Welcome to Kett - Tomorrow's Testing Today
USD|ENG
Welcome to Kett - Tomorrow's Testing Today
Wood moisture meters measure the water content inside lumber, veneer, engineered wood, and wood chips — the critical variable that determines whether wood will hold its shape or warp, crack, and fail after installation. Kett instruments cover the full range of wood moisture applications, from non-destructive surface scanning of finished hardwoods to pin-type depth measurement of green lumber and dedicated chip testing for biomass energy.
Whether you are monitoring kiln-drying progress, verifying incoming lumber, inspecting installed flooring, or controlling fuel chip quality, Kett offers both the measurement technology and the species calibration depth to match your process. Every instrument includes built-in calibrations, automatic temperature compensation, and field-ready portability backed by a Total Care Warranty covering parts, labor, and specification compliance.
Why mills and manufacturers choose Kett Wood Moisture Meters for moisture analysis.
Both measurement technologies in one product line. Non-destructive capacitance meters measure moisture deep inside the wood without leaving a mark on the surface. Pin-type resistance meters penetrate into green lumber and freshly dried stock for direct internal readings. Choose the right approach for your material and application.
Built-in calibrations for hundreds of wood species eliminate manual lookup and guesswork. Capacitance models use specific gravity settings covering over 400 species. Pin-type models include 16 wood group classifications for hardwood and softwood with ISO-referenced calibration curves.
Capacitance-based models measure moisture 10–40 mm deep without pins, holes, or surface damage. Ideal for high-grade furniture wood, musical instrument stock, rare and precious species, finished flooring, and any application where the surface must remain unmarked.
From 2% moisture in kiln-dried hardwood to 80% in freshly cut green lumber, Kett pin-type models cover a wider range than most competing instruments. Dedicated wood chip models extend coverage to the biomass fuel industry with wet-basis measurement from 15–55%.
All models instantly correct for ambient and material temperature differences using integrated temperature compensation. Wood temperature after kiln drying or cold storage can skew readings significantly. Kett meters keep results accurate without manual adjustment.
Compact, portable designs with large backlit displays work in kilns, warehouses, lumber yards, and job sites. Kett wood moisture meters are precision instruments designed for decades of daily use. Many remain in active service 20 years or more after purchase.
Kett’s capacitance-based wood moisture meters use a high-frequency electromagnetic field to measure moisture deep inside wood without touching a pin to the surface. The operator simply places the flat sensor pad against the wood and the instrument emits a field that penetrates 10–40 mm into the material. Because water stores electrical energy differently than dry wood fiber, the meter calculates the moisture percentage from the change in the dielectric signal. The operator selects the correct specific gravity setting for the species being tested, and the instrument displays an accurate reading in seconds. Automated thickness and temperature correction settings ensure consistent results across different board dimensions and environmental conditions. This method is ideal for finished wood, rare species, and any material where the surface must remain unmarked, leaving no holes, no damage, no sample preparation.
Kett’s pin-type wood moisture meters work by driving a needle probe or multi-pin sensor into the wood and measuring the electrical resistance between the pins. Wetter wood conducts electricity more readily than dry wood, so the meter converts the resistance reading into a moisture percentage using stored calibration curves for 16 wood group classifications plus broad hardwood and softwood calibrations. The operator presses the sensor into the wood at the desired depth and the instrument reads the moisture content at that specific point inside the board. Pin-type measurement excels at profiling moisture gradients. They check whether the core of a thick board is drier or wetter than the surface and cover a wider moisture range than capacitance methods, reading up to 80% for freshly cut or green lumber. Both measurement approaches are traceable to primary oven-dry reference methods per ISO standards.
For biomass energy applications, Kett also offers a dedicated wood chip moisture tester. Rather than measuring solid wood surfaces or boards, this instrument uses a bar sensor that inserts directly into a pile of cutting or crushing chips. The meter measures electrical resistance through the loose chip material and applies pre-registered calibration curves developed specifically for fuel wood chips, displaying results on a wet basis for direct use in combustion efficiency calculations.
Wood moisture meters support quality control and process monitoring wherever wood is stored, processed, installed, or used as fuel.
Moisture measurement happens at every stage, from green lumber grading through kiln drying to final shipment verification. Wood sold at incorrect moisture content leads to customer claims for warping, checking, and dimensional instability. Over-drying wastes energy and reduces yield. Pin-type and pinless meters give kiln operators and QC staff the data they need to release lumber at the right moisture content every time.
Testing occurs during incoming material inspection, after acclimation, and before cutting, gluing, and finishing. Wood that is too wet causes glue joint failure, finish defects, and warping after assembly. These are problems that surface weeks or months after the piece ships, leading to warranty claims and rework. Non-destructive capacitance meters verify moisture without marking the surface of high-grade and rare wood stock.
