Campbell Scientific CS616, CS625 User Manual

CS616 and

CS625

Water Content

Reflectometers

Revision: 05/2020

Copyright © 2002 – 2020
Campbell Scientific

CSL I.D - 467

Guarantee

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This equipment is guaranteed against defects in materials and workmanship.
We will repair or replace products which prove to be defective during the
guarantee period as detailed on your invoice, provided they are returned to us
prepaid. The guarantee will not apply to:

Equipment which has been modified or altered in any way without the
written permission of Campbell Scientific

Batteries
Any product which has been subjected to misuse, neglect, acts of God or

damage in transit.

Campbell Scientific will return guaranteed equipment by surface carrier
prepaid. Campbell Scientific will not reimburse the claimant for costs incurred

in removing and/or reinstalling equipment. This guarantee and the Company’s

obligation thereunder is in lieu of all other guarantees, expressed or implied,
including those of suitability and fitness for a particular purpose. Campbell
Scientific is not liable for consequential damage.

Please inform us before returning equipment and obtain a Repair Reference
Number whether the repair is under guarantee or not. Please state the faults as
clearly as possible, and if the product is out of the guarantee period it should
be accompanied by a purchase order. Quotations for repairs can be given on
request. It is the policy of Campbell Scientific to protect the health of its
employees and provide a safe working environment, in support of this policy a

“Declaration of Hazardous Material and Decontamination” form will be

issued for completion.

When returning equipment, the Repair Reference Number must be clearly
marked on the outside of the package. Complete the “Declaration of
Hazardous Material and Decontamination” form and ensure a completed copy
is returned with your goods. Please note your Repair may not be processed if
you do not include a copy of this form and Campbell Scientific Ltd reserves
the right to return goods at the customers’ expense.

Note that goods sent air freight are subject to Customs clearance fees which
Campbell Scientific will charge to customers. In many cases, these charges are
greater than the cost of the repair.

Campbell Scientific Ltd,

80 Hathern Road,

Shepshed, Loughborough, LE12 9GX, UK

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

www.campbellsci.co.uk

PLEASE READ FIRST

About this manual

Please note that this manual was originally produced by Campbell Scientific Inc. primarily for the North
American market. Some spellings, weights and measures may reflect this origin.

Some useful conversion factors:

Area: 1 in2 (square inch) = 645 mm2

Length: 1 in. (inch) = 25.4 mm

1 ft (foot) = 304.8 mm
1 yard = 0.914 m
1 mile = 1.609 km

In addition, while most of the information in the manual is correct for all countries, certain information
is specific to the North American market and so may not be applicable to European users.

Differences include the U.S standard external power supply details where some information (for
example the AC transformer input voltage) will not be applicable for British/European use. Please note,

however, that when a power supply adapter is ordered it will be suitable for use in your country.

Reference to some radio transmitters, digital cell phones and aerials may also not be applicable
according to your locality.

Some brackets, shields and enclosure options, including wiring, are not sold as standard items in the
European market; in some cases alternatives are offered. Details of the alternatives will be covered in
separate manuals.

Part numbers prefixed with a “#” symbol are special order parts for use with non-EU variants or for
special installations. Please quote the full part number with the # when ordering.

Mass: 1 oz. (ounce) = 28.35 g

1 lb (pound weight) = 0.454 kg

Pressure: 1 psi (lb/in2) = 68.95 mb

Volume: 1 UK pint = 568.3 ml

1 UK gallon = 4.546 litres
1 US gallon = 3.785 litres

Recycling information

At the end of this product’s life it should not be put in commercial or domestic refuse but
sent for recycling. Any batteries contained within the product or used during the
products life should be removed from the product and also be sent to an appropriate
recycling facility.

Campbell Scientific Ltd can advise on the recycling of the equipment and in some cases
arrange collection and the correct disposal of it, although charges may apply for some
items or territories.

For further advice or support, please contact Campbell Scientific Ltd, or your local agent.

