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 floors and screeds....13-14 Testing moisture content in a floor slab.......14 Pre-testing guidelines..........14 Guideline test procedures as per ASTM F2659...15 Humidity Measurement Mode ........16-25...
USER GUIDE INTRODUCTION Thank you for selecting the new CMEXpert II instrument, from Tramex. It has 3 measurement modes. 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...
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 field between the electrodes as illustrated in Figure 1.
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USER GUIDE This field penetrates the material under test. 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 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.
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 DOWN...
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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. ●...
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.
USER GUIDE NON-DESTRUCTIVE MEASUREMENT MODE 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. To change mode, press key to select the Concrete, Pin Probe or the comparative material scales.
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.
CMEXpert II be returned for re- calibration. Calibration adjustments should not be carried out by anyone other than Tramex or their authorized service provider who will issue a calibration certificate on completion.
USER GUIDE Typical CMEXpert II Displays Drying time for concrete floors and screeds Concrete floors 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 floor slab.
USER GUIDE During the drying period and prior to applying the floor covering, the floor should be regularly checked to monitor moisture content. Testing for moisture content in a floor 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.
USER GUIDE Guideline test procedures as per ASTM F2659 Remove any dust or foreign matter from the CMEXpert II electrodes before commencing tests. Make sure that the floor slab being tested is clean and bare and free from dust, dirt or standing water. 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...
USER GUIDE HUMIDITY MEASUREMENT MODE The Hygro-i Probe utilises state of the art electronic technology to provide an "easy to use" and accurate method for measuring relative humidity, mixing ratio, temperature and dew point in a wide range of applications such as: ●...
USER GUIDE RELATIVE HUMIDITY MEASUREMENT There are two International Standard methods of relative humidity measurement in flooring that can be carried out with the CMEXpert II with the Hygro-i probe attached: (a) In-situ (below the surface of the slab) ASTM F2170 and BS 8201, 8203, 5325.
(RH) testing is performed. If the CME4 / CMEX reading is above 5%, Tramex recommend that the test holes are drilled, sleeves are placed and capped and left for a period of 72 hours.
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USER GUIDE Equalibration Time: Allow at least 30 minutes for probe to reach temperature equilibrium before measuring relative humidity. It is vitally important that the concrete is at the same temperature as the probe. Even a slight difference in temperature will produce a significant error in relative humidity measurement.
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Cap if necessary. standard being followed for the duration of test. Calibration Salt Floor Slab Connect Tramex CMEX II, A probe calibration check is WME or MRH III or to take recommended within 30 days readings before the test.
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USER GUIDE (b) On surface RH tests (RH hood method) The Tramex RH Hood can be used to perform testing to British Standards BS 8201, 8203, 5325. The following components are required to perform a RH Hood test: CMEXpert II, Insulated hood (RHIH), Hygro-i probe and interface.
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USER GUIDE When the time period has elapsed, check that meter readings do not drift by more than 1% RH over a 5 min period. Ensure the readings correspond with the floor covering/adhesive manufacturers or national standard recommendations before applying floor covering. e.g. British standards code of practice BS8203 suggests that a concrete floor should be sufficiently dry to allow installation of a resilient floor covering when the measured relative...
USER GUIDE CALIBRATION CHECK SALTS A saturated salt solution is the most suitable method for on-site testing of humidity sensors. The advantage of the on-site salt calibration check is that the user can check that the sensors are performing satisfactorily without having the need to send the sensors to a testing laboratory, which can be expensive and time consuming.
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USER GUIDE The test can be ended when RH% readings do not drift by more than 1% RH over a 5 minute period within the acceptable +/- 2% tolerance of the nominal 75% relative humidity. A temperature difference of +/- 1°C (1.8°F) can cause an error of up to +/-3 to 5% at 50% RH and +/-6% at 97% RH readings.
USER GUIDE PIN PROBE (WOOD PIN-METER) MODE This mode is activated by plugging one of the optional Wood Electrodes into the socket at the top of the instrument and selecting Pin Probe using the key. In pin probe mode the CMEXpert II works on the principle of electrical resistance.
USER GUIDE Factors Affecting Moisture Readings The readings of all moisture meters are influenced by the characteristics of different species of wood as well as temperature and other factors listed below: Species Different species of wood can vary in density and conductivity, which can have an effect on the electrical resistance of the wood.
USER GUIDE WOOD FLOORING Excess moisture in wood flooring can cause major problems. For instance, if installed with excess moisture, the wood can subsequently shrink, leading to job failure. If a wood floor (solid 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.
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USER GUIDE 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 and Interior wood: Readings below 7% in locations of low relative humidity and 10% to 12% may be acceptable where the relative humidity is higher.
USER GUIDE Temperature Adjustment Chart The Pin Probe has been calibrated on wood at an ambient temperature of 20°C ( 68°F). When measuring moisture in wood at a different temperature , the following temperature adjustment needs to be applied. (Figures rounded to the nearest whole number) Example 1: meter...
USER GUIDE Humidity and Moisture Content Relationship The table below shows the approximate relationship between relative humidity (RH) and equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of some woods. (These figures are approximate values and may vary for different species.) Table 1. Approx. relationship between RH and EMC Relative Humidity Wood MC % 10 %...
CMEXpert II 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. Requirements for quality management and...
Ltd. This warranty shall not apply to any defect, failure or damage caused by improper use or improper or inadequate maintenance and care. 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...
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. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT It is the policy of Tramex to continually improve and update all its products.
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