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EC-5 Soil Moisture Sensor

Measurements:
- Soil Moisture,
- Volumetric Water Content
Applications:

Lowest Cost Individual Sensors for Large Sensor Networks

Looking for a basic, no-frills soil moisture sensor? Look no further than the EC-5, a sensor that accurately measures water content in any soil or soilless media with minimal salinity and textural effects.

The EC-5 delivers research-grade accuracy at a price that makes large sensor networks economically practical. You can adequately characterize your site with sensors at multiple depths and locations, even if you're on a tight budget.

Engineered for Accuracy

The EC-5 determines volumetric water content (VWC) by measuring the dielectric constant of the media using capacitance/frequency domain technology. Its 70 MHz frequency minimizes salinity and textural effects, making this sensor accurate in almost any soil or soilless media. Factory calibrations are included for mineral soils, potting soils, rockwool, and perlite.

Easy Installation

Just 5 cm long with a 0.3 L measurement volume, this handy little sensor is easy to install in the field and can also be used in nursery pots. The EC-5's robust design makes it easy to push directly into undisturbed soil to ensure good accuracy.

Integrate with CSI Data Loggers

The EC-5's analog signal means no-hassle integration with systems manufactured by other companies, such as Campbell Scientific.

Reasons to pick the EC-5:

If volumetric water content is the only measurement you need.
If you are on a tight budget.
If you want a basic, all-purpose sensor with excellent accuracy.
If you are interested in a small volume of influence (eg., field spatial variability, lab column studies, or greenhouse research).

Specifications

Part number 40593 (Stereo), 40581 (Pigtail), 40578 (Custom)

Accuracy	Mineral Soil: ±3% VWC, most mineral soils, up to 8 dS/m ±1-2% VWC with soil specific calibration Rockwool: ±3% VWC, 0.5 to 8 dS/m Potting Soil: ±3% VWC, 3 to 14 dS/m
Resolution	0.1% VWC (mineral soil) 0.25% VWC (rockwool)
Range	calibration dependant; up to 0-100% VWC with polynomial equation
Dimensions	8.9 x 1.8 x 0.7 cm
Cable Length	5 m, custom cable lengths available upon request
Measurement Time	10 ms
Power	2.5 - 3.6 V DC @ 10 mA. Output proportional to input voltage. 2.5 V and 3 V excitations supported with calibration equations
Output	Voltage, correlated linearly (soil) or polynomially (growing media) with VWC
Temperature	-40°C to +50°C
Connector Types	3.5 mm "stereo" plug or stripped and tinned lead wires (3)
Datalogger Compatibility (not exclusive)	Decagon: Em50 series loggers, ProCheck, ECH₂O Check, Em5b Campbell Scientific: CR10X, 21X, 23X, CR1000, CR3000, etc. Other: Any data acquisition system capable of switched 2.5 to 3.6 V excitation and single ended voltage measurement at 12 bit or better resolution.
Warranty	One year, parts and labor

