user guide
MEP
moisture encounter
plus
MEP USER GUIDE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction............................................................................................2
Instrument Features.....................................................................3-4
Operating Instructions.................................................................5-7
Working With your Moisture Encounter: Scale 1........7-15
Testing wood and wood products......................................7-9
Relative humidity and moisture content.........................10
Wood Flooring............... ...............................................................11
Notes on Specific Gravity (SG).............................................12
How to use the Wood SG Tables...........................................13
Wood SG Table, 5% to 17% meter reading...................14
Wood SG Table, 18% to 30% meter reading................15
Working With your Moisture Encounter: Scale 2.....16-18
Testing built-up roofing ..........................................................16
Testing drywall.............................................................................17
Testing on ceramic tiles, wall & floor coverings..17-18
Working With your Moisture Encounter: Scale 3....19-20
Testing plaster and brick................................................19-20
Limitations..........................................................................................20
Calibration...................................................................................20-21
Warranty.......................................................................................21-22
Product Development...................................................................23
Safety....................................................................................................23
1
MEP USER GUIDE
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for selecting the MEP - Moisture
Encounter Plus from Tramex.
The Moisture Encounter Plus is a patented
instrument, which enables non-invasive moisture
measurement and detection in a wide range of
building materials. The instrument operates on the
principle that the electrical impedance of a material
varies in proportion to its moisture content.
To measure/detect moisture, the two co-planar
conductive rubber electrodes mounted on the base
of the instrument case are lightly pressed onto the
wood or material sample. The instrument measures
the electrical impedance of the sample by creating a
low frequency alternating electric field between the
electrodes. This field penetrates the material under
test to a depth of approximately 30 mm (1¼ inches).
The very small alternating current flowing through
the field is inversely proportional to the impedance
of the material. The instrument detects this current,
determines its amplitude and, after processing,
drives the pointer of the moving coil meter to the
computed moisture value.
Transmit Electrode
Receive Electrode
Alternating Electric Field
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MEP USER GUIDE
As there is a wide variation in the nominal electrical
impedance of different material types, the instrument
is provided with three selectable scales which are
optimized for testing (1) Wood, Timber (2) Drywall,
Roofing and (3) Plaster, Brick. By selection of an
appropriate scale, the instrument can also be used for
the detection and location of elevated moisture in or
behind a range of covering materials such as wall, floor,
and ceiling tiles, siding, carpet, ceramic tiles and
laminated floor coverings.
INSTRUMENT FEATURES
Your Moisture Encounter Plus employs advanced
analogue and digital technology to enable the
incorporation of many new features, which greatly
extend the capability of the instrument.
• Three simple pushbutton controls, ON/OFF,
SCALE and HOLD/AUDIO.
• Non-destructive moisture readings taken in
wood from 5% to 30% are displayed on a moving
coil meter with linear scale.
• Audio signal sounds when meter indicates high
reading.
• Comparative readings between zero and 100 can
be taken in or through drywall, ceramic tile,
carpet, floor coverings, roofing, plaster, and
other materials such as brick and cement block.
The meter scale is also color coded to assist in
identifying areas of wet and dry.
• Automatic supply timeout (10 minutes)
conserves battery life.
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MEP USER GUIDE
• Supply timeout is automatically extended if a
change in meter reading is detected or if any
button is pressed.
• 10 second bleep warning on instrument sounder
prior to end of supply timeout period.
• Last used scale is memorized at supply timeout
and automatically selected next time ON/OFF
button is pressed.
• Three LEDs (light emitting diodes) show selected
scale, indicate if HOLD/AUDIO selected and
provide warning of battery nearing end of useful
life.
• HOLD/AUDIO button freezes moving coil meter,
which facilitates readings taken out-of-sight.
• If HOLD/AUDIO was selected prior to supply
timeout, the frozen meter reading is digitally
memorized and restored next time ON/OFF is
selected.
If the battery voltage is getting low, the three
LEDs will flash sequentially for a short period.
The instrument will continue to operate for
some time but it is recommended that the
PP3 (9 volt) battery be changed as soon as
convenient.
4
MEP USER GUIDE
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
The instrument face with brief notes on the push button
controls and LED indicators is shown below.
84mm
1
2
54
3
1 = Moving coil meter.
2 = LED Indicators.
3 = Scale Select button.
4 = Power ON/OFF button.