Campbell Scientific Ltd, 80 Hathern Road, Shepshed, Loughborough, LE12 9GX,

UK Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

www.campbellsci.co.uk

Safety

DANGER — MANY HAZARD S ARE ASSOCIATED WITH INSTALLING, USING, M AINTAINING, AND WORKING ON
OR AROUND TRIPODS, TOWERS, AND ANY ATTACHMENTS TO TRIPODS AND TOWERS SUCH AS SENSORS,
CROSSARMS, ENCLOSURES, ANTENNAS, ETC. FAILURE TO PROPERLY AND COM P LE TE LY ASS E M BLE ,
INSTALL, OPERATE, USE, AND MAINTAIN TRIPODS, TOWERS, AND ATTACHMENTS, AND FAILURE TO HEED
WARNINGS, INCREASES THE RISK OF DEATH, ACCIDENT, SERIOUS INJURY, PROPERTY DAMAGE, AND
PRODUCT FAILURE. TAKE ALL REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID THESE HAZARDS. CHECK WITH YOUR
ORGANIZATION'S SAFETY COORDINATOR (OR POLICY) FOR PROCEDURES AND REQUIRED PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT PRIOR TO PERFORMING ANY WORK.

Use tripods, towers, and attachments to tripods and towers only for purposes for which they are designed. Do not
exceed design limits. Be familiar and comply with all instructions provided in product manuals. Manuals are
available at www.campbellsci.eu or by telephoning [phone] (UK). You are responsible for conformance
with governing codes and regulati ons, including safety regulati ons, and the integrity and locati on of structures or land
to which towers, tripods, and any attachments are attached. Installation sites should be evaluated and approved by a
qualified engineer. If questions or co ncerns arise regarding installation, use, or maintenance of tripods, towers,
attachments, or electrical connections, consult with a licensed and qualified engineer or electrician.

General

• Prior to performing site or installation work, obtain required approvals and permits. Comply with all
governing structure-height regulations, such as those of the FAA in the USA.

• Use only qualified personnel for installation, use, and maintenance of tripods and towers, and any
attachments to tripods and towers. The use of licensed and qualified contractors is highly recommended.

• Read all applicable instructions carefully and understand procedures thoroughly before beginning work.

• Wear a hardhat and eye protection, and take other appropriate safety precautions while working on or

around tripods and towers.

• Do not climb tripods or towers at any time, and prohibit climbing by other persons. Take reasonable
precautions to secure tripod and tower sites from trespassers.

• Use only manufacturer recommended parts, materials, and tools.

Utility and Electrical

• You can be killed or sustain serious bodily injury if the tripod, tower, or attachments you are installing,
constructing, using, or maintaining, or a tool, stake, or anchor, come in contact with overhead o

nderground utility lines.

u

• Maintain a distance of at least one-and-one-half times structure height, or 20 feet, or the distance
r

equired by applicable law, whichever is greater, between overhead utility lines and the structure (tripod,

tower, attachments, or tools).

• Prior to performing site or installation work, inform all utility companies and have all underground utilities
marked.

• Comply with all electrical codes. Electrical equipment and related grounding devices should be installed
by a licensed and qualified electrician.

r

Elevated Work and Weather

• Exercise extreme caution when performing elevated work.

• Use appropriate equipment and safety practices.

• During installation and maintenance, keep tower and tripod sites clear of un-trained or non-essential

personnel. Take precautions to prevent elevated tools and objects from dropping.

• Do not perform any work in inclement weather, including wind, rain, snow, lightning, etc.

Maintenance

• Periodically (at least yearly) check for wear and damage, including corrosion, stress cracks, frayed cables,
loose cable clamps, cable tightness, etc. and take necessary corrective actions.

• Periodically (at least yearly) check electrical ground connections.

WHILE EVERY ATTEMPT IS MADE TO EMBODY THE HIGHEST DEGREE OF SAFETY IN ALL CAMPBELL
SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTS, THE CUSTOMER ASSUMES ALL RISK FROM ANY INJURY RESULTING FROM IMPROPER
INSTALLATION, USE, OR MAINTENANCE OF TRIPODS, TOWERS, OR ATTACHMENTS TO TRIPODS AND TOWERS
SUCH AS SENSORS, CROSSARMS, ENCLOSURES, ANTENNAS, ETC.

