TRAMEX CMEX II User Manual
04/2015
user guide
CMEX II
concrete moisture
meter (Digital)
USER GUIDE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction.......................................................................4
How it works...................................................................5-6
Instrument Features........................................................7-8
Operating Instructions.......................................................9
Non-Destructive Measurement Mode .......................10-15
Concrete Scale.............................................................10
CM (Carbide Method) Equivalent Scale......................11
Gypsum Scale..............................................................11
REF (Reference) Scale..................................................11
Calibration .................................................................12
CMEX II Displays.......................................................13
Drying time for concrete oors and screeds............13-14
Testing moisture content in a oor slab.......................14
Pre-testing guidelines..................................................14
Guideline test procedures as per ASTM F2659...........15
Humidity Measurement Mode ..................................16-25
Relative Humidity Measurement................................17
Moisture Testing Guidelines...................................17-23
Hole Liner Instructions ASTM F2170 / BS8201,
8203, 5325...........................................................20-21
Calibration Check Salts..........................................24-25
Wood Pin Meter Mode...............................................26-43
Factors Affecting Moisture Readings..........................27
Wood Flooring ......................................................28-29
Temperature Adjustment Chart..................................30
Humidity and Moisture Content Relationship.............31
Species Correction Charts......................................32-43
Limitations .......................................................................44
Calibration ......................................................................44
Warranty ............................................................................45
Product Development......................................................46
Safety...............................................................................46
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USER GUIDE
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for selecting the new CMEXpert II instrument,
from Tramex. It has 3 measurement modes.
1. Non-invasive, Non-destructive test (NDT) mode
The CMEXpert II utilises “state of the art”
electronic technology to provide you with an
accurate and easy to use non-invasive instrument
for non-destructive testing (NDT) of Moisture
Content (MC%) in concrete and comparative
readings in gypsum and other oor screeds.
2. Hygro-i probe mode
This enables the CMEXpert II to measure
relative humidity (RH), temperature, dew point
temperature and mixing ratio of the environment
or in a structural material. A structural material
such as a concrete slab can be tested using the insitu method (ASTM F2170) or RH Hood methods
(British Standards BS 8201, 8203, 5325).
3. PIN Probe mode
This enables the CMEXpert II to measure the
percentage moisture content (MC%) of wood. The
CMEXpert II can also be used for wood-based
products.
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USER GUIDE
HOW IT WORKS
In concrete moisture measurement NDT mode, the
instrument operates on the principle that the electrical
impedance of a material varies with its moisture content.
The electrical impedance is measured by creating a
low frequency alternating electric eld between the
electrodes as illustrated in Figure 1.
Figure 1
The instrument is pressed onto the material surface
with the pins fully compressed to measure/detect the
moisture content.
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USER GUIDE
This eld penetrates the material under test. The very
small alternating current owing through the eld is
inversely proportional to the impedance of the material.
The instrument detects this current, determines its
amplitude and thus derives the moisture value.
In Hygro-i probe mode, the CMEXpert II determines
the capacitance of the RH probe sensor which varies
with the relative humidity of the testing environment.
The CMEXpert II displays this capacitance as percentage
relative humidity (%RH). It also measures temperature
and displays dew-point temperature and mixing ratio.
In Pin probe mode the CMEXpert II is a resistance-type
pin-meter for determining the moisture content of wood
and wood-based products.
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USER GUIDE
INSTRUMENT FEATURES
Your CMEXpert II employs advanced digital technology
to enable the incorporation of the many features listed
below.
● 3 modes of measurement: Non-destructive moisture
measurement, hygrometer and wood pin probe.
● 6 simple membrane keypad controls:
ON/OFF
SCALE
UP
DOWN
HOLD / AUDIO
BACKLIGHT
● Moisture readings and scale are displayed on a
clear easy to read liquid crystal display (LCD).
● 4 NDT Scales: Concrete, CM Equiv (Carbide
Method equivalent for concrete), Gypsum and a
Ref (Reference) scale. These are selected using the
key and the or keys.
● Wood pin probe mode is selected by using the
key.
