Proceq Profometer PM8000 Rebar Cover Meter

A wireless cover meter for locating rebar and mapping concrete cover

The Profometer PM8000 detects reinforcement and measures concrete cover and, in the standard range, bar diameter. It uses the eddy-current pulse induction principle: a handheld probe on a small cart is rolled across the surface, an encoder tracks distance, and the readings travel wirelessly to an Apple iPad running the pm app, which draws the scan live.

The manual says the family covers three licence levels. PM8000 Lite offers spot readings, the PM8000 adds line scans, and the PM8000 Pro adds multiline and area scans with heat maps, automatic rebar spacing and augmented reality views. The hardware is the same, and the licence decides which functions the app unlocks.

Main characteristics

• Cover measurement to 185 mm and diameter estimation to 63 mm
• Spot, line, multiline and area scan, depending on licence
• Neighbouring rebar correction for the first and second layer
• Heat map with adjustable concrete cover threshold
• Markers, photos, geolocation and voice notes
• Reporting by URL sharing, CSV, DOCX and HTML export
• 8 hours of battery time from two AA cells, USB-C power possible

Technical specifications

Licences and accessories

The manual describes three app licences. Accessory article numbers below are from the product page.

Installation and operating notes

Choose the measuring range that matches the bar depth. Standard covers below 80 mm, Deep 80 to 180 mm, and Auto switches between them. The manual points out that diameter estimation works in Standard range only.

Deep mode will underestimate cover where welded or tied meshes are present, so it should be used with care in congested slabs.

Where bars are close together, use the neighbouring rebar correction. The maximum scanning speed is 0.5 m/s, and the cart carries the encoder that tracks distance during scans.

Cover surveys and bar location

Cover surveys check that reinforcement sits at the specified depth in slabs, beams, walls and precast units, a common acceptance test before handover. Area scans make heat maps that show where cover falls below the required threshold.

Scanning is also done before coring or drilling to avoid cutting bars. Readings can be disturbed by closely spaced or multiple layers of steel. If the bar diameter is unknown and the bars lie shallower than 70 mm, the manual advises staying in the Standard range. The instrument works from 5 to 40°C and up to 85 % relative humidity, non-condensing, so midday summer surveys on exposed decks may need planning. General guidance only.

Because the probe is wireless, the operator needs only the cart and the tablet on site. The manual states a two year warranty, and the unit is protected to IP 54 against dust and splashing water. Spare AA cells are easy to carry for long surveys, and a USB-C power bank can extend a day of scanning without changing batteries.

Information to send with an RFQ for the Proceq PM8000

To quote the PM8000 correctly, please send these details.

• Licence level: Lite, standard or Pro
• Expected cover depth and bar sizes
• iPad supply or existing tablet
• Telescopic rod or chest harness accessories
• Calibration documents and quantity

Related items and documents

Resistivity mapping with the Resipod complements cover surveys. Neighbouring products can be browsed in portable test and measurement. A copy of the datasheet is provided. Seven Star LLC deals with PM8000 quotation requests after the model, accessories and number of units are given.

Calibration and field notes

Cover surveys are used in the region to check concrete cover on new structures, to locate reinforcement before drilling or coring, and to assess older buildings, bridges, car parks and marine structures. Adequate cover is particularly important in the region, where chlorides from seawater and saline soil drive reinforcement corrosion. Before a survey, set the bar diameter or use the diameter measurement where available, and check readings against a known bar or an opened location where possible.

Keep the probe away from other metal objects such as tie wire, embedded plates and pipes, which can affect readings. Check the instrument at regular intervals as described in the manual, charge it before site work, and keep it out of direct sun in summer.

Record the scan areas, bar diameters and settings used, so later surveys can be compared directly. Where cover is lower than specified, confirm findings by opening a small area where permitted. Store the probe and instrument in their case, away from heat and dust.

Related Proceq products: Proceq Resipod Concrete Surface Resistivity Meter, Proceq Pundit PI8000 Pile Integrity and Impact Echo Tester, Proceq Silver Schmidt OS8200 Optical Rebound Hammer, Proceq Pundit PD8050 Ultrasonic Pulse Echo Tester, Proceq Pundit 200 Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity Tester and Proceq Equotip 550 UCI Portable Hardness Tester HV1 to HV10.