5 = Hold button.
154mm
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MEP USER GUIDE
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
1. Press the ON/OFF button to power up. The LED
for the last used scale will light.
2. To change scale, press/release the SCALE button
until the LED opposite the required scale lights.
3. Hold your Moisture Encounter Plus directly on the
material being tested ensuring both conductive
rubber electrodes are fully in contact with the
surface.
4. For wood or wood products read the moisture
content from the upper line (Wood) of the meter
dial which is marked from 5% to 30%. Audio signal will sound when meter indicates high reading.
5. To turn audio signal on or off, press HOLD/AUDIO
button twice in quick succession.
6. For drywall, felt roofing, plaster or brick comparative (Relative) readings are taken from the lower
line on the meter dial, which is marked from 0 to
100.
7. The instrument will automatically power-off after
ten minutes if no button is pressed or if no change
in meter reading is detected. If a button is pressed
or the meter reading changes, the power-off will
be extended for a further ten minutes.
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MEP USER GUIDE
8. To freeze readings press the HOLD/AUDIO button once. While on Hold, the LED for the selected
scale will flash slowly. This facility is extremely
useful if readings are being taken in areas where
it is difficult to see the instrument dial. To remove
freeze, press the HOLD/AUDIO button again.
WORKING WITH YOUR MOISTURE ENCOUNTER:
Scale 1
Testing wood and wood products
a. When testing wood, power-on, select Scale 1 and
press the rubber electrodes directly to the surface. Read the moisture percentage from the top
line of the analog dial where calibration is marked
from 5% to 30%. If switched on, the audio signal
will sound when readings are above 18%.
b. If possible, always take readings with the length
of the instrument parallel to the direction of the
wood grain.
c. Calibration tests were carried out by Forbairt,
the Irish Institute for Industrial Research and
Standards, and are based on Douglas fir, which
has a published specific gravity (SG) of 0.50. For
wood having an SG other than 0.50 see “Notes on
Specific Gravity” and “How to use the Wood SG
Adjustment Tables” on page 13.
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MEP USER GUIDE
d. Acceptable levels of moisture content depend on
climatic conditions and we advise you check the
levels acceptable in your area. The table on page
10 shows the approximate relationship between
the ambient relative humidity and equilibrium
moisture content in woods.
e. As a rule of thumb and depending on climatic con-
ditions, exterior wood is generally considered safe
for painting when the moisture content is 14% or
below. Wood below 10% is generally considered
suitable for painting indoors. (Always check coating manufacturers recommendations).
f. The following moisture content levels are often
quoted in the wood industry and should be used as
a guide only. Please contact industry associations
and manufacturers for their specifications.
• Furniture: 5% to 6% when used in locations of low
relative humidity and up to 10% to 11% may be
acceptable where the relative humidity is higher.
• Indoors wood: 6% in low humidity areas. Up to
12% in higher humidity locations.
• Exterior wood: 10% to 15% depending on local
humidity levels.
• Generally, wood moisture content in excess of
23% - 25% is susceptible to rot.
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MEP USER GUIDE
• Wood moisture content in excess of 18% - 20%
may provide an environment for termite and
wood-boring insects to thrive and multiply. Wood
at these high levels can also support mold and
biological growth.
• Wood at 28% moisture content is considered to
have reached fiber saturation point.
g. Avoid taking readings on wood from the top of a
stack stored outside as these may be affected by
surface moisture from recent rain.
h. When taking readings in chemically treated
wood, it is advisable to allow for possible effects
that the treatment may have on readings.
Depth of field penetration
Depending on the density of the material being
tested, the instrument field can penetrate
approximately 30mm (1¼ inches) below the
surface. When testing thin materials such as
wood veneers it is recommended that they are
stacked to at least that thickness.
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MEP USER GUIDE
Relative humidity and moisture content
The table below shows the approximate relationship
between relative humidity and equilibrium moisture
content of some woods. (These figures are approximate values at a temperature of 70º F, and may vary
for different species.)
