Decagon EC-5 Bedienungsanleitung
Operator’s Manual
Decagon Devices, Inc.
Version: October 10, 2016 — 11:23:43
EC-5
Decagon Devices, Inc.
2365 NE Hopkins Court
Pullman WA 99163
Phone: 509-332-5600
Fax: 509-332-5158
Website: www.decagon.com
Trademarks
“ECH2O” is a registered trademark of Decagon Devices, Inc.
c
2001-2014 Decagon Devices, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
ii
EC-5 CONTENTS
Contents
1 Introduction 1
1.1 Warranty ......................... 1
1.2 Seller’s Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2 About EC-5 3
2.1 Specifications ....................... 3
3 Installing the Sensors 5
3.1 Wiring........................... 6
4 Connecting Sensors 9
5 Collecting Data 10
5.1 Data Logger Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
5.2 Sample Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
5.3 SCWin (Short Cut) Directions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
5.4 Removing the Sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
6 Calibration 14
6.1 Sensor Calibration Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
7 Maintenance and Troubleshooting 17
8 Declaration of Conformity 18
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EC-5 1 INTRODUCTION
1 Introduction
Thank you for choosing Decagon’s EC-5 Volumetric Water Content
sensor. This manual can help you understand the sensor features and
ensure successful sensor operation. We hope you find the contents of
this manual useful in understanding your instrument and maximiz-
ing its benefit to you.
There are several ways to contact Decagon if you ever need assis-
tance with your product, have any questions, or feedback. Decagon
has Customer Service Representatives available to speak with you
Monday through Friday, between 7am and 5pm Pacific time.
Note: If you purchased your sensor through a distributor, please con-
tact them for assistance.
Email:
Phone:
509-332-5600
Fax:
509-332-5158
If contacting us by email or fax, please include as part of your mes-
sage your instrument serial number, your name, address, phone, fax
number, and a description of your problem or question.
Please read these instructions before operating your sensor to en-
sure that it performs to its full potential.
1.1 Warranty
The sensor has a 30-day satisfaction guarantee and a one-year war-
ranty on parts and labor. Your warranty automatically validates
upon receipt of the instrument.
1
1 INTRODUCTION EC-5
1.2 Seller’s Liability
Seller warrants new equipment of its own manufacture against de-
fective workmanship and materials for a period of one year from the
date of receipt of equipment.
Note: We do not consider the results of ordinary wear and tear,
neglect, misuse, accident as defects.
The Seller’s liability for defective parts shall in no event exceed the
furnishing of replacement parts “freight on board” the factory where
originally manufactured. Material and equipment covered hereby
which is not manufactured by Seller shall be covered only by the
warranty of its manufacturer. Seller shall not be liable to Buyer for
loss, damage or injuries to persons (including death), or to property
or things of whatsoever kind (including, but not without limitation,
loss of anticipated profits), occasioned by or arising out of the instal-
lation, operation, use, misuse, nonuse, repair, or replacement of said
material and equipment, or out of the use of any method or process
for which the same may be employed. The use of this equipment con-
stitutes Buyer’s acceptance of the terms set forth in this warranty.
There are no understandings, representations, or warranties of any
kind, express, implied, statutory or otherwise (including, but with-
out limitation, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness
for a particular purpose), not expressly set forth herein.
2
EC-5 2 ABOUT EC-5
2 About EC-5
The EC-5 determines volumetric Water Content (VWC) by measur-
ing the dielectric constant of the media using capacitance and fre-
quency domain technology. The 70 MHz frequency minimizes salinity
and textural effects, making this sensor accurate in almost any soil
or soilless media. It arrives with factory calibration for mineral soils,
potting soils, rockwool, and perlite included in this Operator’s Man-
ual.
The two-prong design and higher measurement frequency allows the
EC-5 to measure VWC from 0 to 100% (VWC of saturated soils is
generally 40 to 60% depending on the soil type) and allows accurate
measurement of all soils and soilless medias with a wide range of
salinities.