Table of Contents

PDF viewers: These page numbers refer to the printed version of this document.
Use the PDF reader bookmarks tab for links to specific sections.

1. Introduction ........................................................ 1

2. Precautions ......................................................... 1

3. Initial Inspection ................................................. 1

4. QuickStart ........................................................... 2

5. Overview ............................................................. 4

6. Specifications ..................................................... 5

6.1 Dimensions .............................................................................. 5

6.2 Weight ...................................................................................... 5

6.3 Electrical Specifications ........................................................... 5

6.4 Operational Details .................................................................. 6

7. Installation .......................................................... 6

7.1 Orientation ............................................................................... 6

7.2 Potential Problems with Improper Insertion ............................ 6

7.3 Wiring ...................................................................................... 7

7.4 Data Logger Programming ...................................................... 7

7.4.1 CS616 CRBasic Programming ......................................... 8

7.4.2 CS625 CRBasic Programming ......................................... 8

8. Operation ............................................................ 9

8.1 Water Content Reflectometer Method for Measuring

Volumetric Water Content ................................................... 9

8.1.1 Response Curves ............................................................. 10

8.1.2 Calibration Equations ..................................................... 11

8.1.3 Operating Range ............................................................. 13

8.1.3.1 Soil Electrical Conductivity ................................. 13

8.1.3.2 Soil Organic Matter, Clay Content, and Soil

Bulk Density ..................................................... 14

8.1.4 Error Sources in Water Content Reflectometer

Measurement ............................................................... 14

8.1.4.1 Probe-to-Probe Variability Error .......................... 14

8.1.4.2 Insertion Error ...................................................... 14

8.1.4.3 Signal Attenuation Error ...................................... 15

8.1.5 Temperature Dependence and Correction ....................... 15

9. Maintenance ...................................................... 16

10. References ........................................................ 16

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Table of Contents

Appendices

A. Discussion of Soil Water Content ................. A-1

B. Importing Short Cut Code Into CRBasic

Editor ............................................................. B-1

C. Example Programs ......................................... C-1

C.1 CS616 Programs .................................................................. C-1

C.1.1 CR1000X Program for Measuring Eight CS616

P

robes ........................................................................ C-1

C.1.2 CR1000X/Multiplexer Program for Measuring 48

C

S616 Probes ............................................................ C-3

C.2 CS625 Programs .................................................................. C-5

C.2.1 CR200(X) Program for Measuring Four CS625

Probes ........................................................................ C-5

C.2.2 CR200(X) Program with Temperature Correction ....... C-6

D. Water Content Reflectometer User-

Calibration .................................................... D-1

Figures

Tables

D.1 Signal Attenuation in Conductive Soils and Need for

Site-Specific Calibration .................................................. D-1

D.2 User-Derived Calibration Equation ..................................... D-1

D.3 Collecting Laboratory Data for Calibration ......................... D-2

D.3.1 Equipment needed ........................................................ D-2

D.3.2 Soil Preparation ............................................................ D-2

D.4 Collecting Field Data for Calibration ................................... D-6

D.5 Calculations ......................................................................... D-8

7-1. Water content reflectometer wires ........................................... 7

8-1. CS616 and CS625 linear and quadratic calibrations

derived from loam soil ........................................................ 10

8-2. CS616 response for different soil types ................................. 11

8-3. Linear versus quadratic calibration differences ..................... 12

8-4. Percent volumetric water content error adjusted with

temperature correction equation ......................................... 16

7-1. Data Logger/Reflectometer Wiring.......................................... 7

8-1. Standard calibration coefficients for linear and quadratic

fo

rms ................................................................................... 12

