©York Survey Supply Centre 2019
Ref:.. \operat98\instructions 19\354690.qxp 17-01-19
1. Safety Considerations
Caution note for the WME pins -
The Pin Moisture measurement pins
are extremely sharp and the instrument should be handled with due
care. The pins should be covered with the cap provided with the unit
when the function is not in use.
Calibration of unit -
The accuracy specifications of the product are
valid for one year after the date of calibration and the product requires
recalibration after this period.
Only operate the measuring instrument properly, for it’s intended
purpose and within the parameters specified in the technical data.
Readings from moisture meters are not definitive but are used to help
a professional make informed judgement to the material’s moisture
condition. Conductive material such as salts, carbon and metal can
give false positive readings.
2. Pin (WME) Mode Operation
In Measure mode, the Surveymaster uses electrical conductance
principles to measure the moisture level of the material between two
electrodes. The instrument has integral pin electrodes that may be
firmly pressed onto surfaces, or it may be used with various auxiliary
moisture probes, including Heavy Duty Pin Probe, Deep Wall Probes,
a Hammer Electrode (optional) or an EIFS probe (optional).
Remove the needle cap from the top of the Surveymaster and press the
power button to switch it on.
Check which operational mode the instrument is in by looking at the
letters in digital display %WME indicates the Surveymaster is in
Measure mode, REL))) indicates the meter is in Search mode. If the
instrument is in Search mode press
u
to switch to Measure mode.
%WME will appear in the display. Push the pins firmly onto the surface
of the material at the required point of measurement. Read the moisture
level value from the display and note the moisture condition of the
material from the colour coded LED scale.
Note: Measurements taken in wood are actual % moisture content
values, whereas readings taken in material other than wood are %
Wood Moisture Equivalent (%WME) values - see Pin Mode
Interpretation for more details.
3. Using Auxiliary Moisture Probes in Pin (%WME) Mode
The Surveymaster is supplied with a Heavy Duty Moisture Probe and
lead for taking measurements at points that cannot be reached easily
with the integral electrode pins. To use, connect the Moisture Probe jack
plug to the socket on the right side of the instrument and push the probe
pins onto the surface at the chosen point of measurement.
A pair of Deep Wall Probes can also be used for taking readings at
depth in walls and floors. To use, drill two clearance holes of 6mm
diameter (¼”) roughly 40mm (1½”) apart tot he required depth. Connect
the Deep Wall Probes tot he instrument and push the two rods into the
clearance holes. Hold them firmly against the base of the holes and
take the reading.
The Protimeter Hammer Electrode can also be used to take
measurements deep into hard and softwoods.
Note: Deep Wall Probes may be used to investigate high readings that
have been obtained in Search mode. Deep Wall Probes may be used to
determine the moisture profile through a structure by increasing the
depth of the clearance holes incrementally.
4. Pin (%WME) Mode Interpretation
Measure mode readings are precise and specific to the area of contact
between the electrode tips. Actual percent moisture content (%mc)
values are measured in wood products. Wood Moisture Equivalent
(WME) values are measured in materials other than wood.
The WME measurement is the theoretical %mc value that would be
attained by a piece of wood in moisture equilibrium with the material
under investigation at the point of measurement. As the critical %mc
levels of wood are known, WME values may be used directly to
establish if the material is in a dry, borderline or damp condition as
indicated by the colour-coded LED scale.
5. Instrument Calibration Check
A calibration check device (Calcheck) is supplied with the instrument for
checking the Measure mode calibration. Hold the Calcheck across the
electrode pins as shown. A correctly calibrated Surveymaster will read
18.2 ±1.0. Contact York Survey Supply Centre if the instrument is
reading incorrectly.
6. Search Mode (REL)
When used in Search mode (REL), the Surveymaster is a moisture
detector. Search mode readings give, in relative terms, the moisture
condition up to ¾” beneath the surface of materials. This mode of
operation is ideal for making rapid surveys of solid walls and floors
and to pinpoint areas of concern that may justify a more extensive
investigation. The Search mode may also be used as an alternative
to the Measure mode when it is impractical or undesirable to push
electrode pins into surfaces. Consider, for example, taking moisture
readings behind ceramic tiles in shower cubicles or in walls covered by
quality wallpapers where pin holes would not be acceptable. Surface
moisture (such as condensation on an otherwise dry wall) has little
effect on Search mode readings. Conductors (other than water) within
the material may cause high Search mode readings. Make sure the flat
surface on the back of the meter is in full contact with the material to be
tested.
