WET150 Multi-Parameter Soil Sensor

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WET150 Multi-Parameter Soil Sensor Zoom
WET150_connector_and_cable_1000_pixWET150_ SQUARE_Small_1000_pixWET150_1000_pixWET150_Sensor_cable.png – reversed cable F NTP – plus STP1 b

Testimonials

"There are a number of sensors that measure EC available on the market, but we selected the WET150 for its ability to directly provide accurate ECp readings. Other sensors, for example many using TDR technology, measure Bulk EC (ECb). However, these measurements are not indicative of the dissolved ions in the soil water.

In contast, The WET150 Sensor can calculate the pore water EC ‐ the EC of the nutrient solution within the micropores of the substrate and accessible by the plant roots." Andrea Angilletti
Lualtek, Comiso, Italy
"It was clear from this project’s inception that I needed a soil sensor which was particularly good at differentiating well at high moisture levels.

I’ve now had the opportunity to thoroughly test the WET150 in the field, and I’m pleased to say that it has been very effective at recording percentage moisture in the wet calcareous‐fed mire environment.

Knowing the topography of the site as I do, I can say that the data visuals we have created using the WET150’s output are really exciting." Dr David Oatway,
Ecologist and Research Consultant at Ketmar

5-year-warranty

  • Our latest research-grade multi-parameter soil sensor
  • Measures moisture, temperature and EC
  • Accurate monitoring of growing conditions
  • Measures directly in the rootzone
  • Digital SDI-12 for easy system integration
  • Detachable and extendable cable system
  • 5 year warranty

The digital multi-parameter WET150 soil sensor represents the culmination of forty years research and development at Delta-T Devices.

Benefiting from a number of important design innovations, the WET150 delivers research-grade accuracy and build quality at a price point not previously thought possible. This means growers can now integrate a true research-grade multi-parameter sensor into their precision irrigation and environmental control systems at lower cost – making those systems even more effective, reliable and affordable.

Video – The Wet150 Sensor’s use in commercial horticulture

Measures three crucial growing media variables

When buried in soil or substrate the WET150 Sensor simultaneously measures three crucial variables that influence plant growth: moisture content, temperature, and electrical conductivity (EC) – a strong indicator of the general nutrient level.

An important feature of the WET150 is its ability to reliably calculate pore water conductivity (ECp), which is the ion content of the water available to the plant.

The WET150s patented sensor electronics produce research grade measurement accuracy with exceptional salinity and temperature stability ‐ essential for critical control and irrigation decisions. When the sensor is buried, temperature measurement (essential for compensating the EC measurement – for optimum accuracy) is measured directly in the root zone.

A powerful and cost effective solution for precision irrigation

When installed in grow bags, the WET150 can provide the accurate data required to power effective SDI-12 enabled automatic precision irrigation systems – cutting costs and waste whilst boosting produce yields and quality.

The rugged watertight build of the WET150 also makes it ideal for use in outdoor farming and agriculture – sensors can be left buried over very long periods of time without loss of performance. WET150 sensors can also be buried at different depths to enable monitoring of soil moisture, temperature and EC profiles.

Digital SDI-12 interface

The WET150 is a digital SDI-12 sensor (fully compliant with SDI-12 version 1.3 standards). SDI-12 is a standardised interface for connecting digital sensors to a master device – typically an SDI-12 compatible data logger, wireless node, controller, or computer. SDI-12 defines both the digital communications and sensor power standards.

A key strength of SDI-12 is that it supports the connection of multiple networked sensors to a single input on a SDI-12 enabled master device – cutting costs and complexity.

The WET150 (like all SDI-12 Sensors) is low power and features an integrated microprocessor that enables it to perform two way communication with an SDI-12 master device.

The WET150 outputs readings in a standard SDI-12 format which can be sent to, and recognised by, the master device. The inclusion of a microprocessor also gives the WET150 the ability to perform complex internal correction, compensation and averaging algorithms that enhance the quality of the data.

