Electical Conductivity [Soil]

 

EC Sensor

 

Description

A "EC" sensor is designed to measure three soil moisture components: Volumetric water content, designated by model "EW"; soil temperature, designated as model "ET", and electrical conductivity, designated by model "EC". Data is automatically collected from each of the three sensors every 15 minutes. The "ECHO" (EC) soil moisture sensor consists of three probes (in one unit) used to measure volumetric water content, temperature, and electrical conductivity in soils. Water content is determined using capacitance/frequency domain technology to measure the dielectric constant of the soil.

 

Manufacturer

ECHO, ECH2O-TE, and 5TE Soil Moisture sensors manufactured by Decagon.

 

Location and Quantity

EC sensors have been installed in several test cells, typically at multiple depths to measure moisture in pavement base and subgrade layers.

 

Current Status 9

Early ECHO sensors did not function well. Later models continue to function.

 

MnROAD Database Table

Data is being collected automatically every 15 minutes over the life of each sensor. Data can be found in MnROAD database tables: MNR.EC_VALUES, MNR.ET_VALUES, EW_VALUES.