● Relative Humidity (RH) readings, probe
temperature, dew point temperature and mixing
ratio are automatically displayed when the
Hygro-i Probe is plugged into the CMEXpert II
(Hygrometer Mode).
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USER GUIDE
● To conserve battery life, the instrument automatically
powers OFF after 10 minutes of inactivity or when
the key is pressed. If a key is pressed the
power off time will be extended for an additional ten
minutes.
● Backlit display allows the display to be easily read
in poor light conditions. This is enabled by pressing
the key. The backlight stays on for a period of
time set.
● Backlight display time. To adjust the backlight
display time, press the and keys together.
Then scroll with the key from 10 – 60 seconds.
(If the key is pressed, you will enter language
choice settings.) When time is chosen select
key to conrm and return to scale mode. (Longer
backlight timeouts will reduce the battery life.)
● Language display adjustment. To adjust the language
display, press the and keys together. Then
scroll with the key through the language library.
(If the key is pressed, you will enter the backlight
time settings.) When language is chosen select
key to conrm and return to scale mode.
● HOLD freezes reading to facilitate ease of
recording readings. When the CMEXpert II is in
HOLD mode, ‘H’ will ash on the display. If HOLD
was selected prior to the CMEXpert II automatically
powering off, the frozen display reading is digitally
memorized and restored next time ON is selected.
● When the battery requires replacement a LOW
BATTERY message is shown on the LCD.
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USER GUIDE
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
The instrument face with brief notes on the push button
controls and LCD is shown below.
Figure 2
1 = Phono socket for Wood Probes.
2 = Hygro-i Probe Socket (automatic hygrometer mode when
plugged in).
3 = Backlit display.
4 = Hold Key
5 = Scale Key.
6 = UP / DOWN Keys
7 = ON / OFF Key 10 minute switch off
8 = Light Key.
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USER GUIDE
NON-DESTRUCTIVE MEASUREMENT MODE
1. Press the key to power up. With no Hygro-i
probe or pin probe connected the last used scale
will be displayed on the LCD. Press key again
to power off.
2. To change mode, press key to select the Concrete,
Pin Probe or the comparative material scales. The
comparative material scales consist of CM Equiv.,
Gypsum and Ref. Select the CM Equiv., Gypsum or
Ref. scale using the key or key.
3. Press your CMEXpert II directly onto the surface
of the material being tested ensuring that all the
electrode spring-loaded pins are fully compressed.
Concrete Scale
When the Concrete scale is selected the moisture content
(MC) is shown on the right-hand side of the bottom line of
the display. The moisture content (MC) is displayed 0 to
6.9% on the CMEXpert II display. Readings on a concrete
oor slab obtained on this scale indicate moisture content
and should not be confused with Pounds (lbs) emission or
any other unit of measurement obtained by other moisture
testing methods or meters. It should also be noted that
there seems to be no linear correlation between moisture
content measurements and lbs emission measurements as
obtained using calcium chloride testing methods.
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USER GUIDE
CM Equivalent Scale (for concrete)
The CMEXpert II gives readings of 0 to 4.3 on the CM
Equivalent Scale. These are approximated equivalent
readings to the carbide test method for concrete.
Gypsum Scale
The CMEXpert II gives moisture content readings from 0
to 12 (comparative) on Gypsum and Anhydrite screeds.
REF Scale
For the Reference scale the readings are comparative
from 0 to 99. A visual indication is also given by the bar
display on the bottom line of the LCD.
The readings on the reference scale are not to be interpreted
as a measurement of percentage moisture content (%MC)
or relative humidity (RH). It is not a relative humidity
reading and it does not have any linear correlation with
Relative Humidity measurements. This scale should
be regarded as a comparative or qualitative scale only.
This reference scale is included to facilitate comparative
testing of different areas where direct contact with the bare
concrete surfaces may not be possible due to some form of
very thin coating or covering on the concrete, or additive
in the concrete that could inuence the readings. This scale
is not suitable for reading through thicker oor coverings
such as wood laminates etc. Readings from the reference
scale are comparative only and of help in identifying areas
with moisture problems.
