The Elcometer 138 Bresle Salt Meter (E138-BSM) measures the conductivity of a sample taken from a surface and automatically converts the reading to a density of soluble salts. Soluble salts left on a prepared surface draw moisture and cause premature corrosion and coating failure, so quantifying salt density before coating is a key part of surface cleanliness testing. By doing the conversion for the user, the Elcometer 138 Bresle Salt Meter removes the manual calculation normally required when working to ISO 8502-6 or ISO 8502-9.

The Elcometer 138 Bresle Salt Meter uses a 2 electrode bipolar AC measurement principle with a flat sensor and needs a minimum sample volume of just 0.12ml. It offers ISO and IMO measurement modes, ranging from 0 to 2399µg/cm² in ISO mode and 0 to 2199µg/cm² in IMO mode, each with its own conversion factors. Resolution is 0.1µg/cm² at the lower end of each range and 1µg/cm² above it, with accuracy of ±2% of full scale. Out of range and low battery alarms are provided, along with a visual indication when the ambient temperature falls outside the operating range of 5°C to 40°C.

Powered by two CR2032 lithium batteries for approximately 200 hours of continuous use without backlight, the Elcometer 138 Bresle Salt Meter weighs 50g including sensor and batteries and measures 164 x 29 x 20mm. Used by coating inspectors in marine, refinery and structural work, the Elcometer 138 Bresle Salt Meter is supplied by BAMR, South Africa's authorised distributor.