Method for calibrating apparatuses for determining the moisture content of products based on capacitive measurements, and device for stimulating the dielectric properties of products, such as wood, for use in this method

A calibrating device for use with an apparatus (2) effective for determining the moisture content of products, including wood, the apparatus (2) having a transmitting antenna and a second receiving antenna which are electrically connected to each other and a measuring zone which is located between the transmitting antenna and the second receiving antenna and wherein a product whose moisture content is to be determined can be positioned between the transmitting antenna and the second receiving antenna, the calibrating device comprising:

• a first receiving antenna (3) which is shaped so that it can be inserted in and removed from the measuring zone of the apparatus (2) to be calibrated;
• an electric terminal (4) which is configured so that, in operation, it can be electrically connected to the apparatus (2) or to another item;
• and
• an adjustable impedance (5), electrically connected, via one or more electric conductors, between the first antenna (3) and the electric terminal (4), the impedance (5) being adjustable such that the calibrating device can effectively simulate the dielectric properties of a plurality of products having different moisture contents when the calibrating device is inserted in the measuring zone of the apparatus.