not
apply over voltage!! Simple 12V-power supplies often have excessive no-load voltage. We, therefore, recommend
using regulated voltage power supplies. Trouble-free operation is guaranteed by our power supply GNG10/3000.
Prior to connecting the plug power supply with the mains supply make sure that the operating voltage stated at the
power supply is identical to the mains voltage.

• Treat device and probes carefully. Use only in accordance with above specification. (do not throw, hit against etc.).

Protect plugs and sockets from soiling.

• To disconnect sensor plug do not pull at the cable but at the plug.

• When connecting the probe the plug will slide in smoothly if plug is entered correctly.

• Selection of Output-Mode: The output can be used as serial interface or as analogue output. This choice has to

be done in the configuration menu.

!

1.3 Disposal Notice

• Dispense exhausted batteries at destined gathering places.

• Send the device directly to us, if it should be disposed. We will dispose the device appropriate and non-polluting.

H60.0.12.6C-09 Operating Manual GMH3850 page 4 of 20

1.4 Connections

1. Output: Operation as interface: Connect to optically isolated

interface adapter (accessory: GRS 3100, GRS3105 or USB3100)
Operation as analogue output: Connection via suitable cable.
Attention: The output mode has to be configured (p.r.t 2.7) and
influences battery life!

2. Sensor-connection: BNC

3. Temperature-probe-connection: Thermocouple type K (NiCr-Ni)

for temperature-compensation with an external temperature-probe

4. The mains socket is located at the left side of the instrument.

1.5 Display Elements

1 = Main Display:

2 = Auxiliary Display:

Special display elements:
3 = Moisture estimation:

4 = Warning triangle:
5 = “%u” or “%w”

6 = T external-arrow

7 = Logg-arrow

All remaining arrows have no function in this version.

Currently measured material moisture
[percent moisture content]
HLD: Measure value is ‘frozen‘ (Button 6)
Currently selected material
(or temperature when pressing Button 3)

Estimation of the material condition: via top
arrows: DRY - MEDIUM - WET
Indicates low battery
Displays unit: moisture content u or wet basis
moisture content w
Appears if an external temperature-probe is
connected and automatic temperature
compensation is activated.
Shown if logger function is selected,
flashes if cyclic logger is running

1.6 Pushbuttons

key 1: On/Off key
key 4: Set/Menu

press (Menu) for 2 sec.: configuration will activated

key 2, 5: During measure: select a material

p.r.t.: 4.2 Pre-selection of favourite materials ('Sort')
List of selectable materials:
Appendix A; Appendix B

With manual temperature compensation:

When displaying temperature (call via button 3 ‚Temp‘):
Input of temperature

up/down for configuration:

to enter values or change settings

Key 6:

Key 3: During the measure: shortly displaying temperature or changing to temperature input.

Store/↵↵↵↵:

- Measurement:
with Auto-Hold off: Hold current measuring value ('HLD' in display)
with Auto-Hold on: Start a new measure, which is ready when 'HLD' appears in the display
refer to chapter 3.4 Auto-Hold Function
or calling of the logger functions (refer to chapter 5)

- Set/Menu or temperature input:
confirming of selected input, return to measure

H60.0.12.6C-09 Operating Manual GMH3850 page 5 of 20

2 Device Configuration

Note: Some menu items will be shown depending on the actual device configuration (e.g. there are some

items disabled when the logger contains data). Please note the hints by the menu items.

For configuration of the device press "Menu"-key (key 4) for 2 seconds, the main menu will be shown (main display:
“SEt”). Choose the desired menu branch by pressing the "Menu"-key (key 4). By pressing “4” (key 3) the referring
parameters can be chosen. The referring values are changed by pressing the keys "5" (key 2) or "6" (key 5) (Choice
of parameter: “4”). Pressing “Menu” (key 4) again will jump back to the main menu selection and stores the settings.
Use key " Store/↵↵↵↵" (key 6) to leave configuration.

Menu Parameter Values Meaning
key Menu

Set Sort

Set Conf

key

4

key5 or

6

Set Sort: limitation of the material selection

off:

1...8:

Unrestricted material selection via key 2 and 5
Material selection in-between 1 up to 8 selectable materials
selectable materials (not available if Sort = off)

....

Select the desired material that should be available during the
measure via key 2 and 5.

Set Configuration: Generic Settings

Arrow bottom left
points to “%u”
Arrow bottom left
points to

°C
°F

“%w”

Moisture display = moisture content [%u]

Moisture display = wet-basis moisture content [%u]

All temperature values are in degrees Celsius
All temperature values are in degrees Fahrenheit

p.r.t.