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USER GUIDE
Calibration
For regular on-site assessment of your CMEXpert II in
moisture measurement mode, a calibration-check plate is
available from the suppliers of your CMEXpert II. Should
it be found that readings are outside the set tolerances, it
is recommended that the CMEXpert II be returned for recalibration. Calibration adjustments should not be carried
out by anyone other than Tramex or their authorized
service provider who will issue a calibration certicate on
completion.
Requirements for quality management and validation
procedures, such as ISO 9000 and National Standards,
have increased the need for regulation and verication
of measuring and test instruments. It is therefore
recommended that calibration of the CMEXpert II should
be checked and certied in accordance with the standards
and/or protocols laid down by your industry (usually on
an annual basis) by an authorised test provider. The name
of your nearest test provider and estimate of costs are
available on request.
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USER GUIDE
Typical CMEXpert II Displays
Drying time for concrete oors and screeds
Concrete oors and screeds must be allowed to dry to an
adequate level before the installation of sheet material,
tile, wood or coating. Manufacturers of such systems
generally require moisture testing to be performed before
installation on a oor slab. Moisture content measurement
is one such method. Excessive moisture in or permeating
from a oor covering or coating can cause failures such
as condensation, blistering, delaminating, movement and
general deterioration of the nished ooring/coating.
There is also a risk of promoting microbial growth. No
exact period can be specied for the drying of such oors
to reach acceptable moisture content, as this is affected by
temperature and humidity within the building as well as
concrete curing times and other factors. Typically a period
of 1 month per inch (25mm) depth of concrete or sand/
cement screed is often quoted. Longer periods may be
required in areas of high humidity or low temperature.
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USER GUIDE
During the drying period and prior to applying the oor
covering, the oor should be regularly checked to monitor
moisture content.
Testing for moisture content in a oor slab
Pre-test conditioning and preparation
For best and most accurate results, tests should be carried
out after the internal conditions of the building in which
the slab is located have been at normal service temperature
and humidity for at least 48 hours. All articial heating or
drying equipment should be turned off at least 96 hours
before nal readings are attempted, otherwise results may
not accurately reect the amount of moisture present or
moisture movement in the slab during normal operating
conditions. Prior to testing, the actual test area should be
clean and free of foreign substances.
Pre-testing guidelines
Where covered oor slabs are being tested, all covering
materials, adhesive residue, curing compounds, sealers,
paints, etc., shall be removed to expose a test area of clean
bare concrete. For removal of any existing ooring or
adhesives, strictly observe all the appropriate safety and
health practices relevant to cleaning and removal of these
types of materials. Removal of covering materials and
cleaning, if required, should take place a minimum of 48
hours prior to testing. Use of water based cleaning methods
that could lead to elevated surface and/or sub-surface
moisture levels in the oor slab are not recommended, and
the testing after such treatment could result in elevated
readings. No visible water in liquid form should be present
on the concrete at the time of testing. Avoid testing in
locations subject to direct sunlight or sources of heat. Use
of articial aids for accelerated drying of concrete is not
recommended. If they are being used it is recommended
they should be turned off at least four days before taking
nal readings.
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USER GUIDE
Guideline test procedures as per ASTM F2659
1. Remove any dust or foreign matter from the
CMEXpert II electrodes before commencing tests.
Make sure that the oor slab being tested is clean and
bare and free from dust, dirt or standing water.
2. Push the ON button and press the instrument directly
onto the surface of the material being tested ensuring
that all of the electrode spring loaded pins are fully
compressed. Read the moisture measurement from
the appropriate scale of the display.
3. On a rough surface, take a number of readings in
close proximity to one another such as 3 to 5 readings
within an area of 1 ft
2
(929cm2) at each location. If
the readings vary, always use the one with the highest
value.
4. Perform at least eight tests for the rst 1000ft
2
(100m
) and at least ve additional tests for each
additional 1000ft
2
(100m2). Include test locations in
2
the centre of the oor and within 3ft (1m) of each
exterior wall.
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