2.1 Specifications
Measurement Time: 10 ms (milliseconds)
Accuracy: at least 0.03 m3/m3typical soils, up to 8 dS/m
With soil-specific calibration: ±.02 m3/m3(±2%)
Resolution: 0.001 m3/m3VWC in mineral soils, 0.25% in growing
media
Power Requirements: 2.5 VDC to 3.6 VDC @ 10 mA
Output: 10 to 40% of excitation voltage (250 to 1,000 mV at 2,500
mV excitation)
Operating Environment: -40 to 50 ◦C1
Range of Measurement: 0 to 100%
Sensor dimensions: 8.9 cm ×1.8 cm ×0.7 cm
Connector Types: 3.5 mm (stereo) plug or stripped & tinned lead
wires (Pigtail)
1Sensors can be used at higher temperatures under certain conditions. Please
contact Decagon for assistance.
3
2 ABOUT EC-5 EC-5
Cable Length: 5 m standard; custom cable lengths up to 40 m
available upon request
Data logger Compatibility (not exclusive):
•Decagon: Em50, Em50R, and Em50G
•Campbell Scientific: Any logger with serial I/O (CR10X,
CR850, 1000, 3000, etc.)
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EC-5 3 INSTALLING THE SENSORS
3 Installing the Sensors
When selecting a site for installation, it is important to remember
that the soil adjacent to the sensor surface has the strongest influ-
ence on the sensor reading and that the sensor measures the VWC.
Therefore any air gaps or excessive soil compaction around the sen-
sor can profoundly influence the readings. Also, do not install the
sensors adjacent to large metal objects such as metal poles or stakes.
This can attenuate the sensors electromagnetic field and adversely af-
fect output readings. Because the EC-5 has gaps between its prongs,
it is also important to consider the size of the media you are insert-
ing the sensor into. It is possible to get sticks, bark, roots or other
material stuck between the sensor prongs, which will adversely affect
readings. Finally, be careful when inserting the sensors into dense
soil, as the prongs will break if excessive sideways force is used when
pushing them in.
Installation Procedure
When installing the EC-5, it is best to maximize contact between
the sensor and the soil.
•If you are installing sensors in a lightning prone area with
a grounded data logger, please see our Application Note at
www.decagon.com/lightning.
•Decagon advises that you test the sensors with your data log-
ging device and software before going to the field.
The EC-5 sensor was designed for easy installation into the soil. Af-
ter digging a hole to the desired depth, push the prongs on the sensor
into undisturbed soil at the bottom of the hole or into the sidewall
of the hole. Make sure that the prongs and black overmolding are
buried completely. Note: The sensor may be difficult to insert into
extremely compact or dry soil. If you have difficulty inserting the
sensor, try loosening the soil somewhat or wetting the soil. Never
pound the sensor into the soil
Carefully backfill the hole to match the bulk density of the surround-
5
3 INSTALLING THE SENSORS EC-5
ing soil. Be careful not to bend the black overmolding connecting the
sensor to the cable.
To watch a video on proper installation of the sensor go to
www.decagon.com/install.
Orientation
The sensor can be oriented in any direction. However, orienting
the flat side perpendicular to the surface of the soil will minimize
effects on downward water movement.
Removing the Sensor
When removing the sensor from the soil, do not pull it out of the soil
by the cable! Doing so may break internal connections and make the
sensor unusable.
3.1 Wiring
Figure 1: 3.5 mm Stereo Plug
The following software support the EC-5 sensor:
•ECH2O Utility 1.12 or greater
•ECH2O DataTrac 2.77 or greater
Connecting to a non-Decagon Logger
Customers may purchase EC-5 sensors for use with non-Decagon
6
EC-5 3 INSTALLING THE SENSORS
data loggers. These sensors typically come configured with stripped
and tinned (pigtail) lead wires for use with screw terminals. Refer to
your distinct logger manual for details on wiring. Our Integrator’s
Guide gives detailed instructions on connecting the EC-5 sensor to
non-Decagon loggers. Please visit www.decagon.com/support/literat
ure for the complete Integrator’s Guide.
Figure 2: Pigtail End Wiring
Pigtail End Wiring
Connect the wires to the data logger as Figure 3 shows, with the
supply wire (white) connected to the excitation, the analog out wire
(red) to a analog input, the bare ground wire to ground as illustrated
in Figure 2.
Note: The acceptable range of excitation voltages is from 2.5 to 3.6
VDC.
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