8-2. Calibration coefficients for sandy clay loam with bulk

density 1.6 g/cm

0.4 dS/m for both linear and quadratic forms. .................... 13

8-3. Calibration coefficients for sandy clay loam with bulk

density 1.6 g/cm

0.75 dS/m

C-1. Data Logger Connection for Eight CS616s Example

Program ............................................................................ C-1

3

and electrical conductivity at saturation

3

and electrical conductivity at saturation

for both linear and quadratic forms. .................. 13

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Table of Contents

C-2. Wiring for CR1000X/Multiplexer Example ........................ C-3

C-3. Wiring for CR200(X) Program Measuring Four CS625

Probes ............................................................................... C-5

C-4. CS625 Wiring for CR200X Program with Temperature

Correction ......................................................................... C-6

C-5. 109 Wiring for CR200X Program with Temperature

Correction ......................................................................... C-6

D-1. Standard calibration coefficients for quadratic and

logarithmic forms ............................................................. D-2

CRBasic Examples

C-1. CR1000X Program for Measuring Eight CS616 Probes ...... C-2

C-2. CR1000X/Multiplexer Program for Measuring 48 CS616

P

robes ............................................................................... C-4

C-3. CR200(X) Program for Measuring Four CS625 Probes ...... C-5

C-4. CR200(X) Program with Temperature Correction ............... C-7

iii

CS616 and CS625 Water Content

NOTE

Reflectometers

1. Introduction

The CS616 Water Content Reflectometer is an improved version of the CS615
Water Content Reflectometer. The CS625 is a modified CS616 for use with the
CR200(X)-series data loggers. The difference between the CS616 and the
CS625 is the output voltage level.

Both water content reflectometers are designed to measure volumetric water
content (VWC) of soils or other porous media. The water content information
is derived from the probe sensitivity to the dielectric constant of the medium
surrounding the probe rods.

This manual provides information only for CRBasic data loggers.
For retired Edlog data logger support, see an older manual at

www.campbellsci.com/old-manuals.

2. Precautions

• READ AND UNDERSTAND the Safety section at the front of this

manual.

• Although the CS616/CS625 is rugged, it should be handled as precision

scientific instrument.

• External RF sources can affect CS616/CS625 measurements.

Consequently, the CS616/CS625 circuitry should be located away from
significant sources of RF such as AC power lines and motors.

• CS616/CS625 probes enabled simultaneously and within approximately

23 cm (9 in) of each other can cause erratic measurements. If probes must
be close to each other, configure the enable lines to the data logger control
terminals so that the probes are not enabled simultaneously.

3. Initial Inspection

• Upon receipt of the CS616/CS625, inspect the packaging and contents for

damage. File damage claims with the shipping company.

• The model number and cable length are printed on a label at the

connection end of the cable. Check this information against the shipping
documents to ensure the expected product and cable length are received.

1

4. QuickStart

CS616 and CS625 Water Content Reflectometers

A video that describes data logger programming using Short Cut is available
at: www.campbellsci.eu/videos/cr1000x-datalogger-getting-started-program-

part-3. Short Cut is an easy way to program your data logger to measure the

CS616 or CS625 probe and assign data logger wiring terminals. Short Cut is
available as a download on www.campbellsci.eu. It is included in installations
of LoggerNet, RTDAQ, PC400, or PC200W.

The following procedure also shows using Short Cut to program the CS616.
The procedure for the CS625 is similar.

1. Op

2. Double-click the data logger model.

3. In the Available Sensors and Devices box, type CS616 or locate th

en Short Cut and click Create New Program.

se

nsor in the Sensors > Soil Moisture folder. Double-click CS616 Water

Content Reflectometer. It defaults to measuring the sensor hourly. Thi

an be changed by clicking the Measure Sensor box and selecting Every

c
Scan.

e

s

2

CS616 and CS625 Water Content Reflectometers

4. Click the Wiring tab to see how the sensor is to be wired to the data
logger. Click OK after wiring the sensor.

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for other sensors.

6. In Output Setup, type the scan rate, meaningful table names, and Dat

utput Storage Interval

O

.

a

3