Product Description
Tramex ME5 Moisture Encounter 5 Pinless Moisture Meter
The Tramex Moisture Encounter ME5 is a professional pinless, non-destructive moisture meter for inspecting wood, drywall, plaster, tile, roofing and masonry. Its dual-depth measurement modes help compare moisture near the surface with conditions deeper in the material, without inserting pins or damaging finishes. The ME5 is the successor to the Moisture Encounter Plus (MEP).
Why Choose the Tramex ME5?
- Two inspection depths: shallow mode up to approximately 3/8 in. (9 mm) and regular depth up to 1 1/4 in. (30 mm), depending on material.
- Wood moisture content: calibrated 5–30% moisture-content scale for wood and timber, with species-specific gravity adjustment guidance in the user guide.
- Five material settings: wood/timber, shallow depth, drywall/roofing, plaster/tile and masonry.
- Non-destructive comparative surveys: investigate moisture patterns in walls, floors and roofing using the 0–100 reference scale for non-wood materials.
- Bluetooth documentation: connect to the Tramex Meters App to record readings, produce moisture maps, charts and reports, and associate readings with photos or location information.
- Practical field controls: analog dial, reading hold, optional high-moisture audio warning and automatic power-off.
Choosing the Correct ME5 Scale
| Setting | Typical application | Reading interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 1: Wood / Timber | Wood and wood products | 5–30% wood moisture content |
| 2: Shallow Depth | Surface layers, coverings and wood | Wood %MC when testing wood; comparative reading for other materials |
| 3: Drywall / Roofing | Gypsum board and roofing systems | 0–100 comparative |
| 4: Plaster / Tile | Plaster and tile assemblies | 0–100 comparative |
| 5: Masonry | Brick, block and comparative concrete surveys | 0–100 comparative; not quantitative concrete %MC |
Important: Comparative readings are not moisture-content percentages. Establish a baseline in an acceptably dry area of the same material and compare subsequent readings. Metal, substrate conditions and material differences may affect results. The ME5 is not calibrated for quantitative concrete moisture testing; consider a Tramex CME5 or CMEX5 for that purpose.
Technical Specifications
| Manufacturer model | ME5 |
|---|---|
| Technology | Non-destructive electrical impedance |
| Measurement depths | Shallow: up to 3/8 in. (9 mm); regular: up to 1 1/4 in. (30 mm), material-dependent |
| Wood measurement range | 5–30% moisture content |
| Non-wood reference range | 0–100 comparative scale |
| Display | Analog dial with scale-selection LEDs |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth; Tramex Meters App for iOS and Android |
| Power | Two AA LR6 alkaline batteries |
| Dimensions | 6.3 x 3.5 x 1.5 in. (160 x 85 x 38 mm) |
| Weight | 9.5 oz (270 g) |
| Housing | ABS |
| Additional functions | Hold, optional audio alert, automatic power-off |
Which Tramex Moisture Meter Should You Choose?
Choose the instrument based on the materials you inspect and whether you need comparative building-material surveys or concrete-specific testing.
- ME5 — Moisture Encounter 5: Choose for pinless dual-depth moisture surveys of wood, drywall, plaster, tile, roofing and other building materials, with actual wood %MC readings and comparative readings for other materials.
- MEX5 — Moisture Encounter X5: Consider the digital dual-depth alternative when building surveys also require additional humidity investigation and compatible probe options.
- CME5 — Concrete Moisture Encounter 5: Choose for concrete-specific, non-destructive quantitative moisture measurements rather than relying on the ME5 masonry comparative scale.
- CMEX5 — Concrete Moisture Encounter X5: Consider for advanced digital concrete moisture evaluation, ambient conditions and compatible external probe capabilities.
Inspecting both walls and concrete? The ME5 complements a dedicated CME5 or CMEX5: use the ME5 to investigate moisture patterns in general building materials and the concrete meter when concrete-specific readings are needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the ME5 damage walls or floors?
No pins are inserted. The instrument uses electrodes against the surface for non-destructive moisture investigation; follow the manufacturer's instructions for sensitive finishes.
Can the ME5 measure actual moisture content in drywall?
No. It reports comparative readings for drywall and most other non-wood building materials, not an absolute percentage.
What is the difference between shallow and regular depth?
Shallow mode assesses approximately the upper 9 mm, while regular depth investigates up to approximately 30 mm. Actual penetration varies with material density.
Can the ME5 measure moisture in concrete?
It can compare readings on masonry and concrete using its masonry setting, but it is not calibrated to provide quantitative concrete moisture content. Tramex recommends its concrete-specific instruments when quantitative results are required.
Can readings be saved to a phone?
Yes. Bluetooth connectivity supports the Tramex Meters App for documenting readings and creating moisture maps and reports.
Why might I see a high reading on apparently dry drywall?
Material differences, hidden metal and other conditions can affect non-destructive readings. Compare against a known dry reference area and consult Tramex's guidance on false-positive readings.
Manufacturer Manuals and Data Sheets
- ME5 User Guide (PDF, Tramex)
- ME5 Quick Start Guide (PDF, Tramex)
- ME5 Product Data Sheet (PDF, Tramex)
- Tramex ME5 product and multilingual support page
Tramex ME5 Training Videos and Tutorials
These links open the manufacturer's instructional pages, where videos remain hosted and maintained by Tramex.
- How to use the Moisture Encounter ME5
- Checking installed floors using shallow depth
- Checking calibration and geotagging readings
- Turning the ME5 high-moisture warning tone on or off
- Reading the meter in dark or hard-to-reach locations
- Understanding false-positive drywall readings
- Using non-destructive settings on the ME5 and MEX5
- Tramex ME5 review
