Designed for long-term monitoring
Overview
The CS616 measures the volumetric water content from 0% to saturation. The probe outputs a megahertz oscillation frequency, which is scaled down and easily read by a Campbell Scientific datalogger.
Read MoreBenefits and Features
- Compatible with most Campbell Scientific data loggers
- High accuracy and high precision
- Fast response time
- Designed for long-term unattended water content monitoring
- Compatible with AM16/32-series multiplexers, allowing measurement of multiple sensors
- Probe rods can be inserted from the surface or buried at any orientation to the surface.
Images
Detailed Description
The CS616 is comprised of two 30-cm-long stainless steel rods connected to the measurement electronics. The circuit board is encapsulated in epoxy, and a shielded four-conductor cable is connected to the circuit board to supply power, enable probe, and monitor the output.
The CS616 measures the volumetric water content of porous media (such as soil) using the time-domain measurement method; a reflectometer (cable tester) such as the TDR100 is not required. This method consists of the CS616 generating an electromagnetic pulse. The elapsed travel time and pulse reflection are then measured and used to calculate soil volumetric water content.
Response Characteristics
The signal propagating along the parallel rods of the CS616 is attenuated by free ions in the soil solution and conductive constituents of the soil mineral fraction. In most applications, the attenuation is not enough to affect the CS616 response to changing water content, and the response is well described by the standard calibration. However, in soil with relatively high soil electrical conductivity levels, compacted soils, or soils with high clay content, the calibration should be adjusted for the specific medium. Guidance for making these adjustments is provided in the operating manual.
Compatibility
Note: The following shows notable compatibility information. It is not a comprehensive list of all compatible or incompatible products.
Dataloggers
| Product | Compatible | Note |
|---|---|---|
| CR1000 (retired) | ||
| CR1000X (retired) | ||
| CR1000Xe | ||
| CR300 (retired) | ||
| CR3000 (retired) | ||
| CR310 | ||
| CR350 | ||
| CR6 | ||
| CR800 (retired) | ||
| CR850 (retired) |
Additional Compatibility Information
RF Considerations
The RF emissions are below FCC and EU limits as specified in EN61326 if the CS616 is enabled less than 0.6 ms, and measurements are made less frequently than once a second. External RF sources can also affect the CS616 operation. Consequently, the CS616 should be located away from significant sources of RF such as ac power lines and motors.
Installation Tool
The CS650G makes inserting soil-water sensors easier in dense or rocky soils. This tool can be hammered into the soil with force that might damage the sensor if the CS650G was not used. It makes pilot holes into which the rods of the sensors can then be inserted. It replaces both the 14383 and 14384.
Data Logger Considerations
The reflectometer connects directly to one of the data logger’s single-ended analog inputs. A data logger control port is typically used to enable the CS616 for the amount of time required to make the measurement. Data logger instructions convert the probe square-wave output to period which is converted to volumetric water content using a calibration.
Specifications
| Measurements Made | Volumetric water content (VWC) of porous media (such as soil) |
| Measurement Range | 0% to saturation |
| Water Content Accuracy | ±2.5% VWC (using standard calibration with bulk EC of ≤ 0.5 dS m-1, bulk density of ≤ 1.55 g cm-3, and measurement range of 0% to 50% VWC) |
| Required Equipment | Measurement system |
| Soil Suitability | Long rods and lower frequency are well-suited for soft soil with low electrical conductivity (< 2 dS/m). |
| Rods | Not replaceable |
| Sensors | Not interchangeable |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0° to +70°C |
| Probe-to-Probe Variability | ±0.5% VWC in dry soil, ±1.5% VWC in typical saturated soil |
| Precision | Better than 0.1% VWC |
| Resolution | 0.1% VWC |
| Output | ±0.7 V square wave (with frequency dependent on water content) |
| Current Drain |
|
| Power Supply Voltage | 5 Vdc minimum; 18 Vdc maximum |
| Enable Voltage | 4 Vdc minimum; 18 Vdc maximum |
| Electromagnetic | CE compliant (Meets EN61326 requirements for protection against electrostatic discharge.) |
| Rod Spacing | 32 mm (1.3 in.) |
| Rod Diameter | 3.2 mm (0.13 in.) |
| Rod Length | 300 mm (11.8 in.) |
| Probe Head Dimensions | 85 x 63 x 18 mm (3.3 x 2.5 x 0.7 in.) |
| Cable Weight | 35 g per m (0.38 oz per ft) |
| Weight | 280 g (9.9 oz) without cable |
Documents
Brochures
Technical Papers
Compliance
Frequently Asked Questions
Number of FAQs related to CS616: 36
Expand AllCollapse All
-
Yes, as long as the data logger can detect a ±700 mV square wave over a frequency range of 29 to 67 kHz.
-
The CS616 and CS625 are water-content reflectometers with measurement electronics built into the probe head. The electronics generate a signal, which is sent directly to the data logger. The CS610-L, and other three-rod probes sold by Campbell Scientific, are TDR probes that have no electronic components and serve as wave guides for a time-domain reflectometer such as the TDR100.
-
The CS616/CS625 will survive frozen soil conditions, but the principle behind using bulk soil dielectric permittivity to estimate water content requires that the water be in liquid form. When soil water freezes, its dielectric drops from approximately 80 to 4, making it indistinguishable from soil solids. Consequently, the CS616/CS625 is not able to measure the water content of frozen soil.
-
Yes. The rugged design of the CS616/CS625 protects the probe electronics from water under these conditions. Many CS616/CS625 reflectometers have been working reliably in very wet conditions for more than ten years.
-
Running the cable through electrical conduit or PVC pipe will protect the cable from rodents. A trench 30 to 60 cm deep will protect it from most other human or animal activity. Some customers have found that extra cable can be coiled and left inside a box, such as an irrigation valve box or something similar. When using a box, seal any holes that are large enough for rodents to enter. When cables are exposed on the ground surface, some customers have found that wrapping the cables in the metal screening used for screen doors discourages animals from chewing on them.
-
Campbell Scientific does not recommend splicing sensor cables. Sensors may be ordered with custom cable lengths, and Campbell Scientific recommends purchasing the correct length for the application. If the sensor cable needs to be lengthened, a junction box (if practical) is a more favorable option than a splice.
Note: A splice will void the sensor warranty, but a junction box does not modify the sensor and therefore does not void the warranty.
-
Cutting down rods should only be done at the user’s own risk. Doing so will cause the probe to need recalibration. Campbell Scientific does not provide calibrations for shorter rod lengths for the CS616 or the CS625.
With shorter rods, the probe will work, but there will be some reduction in accuracy because the length of the rod in the soil contributes a smaller proportion to the total transit time. However, probes with shorter rods will work in more saline soils.
-
No. The output is too fast to be measured on the pulse channel of a 21X or CR7.
-
If a soil-specific calibration is performed, the CS616/CS625 may be used in soil with a maximum bulk electrical conductivity of 5 dS/m.
-
Yes. For program examples and guidance on using a multiplexer with one of these reflectometers, see the CS616 and CS625 instruction manual.
Case Studies
Tropical volcanic islands are biodiversity hotspots where the Critical Zone (CZ) remains poorly studied. In......read more
Korea Expressway Corporation (KEC) was established in 1969 to construct and manage expressways throughout South......read more
The Delaware Environmental Observing System (DEOS) is a real-time system dedicated to monitoring environmental conditions......read more
The West Texas Mesonet (WTM) project was initiated by Texas Tech University in 1999 to......read more