A moisture meter is an instrument which is used to measure the water content in a given material or substance, generally expressed as a percentage value.
This information can be used to determine whether or not the material is ready for use, unexpectedly wet or dry or in need of closer inspection. Moisture meters are commonly used in a variety of materials science applications; and even more so in the quality control processes of manufacturers, especially in respect to foods, concrete and wooden products.
Industries which rely on wood as a raw material make especially heavy use of these instruments. For example, a newly cut log may have a moisture content which is as high as 75% and up. As any carpenter worth their salt knows, wood tends to shrink as it dries and can split or change in shape as a result; which is why wood is generally dried either in a kiln or air-dried before use. The drying process results in an end product which is between 10% - 20% water and the progress of drying is monitored using a moisture meter.
Moisture meters are used to measure the moisture content wood so that the woodworker can determine whether or not it is suitable for its intended use. Building inspectors, carpenters, hobbyists and others who work with wood often find themselves needing to know the moisture content of materials. Contractors who install wood flooring, for instance, need to establish the moisture content of the wood since matching this figure to the relative humidity in the area where the flooring is to be installed is important to prevent warping, buckling and cracked finishes.
Similarly, those engaged in laying concrete use a concrete moisture meter to determine the water content of their materials. These specialized moisture meters were developed as contractors saw a need for an instrument which could measure the moisture of their materials more accurately than those designed for use with wood.
In agriculture, crops (especially grains) are often measured for water content following harvests; the moisture levels of soil are also measured regularly both for agricultural applications as well as by building surveyors and civil engineers to determine the suitability of a given location.
Those conducting tests of indoor air quality also commonly employ a moisture meter to test the water content of materials to determine if the conditions in the building are conducive to the growth of mold and other organisms which negatively affect indoor air quality. The types of moisture meters used in a given application depend largely on the specifics of the material to be tested; the traditional style of meter uses conductivity testing with probes which must penetrate the material being analyzed. There are also non-destructive instruments which use impedance measurement to determine the moisture content of a given material.
These instruments are vital to a wide range of different scientific and industrial applications where the water content of a material or substance is critical to the outcome or the quality of a process or product. Whether in contracting, soil quality testing, production of consumer products or in the laboratory, a moisture meter is an incredibly useful and commonly employed instrument.
Andrew Long writes for scientific websites and a main area for content covers moisture meters and moisture analyzer products.
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