Speedy moisture test

Moisture meters are used to measure the percentage of water in a given

substance. This information can be used to determine if the material is ready for use,
unexpectedly wet or dry, or otherwise in need of further inspection. Wood and paper
products are very sensitive to their moisture content. Physical properties are strongly
affected by moisture content and high moisture content for a period of time may
progressively degrade a material.

Moisture refers to the presence of a liquid, generally

water, in minute amounts. Moisture is found nearly
everywhere, including materials we consider to be “dry”.
Moisture meters are the class of instruments that are able to
measure the trace amounts of moisture in solids, gases and
hydrocarbon liquids. Controlling moisture is vital as water
vapor above certain levels can lead to condensation,
corrosion, mold or other issues.

The Importance of Controlling Moisture

Each material and application is affected differently by

moisture and each has a range of moisture most suitable for it.
Depending upon the application or material, too little moisture
can be as bad as too much moisture. To demonstrate the
importance of moisture, let’s take a look at how it affects
some common applications:

Commercial Food Production: 

Controlling moisture is very important in commercial food

production applications. Too much moisture in foods intended
to be crunchy, like potato chips, will make them mushy and
stale. Too little moisture in foods intended to be moist, like a
cupcake, will make the item dry and unpalatable. High
moisture levels also contribute to mold and bacteria growth
which will spoil the food. This is also very important in the bulk
storage of grains and other food commodities. Moisture levels
can also be manipulated to add water weight to foods sold in
bulk or to reduce the caloric content of foods

Building Trades:

 Building trades require moisture control on a number of

levels. Individual building materials, like concrete and wood,
have ideal moisture levels. Too much moisture can cause
these materials to swell while too little causes shrinkage and
cracking. Either of these conditions can affect the quality of
the building. Additionally, uncontrolled moisture within the
building envelope can rapidly degrade building materials and
insulation or lead to mold and mildew issues that can be
dangerous to occupants.

Energy: 
 From the homeowner who burns wood for heat realizing a
lower moisture content allows wood to burn hotter and
cleaner, to industrial scale natural gas plants that must
remove excess moisture before the gas is marketable, energy
is another industry with far reaching moisture control needs.
Moisture can also adversely affect the insulation or motor
windings of power generation equipment as well as internal
combustion engines that burn gasoline tainted with water.

Manufacturing: 

A huge amount of manufactured items rely on adequate

control of moisture. Nearly all plastics, for example, are
sensitive to moisture and levels too high or too low can affect
curing. Pharmaceuticals, as well, need to control moisture to
prevent clumping of ingredients or spoilage due to mold.
Excessive moisture can also corrode sensitive electronics.

There are many, many other applications in which

controlling moisture is a paramount concern. As the above
examples demonstrate, excess moisture can lead to mold,
mildew, odors, sogginess, swelling, inefficient combustion,
clumping and a host of other bad effects. Too little moisture
can cause shrinkage, cracking, a build-up of static electricity,
dust, etc. Only a moisture meter can let you know when
moisture levels are ideal.

Moisture vs Humidity

There are many ways to describe the amount of water in

solids, gases and hydrocarbon liquids. It can be stated as a
percentage of the total volume, as mass-volume ratio, by parts
per million or billion, or as the mole fraction of water vapor in
the air. The type of measurement you need is determined by
the application.
 Though the terms moisture and humidity (and their
variants relative humidity, absolute humidity and dew point)
are all used to describe the presence of water in some form
and are used, to some degree, interchangeably, there are
differences.

Humidity 

is the amount of water vapor in air or another gas. It can

be shown as either absolute humidity, the total amount of
water vapor in a specified volume or air, or as relative
humidity, the ratio of water vapor in the air to the maximum
amount of water vapor the air can hold which is dependent
upon temperature and pressure. Absolute humidity is
calculated as mass per volume while relative humidity is
calculated as a percentage.

Dew point

 is the temperature at which water vapor condenses.

Expressed in degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius, dew point is an
indicator of how much water vapor is in air or gases. If the air
is fully saturated with water vapor at a constant barometric
pressure, the dew point will be equal to the ambient
temperature.

Unlike humidity or dew point, which refer only to water

vapor in air or gases, moisture can refer to either water vapor
in air/gases or trace water in solids or hydrocarbon liquids.
Moisture is generally calculated as a percentage or as parts
per million/billion depending upon the instrument used.

Since trace water measurements are somewhat similar,

we find that many meters used to measure it are capable of
measuring some or all of the parameters. The primary
difference is in measuring moisture in solids which uses more
specialized equipment.