Relative Humidity
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Wood MC %
3 to 5
5 to 6
6 to 8
8 to 9
9 to 11
11 to 13
13 to 15
16 to 19
20 to 22
25+
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MEP USER GUIDE
Wood Flooring
a. Excess moisture in wood flooring or concrete sub-
floors can cause major problems.
b. For instance, if installed with excess moisture,
the wood can subsequently shrink leading to job
failure.
c. If a wood floor (solid, laminated or engineered) is
installed above wet concrete the wood can absorb
moisture emitting from the concrete causing the
wood to swell and buckle and even cause structural damage to the building.
d. When vinyl or other impervious coverings are
applied over wet concrete, the result can be failure
of the adhesive and blistering of the surface.
Your Moisture Encounter Plus can be used to measure
the moisture content of the wood floor to ensure it
meets specification. Likewise it can be used to check,
on a qualitative basis, through the floor covering, to
identify elevated moisture in the substrate.
Adhesives
The presence of different species, treatments,
adhesives, etc., within products such as plywood,
particleboard, OSB (oriented strand board),
laminated and engineered woods will affect
measurements. If in doubt please contact us and, if
you wish, we can work with you in developing your
own calibration for a specific product.
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MEP USER GUIDE
Density SG at 12% MC
Exceptionally Heavy
0.90 or More
Concrete
Your Moisture Encounter Plus is not calibrated for
concrete. The Tramex Concrete Encounter instrument is specifically designed for concrete flooring
and is recommended where quantitative measurements are required. However a useful indication of
the moisture condition of a concrete or sub floor can
be obtained with the Moisture
Encounter Plus set on the wall/brick mode.
Comparative readings can also be obtained through
coverings such as vinyl, carpet and laminated wood
flooring by using the drywall scale.
Notes on Specific Gravity (SG)
The SG of wood varies between species and this has an
effect on moisture meter readings. The Moisture
Encounter Plus calibration is based on wood having an SG
of 0.50. Wood is normally categorised as follows:
Exceptionally Light
Light
Medium
Heavy
12
0.30 or Less
0.30 to 0.45
0.45 to 0.65
0.65 to 0.90
MEP USER GUIDE
How to use the Wood SG tables
When testing wood, which does not have an SG of 0.50,
the meter reading can be adjusted by referring to the tables shown on pages 14 and 15. For example, if the wood
being tested has an SG of 0.70 and the meter reading
is 17% (top row of table) then the adjusted moisture
content reading can be found where the 0.70 SG row
intersects with 17% meter reading column. For this
example the adjusted moisture content would be 13%.
13
Wood S.G. Table, 5% to 17% meter reading
0.90
334455679999 10
WOOD SPECIFIC GRAVITY ADJUSTMENT TABLE (5 to 17%)
Meter
56789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Reading
Specific
Gravity
0.30
0.32
0.34
0.36
0.38
0.40
0.42
0.44
0.46
0.48
0.50
0.52
0.54
0.56
0.58
0.60
0.62
0.64
0.66
0.68
0.70
0.72
0.74
0.76
0.78
0.80
0.82
0.84
0.86
0.88
ADJUSTED/CORRECTED MOISTURE CONTENT
8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 22
9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22
8
789 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 21
789 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 21
789 11 12 12 13 14 16 16 18 19 20
6789 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 20
6789 11 11 12 13 15 15 17 18 19
6789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 19
5678 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
56789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
56789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
567899 11 11 12 13 14 15 17
457789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
456788 10 11 12 13 13 15 16
4567889 10 11 12 13 14 15
4567889 10 11 12 13 14 15
4567889 10 11 12 13 14 15
4467889 10 11 12 13 14 15
4456789 10 11 11 12 13 14
44567789 10 11 12 13 14
34567789 10 11 11 12 13
33567789 10 11 11 12 13
33567789 10 11 11 12 13
33456678 10 11 11 11 12
33456678 10 11 11 11 12
334566789 10 10 11 12
334566789 10 10 10 11
334566789 10 10 10 11
334566789 10 10 10 11
334566789 10 10 10 11
MEP USER GUIDE
14
Wood S.G. Table, 18% to 30% meter reading
0.90
12 12 12 12 12 13 14 14 15 15 16 16 17