It is recommended that users place the meter onto different areas to
measure and do not slide the meter across surfaces.
Note: Sliding the meter can cause premature wear to the back of the
meter.
7. Reference Mode
In both Pin and Search modes, GE’s patent pending Reference Mode
can be used. Measure the material until the meter’s reading is stable
then press
u
for 2 seconds. This will store the reading until the mode
changes or the meter turns off. Now all readings taken after will be
displayed as normal, but below you will see a second reading that
shows you if the material is measured above or below the original
reading. Reference mode can be useful when trying to establish what
materials are above or below a point of reference or dry standard.
8. Operating the Surveymaster
Switch On:
Press the ON/OFF button.
The unit turns on, with the LCD displaying all the segments and
sweeping the LED bar graph.
Mode Change:
Press
u
mode button to change to the REL (Search) mode from WME
(Pin) and vice versa.
WME (Pin) REL (Search)
Measurements:
In both modes, the numeric measurement and colour LEDs will be
shown as well as the “DRY” (green) or “AT RISK” (yellow) or “WET”
(red), based on the measurement shown.
7-16.9 DRY (Green), 17-19.9 AT RISK (Yellow), 20-99.9 WET (Red)
7-16.9 DRY (Green), 17-19.9 AT RISK (Yellow), 20-99.9 WET (Red)
Reference Mode of Measurement:
Note: For application information, see the section “Using the Pin (WME)
Mode”.
In either mode, take the first measurement which needs to be taken as
reference. Whilst the first reading is displayed on the screen, press and
hold the
u
button for 2 seconds to enter the Reference Mode. The
display will be similar to the one shown below.
To return to the normal measurement mode, press
u
again.
Settings:
Press and hold the
u
button and switch on the unit by pressing the
power button. Hold both the buttons until the Surveymaster displays the
version.
Release both buttons whilst it shows the version number. The unit
enters Settings mode.
DRY, AT RISK and WET Settings:
The first screen to appear in Settings is the DRY, AT RISK and WET
setting screen.
This screen sets whether the indication on the display needs to be
switched ON or OFF. When it is ON, the moisture conditions will be
displayed on the screen.
Use the
u
button to turn ON/OFF the settings.
If the unit detects no key press for 2 seconds in the Setting screen, it
moves to the next setting.
Pressing the power button, after you have entered the desired setting
will save the setting and move the screen to the next setting.
Buzzer ON/OFF Settings:
Once the DRY, AT RISK and WET settings are entered, the next setting
turns the Buzzer ON or OFF.
To change the settings, press the
u
button.
If the unit detects no key press for 2 seconds in the Setting screen, it
moves to the next setting.
Pressing the power button after you have entered the desired setting
will save the setting and move the screen tot he next setting.
Backlight Settings:
Once the Buzzer settings are entered, the next setting turns the
Backlight ON or OFF.
To change the settings, press the
u
button.
If the unit detects no key press for 2 seconds in the Setting screen, it
moves to the next setting.
Pressing the power button after you have entered the desired setting
will save the setting and move the screen tot he next setting.
Auto Off Time Settings:
When Auto Off is set, the unit will shut down automatically at a specified
time between 1 and 6 minutes, if there is no key press detected within
the set time.
For example, if the Auto Off time is set as 1, then the unit will
automatically shut down after a minute when no key is pressed.
The duration will change based on the set time of 1-6 minutes.
If the Auto Off time is set to be “0”, then the unit will not automatically
turn off. A user must manually turn it off by pressing and holding the
power button for 5 seconds.
Turn off time can be set by pressing the
u
button, and can be saved by
pressing the power button.
After you save this setting, the unit will exit to the measurement screen.
(continued overleaf)
