Understanding moisture levels are critical across industries. Whether you need to determine if your soil is too dry or if a wood floor is liable to water damage, you need a precise, portable tool to help you get the job done.
That’s where moisture meters come in. These handy tools are the best option for accurately and quickly determining the moisture level within a given material, including soil, wood, and concrete.
If you’ve come across this article, you probably want to know how to choose the right kind of moisture meter for your business. Well, we’re here to help! This article will explain everything you need to know about moisture meters, including what they are, the different types available, and how to make the right choice when shopping around.
What is a moisture meter?
A moisture meter measures the relative water content of soil, concrete, or wood. It is a handheld device that emits an electric signal through the material being tested. The electric current passes through the material and is influenced by its porosity, moisture content, and resistance to flow. The moisture meter then transmits this information in a digital readout or on an LCD screen.
There are many types of moisture meters, but they all work on the same principle. We’ll discuss these types and how you might use them in the next section of this article.
Types of moisture meters
As we mentioned above, there are two main moisture meter categories—pin and pinless.
Pinless moisture meters don’t need to pierce the surface or material to measure its moisture levels. Rather, they work on the principle of capacitance, where a charge has to build up across two plates. This technology leads to more accurate readings.
The pin-type moisture meter is the most common type on today’s market. This variety works thanks to pins that penetrate the material’s surface and then act as two probes for detecting how much water is in the material. While pin-type meters aren’t particularly accurate with complex surfaces, they’re still widely used thanks to their simplicity and affordability.
Choosing a moisture meter to suit your needs
So, the type of moisture meter you choose will depend on your industry and the material you plan to measure. Your budget will also affect your choice.
If you’re willing to spend slightly more, pinless moisture meters are the best option. While they’re expensive, they’re much more accurate than pin-type moisture meters, especially for measuring complex materials.
Then, all you need to do is think about the kind of material you plan to measure. If you’re measuring timber, choose a wood moisture meter; if you need to know if your plants need water, choose a soil moisture sensor, and so on.
Conclusion
So, let’s quickly summarise what we’ve learned.
Moisture meters are handheld tools designed to detect the level of moisture in a material such as soil, wood, concrete, or paper. There are two distinct categories—pin and pinless—and within these categories are specialised types intended for measuring particular materials.
