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Soil Moisture Sensors

Measurements:
Applications:

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Which sensor is right for my application?

Soil moisture is highly variable. Accuracy from a single site isn't enough to run an experiment. To make good soil moisture measurements, you need research quality probes and you need a lot of them.

Decagon's soil moisture sensors are research grade probes at a price that lets you completely characterize your site.

Plug-and-log with the Em50 line of data loggers or integrate into other logger systems (including Campbell Scientific).

Watch our five minute video on how to install soil moisture sensors

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
RANGE	0 - 100% VWC	0 - 53% VWC	0 - 100% VWC 40 - 50°C	0 - 100% VWC 40 - 50°C 0 - 23 dS/m	0 - 100% VWC 40 - 50°C 0 - 23 dS/m	-10 to -500 kPa (pF 2 to pF 3.71) -40°C 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.

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.

Installation Kit

Install sensor into augered hole or a sidewall. Use the insertion tool to create a pilot hole before inserting the sensor in hard or rocky soils.

Splice Kit

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

Support

Software & Downloads

Application Notes

How-To Articles

Troubleshooting Articles

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

Video

Manuals

Information Sheet

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

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EC-5 Soil Moisture Sensor

The EC-5 is our lowest-cost soil moisture sensor, and measures Volumetric Water Content only. 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. » Learn more

10HS Soil Moisture Sensor

The 10HS measures volumetric water content in a larger soil sample with its 1 liter volume of influence. High frequency oscillation and patented signal filtering deliver excellent accuracy and minimal textural effects; analog output makes it easy to use with other companies' data loggers including those manufactured by Campbell Scientific. This 10 cm long probe works best when installed in the field. » Learn more

5TM Soil Moisture Sensor

Get temperature data integrated with your soil moisture data—at the same location and over the same measurement intervals. Ideal for adding temperature to each node in your network. Serial and SDI-12 communication options come standard with each 5TM, giving plenty of options for integrating into systems manufactured by other companies (such as Campbell Scientific). » Learn more

5TE Soil Moisture Sensor

Our full-featured soil moisture sensor. Measures volumetric water content, temperature, and electrical conductivity in soil. This three-pronged, 5 cm long sensor is for use in soil only. High frequency oscillation and patented signal filtering deliver excellent accuracy with minimal textural effects. Serial or SDI-12 communication options come standard with each 5TE, giving lots of options for integrating into systems manufactured by other companies (such as Campbell Scientific). » Learn more

GS3 Soil Moisture Sensor

A moisture sensor for soilless substrates such as rockwool, potting soil, peat, and perlite. The GS3 measures water content, temperature, and bulk electrical conductivity. Its stainless steel needles have an extended surface area to optimize EC measurements and minimize substrate disturbance during insertion. The GS3 comes standard with both serial and SDI-12 communication; you can plug and log with Decagon data loggers or integrate with other systems (including those manufactured by Campbell Scientific). » Learn more

MAS-1 4-20 milliamp water content sensor

The MAS-1 4-20 milliamp sensor accurately measures water content with a standard 4-20 milliamp output. This sensor is best for industrial systems or systems where a sensor with 250 feet of cable or greater is required. » Learn more