WOOD SPECIFIC GRAVITY ADJUSTMENT TABLE (18 to 30%)
Meter
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Reading
Specific
Gravity
0.30
0.32
0.34
0.36
0.38
0.40
0.42
0.44
0.46
0.48
0.50
0.52
0.54
0.56
0.58
0.60
0.62
0.64
0.66
0.68
0.70
0.72
0.74
0.76
0.78
0.80
0.82
0.84
0.86
0.88
ADJUSTED/CORRECTED MOISTURE CONTENT
23 25 26 27 28 29 31 32 33 34 35 37 38
24 25 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 36 37
23
22 24 24 26 27 28 29 31 31 32 33 35 36
22 23 24 25 27 28 29 30 30 31 32 34 35
21 23 23 24 26 27 29 30 30 30 32 34 35
21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 29 30 31 33 34
20 21 22 23 25 26 27 28 28 29 31 32 33
20 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 28 30 31 32
19 20 21 22 23 24 24 26 27 28 29 30 31
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 27 28 29 30
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
17 18 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
16 17 17 18 19 20 21 22 22 23 25 26 27
16 17 17 18 18 19 20 21 21 22 24 24 25
15 16 16 17 18 19 19 20 20 21 23 23 24
15 16 16 17 18 19 19 20 20 21 22 23
15 15 15 16 17 18 18 19 20 20 21 22 23
14 15 15 16 17 18 18 19 19 19 20 21 22
14 14 14 15 16 16 17 18 18 19 20 21 21
14 14 14 15 16 16 17 17 18 18 19 20 20
14 14 14 15 16 16 17 17 18 18 19 20 20
13 14 14 14 15 15 16 16 17 18 19 19 20
13 13 13 14 15 15 16 16 17 18 18 19 19
13 13 13 14 15 15 16 16 17 17 18 18 18
13 13 13 13 14 15 15 16 16 17 17 18 18
12 12 12 13 14 14 14 15 16 16 17 17 18
12 12 12 13 14 14 14 15 16 16 17 17 17
12 12 12 13 14 14 14 14 15 16 16 17 17
12 12 12 13 14 14 14 14 15 15 16 17 17
MEP USER GUIDE
23
15
MEP USER GUIDE
WORKING WITH YOUR MOISTURE ENCOUNTER:
Scale 2
Testing built-up roofing
a. The presence of moisture in built-up roofs
covered with multi-ply roofing felt, PVC, modified
bitumen (torch-on) or other membranes, can cause
blistering and splitting of the roof surfacing. In
addition moisture can cause considerable damage
to the contents and fabric of the building as well
as heat loss through wet insulation. Your Moisture
Encounter Plus can be used to confirm a new roof
has been installed dry.
b. When the waterproofing membrane develops a
leak, the water can travel within the built-up-roof
structure and enter the building some distance
away. Testing the membrane surface and comparing the dry areas with areas where moisture is
present below the surface can assist in tracing
such a leak to its source.
c. As there are many different types and thickness
sizes of roofing membranes, it is not possible
to give a calibrated percentage measurement.
Instead, the comparative scale, marked 0 to 100,
is used for checking the difference between wet
and dry.
16
MEP USER GUIDE
d. If gravel surfacing is present, this should be
removed to ensure your Moisture Encounter Plus
comes into direct contact with the surface of the
membrane.
e. It is recommended that a core be cut to determine
the depth and extent of the moisture before carrying out roof repairs. Alternatively, the area can
be checked with a Tramex Professional resistance
type moisture meter with insulated pins.
Testing Drywall user guide
Because of its deep signal penetration, your Moisture
Encounter Plus can identify excess moisture within and
behind drywall. It can also identify excess moisture behind ceramic tile and other wall coverings. As calibration
is not practical on this type of construction, readings
should be taken from the comparative scale (0 to 100)
on the meter dial.
Testing on ceramic tiles and other wall and floor
coverings
Your Moisture Encounter Plus can be used to detect and
identify areas of elevated moisture within or behind
most types of wall and floor coverings. For example the
Moisture Encounter Plus can detect elevated moisture
behind most types of ceramic tiles.
17
MEP USER GUIDE
Excess moisture trapped behind covering materials
such as ceramic tiles, carpet, wall coverings etc can
cause major problems. For instance, excess moisture
behind ceramic tiles on drywall or other substrates can
cause decay, delamination and mold growth, the longer
these problems go undetected the worse the problem
can get eventually leading to system failure.
As calibration is not practical because of the variation in
composition of these types of construction, tests
should be carried out on a comparative basis selecting
the most appropriate scale, and readings should be
taken from the 0 to 100 comparative scale on the meter
dial.
