The General Tools MM8 Pinless LCD Moisture Meter with Tricolor Bar Graph is ideal for measuring the moisture content of wood and construction materials. The meter is a non-invasive (pinless) instrument that can detect moisture up to 3/4" (19 mm) below the surface of the following materials: wallboard, masonry, hardwood and softwood. It infers the level of moisture from the material's capacitance, which the meter measures by gauging its effect on an electric field that the meter generates each time it is powered on.
The MM8 is designed for use in woodworking, water damage restoration, building construction and home renovation. Examples applications include: checking for moisture on or below the surface of carpets and subflooring; measuring the moisture content of wood, drywall or masonry before painting, wallpapering, sealing or treating; locating water leaks above ceilings, below floors or behind walls; selecting dry lumber.
The MM8 has been calibrated at the factory for use with wallboard, masonry, hardwood and softwood. The capacitance of wood and the capacitance of building materials are affected differently by moisture because they have different densities. The meter compensates for density by adjusting the gain of its internal sensing circuitry. Two buttons on the front of the MM8 provide a convenient way to switch among the four materials. The name of the material selected appears on the LCD. Below the LCD is a bank of colored LEDs that roughly mirrors the digital reading above it in bar graph format, with green indicating "dry", red indicating "wet", and yellow indicating an intermediate moisture level. An audible out-of-range alarm (beeper) sounds whenever wood is tested and found to have a moisture content above 17%, or when drywall or masonry is found to be more than 70% wet.
Although the LCD displays measurements of drywall and masonry moisture content as % readings, these are actually relative readings with no accuracy specification. Despite that shortcoming, relative readings are useful for quickly comparing the moisture levels of materials, or the wetness of different areas of the same material. For example, you can use the meter to locate the source of 3 a water leak above a ceiling by comparing readings at various points on it. If the ceiling is level, the point that produces the highest reading is below the source of the leak. Any digital reading can be held by pushing the fourth and final front panel button-the HOLD button. This button makes it possible to make a measurement in a dark place and display it after bringing the meter into a lighted area. To extend battery life, the MM8 automatically powers off after two minutes of inactivity.
Features:
Digital moisture meter features a hi-visibility white on black screen providing easier readability from any angle
Improved ergonomic handle design conforms to your hand for a more comfortable user experience
Moisture tester has separate settings for drywall, masonry, softwood and hardwood
Non-invasive capacitive sensing technology
Stops mold before it starts wtih early detection of moisture; essential water damage tool
Auto calibrating
3 -color LED bar bar graph
Reading HOLD button
Auto power off
Separate out-of-range alarms for wood and building materials