PCE Instruments PCE-WT1N Users guide

Manual

Sawdust Humidity Detector PCE-WT1N

Version 1.1

Date of creation: 20.05.2016

Date of last change: 19.07.2024

Contents

1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 3

1.1 Delivery content .......................................................................................................................... 3

2 Safety notes ............................................................................................................. 3

3 Specification ............................................................................................................ 3

4 System description ................................................................................................. 4

4.1 Theoretical determination of humidity ........................................................................................ 4

4.2 Preparations before measurements ........................................................................................... 4

4.3 Make a measurement ................................................................................................................. 5

4.4 General information .................................................................................................................... 7

5 Disposal ................................................................................................................... 8

6 Contact ..................................................................................................................... 8

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1 Introduction

Thank you for purchasing a sawdust humidity detector from PCE Instruments.
The humidity detector for sawdust is designed for professional application in the pre-delivery inspection of
sawmills or the receipt inspection in pellet plants, manufacturers of heat- briquettes and other process
sections (for instance: in the manufacturing of wooden briquettes). The sawdust humidity detector PCE­WT1N can be used to detect the absolute humidity of sawdust and similar biomass, such as chipped
wood, hay and straw, immediately after receiving the goods. The operation is quick and easy. The
sawdust humidity detector has to be filled with the measuring sample, which is then compressed inside
the device and after selecting the sample substance in the menu, the results can be read out at the
sawdust humidity detector. The sawdust humidity detector works with the electrical resistance method.
Thus the sawdust humidity detector is able to determine the humidity very quickly within a short time.
Another advantage of the humidity detector is its practical handling, the small dimensions as well as a
solid structure. The sawdust humidity detector is calibrated by the manufacturer.

1.1 Delivery content

- Sawdust humidity detector PCE-WT1N

- 9 V battery

- Carrying case

- Instruction manual

2 Safety notes

Please read this manual carefully and completely before you use the device for the first time. The device
may only be used by qualified personnel and repaired by PCE Instruments personnel. There is no
warranty of damages or injuries caused by non-observance of the manual.

- The device may only be used in the approved temperature range.

- The case should only be opened by qualified personnel of PCE Instruments.

- You should not make any technical changes to the device.

- The appliance should only be cleaned with a damp cloth / use only pH-neutral cleaner.

- Remove the batteries if the device is not used for a longer period of time to avoid damage on the

instrument.

- Replace the batteries if the device indicates a low battery level.

We do not assume liability for printing errors or any other mistakes in this manual.
We expressly point to our general guarantee terms which can be found in our general terms of business.

3 Specification

Measurement range
sawdust, wood chips*
straw, hay

8 ... 30 %

8 … 25 %

Resolution

0.1 %

Accuracy

±10 % of the measurement value

Volume of the measuring chamber

120 cm

3

Sample size of chipped wood

*max. 20 x 15 x 15 mm

Compressive force during measurement

Approx. 0.2 MPa

Temperature compensation

Digitally adjustable

Display

3 digits LCD display

Power supply

1 x 12 V battery type A 23

Ambient temperature range

0 ... +50 ºC

Dimensions

300 x 220 x 65 mm

Weight

990 g

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4 System description

4.1 Theoretical determination of humidity

The humidity is calculated as follows:

Description:
Ww = Weight of the sample before the drying process

Wd = Weight of the sample after the drying process

4.2 Preparations before measurements

1. Open the head of the measurement chamber.

2. Pull back the compacting device completely in order to ensure that the measurement chamber
can take the maximum volume.

3. Fill the measurement chamber with the sample, according to the specifications of the sawdust
humidity detector. Fill the measurement chamber with at least 2 cm of sample material. An exact
amount of the sample is not prescribed and has no influence on the measurement result.

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4. Close the head of the measurement chamber again and make sure that it is not too tight.

5. Compress the sample within the sawdust humidity detector by using the compacting device.

After operating the compacting device a couple of times, an indicator will show up to give
information on the compression pressure. The appropriate compression is reached when a red
ring around the indicator is shown. The red ring should only point out of the head of the
measuring chamber by a maximum of 0.5 to 1 millimetre.

Red ring

Please be advised that the device may be damaged if the compression pressure is too high!