18
MEP USER GUIDE
WORKING WITH YOUR MOISTURE ENCOUNTER:
Scale 3
Testing plaster or brick
a. Your Moisture Encounter Plus gives qualitative
(relative) reading on walls, plaster, brick, drywall
and block. Make sure the appropriate wall scale
is used i.e. Scale 2 for drywall and Scale 3 for
plaster or brick. Always press the electrodes
firmly against the surface.
b. The moisture profile of a wall can be determined
by sliding your Moisture Encounter Plus across
the surface where it will read through most
paints, vinyl, wall coverings and even ceramic
tiles.
c. The Moisture Encounter Plus will help identify
the different levels of moisture even if not
apparent on the surface. Moisture can often be
trapped behind drywall and wall covering.
d. Rising damp and moisture migration from leaks
anddefective, or non-existent, vapor barriers can
be identified and profiled and often its source
identified by sliding the instrument across the
wall surface.
e. Water damage following flooding or fire fighting
can be checked and the drying out and de-humidification process can be monitored.
19
MEP USER GUIDE
Acceptably Dry Plaster or Brick
Your Moisture Encounter Plus will give low readings when the plaster or brick is acceptably dry.
Due to the hygroscopic nature of these materials, moisture values are affected by ambient
humidity and thus can vary according to climatic
conditions. We recommend you satisfy yourself
as to what is ‘acceptably dry’ in your area, and use
the instrument to compare these with areas that
are unacceptable.
Limitations
The Moisture Encounter Plus will not detect or measure
moisture through any electrically conductive materials
including metal sheeting or cladding, black EPDM roofing, butyl roofing, aluminum siding or wet surfaces.
Calibration
For regular on-site assessment of your MEP in moisture
measurement mode, a calibration-check box is available
from the suppliers of your MEP. Should it be found that
readings are outside the set tolerances, it is recommended that the MEP be returned for re-calibration.
Calibration adjustments should not be carried out by
anyone other than Tramex or their authorised service
provider who will issue a calibration certificate on
completion.
20
MEP USER GUIDE
Requirements for quality management and validation procedures, such as ISO 9001, have increased
the need for regulation and verification of measuring
and test instruments. It is therefore recommended
that calibration of the MEP should be checked and
certified in accordance with the standards and/or
protocols laid down by your industry (usually on an
annual basis) by an authorized test provider. The name
of your nearest test provider and estimate of cost is
available on request.
Warranty
Tramex warrants that this instrument will be free
from defects and faulty workmanship for a period
of one year from date of first purchase. If a fault
develops during the warranty period, Tramex will, at
its absolute discretion, either repair the defective
product without charge for the parts and labour, or
will provide a replacement in exchange for the defective product returned to Tramex Ltd
This warranty shall not apply to any defect, failure
or damage caused by improper use or improper or
inadequate maintenance and care.
21
MEP USER GUIDE
In no event shall Tramex, its agents or distributors be
liable to the customer or any other person, company or
organisation for any special, indirect, or consequential
loss or damage of any type whatsoever (including, without limitation, loss of business, revenue, profits, data,
savings or goodwill), whether occasioned by the act,
breach, omission, default, or negligence of Tramex Ltd.,
whether or not foreseeable, arising howsoever out of or
in connection with the sale of this product including arising out of breach of contract, tort, misrepresentation
or arising from statute or indemnity. Without prejudice
to the above, all other warranties, representations and
conditions whether made orally or implied by circumstances, custom, contract, equity, statute or common
law are hereby excluded, including all terms implied by
Section 13, 14 and 15 of the Sale of Goods Act 1893,
and Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980.
Warranty claims
A defective product should be returned shipping pre
paid, with full description of defect to your supplier or to
Tramex at address shown on the back of this guide.
22
MEP USER GUIDE
Product development
It is the policy of Tramex to continually improve and
update all its products. We therefore reserve the right
to alter the specification or design of this instrument
without prior notice.
Safety
This User Guide does not purport to address the
safety concerns, if any, associated with this instrument or its use. It is the responsibility of the user of
this instrument to establish appropriate safety and
health practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
23
www.tramexmeters.com
FIND US ON:
Tramex Ltd.
Unit F, Glencormack Business Park, Kilmacanogue,
County Wicklow, Ireland.
Email:sales@tramexmeters.com
USA (toll free) & Canada:
Tel: 1800-234-5849
EU & Rest Of World:
Tel:+353 1 681 4450
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