SDI-12 protocol is based on a master-slave configuration. When installed in an SDI-12 network, individually addressed WET150s (slaves) are sent data requests by the master device. These requests briefly wake all WET150s in the network – and result in a measurement and data sending response from the targeted WET150. When not responding to a master request, all WET150s remain in a dormant energy saving state.

The key benefits of SDI-12

 

  • Use many sensors with just a single master device, reducing complexity and costs
  • Low power systems that run off battery and are powered via the interface Bus
  • Many parameters can be transmitted over simplified wiring
  • No loss of accuracy over large cable runs.
  • Ideal for wireless comms based applications

 

Cables and connectors

The WET150 has a high quality, stainless steel IP68 rated connector (M12 x 5-way) – connecting to the standard Delta-T range of M12 x 5-way cables and accessories.

 

 

GP2 SDI-12 Data Logger – an ideal partner for the WET150

The WET150 is fully compatible with the SDI-12 enabled GP2 Data Logger and Controller – which features simple point & click configuration.

Up to 62 WET150s can be connected to a single GP2 SDI-12 Data Logger (subject to cable length and power requirements).

In addition to SDI-12 input, the GP2 can log 12 analogue channels. The SDI-12 enabled GP2 Data Logger and DeltaLINK enable quick and easy creation of sensor networks – without need to resort to the often complex programming methods typically employed by other manufacturers.

Due to the flexibility of the SD1-12 interface and the GP2 Logger, multiple power and cabling configurations may be possible when building a sensor network. Please refer to the WET150 User Manual for further information. Alternatively please contact sales@delta-t.co.uk to discuss your application in detail.

Easy installation

The WET150’s sharp and strong pins minimise soil and substrate disturbance, preserving the original structure around the measurement rods, and making the probe easy to insert and install. For burial at depth the cylindrical shape facilitates installation in augured holes. Optional extension tubes assist with placement and removal (50 cm and 100 cm lengths, connectable).

Applications

Horticulture and agriculture – The WET150 Sensor is available with a comprehensive set of soil and substrate calibrations and provides a simple, effective, rugged solution to checking the uniformity of growing conditions for many types of growing media.

Plants that are grown in artificial substrates routinely receive their nutrients in irrigation water – in the process known as “fertigation”. Nutrient levels can be controlled by monitoring the water content and conductivity (EC) and adjusting the injection of liquid fertiliser into the irrigation water. The WET150 Sensor excels in accurately measuring this crucial information.

Precision irrigation – The WET150 sensor is ideal for precision irrigation applications and its compact design allows it to be easily installed in grow bags. The WET150’s accurate sensor data can be used to optimise irrigation scheduling, or drive an SDI-12 enabled automatic irrigation system.

Soil salinity monitoring – When irrigation water is recycled or abstracted from rivers with high levels of dissolved salts, over time there can be a buildup of soil salinity. Soil salinisation will eventually reduce crop yields. The WET150 Sensor is a powerful tool for sampling soil salinity, ensuring that growers and farmers have the essential information they need to take remedial action as quickly as possible.

System integration – The WET150’s accurate and stable three parameter measurement, simple SDI-12 output and low power makes it the ideal sensor for system integrators. Industrial rated, UV resistant cable fitted with a waterproof IP68 connector allows the sensor to be buried indefinitely, whilst still permitting easy cable exchange or extension if necessary.

Soil science research – The WET150 is easily integrated into SDI-12 systems and delivers research-grade accuracy and reliability for researchers monitoring soil or substrate conditions. Typical areas of use include irrigation research, crop trials, phenotyping, hydrology, soil water profiling, and forestry.

Data logging and portable readout

The WET150 is a dual purpose soil moisture sensor. It can be installed in soil or substrate and connected to a SDI-12 master device (e.g. data logger) to provide long-term moisture, temperature and EC data. Alternatively it can be used in Kit form as a portable sensor connected to the WET150 readout meter to take instant spot measurements of moisture content and EC (when used in portable mode the WET150 Sensor does not provide temperature indication).

Calibrations

The WET150 Sensor comes complete with calibrations for mineral and organic soils plus coir, peat, and mineral wool substrates.