Types of Moisture Meters

As you would expect with any class of instrument tasked

to measure such a wide range of materials, moisture meters
are available in a wide range of styles and employ a number of
measurement technologies. The styles, of course, reflect the
purpose of the instrument. The solids most typically tested for
moisture content are building materials or grains/crops. The
nature of these tests suggests they would be conducted in the
field so handheld meters with simple, portable technology
dominate this style of meter.

Testing liquids and gases, on the other hand, is often part

of a process in a closed system. It may also require a greater
level of precision. In these applications we find fixed mount
systems with highly accurate sensing technology.

Given the relationship between meter style, measuring

technology, and application; the best way to examine the type
of meters is group them into handheld or fixed mount units.

Handheld Moisture Meters

Handheld moisture meters are designed for high
portability and ease of use. They are most often used to
measure the moisture content of building materials (such as
wood products, concrete, drywall, etc.), soils and aggregates,
or agricultural products (like hay bales or bulk grain). There
are four types of handheld moisture meters.

Pin-Type:
 Pin-type meters are an invasive way to measure
moisture. They consist of a pair of pins attached to the meter
which are pushed or driven into the material being tested.
Since the pins penetrate the material, they do cause damage
to the surface so testing should be done to a scrap piece or
the back of the material.

Pin-type meters work on the principle of electrical

resistance. With the pins inserted into the material, a small
electrical current is passed between them. The amount of
resistance correlates to the amount of moisture in the
material. Because moisture is a good conductor, higher
moisture levels result in lower resistance values. In this way
the moisture level can be quantified.

Pin-less meters usually measure moisture as a

percentage or apply a relative scale for comparison. They are
generally accurate to 1 or 2%. Pin-type measurements are
affected by variances in the naturally-occurring chemical
composition of wood species, so the meters are often
calibrated for specific woods. Since pin-type meters measure
only a very small area, they can be subject to moisture
fluxuations found within a sample.

Pinless: 

Pinless moisture meters are non-invasive instruments that

use a variety of measuring technologies without damaging the
surface of the material being tested.
 Pinless meters emit electromagnetic waves, usually
either radio waves or an electric current, to measure moisture.
These waves are affected by the presence of moisture in the
material being measured. By detecting how the returning wave
is affected, moisture can be calculated. If the meter uses
electrical current, this calculation is based on the fact that
that a material's resistance will vary inversely from its
moisture content. If the meters uses radio waves, the
characteristics of those waves can determine moisture
content which is normally presented on a relative scale rather
than as an absolute percentage.

Pinless meters, unlike pin-type meters, are capable of

quickly measuring a large surface area and can “scan” the
wood for a more complete moisture content picture. They do
have limitations, though. Reading depth, for example, is limited
to about 1/4 - 3/4 inches maximum, depending on the meter.
Also, pinless meters are very susceptible to surface moisture.
Just wiping the surface with a damp cloth can make the
readings skyrocket.

Reagents:

 Though not common, there are some meters that use

reagents to measure moisture. These meters usually involve
grinding up a test sample and mixing it with a reagent that
reacts with moisture. That reaction produces gas which
increases the pressure inside the testing chamber in
proportion to the amount of moisture in the sample. By simply
measuring that increase in pressure, moisture content can be
calculated.

Probes:

 Another type of handheld moisture meter, also found on

some pin-type and pinless models, includes an outlet with
which to attach a moisture measurement probe. Probes
provide a very versatile method for getting to specific areas of
solids, for example inside a bale of hay, rather than only being
able to test near the surface.

Moisture probes can use conductivity or capacitive

polymer sensing. Conductivity probes work just like pin-type
meters. The probe emits a small electrical charge from one
point to another. The amount of resistance correlates to the
amount of moisture in the material. Because moisture is a
good conductor, higher moisture levels result in lower
resistance (or higher conductivity) values. In this way the
moisture level can be quantified.

Capacitive polymers sensors operate on the electrical

characteristics of a capacitor. A capacitor is made of two
conductive plates isolated from one another by a dielectric.
Capable of storing an electrical charge, that charge varies
depending upon the conductivity of the dielectric. As moisture
is absorbed by a thin polymer hygroscopic layer that acts as
the dielectric, the conductivity of the dielectric changes
incrementally and proportionally to the amount of moisture
present.

Fixed Mount Moisture Meters

Fixed mount moisture meters are intended to remain in
place to measure moisture levels in gas or hydrocarbon
liquids. Measuring moisture levels in these substances
required much different technology than for solids.

