Product Description
Package V2-33M
The V2-33M package includes the Ligno-VersaTec moisture meter, PK wood probes, PK-H cables, EMC station, station-plate and switchbox for monitoring moisture in a kiln. Besides using the wood probe/cables to monitor, pinless and pin mode can be used for on-the-spot measurements.
The package V2-33M consists of:
- Ligno-VersaTec moisture meter
- Electrode E12, 2 pair pins
- BNC Cable
- Case M
in-kiln parts - 3 pair PKB wood probes
- 3 cables PK-H 12 ft long
- EMC holder
- EMC wafers
- 15 ft of teflon cable to connect switch box to station plate
- Station Plate
- Switch box
The Ligno-VersaTec is the most advanced meter among Lignomat’s pin-pinless-RH moisture meters. Features are the wide moisture range and more than 170 correction settings for measuring domestic and tropical wood species, OSB and other panel products, bamboo, gypsum and different types of wall boards. Relative scales are included for concrete, cementitious materials, plastics, insulation…
The meter by itself provides for dual-depth pinless measurements. Connectors for pin electrodes and RH cables or RH adapter are installed in the top of the meter.
– BNC connector for electrode cables and in-kiln, remote cables with Adapter H
– 3.5mm stereo jack to connect RH cable or RH adapter.
– Two measuring plates for pinless dual-depth mode are mounted on the back of the meter.
Package includes depth-electrode E12. Accessories for measuring RH/T ambient conditions and in-situ concrete moisture testing can be added.
Pinless Measurements
The Ligno-VersaTec moisture meter allows fast and easy measuring of flat materials 1/4″ and 3/4″ deep. Percent values are indicated for all wood species, OSB and other panel products, engineered floors, bamboo and drywall. Relative scales are for all other materials including concrete.
If the material is not flat, or measurements should reach deeper or you need to check differences between surface and core moisture, the Electrode E12 can be used to accomplish those tasks.
PK probes and cables have been used to measure moisture inside dry kilns for over 50 years . PK probes are still used with Lignomat’s dry kiln control systems for small and large, industrial kilns. If multiple probes and cables are used, kiln performance can be checked by distributing the cables in top, bottom, sides and middle sections of the kiln. Cables are standard 12ft long, but can be custom-cut upon request up to 50 ft long .
All probes have a hole in the head for pushing a 4 mm banana plug through. This is a fail-proof connection. The probes have teflon-coated shanks, which insure that the moisture is measured at the depth the probes reach and measurements are not affected by surface moisture. Probes are inserted into pre-drilled holes and are set correctly and removed properly with the Pulling Tool.
All PK probes are made out of stainless steel to withstand the harsh conditions in a kiln. They can be re-used for many drying cycles. Using the pulling tool will help to set and remove probes without any damage.
PK probes can be used in many materials other than wood, such as concrete, brick, tile, roofing. They monitor changes in moisture content at the depth where the tips of the probes are placed.
PKA: measuring depth 1/2″ (1.2cm) 4/4 lumber
PKB: measuring depth 3/4″ (1.9cm) 6/4 lumber
PKC: measuring depth 1″ (2.5cm) 8/4 lumber
PKD: measuring depth 1 1/2″ (3.8cm) 12/4 lumber
PKE: measuring depth 2 3/4″ (7cm)
Measurements from PK probes can be obtained with
– handheld moisture meters (Lignometer K or Ligno-VersaTec)
– MC Tracker data logger
– wireless transmitters
– kiln control systems from Lignomat
Cables: The PK-H cables have 4mm plugs on each end. The plugs fit the PK probes on one end and the adapter H, switch box or angle connector on the other end. 
To connect PK cables with split ends to the moisture meter Lignometer K and Ligno-VersaTec, the adapter H is used.
The cables included in the V2=33M package are 12ft long. Upon request we can supply longer cables, please call customer service at 800-227-2105 for a quote.
EMC (equilibrium moisture content)
Measuring EMC inside a dry kiln is an important addition to the PK probe and cable system. The station plate gives a convenient plug-in for the EMC holder and thus allows the EMC to be obtained at the switch box outside the kiln.
The cellulose wafer inside the EMC holder quickly reaches an equilibrium with the surrounding air wherever it is placed, inside a dry kiln, air drying shed, warehouse, shop, house or office. To obtain EMC measurements, connect the Ligno-VersaTec or the Lignometer K, select the EMC setting and the correct temperature and the meter indicates the EMC value for the relative humidity and temperature of the surrounding air. The kiln control systems and wireless monitors automatically correct for the EMC setting and the temperature and produce corrected EMC values.