WET150 Sensor development collaboration with National Physical Laboratory (NPL)

Measurement technologies developed by the UK’s prestigious National Physical Laboratory (NPL) have played an important part in the development of the WET150 sensor.

The National Physical Laboratory’s involvement in the project centred around the challenges of calibrating a sensor that simultaneously measures both the conductivity of soil (EC) and the permittivity of soil – from which readings of soil moisture are generated.

The collaborative work between Delta-T Devices and NPL enabled the creation of new proprietary dielectric fluids with permittivity and conductivity properties that are representative of those typically found in soils and soil-free growing media.

 

 

 

Related Products

Specification

WET150 Sensor

VOLUMETRIC WATER CONTENT
PORE WATER CONDUCTIVITY (ECp)
PERMITTIVITY
BULK CONDUCTIVITY (ECb)
TEMPERATURE
ACCURACY 
± 0.03 m3.m-3 (3%)
 
See graph below this table
 
± (3% of reading + 0.8 ε’)
1 → 40
 


± (10mS.m-1 + 6%) 

  

± 0.5°C
(0°C to +40°C range)
± 0.7°C
(-20°C to +60°C range)


 
 
  

± 5% of reading


40 → 80

 
 
  
RANGE
 
 		  

Full range:


0 to 1.0 m3.m-3

  

See graph below this table

  

for ECp ≤ 800 mS.m-1


1 → 40

  

from 0 to 1200 mS.m-1

  

Full range:


-20°C to +60°C

 
 
  

Accurate range:


0.05 to 1.0 m3.m-3


ECb 0 to 500 mS.m-1

  

for ECp ≤ 500 mS.m-1


40 → 80

  

Accurate range:
0°C to +40°C

 
 
  
OUTPUT
 		  

SDI-12 protocol 1.3 (www.sdi-12.org)
Providing water content, pore water conductivity, and temperature - together with base readings of permittivity and bulk conductivity.
Outputs are exceptionally configurable.

 
 
  
POWER REQUIREMENT
 		  

Operating voltage: 6 to 20 Volts


  

Current consumption (typical values powered from 12 Volts):
Active sensing: 22 mA average over 12 ms (average includes short peaks at 45 mA)
Active results computation: 2 mA over 188 ms
Idle: <0.5mA


 
 
  
ENVIRONMENTAL 
 		  

IP68, - 20 to + 60°C

 
 
  
SAMPLE VOLUME
 
 		  

~55 x 70 mm diameter

 
 
  

Sample volume is weighted towards soil immediately surrounding the rods

 
 
  
DIMENSIONS
 		  

Overall: 143 x 40 mm dia


Rods: 51 mm x 2.5 mm dia

 
 
  
WEIGHT
 		  

Weight: 77g (excl. cable)

 
 
  
SENSOR CALIBRATIONS
 		  

Individual sensors are interchangeable

  

Recalibration advised every 5 years (depending on use)

 
 
  
SOIL CALIBRATIONS
 		  

The WET150 Sensor comes complete with calibrations for mineral and organic soils plus coir, peat, and mineral wool substrates

 
  
    
Notes: [1] The WET150 has been carefully optimised to provide accurate readings in soils and substrates - readings taken in water or air may not meet the full specification. [2] The ECp contour map is based on measurements from 30 sensors at 20°C in NPL* traceable media. Calculated ECp readings are derived from the Hillhorst equation, using the generalised “mineral” soil calibration and the default soil parameter = 4.1 * NPL is the UK's National Metrology Institute, developing and maintaining the national primary measurement standards.
   
