Several factors affecting the service life of moisture meters
For carpenters, a hygrometer is not just another tool, but an investment in building a business and reputation. Before proper use, the hygrometer can provide years of reliable service before replacement is needed. Without proper care, even the strongest and most reliable instruments can quickly fail and become almost unusable.
In order to protect their investment so that they can fully utilize it, carpenters need to properly keep their hygrometers. However, before extending the service life of the hygrometer as much as possible, you need to know which factors will affect the service life of the hygrometer.
To make it easier for you, we have compiled a series of factors that affect the lifespan of woodworking moisture meters:
Factor # 1: Extreme temperature
Although most hygrometers should operate normally at "normal" indoor temperatures, they require a specially designed hygrometer to withstand the effects of temperatures below freezing or above the boiling point of water. For example, a thermometer exposed to temperatures below -4 ° F or above 140 ° F will begin to return incorrect readings.
If a hygrometer is not specifically designed for extreme high or low temperatures, it will not only reduce the accuracy of woodworking readings, but also cause permanent damage to the electronic components of the instrument, causing it to fail for a long time.
Factor # 2: Exposure to moisture
Ironically, prolonged exposure to excessive moisture can actually cause damage to the hygrometer. This damage can manifest in various ways, such as corrosion on the contact components of the hygrometer (such as the pins of the needle type instrument) or internal circuit faults of the instrument itself.
Anyone who puts a phone into a swimming pool or other water body can tell you that moisture and sensitive electronic devices cannot get along well. However, you do not have to put electronic products into water to expose them to excessive moisture. Placing the instrument in a damp environment, such as burying it in a bag under damp work clothes, can cause damage over time, just like throwing it into water.
Factor # 3: Damage caused by incorrect handling
Although woodworking moisture meters are usually constructed as sturdy and durable long-term tools, improper on-site operation is still the main reason for the failure of these devices. This is not to say that such events are the fault of the user; Accidents did indeed occur, such as instruments falling onto hard surfaces or buckets.
However, taking preventive measures to avoid misoperation of instruments can greatly help prevent instrument failures. For example, you can prevent accidents by stably and firmly grasping the instrument and handing it over to colleagues who need to borrow it instead of throwing it into the room. Wearing gloves with a gripping surface instead of gloves with a smooth surface can also make it easier to avoid accidental dropping of the moisture meter during use.
Like any electronic product, a hygrometer will last longer when handled with care.