Chilled mirrors: 

These work on the principle that when gas flows over a

chilled surface, in this case a mirror, the moisture will
condense on it. The exact temperature at which this
condensation begins is the dew point. The temperature of this
mirror is reduced from high to low, and the temperature is read
exactly when the dew is observed. By obtaining the dew point
temperature, one can calculate moisture content in the gas.

The temperature of a chilled mirror is controlled by the

flow of a refrigerant over the mirror or by using a
thermoelectric cooler. The condensation is detected by visual
or optical means. For example, a light source can be reflected
off the mirror into a detector and condensation detected by
changes in light reflected. The observation can also be done
visually; however the exact point at which condensation
begins is not discernible to the eye.

Aluminum/silicone oxide sensors: 

Oxide sensors are quite similar in design to capacitive

moisture sensors but maintain distinct differences. They are
made of an inert substrate material—usually aluminum or
silicon—which is oxidized to form a very thin layer of aluminum
oxide or silicone oxide. To this a very thin layer of gold is
applied via chemical vapor deposition. The gold and aluminum
form the electrodes of a capacitor. As water vapor passes
through the gold layer it is adsorbed onto the pore walls of the
oxide layer until equilibrium with the ambient humidity is
reached.

As with capacitive sensors, the adsorbed moisture (it is

absorbed in capacitive sensors) changes the dielectric
constant of the sensor in proportion to the relative humidity.
The capacitance of the sensor is measured which is then
converted to the moisture value.
 Aluminum or silicon oxide sensors offer an inexpensive,
accurate moisture measuring option. Adsorbed water vapor
takes time to enter and exit the oxide pore so response time is
slow compared to other technologies. Contaminants and
corrosives may damage and clog the pores causing drift in the
calibration.

Laser:

 High definition laser absorption spectroscopy (HDLAS)

provides high accuracy, high sensitivity measurement of
moisture content in gas over a range of 0 to 10 parts per
million. Moisture analysis with a laser involves scanning a
sample across a narrow frequency band. Moisture in the
sample will absorb the photonic energy of the laser resulting in
loss of intensity of the laser at certain frequencies. This loss of
intensity is proportional to the water concentration in the
sample.

Things to Consider When Selecting a Moisture Meter:

 What type of material will be measured? Solid, liquid, or

gas?
 What parameter will we require to quantify water vapor?
 What is the expected range of measurement?
 What level of performance will we require? Uncertainty?
Long term stability? Response time?
 Resolution of output?
 Is any output required?
 What are the installation requirements?

Why Calcium Carbide is used for Speedy moisture test

Knowledge of the moisture content of soils and construction materials
is of great importance to engineers involved with the construction of
roads, bridges and other civil structures. Throughout the world,
the Speedy Ashworth Calcium Carbide Moisture Meter is used on
construction sites to establish the percent moisture content (%MC) of
these materials before the actual construction work commences.
The Speedy Ashworth Calcium Carbide Moisture Meter is a portable-
sampling instrument used to determine the moisture content of a
broad range of materials. It comprises a hand held vessel
incorporating a pressure gauge and a precision balance, mounted in an
integral carry case.
This classically simple product, gives reliable and accurate results in
very demanding environments. A small sample of the material to be
tested is weighed on the balance and then placed in the vessel. A
measure of reagent – calcium carbide – is then added and the vessel
sealed. The reagent reacts with the free moisture in the sample to
produce acetylene gas, resulting in an increase in pressure within the
vessel. The % moisture content of the sample is then read directly
from the calibrated pressure gauge.
Building Restoration and Refurbishment
Building surveyors involved with diagnosing the cause of dampness in
buildings use the Speedy tester to determine the moisture level in
walls and floors. The Speedy complements moisture meters and
hygrometers that are also used for diagnosis.
Moisture Content in Solid Floors
If moisture related floor failures are to be avoided, concrete slabs,
cementitious screeds and anhydrite screeds have to be in a dry
condition before decorative floors finishes including wood, vinyl and
carpet are laid. The Speedy tester is used to measure the moisture
content of a sample of material removed from the floor before the
decorative finish is laid.
The Speedy 2000 series of moisture testers combines time proven
dependability of the pressure test procedure with the convenience of
an electronic balance.
Moisture measurements are obtained by following a simple test
procedure:

 Prepare and weigh the material sample using the electronic

balance
 Place the sample in the Speedy vessel
 Add the reagent to the recess in the Speedy cap and seal the
vessel
 Shake the Speedy to mix the reagent with the sample
 Read the moisture content directly from the integral gauge