The E-Saximeter registers all relevant pile driving parameters. It determines the hammer operating rate in blows per minute and helps the piling inspector create a pile driving log. For single acting, open end diesel hammers the E-Sax also displays the hammer potential energy and ram stroke, important since excessive stroke can cause pile damage.

The E-Sax is a hand held instrument. In its basic configuration the pile inspector observes the driving process and pushes a button for every depth increment as driving progresses. Several accessories further enhance the functionality of this time tested sound recognition device:

A depth measurement reel with wireless transmission capabilities eliminates the need for manual depth increment input, automating the entire creation of the driving log. Proximity switches installed on the driving hammer and a wireless transmission system (transmitter attached to the driving hammer and E-Sax internal transceiver) enable the E-Saximeter to compute the hammer kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is a key parameter to fine-tune the driving criteria for piles yet to be installed (by running the GLRWEAP pile driving simulation software).

"Energy monitoring was specified in the (Woodrow Wilson Bridge) contract Special Provisions. The main benefit of the monitoring is for the Virginia Department of Transportation to have more accurate driving logs than are typically created by hand. When correlated with the PDA results, it allows driving criteria to be in terms of hammer energy instead of blows per foot at a certain stroke."
- Ryan G. Gorman, P.E., Project Manager, Corman Construction, Inc.
(note: PDA is the Pile Driving Analyzer® - the E-Sax can determine hammer potential and kinetic energy, while the PDA determines the energy actually transferred to the pile)