Comparisons

	ANALOG SENSORS		DIGITAL SENSORS
SENSOR	EC-5	10HS	5TM	5TE	GS3	MPS-2
MEASURES	volumetric water content, dielectric permittivity	volumetric water content, dielectric permittivity	volumetric water content, dielectric permittivity, temperature	volumetric water content, dielectric permittivity, temperature, electrical conductivity	volumetric water content, dielectric permittivity, temperature, electrical conductivity	water potential, temperature
VOLUME OF INFLUENCE	0.3 L	1 L	0.3 L	0.3 L	0.3 L	N/A
DATA LOGGER COMPATIBILITY	Em5b, Em50, Em50R, Em50G, ProCheck, ECH₂O Check, Campbell Scientific*	Em5b, Em50, Em50R, Em50G, ProCheck, ECH₂O Check, Campbell Scientific*	Em50, Em50R, Em50G, ProCheck, Campbell Scientific*, SDI-12 capable	Em50, Em50R, Em50G, ProCheck, SDI-12 capable	Em50, Em50R, Em50G, ProCheck, SDI-12 capable	Em50, Em50R, Em50G, ProCheck, SDI-12 capable
Measurement RANGE	0 to 100% VWC	0 to 53% VWC	0 to 100% VWC -40 to 50°C	0 to 100% VWC -40 to 50°C 0 to 23 dS/m	0 to 100% VWC -40 to 50°C 0 to 23 dS/m	-10 to -500 kPa (pF 2 - pF 3.71) -40 to 50°C
BEST IF	VWC is all that you need. You're establishing a large sensor network.	You want a large volume of influence.	You have high temperature variability in your soils. You are monitoring shallow or desert soils where data must be corrected for temperature effects. You need to monitor soil temperature for biological activities. You want to use SDI-12.	You are managing salts in your system. You want to use SDI-12.	You are measuring water content of soilless substrates. You need high accuracy EC.	You want to compare soil moisture at different research sites. You want to determine water available for plant growth. You are monitoring deficit irrigation. You want to measure water potential.
BUT NOT IF	You cannot apply a regulated voltage (only applies to non-Decagon data loggers).	You are measuring in nursery pots. You are installing in rocky soil.	N/A	You want to monitor soiless substrates or potting soils.	You are doing downhole installations.	You want to monitor soils at or near saturation.

Compatibility and Programming Specifications for Campbell Scientific and Other (non-Decagon) Data Loggers

Note: ECH₂O sensors are “plug and read” on Decagon data loggers. You do not need to program any of this information (or ANY information) into a Decagon logger.

SENSOR	CAMPBELL COMPATIBILITY	OTHER LOGGERS	OUTPUT	VOLTAGE REQUIREMENTS
EC-5	CR10X, 21X, 23X, CR1000, CR3000, etc.	Any data acquisition system capable of switched 2.5 to 3.6 V excitation and single ended voltage measurement at 12 bit or better resolution. (Note: some people take their chances with resolution as low as 3 bits, but resolution lower than 10 bits will leave the data quite choppy).	Voltage, correlated linearly (soil) or polynomially (growing media) with VWC	2.5-3.6 V
10HS	CR10X, 21X, 23X, CR1000, CR3000, etc.	Any data acquisition system capable of 3-15 VDC excitation and single ended voltage measurement at 12 bit or better resolution.	Voltage correlated with VWC, independent of excitation	3-15 V
5TE	Any logger with serial I/O (CR10X, CR850, CR1000, CR3000, etc.)	Ask a Decagon representative for an integrator’s guide to interfacing the 5TE	Digital ASCIII stream or SDI-12	3.6-15 V
5TM	Any logger with serial I/O (CR10X, CR850, CR1000, CR3000, etc.)	Ask a Decagon representative for an integrators guide to interfacing the 5TM	Digital ASCII Stream or SDI-12	3.6-15 V
GS3	Any logger with serial I/O (CR10X, CR850, CR1000, CR3000, etc.)	Ask a Decagon representative for an integrators guide to interfacing the GS3	Digital ASCII Stream or SDI-12	3.6-15 V
MPS-2	Any logger with serial I/O (CR10X, CR850, CR1000, CR3000, etc.)	Ask a Decagon represenative for an integrators guide to interfacing the MPS-2	Digital ASCII Stream or SDI-12	3.6-15 V

Accessories

Auger Kit

For use with deep installation of the ECH₂O probes. Includes a regular and sand auger (2.75" [7 cm] diameter), two 2' (0.6 m) extension rods, a standard rubber handle, and a ratchet handle.

Cable Armor

Give your cables a higher level of protection from the elements and rodents. Also organizes your cables as you run them to your datalogger.

Splice Kit

Repair damaged cables in the field with few tools and less time.

Support

How-To Articles

Application Notes

Troubleshooting Articles

Calibration Equations for the ECH2O EC-5, ECH2O-TE and 5TE Sensors

Software & Downloads

EchoCSI.zip - SCWin (ShortCut)

Video

Manuals

Manual-EC-5

Information Sheet

Meet your Decagon Soil Moisture Sensor

Request Support

Email: support@decagon.com
Phone: 800-755-2751 or
509-332-2756
Fax: 509-332-5158