Xylem AT210 User Manual

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Global Water Instrumentation, Inc.

151 Graham Road

P.O. Box 9010

College Station, TX 77842-9010

T: 800-876-1172

Int’l: [phone], Fax: [phone]

E-mail : [e-mail]

AT210 Soil Moisture Sensor

Publication Number 38930512

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Table of Contents:

I. Inspection

II. Description

III. Specifications

IV. Installation

V. Wiring Diagr am

VI. Trouble Shooting

VII. Warranty

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I Inspection

Power Requirements

12 VDC +/- 20% @ 40mA

Output

4-20 mA DC
Power Up Time

1 second from power up

Your Soil Moisture Sensor was carefully inspected and certified by our Quality
Assurance Team before shipping. If any damage has occurred during shipping, please
notify Global Water Instrumentation, Inc. and file a claim with the carrier involved.

II Description

Global Water’s AT210 is a reliable and accurate sensor which measures the water
saturation of soil. It can be used in a variety of applications, such as:

 Bioremediation
 Wastewater Reclamation
 Landfill Management
 Agriculture Monitoring and Irrigation

The Global Water Soil Moisture Sensor utilized Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) to
accurately measure the water content of soil. What this means for you is that this sensor
is a no hassle, no maintenance, long lasting, probe this is very accurate.

How TDR sensors work is similar to radar. A high frequency signal is pulsed down the
probe. The reflection of this signal is proportional to the dielectric constant of the soil
surrounding the sensor. The dielectric reading from the sensor is then converted to water
saturation and transmits to the monitoring equipment via a 4-20mA signal.

III Specifications

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IV Installation

The AT210 Soil Moisture Sensors measure an 18” section of soil. The first 9” at the end
closest to the cable and the bottom ½” are not included in the measuring area. The
sensing area must be in contact with the soil and can be placed in any direction or depth.

In deep-rooted crops, such as orchards, it is normally installed vertically. In a vertical
installation, make a ¾” wide hole and place the sensor at the desired measuring depth.
The sensor must be in full contact with the soil to get an accurate reading. To make sure
the soil is packed around the sensor; drive a rod about ½” in diameter into the ground
about 3” away from the sensor, to the same depth as the sensor. Be sure the rod goes in
parallel to the sensor to avoid hitting and breaking the sensor. Remove the rod and drive
it down 3” away from the opposite side of the sensor. Then repeat the procedure at 90
degrees to the first set of 2 holes. Looking down, the pattern would look like this:

Pack dirt over the top to prevent water from preferentially entering the top. An alternate
method of packing the soil against the sensor is to prepare slurry from the native soil and
fill the hole. Then insert the sensor. The slurry will help fill the space between the
sensor and the soil. Horizontal sensors would be installed in a trench and then back filled
and packed.

To take an average for a range less then the sensors length, place the probe at an angle.
The average at this depth is the reading that will be received. This will allow you
measure at your “Root Zone”. To measure the water content at a given depth, place the
senor horizontal at the depth to be measured.

Caution: DO NOT leave the sensor lying out in the direct sun.

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V The Wiring for the AT210:

VI Trouble Shooting

Issue: Sensor reading incorrectly

1. Verify power source is supplying correct voltage.

2. Verify that the cable is not cut or nicked

3. Clean the sensor with water and a towel

Other issues:
Call Global Water for tech support: 800-876-1172 or [phone] (many problems
can be solved over the phone). Fax: [phone] or E-mail: [e-mail].

When calling for tech support, please have the following information ready:

 Model #
 Unit serial number
 P.O.# the equipment was purchased on.
 Our sales number or the invoice number
 Repair instructions and/or specific problems relating to the product.

Be prepared to describe the problem you are experiencing including specific details of the
application, installation, and any additional pertinent information.

In the event that the equipment needs to be returned to the factory for any reason, please
call to obtain an RMA# (Return Material Authorization). Do not return items without an
RMA# displayed on the outside of the package.

1. Clean and decontaminate the AT210 if necessary.

2. Include a written statement describing the problems.

3. Send the package with shipping prepaid to our factory address. Insure your

shipment, Global Water’s warranty does not cover damage incurred during transit.

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VII Warranty

Global Water Instrumentation, Inc. warrants that its products are free from defects in
material and workmanship under normal use and service for a period of one year from
date of shipment from factory. Global Water’s obligations under this warranty are
limited to, at Global Water’s option: (I) replacing or (II) repairing; any products
determined to be defective. In no case shall Global Water’s liability exceed the products
original purchase price. This warranty does not apply to any equipment that has been
repaired or altered, except by Global Water Instrumentation, Inc., or which has been
subject to misuse, negligence or accident. It is expressly agreed that this warranty will be
in lieu of all warranties of fitness and in lieu of the warranty of merchantability.

The warranty begins on the date of your invoice.