More info on EMC measurement
EMC Charts:
EMC, relative humidity, wet-bulb and dry bulb temperature describe humidity / temperature of air. They are all related and can be converted into one another. Corresponding values for stable conditions of relative humidity / temperature and wood moisture content are listed in the EMC Chart. Conversions are listed in the EMC-RH-WB Charts.
— EMC-Chart up to 120°F (50°C)
— EMC-RH-WB Chart for kiln-dyring up to 210°F (98 °C)
— EMC-RH-WB Graph for kiln-drying up to 260°F
— EMC-RH-WB Graph for kiln-drying up to 120°C
Example:
At a temperature of 70°F and 45% relative humidity, the EMC according to the chart is 8.5 %. That means, wood with a moisture content of 8.5% is stable, it will not absorb or loose any moisture, will not shrink, warp or cup. If wood in the same ambient conditions has a moisture content of 10.5%, it will loose moisture until 8.5% has been reached. This loss in moisture can cause wood movement depending on wood species, wood thickness and time of exposure.
Looking at drying conditions in dry kilns or wood sheds: If the moisture content of wood is 15% and the EMC of the surrounding air independent of the temperature is also 15% no drying will take place. If the moisture content of the wood would be 22%, there is a moisture gradient and the wood will dry. Lignomat has been using EMC measurements from cellulose wafers for over 50 years to control the drying process in kiln control systems.
The station plate is mounted inside a dry kiln and acts as a junction box for 3 (4) sets of PK-H cables and 1 (0) EMC holder. EMC holder plugs directly into the station plate.
Teflon cable 15 ft is included. Cable is long enough for a distance of 3 1/2 ft between switch box outside of kiln and station plate inside of kiln.
The switch box is installed outside the dry kiln and connected to the station plate by wires. The switch box is equipped with a BNC connector for the BNC cable from the Ligno-VersaTec and a 4 to 12 position dial to obtain measurements from the station plate.
Large kilns: 3 station plates can be used per switch box for a total of 9 (12) wood probe/cable sets and 3 (0) EMC stations. Call customer service for a quote when more than 1 station plate per kiln is needed.
Electrode E12: The E12 is designed to measure moisture from the surface to 2″ deep (with DB pins). All E12 pins are insulated and measure only at the tip. The slide hammer helps inserting and removing the pins. 
As pins are hammered into the material, consecutive readings show the moisture distribution within the material at every depth level the pins are driven to. The ability to measure a moisture gradient is one of the main reasons for our customers to use the electrode E12, even though the Ligno-VersaTec by itself can take moisture measurements at two depth levels 1/4″ and 3/4″ deep in pinless mode.
Wood: Taking numerous readings as pins are inserted, indicate if a moisture gradient exists or if the wood is dry throughout the core. Making sure wood is evenly dried is the best assurance for quality wood products. The thicker the wood, the more important core readings become. When inspecting wood floors, using the E12 gives you a tool to assess moisture distribution through floor planks into the sub floor without having to remove any floor planks. No other tool can achieve the same measuring accuracy at a defined depth.
Lumber: Using the slide-hammer electrode E12 is the industry standard when drying lumber. It is important to be able to measure surface and core moisture at any stage of the drying process to avoid degrade during drying and to find out when the wood is evenly dried at the end of the kiln charge.
The electrode E12 comes with 1 pair each of 1″ pins and 1 pair of 1.5″. The 2″ long pins need to be ordered separately.
E12 pins are teflon coated to only measure at the tip and come in three sizes:
– DZ Pins insulated, measuring depth 1”
– DA Pins insulated, measuring depth 1.5”
– DB Pins insulated, measuring depth 2” (order separately)
BCN cable and Case M are included in the package.
Options:
To utilize the built-in RH/T function in the Ligno-VersaTec add the RH Hygro-Thermo probe.
If you want to use the RH probe inside a kiln, do not leave the probe in the kiln. The probe cannot withstand the corrosive conditions in a dry kiln in longtime use.
For more information please contact Customer Service at 1-800-227-2105.
Lignomat USA Ltd, 14345 NE Morris Ct., Portland OR 97230, USA,
Email: sales@Lignomat.com, www.Lignomat.com
