Insulated contact pin for hammer electrodes
A 2 inch (51 mm) steel pin, Teflon insulated along its length with only the last 1/8 inch of the tip bare. Because contact is made at the tip alone, the meter reads the moisture at that depth rather than averaging everything the pin passes through.
Fitment
- Standard pin on the 26-ES slide hammer electrode
- Standard pin on the 26-ED hammer electrode with depth gauge
- Accepted by the 22-E electrode and the 22-ET when testing soft materials
Specifications
| Part number | 496 |
|---|---|
| Overall length | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Maximum penetration | 1 1/8 inches (28.6 mm) |
| Insulation | Teflon, bare 1/8 inch at the tip |
| Suits | Wood up to 5–6 inches thick or in diameter |
| Sold as | Each |
Penetration depth is the figure that decides whether a pin suits the job. It is not the same as the overall length of the pin, and the two are easy to confuse when comparing parts.
Our older listing quoted 51 mm as the penetration figure. 51 mm is the overall length of the pin; penetration is 1 1/8 inches, or 28.6 mm.
Choosing between the 496 and the 1849
Both are insulated pins for the same electrodes. The 1849 penetrates 1/2 inch and suits flooring and lumber up to 2 inches. The 496 penetrates 1 1/8 inches and is the one for shell-and-core work on thicker stock, where you need to see the gradient between a dry surface and a wet centre.
Frequently asked questions
Why insulated pins at all?
An uninsulated pin reads the wettest point anywhere along its length. On timber that is dry at the surface and wet in the middle, that gives you one number and no idea where the moisture is. Insulated pins read only at the tip, so driving to two depths tells you the gradient.
Do these fit my 22-E?
Yes. The 22-E is normally fitted with uninsulated A-111 pins, but it accepts the 496 for soft materials.
What retainer holds them?
The 632 retainer, which also fits the 1849 and A-111.
How long do they last?
It depends entirely on what you are driving them into. Treat them as consumables and carry spares — a bent or blunt pin is the most common cause of a reading a technician cannot explain.
Not sure which part suits your meter? Tell us the model and what you are testing and we will confirm the right one before you order.