4.2

*

4.2

*

*

Set Logg

Set CLOC

oFF
on

oFF
on

1...120

oFF
oFF
SEr
dAC
01, 11 .. 91

0.0 ... 100.0%

0.0 ... 100.0%

Atc off: temperature input for compensation via keys
Atc on: temperature compensation via internally measured temperature

or external probe
Auto HLD off: continuous measuring.
Auto-HLD on: when reaching a stable measuring result, this will be
frozen with-HLD. When pressing the store-key a new measure will be
initiated. If logger is switched on (‚Func CYCL‘, ‚Func Stor‘): device
works like setting would be “auto-HLD off”
Power-off delay in minutes.
Device will be automatically switched off as soon as this time has
elapsed if no key is pressed/no interface communication takes place
Power-off function inactive (continuous operation, e.g. mains operation)

Function of the output: No output function, lowest power consumption
Output is serial interface
Output is analogue output 0...1V
Base Address when Output = Serial Interface :

Base address of device for interface communication.
Enter desired moisture value at which the analogue output potential
should be 0V
Enter desired moisture value at which the analogue output potential
should be 1V

Set Logger: Configuration Of Logger Function

CYCL Cyclic: logger function ‚cyclic logger‘
Stor Store: logger function ‚individual value logger‘
oFF
0:30 ... 60:00

no logger function
Cycle time of cyclic logger [minutes:seconds]

Set Clock: Setting Of Real Time Clock

HH:MM Clock: Setting of time hours:minutes

YYYY Year

TT.MM Date: day.month

**3.3

*

3.4

6

6.1

6.2

6.2

*5

*5.2

Hint: The settings will be set to the settings ex works, if keys ‘Set‘ and ‘Store‘ are pressed simultaneously

for more than 2 seconds.

(*) If the logger memory contains data already, the menus/parameters marked with (*) can not be invoked!

If these should be altered the logger memory has to be cleared before!

If the manual logger contains data (Logger: ‘Func Stor’), the first menu displayed will be: ‘rEAd Logg’
please refer to chapter 5.1

H60.0.12.6C-09 Operating Manual GMH3850 page 6 of 20

3 Some Basics Of Precision Material Moisture Measuring

3.1 Moisture Content u and Wet-Basis Moisture content w

Depending on the Application one of the two units is necessary.
Carpenters, joiners and the like commonly use the moisture content u (sometimes referred to as MC).
When evaluating firewood, wood chips etc., the wet basis moisture content w is needed.
The instrument can be configured to both of the values. Please refer to chapter “configuration“.

Moisture content u or MC (relative to dry weight) = dry basis moisture content (mind the arrow at left bottom!)

The unit is %, sometimes used: % MC.
The unit expresses the moisture content like calculated below:

Or:

Moisture content u [%] = (weight

- weight

wet

) / weight

dry

dry

*100

weight
weight
weight

Moisture content u [%] = (weight

: weight of the wet material

wet

: weight of water in the wet material

water

: oven-dry weight of material

dry

water

) / (weight

) *100

dry

Example: 1kg of wet wood, which contains 500g of water has a moisture content u of 100%

Wet-Basis Moisture Content w (relative to total weight, mind the arrow at left bottom!)

The wet-basis moisture content expresses the ratio of the mass of water to the total mass of the substance. The ratio
is represented by the following equation (the unit is % as well):

wet-basis moisture w[%] = (weight

Or: wet-basis moisture w[%] = (weight

- weight

wet

) / weight

water

) / weight

dry

*100

wet

wet

*100

Example: 1kg of wet wood, which contains 500g of water has a moisture content u of 50%

3.2 Special features of the device

466 wood specimens and 28 building materials are stored directly in the memory of the device:

Thus more exact measurements could be reached than with common devices with group selections would ever reach.
Even the usage of complex conversion tables for building materials won’t be necessary any more!
Example: Common wood-moisture-measuring-devices use one single group for spruce and oak, in reality the deviation
of these characteristic curves is more than 3%! (Base for this statement are complex statistical surveys, considered
measuring range 7-25%). This random error will not occur for the whole GMH38xx series, with the help of individual
characteristic curves highest resolution is achieved.

Extreme wide measuring range: 0-100% (depending on characteristic curve) percent moisture content in wood.
Moisture estimation: Additionally to the measuring value, an individual moisture estimation will be displayed

simultaneously.

3.3 Automatic temperature-compensation ('Atc')

An exact temperature compensation is important for a reliable wood-moisture-measuring. These devices feature a high
quality thermocouple-input for type k thermocouples. Thus you could connect common surface-temperature-probes –
The needed measuring-time ‘afield’ will be drastically lowered compared to common (non-surface-)temperature-probes

The used temperature-value therefor is:

Menu Used temperature-value Aux. Display

Atc on

Atc off Independent from

Attention: When connecting a probe that is non insulated you must have to observe not touching the wood or

Temperature-probe connected Temperature-measuring through connected probe Display-arrow

‘T extern‘

No temperature-probe connected Device-internal temperature-measuring

Manual input of temperature: shortly press Temp-Button

temperature-probe

then use 5 (button 2) or 6 (button 5) to input the
temperature confirm selection with ‘Store‘(button 6)

Table 4.2: Using of the temperature-compensation

the electrodes nearby the unshielded electrode. We suggest using our insulated probe GTF38
(already included in standard case sets SET38HF and SET38BF).