Moisture is a crucial factor in manufacturing and construction. Lots of porous materials are sensitive to moisture. Moisture can cause materials to degrade or change its physical properties. Wood and paper are good examples. Wood becomes heavy, weaken, and twist from moisture changes. Wet paper loses its structural strength. Materials have to be tested for moisture content before use.
A moisture meter is a measurement instrument used for measuring the moisture content of a substance. There are many types of moisture meters for varying applications and substances.
There are two main types of a moisture meter. The first type is the pin-style moisture meters. With these instruments, two pins are inserted into the substrate. The pins are connected to electrodes and electric current flows from one pin to the other. Electrical resistance is measured and used as the basis for determining moisture content. Presence of moisture allows electricity to flow more easily. Dry wood is resistant to electrical flow. The pins can be inserted to different depths for variable reading depths. The insertion of the two pins requires puncturing the surface of the substrate. This creates blemishes on the surface that have to be fixed afterward.
The second type of moisture meters are the pinless types. These use sensor pads work in contact with the wood. Sensor pads emit electromagnetic signals for measuring moisture content. These provide quick and accurate measurements. It eliminates of driving pins into the substrate preserves the quality of the surface. It is possible to maintain a blemish-free surface. This type of moisture meters can be used for a wider array of materials. However, they require calibration depending on the type of material and uneven surfaces can distort results.
Regardless of which type of moisture meter is used, the most important thing for getting accurate and valuable results is knowing how to use them.
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