5
SKIPPER 5 MOISTURE METER USER GUIDE
SKIPPER 5 - HOW IT WORKS
The instrument operates on the principle that the electri-
cal impedance of a material varies with its moisture con-
tent. To measure / detect moisture, the three co-planar
conductive rubber electrodes mounted on the base of the
instrument case are pressed onto the wood or GRP sam-
ple. The instrument measures the electrical impedance
of the material being tested by creating a low frequency
alternating electric field between the electrodes.
This field penetrates the material under test up to a depth
of approximately 30 mm (1.25 inches), depending on ma-
terial being tested and range used, or 10 mm (0.4 inches)
in Shallow Depth mode. The very small current flowing
through the field is inversely proportional to the imped-
ance of the material. The instrument detects this current,
determines its amplitude and, after processing, drives
the pointer of the moving coil meter to the computed
moisture value.