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General Purpose Moisture Meters are handheld instruments for measuring the moisture content of porous substrates before they are coated. The range of the General Purpose Moisture Meters covers both pin type units, which read through contact electrodes, and non destructive models that measure the surface without damaging it.
Excess moisture in a substrate is a common cause of subsequent coating failure, so measuring it first reduces that risk. Many materials coated in industry today are porous and absorb moisture, including concrete, fibreboard, plasterboard, gypsum and brick. The problem is acute in powder coating: when a substrate with high moisture content, such as wood or MDF, is cured, steam is generated during the process and damages the new coating.
Each General Purpose Moisture Meter approximates the oven dried reference method, in which a sample is weighed, dried in an oven or microwave, re-weighed and dried again until the reading stabilises, with the difference in weight divided by the final weight to give a moisture percentage. The handheld General Purpose Moisture Meter estimates this result without destroying the sample. Most instruments report a moisture level rather than a percentage, commonly the Wood Moisture Equivalent, or WME, the moisture level that wood would reach if it were in contact with the material being measured, since all materials tend towards equilibrium.
These General Purpose Moisture Meters are supplied by BAMR, South Africa's authorised distributor.
General Purpose Moisture Meters
General Purpose Moisture Meters include pin type units as well as non destructive models which measure the surface without damaging it. Many substrates that are coated in industry today, are porous and can absorb moisture. It is necessary to measure the moisture content within the substrate to reduce the possibility of subsequent coating failure. When powder coating substrates which have a high moisture content - such as wood or MDF, steam will generate during the curing process damaging the new coating. Other substrates, which may have a high moisture content include concrete, fibreboard, plasterboard, gypsum and brick. Meters that measure moisture can be used for many different applications. Each meter is trying to approximate an oven dried method of taking a reading where you measure the weight of a sample, dry it using an oven or a microwave, re-weigh it and keep drying it until the reading is stable. You then take the difference in the weight and divide it by the final weight to get a moisture percent. The meter is a hand held device that tries to approximate this reading as closely as possible. Most instruments will give you a moisture level as opposed to a percent and the moisture level that is most widely used is something called a Wood Moisture Equivalent or WME. This is the moisture level that would be present in Wood if the wood was in contact with the material that you are measuring. Ultimately, all materials will try and be in equilibrium.
When to use the General Purpose Moisture Meters
You reach for a general purpose moisture meter when a porous substrate has to be checked for moisture before coating, to cut the risk of the finish failing later. The range covers pin type units and non-destructive models that read the surface without marking it, across substrates such as wood, MDF, concrete, fibreboard, plasterboard, gypsum and brick. The meter approximates an oven-dried result in a hand-held device, usually reporting a Wood Moisture Equivalent rather than a true percentage.
- 1Catches moisture before the coating failsPorous substrates absorb moisture, and coating over a high moisture content invites later failure, so a reading taken first tells you whether the surface is fit to coat.
- 2Pin or non-destructive to suit the surfacePin type units work where probe holes are acceptable, while non-destructive models read the surface without damaging it on finished or sensitive substrates.
- 3Stops steam damage when powder coatingPowder coating a wet substrate such as wood or MDF generates steam during curing that lifts and damages the new film, which a moisture check beforehand prevents.
- 4One meter across many substratesThe same meter reads wood, concrete, fibreboard, plasterboard, gypsum and brick, so a single instrument covers the mix of materials seen on site.
Lower-budget alternatives
Ten minutes on a call with one of our specialists usually saves you from buying the wrong instrument.
Book a 10-minute callOr , our product assistant, for an instant answer.
When to use this
When to use the General Purpose Moisture Meters
You reach for a general purpose moisture meter when a porous substrate has to be checked for moisture before coating, to cut the risk of the finish failing later. The range covers pin type units and non-destructive models that read the surface without marking it, across substrates such as wood, MDF, concrete, fibreboard, plasterboard, gypsum and brick. The meter approximates an oven-dried result in a hand-held device, usually reporting a Wood Moisture Equivalent rather than a true percentage.
- 1Catches moisture before the coating failsPorous substrates absorb moisture, and coating over a high moisture content invites later failure, so a reading taken first tells you whether the surface is fit to coat.
- 2Pin or non-destructive to suit the surfacePin type units work where probe holes are acceptable, while non-destructive models read the surface without damaging it on finished or sensitive substrates.
- 3Stops steam damage when powder coatingPowder coating a wet substrate such as wood or MDF generates steam during curing that lifts and damages the new film, which a moisture check beforehand prevents.
- 4One meter across many substratesThe same meter reads wood, concrete, fibreboard, plasterboard, gypsum and brick, so a single instrument covers the mix of materials seen on site.
Lower-budget alternatives
Ten minutes on a call with one of our specialists usually saves you from buying the wrong instrument.
Book a 10-minute callOr , our product assistant, for an instant answer.
Frequently asked questions
What types of general purpose moisture meters are available?
General purpose moisture meters include pin type units, which insert probes into the substrate, and non-destructive models that measure moisture at the surface without causing damage.
Why is it necessary to measure moisture in a substrate before coating?
Many industrial substrates are porous and absorb moisture. Applying a coating over a high-moisture substrate risks coating failure. For powder coating, high moisture in wood or MDF generates steam during curing, which damages the new coating.
What substrates can general purpose moisture meters be used on?
These meters are used on a wide range of substrates including wood, MDF, concrete, fibreboard, plasterboard, gypsum and brick, all of which can hold elevated moisture levels that affect coating performance.
What does the Wood Moisture Equivalent (WME) reading represent?
Wood Moisture Equivalent (WME) is the most widely used moisture level index. It represents the moisture level that would be present in wood if the wood were in direct contact with the material being measured, allowing comparison across different substrates.
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Tell us about your application and we will send a quote with lead time and accessories.