 
 
 
 
Accessories
 
 
Hardware
 
     
 
 
 
Main components and software
 
     
 
 
 
Mountings and enclosures
 
     
 
 
 
Installation accessories
  
 
 
Cables and networks
  
 
 
Remote communications
 
     
 
 
 
Spares and consumables
 
     
 
 
 
Power options
 
     
 
 
 
Other
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 



Product Resources
 
 
 
 
Data Sheets
 
 
     
  • WET150 Sensor Data sheet 3 MB
     
     
     Data Sheet Image 
     
     Filename: WET150_Data_Sheet_ver_1.4 
     
     
     
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Case Studies
 
 
     
  • Using the WET150 for Teesdale plant species recovery research 6 MB
     
     
     
    Dr David Oatway makes extensive used of the WET150 Soil Sensor in urgent plant species recovery research (Upper Teesdale, North of England - SSI).
     DownloadFilename: Teesdale_WET150_Case_Study_ver_1 
     
     
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  • Seven brief Delta-T Devices soil moisture sensor case studies 2 MB
     
     
     
    A diverse selection of fascinating soil moisture related application stories.
     DownloadFilename: Seven_brief_soil_moisture_sensor_case_studies_v1 
     
     
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  • Lualtek use the WET150 Sensor to take crucial ECp readings for their smart systems 993 KB
     
     
     
    Italian Agritech specialist Lualtek explain the benefits of the WET150 Sensor.
     DownloadFilename: WET150_Lualtek_ECp_case_study_version_1 
     
     
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Videos
      
 
 
 
 
Manuals
 
 
     
  • WET150 Sensor User Manual 2 MB
     
     
     
     DownloadFilename: WET150-UM-01-2.0 (WET150_User_Manual_v2.0) 
     
     
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  • WET150 Sensor Quick Start Guide 646 KB
     
     
     
     DownloadFilename: WET150_Quick_Start_Guide_v.3 
     
     
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  • WET150 Kit Quick Start Guide 608 KB
     
     
     
     DownloadFilename: WET150_Kit_Quick_Start_Guide_v3 
     
     
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  • WET150 SDI-12 Programmer Guide 438 KB
     
     
     
     DownloadFilename: WET150 SDI-12 programmer guide v2 
     
     
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FAQs
 
 
     
  •  
    Setting up an M12 cable network to ensure a waterproof and secure connection.
     
     
     
    Question
     
    What is the best practice for setting up a M12 cable network to ensure a waterproof and secure connection..
     
    Answer
     
    It applies to:
    GP2 for SDI-12 and logger networks.
    Celora for SDI-12 networks.
    All sensors with M12 connector cables.
     
    Examples of SDI-12 network and GP2 logger networks:
     
     
     
    DO
    When connecting multiple cables and T-piece together, it is essential that any M12 connector is tightened sufficiently:
    • Ensure internal connector O-ring and opposite sealing face are free from dirt.
    • Tighten the connector thumbscrews as much as you can by hand or use a torque driver set to 1Nm to be sure. See video:
     
     
    We recommend the Weidmuller “1900021000” torque driver:
     
     
    • This will save lots of painstaking troubleshooting hours if you do have a loose connection and give you piece of mind that all connectors are correctly tightened.
    • Untightened connectors can come undone and let water into the cable network which can damage wire cores and cause erroneous readings.
     
     
     
    Connect in the office first and then transfer the network to the field. This way, you’re not trying to do it in unpleasant weather and the time pressures are off.
    DON’T
    Use duct tape. This will hold water against the connector. If tightened correctly, the connector will seal and hold.
     
     
     
     
     
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  •  
    WET150 FAQ 164 How to get permittivity and ECb readings
     
     
     
    Question
     
    When using the M1 to M5 measurement command, how do I get all 5 readings (soil moisture, ECp, temperature, permittivity and ECp).
     
    Answer
     
    The M1 – M5 commands will instruct the WET150 to take 5 readings.
     
    The last two readings in the data can sometimes exceed the number of characters returned on the D0 command, so you’ll need to use the D1 command to get the last of the data, in this case permittivity and ECb.
     
     
    This can vary depending on how large the readings are, or what type of readings you are taking (sequential or concurrent, for example).
     
    Typically, the D0 command can cope with up to 35 characters from a sequential reading or 70 characters from a concurrent reading. For more information on this, please do contact Delta-T technical support.
     
     
     
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Technical Notes
 
 
     
  • Options for connecting WET150 SDI-12 sensors to a GP2 Data Logger 374 KB
     
     
     
     DownloadFilename: Connecting_WET150_SDI-12_sensors_to_a_GP2_Data_Logger_ver_1 
     
     
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