Technical Specifications

Volumetric Water Content (VWC)

Range

Mineral Soil Calibration: 0.00–0.70 m³/m³

Soilless Media Calibration: 0.0–1.0 m³/m³

Apparent Dielectric Permittivity (εa): 1 (air) to 80 (water)

NOTE: The VWC range is dependent on the media the sensor is calibrated to. A custom calibration will accommodate the necessary ranges for most substrates.

Resolution

0.0010 m³/m³

Accuracy

Generic Calibration: ±0.03 m³/m³ (±3.00% VWC) typical in mineral soils that have solution EC <8,000 μS/cm

Medium Specific Calibration: ±0.01–0.02 m³/m³ in any porous medium

Apparent Dielectric Permittivity (εa): 1–40 (soil range) , ±1 ε_a (unitless) 40–80, 15% of measurement

Measurement Specifications

Temperature

Range: −40 to +60 °C

Resolution: 0.10 °C

Accuracy: ±0.5 °C from −40 to 0 °C
±0.3 °C from 0 to +60 °C

Dielectric Measurement Frequency

70 MHz

Bulk Electrical Conductivity (EC)

Range: 0–20,000 μS/cm (bulk)

Resolution: 1 μS/cm

Accuracy: +/- (5% + 10 μS/cm) from 0–10,000 μS/cm
+/- 8% from 10,000–20,000 μS/cm

Measurement Volume

See comparison article

Communication Specifications

Output

DDI serial or SDI-12 communications protocol

Data Logger Compatibility

METER ZL6, EM60, and Em50 data loggers or any data acquisition system capable of 4.0- to 15-VDC power and serial or SDI-12 communication
See compatibility chart

Physical Specifications

Dimensions

Length: 9.4 cm (3.70 in)

Width: 2.4 cm (0.95 in)

Height: 7.5 cm (2.95 in)

Needle Length

5.5 cm (2.17 in)

Operating Temperature Range

Minimum: -40.00 °C

Typical: NA

Maximum: 60.00 °C

NOTE: Sensors may be used at higher temperatures under certain conditions; Contact Customer Support for assistance.

Cable Length

5 m (standard)
75 m (maximum custom cable length)

NOTE: Contact Customer Support if a nonstandard cable length is needed.

Cable Diameter

0.165 ±0.004 in (4.20 ± 0.10mm) with minimum jacket of 0.030 (0.760 mm)

Connector Types

Stereo plug connector or stripped and tinned wires

Stereo Plug Connector Diameter

3.5 mm

Conductor Gauge

22-AWG / 24-AWG drain wire

Electrical and Timing Characteristics

Supply Voltage (VCC to GND)

Minimum: 4.0 VDC

Typical: NA

Maximum: 15.0 VDC

Digital Input Voltage (Logic High)

Minimum: 2.8 V

Typical: 3.6 V

Maximum: 5.0 V

Digital Input Voltage (Logic Low)

Minimum: -0.3 V

Typical: 0.0 V

Maximum: 0.8 V

Digital Output Voltage (Logic High)

Minimum: NA

Typical: 3.6 V

Maximum: NA

Power Line Slew Rate

Minimum: 1.0 V/ms

Typical: NA

Maximum: NA

Current Drain (During 25-ms Measurement)

Minimum: 3.0 mA

Typical: 3.6 mA

Maximum: 16.0 mA

Current Drain (While Asleep)

Minimum: NA

Typical: 0.0 mA

Maximum: NA

Power Up Time (DDI Serial)

Minimum: 80 ms

Typical: NA

Maximum: 100 ms

Power Up Time (SDI-12)

Minimum: NA

Typical: 245 ms

Maximum: NA

Power Up Time (SDI-12, DDI Serial Disabled)

Minimum: 145 ms

Typical: 155 ms

Maximum: 165 ms

Measurement Duration

Minimum: 25 ms

Typical: NA

Maximum: 150 ms

Other

Compliance

EM ISO/IEC 17050:2010 (CE Mark)
2014/30/EU and 2011/65/EU
EN61326-1:2013 and EN55022/CISPR 22

GSA

View GSA details