4.3 Make a measurement

1. Press and hold the ON/OFF button of the device to start it.

2. Press the MATERIAL button and adjust your desired sample material.

Material

Adjustment

Sawdust, wood chips

1

Straw, hay

2

3. Press the Temperature button to set the temperature the sample material has. Each time you
press the button, the temperature is increased in steps of 2 °C. By pressing and holding the
button, the speed of the increase will be higher. A difference between the set temperature and
the actual temperature of ±4 °C will not affect the measurement result.

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4. Wait until the measurement result has stabilized. When the sample is very dry, the measurement
may take up to 10 seconds. Moist samples will give a result within one or two seconds.

5. Pull back the press to its completely again and open the head.

6. Use the compacting device again to push out the sample.

7. After doing so, pull back the compacting device and close the head again.

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Please note that there may samples which are very dry. If that should be the case, the result may fall

below the measurement range. The display will show “LO” in that case. If the sample is too moist the
instrument will display “HI”.

4.4 General information

- Freshly produced material like pellets is usually very dry. It is then recommended to pre-dry the
sample for some days before making measurements.

- The samples should be taken out of the middle of the storage container to ensure certain
repeatability.

- The size of the sample has effects on the measurement results. The smaller the sample size, the
more precise the measurement result (pellets can be crushed with a hammer).

- You can also increase the accuracy of the measurements by calculating the mean value of all
measurements.

- If the display shows the BAT-Symbol, you should immediately insert new batteries to ensure
correct measurement values. It is recommended to replace the batteries every six months.

- If no measurements have been made for a longer period of time, you need to check the
measurement chamber. Inside the chamber, there may be remains of old samples.

- The device should only be stored in cool, dry and chemically neutral atmosphere.

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5 Disposal

For the disposal of batteries, the 2006/66/EC directive of the European Parliament applies. Due to the
contained pollutants, batteries must not be disposed of as household waste. They must be given to
collection points designed for that purpose.

In order to comply with the EU directive 2012/19/EU we take our devices back. We either re-use them or
give them to a recycling company which disposes of the devices in line with law.

If you have any questions, please contact PCE Instruments.

6 Contact

If you have any questions about our range of products or measuring instruments please contact PCE
Instruments.

Germany France Spain

PCE Deutschland GmbH PCE Instruments France EURL PCE Ibérica S.L.
Im Langel 26 23, rue de Strasbourg Calle Mula, 8
D-59872 Meschede 67250 Soultz-Sous-Forets 02500 Tobarra (Albacete)
Deutschland France España
Tel.: [phone] Téléphone: [phone] Tel. : [phone]
Fax: [phone] Numéro de fax: [phone] Fax: [phone]
[e-mail] [e-mail] [e-mail]
www.pce-instruments.com/deutsch www.pce-instruments.com/french www.pce-instruments.com/espanol

United Kingdom Italy Turkey

PCE Instruments UK Ltd PCE Italia s.r.l. PCE Teknik Cihazları Ltd.Şti.
Trafford House Via Pesciatina 878 / B-Interno 6 Halkalı Merkez Mah.
Chester Rd, Old Trafford 55010 Loc. Gragnano Pehlivan Sok. No.6/C
Manchester M32 0RS Capannori (Lucca) 34303 Küçükçekmece - İstanbul
United Kingdom Italia Türkiye
Tel: [phone] Telefono: [phone] Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone] Fax: [phone] Faks: 0212 705 53 93
[e-mail] [e-mail] [e-mail]
www.pce-instruments.com/english www.pce-instruments.com/italiano www.pce-instruments.com/turkish

The Netherlands United States of America Denmark

PCE Brookhuis B.V. PCE Americas Inc. PCE Instruments Denmark ApS
Institutenweg 15 1201 Jupiter Park Drive, Suite 8 Birk Centerpark 40
7521 PH Enschede Jupiter / Palm Beach 7400 Herning
Nederland 33458 FL Denmark
Telefoon: [phone] USA Tel.: [phone]
[e-mail] Tel: [phone] [e-mail]
www.pce-instruments.com/dutch Fax: [phone] www.pce-instruments.com/dansk
[e-mail]
www.pce-instruments.com/us