The Tramex Moisture Encounter MEX5 is a digital dual-depth, non-destructive moisture and humidity meter, ideal for surveying moisture and humidity conditions in building structures. It is an advanced moisture and humidity meter for building and home inspection with optional pin and relative humidity probes.

The MEX5 measures moisture content in wood and drywall and provides comparative readings in various building materials such as roofing, plaster, tile and masonry. It features a built-in hygrometer for ambient conditions and psychrometric values, an infrared surface thermometer, and accepts optional external in-situ RH probes for equilibrium RH readings as well as pin probes for wood, drywall and WME readings. These features make the MEX5 an essential asset for professionals in the building moisture inspection and restoration industry.

The MEX5 features a dual depth measuring range: deep depth penetration of up to 1 1/4 inch (30mm) and shallow depth penetration of up to 3/8 inch (9mm). Dual depth readings of surface and core moisture can be compared to eliminate the influence of the substrate when testing coverings. The pinless meter measures moisture content of wood from 0 to 30%, and can be expanded with pin probes for wood, wood by-products and drywall, and with relative humidity sensor probes for evaluating ambient conditions.

All moisture and humidity readings can be visualised and GeoTagged with the Tramex Meters App and turned into moisture maps, reports and charts for sharing.

Features

Non-destructive testing (NDT)

• %MC dual depth measurement of wood
• Comparative dual depth readings of drywall, roofing, plaster, tile and masonry
• Dual depth comparative readings of surface and core moisture for eliminating the influence of the substrate when moisture testing coverings
• LED indicator (Low/Med/High) for all NDT scales
• Built-in hygrometer readings on permanent display
• Built-in surface temperature infrared thermometer
• Adjustable specific gravity for NDT wood readings
• Baseline reference reading set point adjuster to compare to a known dry or drying goal reading

Built-in hygrometer and infrared surface thermometer

• Psychrometric evaluations of ambient RH, temperature, dew point temperature and humidity ratio (GPP, g/kg)
• Surface temperature
• Delta temperature value
• Enthalpy readings
• Emissivity adjustment for surface temperature correction

Pin probe (optional plug-in probe)

• A variety of external pin probes and electrodes can be used
• %MC wood with pre-set international standards and access to various preset wood species
• WME readings
• Drywall %MC
• Auto calibration check
• Temperature correction of %MC in wood
• EMC (Expected Moisture Content) indication based on ambient conditions

In-situ equilibrium RH probe (optional plug-in probe)

• A variety of external RH probes can be used
• In-situ RH probes for concrete moisture testing
• In-situ RH probes for the building envelope, building materials, insulation, crawl spaces and HVAC systems

How it works

The MEX5 detects and evaluates moisture conditions within building materials by non-destructively measuring electrical impedance. A low frequency electronic signal is transmitted into the material via the electrodes in the base of the instrument. The strength of this signal varies in proportion to the amount of moisture in the material under test. The MEX5 determines the strength of the current and converts this to a moisture content value on its large display.

Applications and suitable materials

• Locating moisture-related problems and relative humidity issues within and behind a variety of building materials in the building envelope
• Mapping the extent of moisture damage caused to buildings
• Monitoring progressive drying conditions of building materials and surfaces
• Comparing surface and core moisture to eliminate substrate influence when testing coverings
• Suitable materials: wood and timber (including hardwood floors), drywall, roofing, plaster, tile, masonry, plywood subfloors and other building materials

Specifications

| Size | 7.1″ x 3.4″ x 1.6″ (180mm x 85mm x 40mm) |
| Weight | 10.22 oz (290g) |
| Construction | ABS body |
| Power | 2 x AA LR6 alkaline batteries (included) |
| Display | Digital, 2.3″ x 1.4″ (58mm x 35mm) |
| Depth of penetration | Shallow signal: up to 3/8″ (9mm); Deep signal: up to 1 1/4″ (30mm) |

Measuring ranges

| NDT moisture content for wood | 0 to 30% MC |
| NDT comparative for building materials | 0 to 100 |
| Pin %MC wood | 6 to approximately 50% MC |
| Pin %MC drywall | 0 to 8.5% MC |
| Relative humidity | 0 to 99% |
| With optional Hygro-i2 probe | Humidity accuracy 0% to 99% RH +/- 2% at 25 C (77 F) |

Standards referenced

Pin %MC wood readings use pre-set international standards for wood species. Optional Hygro-i2 RH probes are used for in-situ relative humidity testing of concrete.