Moisture readings are taken on subfloors, hardwood planks, and engineered flooring before and during installation. Installing flooring at the wrong moisture content causes cupping, buckling, gapping, and adhesive failure. This oversight results in costly callbacks that damage installer reputation and delay project completion. Portable wood moisture meters confirm that both the subfloor and finish material are within specification before work begins.
Testing happens at pallet manufacturing, heat treatment verification, and pre-shipment inspection. Pallets and crating that exceed moisture limits cause container rain (condensation damage to cargo during ocean transit) and risk rejection at customs for ISPM 15 non-compliance. Quick moisture checks at the loading dock prevent shipping delays and protect high-value cargo.
Inspectors measure moisture behind wood siding, in structural framing, around windows, and in subfloor assemblies during pre-purchase inspections, water damage assessments, and post-remediation verification. Undetected moisture leads to mold growth, structural rot, and failed remediation sign-offs that expose inspectors and contractors to liability. Non-destructive meters locate hidden moisture without damaging finished surfaces.
Moisture is measured at chip receiving yards, fuel storage areas, and boiler feed points. Fuel chips with excessive moisture reduce combustion efficiency, lower heat output, and increase emissions. Accepting this fuel source directly cuts power generation revenue and boiler performance. Dedicated chip moisture meters with bar sensors read moisture on a wet basis directly from the chip pile for fast pass/fail decisions.
Moisture is checked in studs, joists, sheathing, and beams before enclosing walls, applying finishes, or pouring concrete against wood forms. Framing lumber installed too wet shrinks as it dries, causing nail pops, drywall cracks, squeaky floors, and gaps around door and window frames. These are defects that trigger punch-list callbacks and homeowner complaints. Pin-type meters verify that framing stock meets builder specifications before it gets covered up.
Moisture is measured during wood selection, seasoning, and at every stage of fabrication, from rough shaping through final assembly. Tonewoods and rare species are extremely sensitive to moisture variation, and even small deviations cause cracking, joint separation, tonal changes, and finish failure in instruments and high-end pieces worth thousands of dollars. Non-destructive capacitance meters verify moisture without leaving any mark on irreplaceable stock.
Explore three instruments covering non-destructive scanning, pin-type depth measurement, and dedicated wood chip testing. The MT-730 pin-type meter is also available for standard wood moisture applications — view all products for the full lineup.
The HM540 is a non-destructive capacitance meter designed for anyone who needs fast, accurate moisture readings without marking the wood surface. It measures 10–40 mm deep using a high-frequency electromagnetic field. Simply press the flat sensor pad against the wood and read the result.
Specific gravity settings cover over 400 species, and the built-in correction dial lets operators fine-tune readings to match local reference standards. A large backlit LCD with adjustable contrast makes readings easy in dark kilns and warehouses, and 999-point data memory with statistical calculations (max, min, average, standard deviation) supports batch QC documentation.
One-hand ergonomic operation, auto-hold display, and a rugged carrying pouch make this instrument equally at home in the lab, on the production floor, or at a remote job site.
Optional data logger software (HDL02) exports stored readings to a PC for reporting and traceability.
The MT900 is a pin-type resistance meter built for lumber producers, kiln operators, and anyone working with green or freshly dried wood where internal moisture measurement at depth is essential. It drives a needle probe into the wood to read moisture content from 6–80% on a dry basis. This is a wider range than most competing pin-type instruments, covering everything from kiln-dried hardwood to freshly cut green lumber.
Stored calibrations for 16 wood group classifications plus broad hardwood and softwood curves handle virtually any commercial species, and the upper-limit alarm (settable from 10–79%) alerts operators instantly when moisture exceeds the target.
Automatic temperature compensation corrects for wood that is still hot from the kiln or cold from outdoor storage. Bias adjustment (±9.9%) lets operators match readings to local oven-dry reference results.
An optional printer (VZ-330) produces hard-copy records on the spot for documentation and chain-of-custody requirements.
The MT200 is a dedicated chip moisture meter designed for biomass energy producers, chip yards, and anyone receiving or processing fuel wood chips. Unlike surface or pin-type meters designed for solid wood, this instrument uses a bar sensor that inserts directly into a pile of cutting or crushing chips to measure moisture by electrical resistance.
Results display on a wet basis (15–55%) for direct use in combustion efficiency and boiler feed calculations so no dry-to-wet conversions are required. Pre-registered calibration curves for cutting chips and crushing chips are built in, and up to 13 additional user-originated curves can be stored for custom chip blends or species.
An upper-limit alarm, continuous measurement mode, and average value display support rapid pass/fail screening at receiving docks and storage yards. The handheld design runs on standard AA batteries and goes wherever the chip pile is located.
Our application engineers can help you choose between pin-type, pinless, and chip measurement technologies for your specific materials and workflow.
