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5TE Soil Moisture Sensor

Measurements:
Applications:

Soil Moisture, Temperature, and Electrical Conductivity

Want to manage salts in your system? The 5TE lets you monitor bulk electrical conductivity (EC), in addition to volumetric water content (VWC) and soil temperature.

Monitor Salt Levels

In water-limited areas, salt management is a serious concern. In these areas, monitoring salt levels can be as important as monitoring soil moisture. The 5TE allows you to measure salt levels through bulk electrical conductivity.

EC measurements require good contact between the stainless steel electrodes on the sensor, and the soil. Because of large air spaces in potting soil and soilless media, the 5TE cannot be used accurately in potting soils or soilless substrates. However, the new GS3 Soil Moisture, Temperature, and EC sensor is designed specifically for use in these media.

Engineered for Accuracy

The 5TE makes all three measurements (volumetric water content, temperature, and EC) independantly. Like all ECH₂O sensors, the 5TE determines volumetric water content (VWC) by measuring the dielectric constant of the media using capacitance/frequency domain technology. The sensor uses a 70 MHz frequency, which minimizes salinity and textural effects, making the 5TE accurate in most soils. The 5TE measures temperature with an onboard thermistor, and electrical conductivity using a stainless steel electrode array. VWC in mineral soils is calculated using the Topp equation; other calibrations are provided on request. Temperature and electrical conductivity are factory calibrated for all soil types.

Easy Installation

The 5TE's small size makes it easy to install--perfect in field installations. This robust probe should be pushed directly into undisturbed soil to ensure good accuracy.

Integrate with Campbell Scientific Data Loggers

Each 5TE comes standard with serial and SDI-12 communication options, meaning easy integration with systems manufactured by other companies (such as Campbell Scientific).

Reasons to Pick the 5TE:

If you need to measure VWC, EC, and temperature.
If you are managing salts in your system.
If you want to use SDI-12.

Specifications

Part number 40557 (Stereo), 40558 (Pigtail), 40559 (Custom)

Accuracy	Apparent Dielectric Permittivity (ε_a): ± 1 ε_a (unitless) from 1 - 40 (soil range), ± 15% from 40 - 80 Soil Volumetric Water Content (VWC): Using Topp equation: ± 0.03 m³/m³ (± 3% VWC) typical in mineral soils that have solution electrical conductivity < 10 dS/m Using medium specific calibration, ± 0.01 - 0.02 m³/m³ (± 1 - 2% VWC) in any porous medium Electrical Conductivity (EC): ± 10% from 0 to 7 dS/m, user calibration required above 7 dS/m Temperature: ± 1°C
Resolution	ε_a: 0.1 ε_a (unitless) from 1 - 20, < 0.75 ε_a (unitless) from 20 - 80 VWC: 0.0008 m³/m³ (0.08% VWC) from 0 to 50% VWC EC: 0.01 dS/m from 0 to 7 dS/m, 0.05 dS/m from 7 to 23.1 dS/m Temperature: 0.1 °C
Range	ε_a: 1 (air) to 80 (water) EC: 0 - 23 dS/m (bulk) Temperature: -40 - 50°C
Measurement Speed	150 ms (milliseconds)
Sensor Type	VWC: Frequency domain EC: Two probe design Temperature: Thermistor
Output	RS232 (TTL), or SDI-12
Operating Environment	-40°C to 50°C
Power	3.6 - 15 VDC, 0.3 mA quiescent, 10 mA during 150 ms measurement
Cable Length	5 m standard, custom cable lengths available upon request
Cable Connector Types	3.5 mm "stereo" plug, or stripped and tinned lead wires (3)
Sensor Dimensions	10 cm x 3.2 cm x 0.7 cm
Data Logger Compatibility (not exclusive)	Decagon: Em50 series, ProCheck Campbell Scientific: Any logger with serial I/O (CR10X, CR850, CR1000, CR3000, etc.) Other: Any data acquisition system capable of 3.6-15V excitation and serial or SDI-12 communication
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

Software & Downloads

How-To Articles

Application Notes

Troubleshooting Articles

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

Video

Manuals

Manual 5TE

Information Sheet

Request Support

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