In-line meters provide a rapid means of detecting moisture content of lumber or wood products in processing (that is, on a continuous production line). Two major uses are monitoring the performance of the drying process (air drying, kiln drying), and providing sorting or identification of material at predetermined levels of moisture content. These measurements are inferential in the sense that physical measurements are made and compared against calibration curves to obtain an indirect measure of moisture content. These measurements may be influenced by one or more physical properties such as actual moisture content (average and gradient; see Appendix X5), density, surface moisture, chemical composition, size, and temperature of wood. In addition, the measurements may also be influenced by environmental conditions and the design specifications of the meter. The best performance is obtained by an awareness of the effect of each parameter on the meter output and correction of readings as specified by these test methods.

The two major anticipated users of these test methods are instrument manufacturers whose primary concern is laboratory standardization and calibration, and instrument owners who may have a primary focus on field standardization and calibration. These test methods present the laboratory and the field as separate tracks (see Appendix X2).

4.2.1 Laboratory Standardization and Calibration—This portion of these test methods is intended for guidance of equipment manufacturers. Specific test recommendations are tailored to the capabilities of a laboratory environment.

4.2.2 Field Standardization and Calibration—The predominant use of in-line meters is in production in which lumber characteristics and environmental conditions reflect actual mill processes. Field standardization and calibration is essential to address or encompass much of the variability in production.

4.2.3 Applications using the output of the in-line moisture meter may modify the meter output signals or have inherent response characteristics that are not representative of the meter.

1.1 These test methods apply to instruments designed to detect, or measure, moisture in wood which has been dried below the fiber saturation point. The purpose of these tests is to provide a unified standard against which such systems can demonstrate their suitability for their intended use (see Appendix X1).

1.2 The standard is configured to support tests by moisture meter manufacturers as well as end-users of such systems, therefore the text follows two tracks (see Appendix X2).

1.3 Test methods specified for manufacturers are generally designed for laboratory settings and are intended to provide a standard against which a manufacturer certifies calibration and general system conformance.

1.4 Test methods for end-users are generally designed for field settings and are intended as a standardized set of procedures for determining the suitability of a specific machine for a particular use.

1.5 Applications such as lumber marking or sorting systems utilizing the output of the in-line meter are not part of this standard.

1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.