METER TEROS 54 User manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

2. Operation ...................................................................................................2

2.1 Installation ................................................................................................2

2.1.1 Overview ..........................................................................................2

2.1.2 Installation Methods........................................................................6

2.2 Connecting............................................................................................... 11

2.2.1 Connect to METER Data Logger...................................................... 12

2.2.2 Connect to Non-METER Data Logger.............................................. 12

2.3 Communication ....................................................................................... 14

2.4 Removal................................................................................................... 15

3. System....................................................................................................... 20

3.1 Specifications.......................................................................................... 20

3.2 Components ............................................................................................ 24

3.3 Theory...................................................................................................... 27

3.3.1 Volumetric Water Content.............................................................. 27

3.3.2 Temperature .................................................................................. 27

4. Service....................................................................................................... 28

4.1 Calibration ............................................................................................... 28

4.1.1 Mineral Soils.................................................................................. 28

4.1.2 Apparent Dielectric Permittivity .................................................... 29

4.2 Maintenance............................................................................................ 29

4.3 Troubleshooting....................................................................................... 29

4.4 Customer Support.................................................................................... 31

4.5 Terms and Conditions .............................................................................. 31

18511-00

3.2023

References .................................................................................................... 32

Index ................................................................................................................. 33

TEROS 54

1. INTRODUCTION

Thank you for choosing the TEROS 54 Soil Water Content Profile probe from METER Group.

The TEROS 54 probe is designed to be installed in mineral soils, a variety of growing media,

and other porous materials. This manual describes how to use the probe and guides the

customer through the probe features.

The TEROS 54 probe is an accurate tool for monitoring volumetric water content (VWC)

using capacitance and frequency-domain technology. The sensors use a 70 MHz frequency

to minimizes textural and salinity effects that makes the TEROS 54 accurate in most

mineral soils.

The TEROS 54 uses four precision-integrated temperature sensors to measure temperature

in soil and soilless substrates.

Verify all TEROS 54 components are included and appear in good condition:

1. TEROS 54 probe

2. Protective cap

METER recommends testing sensors with the data aquisition device and software before

going to the field.

OPERATION

2. OPERATION

Please read all instructions before operating the TEROS 54 to ensure it performs to its full

potential.

PRECAUTION

METER sensors are built to the highest standards, but misuse, improper protection, or improper installation may

damage the sensor and possibly void the manufacturer’s warranty. Before integrating TEROS 54 into a system, make

sure to follow the recommended installation instructions and have the proper protections in place to safeguard

sensors from damage. If installing sensors in a lightning-prone area with a grounded data logger, see the application

note Lightning surge and grounding practices.

2.1 INSTALLATION

This sections contains an overview of the TEROS 54 installation procedure (Section2.1.1)

and detailed information about the pile (slide) hammer (Section2.1.2)

2.1.1 OVERVIEW

Table1 contains information needed to install the TEROS54 and start collecting data.

Table1 Installation

Tools Needed

TEROS 54 auger

Dead blow hammer

Pile hammer (slide hammer)

PVC casing or ﬂexible conduit (to protect cables)

Level (to check that the auger is level while digging the hole for the probe)

Preparation

Consider the Surroundings

When selecting a suitable location for the TEROS 54, make sure that it is a

representative location in the measurement area.

Avoid installation in very rocky soils, if possible, to prevent damage to the

TEROS 54.

Conduct System Check

Plug the probe into the logger (Section2.2) to make sure the probe is functional.

Check Sensor Functionality

Verify all sensors read within expected ranges. To validate both probe

and logger functionality, take probe measurements in air and water.

The value of permittivity in air should be 1.

NOTE: The sensors will not read 100% water content in water.

TEROS 54

Table 1 Installation (continued)

Installation

Create Hole

To install the TEROS 54 into the soil, use the TEROS 54 auger available from

METER (Section2.1.2) to drill a vertical hole in the soil. Use a level on the auger

to make sure the hole is drilled vertically to prevent damage to the probe.

NOTE: METER recommends using the TEROS 54 auger and slide hammer that are designed

specifically for installing the TEROS 54 in compact, firm soil.This method will result in good

soil contact. The TEROS 54 can only be installed in very loose, sandy, and soft soils without

using the TEROS54 auger.

• Avoid interfering with large objects like roots or rocks that could potentially

damage the probe housing.

• Installations near large metal objects can affect the sensor's function and

distort readings.

NOTE: Never drill to the final depth in one step. Remove the soil from the auger

approximately every 30 cm.

Mark the required drilling depth on the TEROS 54 auger extension rod.

Themaximum depth the auger can go is 70 cm.

Auger

maximum digging

depth = 70 cm

OPERATION

Table 1 Installation (continued)

Installation

(continued)

Installation Tool

CAUTION

When using the slide hammer to install the TEROS 54 probe, please wear proper ear

protection to prevent hearing damagße because the hammer is quite loud. Please wear

gloves to protect hands from being pinched.

When the hole has been drilled to its ﬁnal depth, position the TEROS 54

centered over the hole, tip-ﬁrst, and press it down vertically.

NOTE: Do not try to insert the TEROS 54 to the desired depth by pushing down by hand.

For installation, METER highly recommends the slide hammer, available

from METER.

Place the slide hammer with the attachment on the TEROS 54 probe head and

drop the weight several times to install the TEROS 54 gradually into the soil.

Raise up

Drop down

slide hammer

drop weight

(slideable)

probe head

NOTE: During installation, make sure that no air gaps occur between soil and the probe

housing. Gaps, such as air pockets near the probe housing, can have a negative effect on

the measurement and falsify the measured values.

TEROS 54

Table 1 Installation (continued)

Installation

(continued)

Finally, screw the protective cap into the thread to protect it from

environmental inﬂuences.

NOTE: Do not hit the probe head directly with a hammer.This can damage the probe head.

Installation

(continued)

Secure and Protect Cables

NOTE: Improperly protected cables can lead to severed cables or disconnected probes.

Cabling issues can be caused by many factors such as rodent damage, driving over probe

cables, tripping over cables, not leaving enough cable slack during installation, or poor

probe wiring connections (Section2.1.2).

Install cables in conduit or plastic tubing when near the ground to avoid

rodent damage.

Gather and secure cables between the TEROS 54 and the data logger to the

mounting mast in one or more places.

Port1Port2Port3Port4 Port 5Port6

TEST

ERROR

(-)

(-)(-) (-)

(-)(+)(-)(+)(+)

(+)(+)(+)

Cable

OPERATION

Table 1 Installation (continued)

Installation

(continued)

Connect to Logger

Plug the probe into a data logger.

Use the data logger to make sure the sensors are reading properly.

Verify that these readings are within expected ranges.

For more instructions on connecting to data loggers, refer to Section2.2.

2.1.2 INSTALLATION METHODS

This section explains installation methods METER recommends for different soil

conditions (Figure1).

The TEROS 54 probe can only be installed in very loose, sandy, and soft soils without the

TEROS54 auger.

METER recommends using the TEROS 54 auger and slide hammer that are designed

specifically for installing the TEROS 54 in compact, firm soil. This method will result in good

soil contact.

• The TEROS 54 auger is shaped to prevent soil compaction near the probe elements

(Figure2).

• The slide hammer (Figure3) consists of four parts: handle, rod, weight (approx. 4 kg

[8.82 lbs]) and connector (put on the TEROS 54 head). Because there is a predetermined

distance that the slide hammer weight travels when dropped, there is an even distribution

of force delivered.

Other manuals for TEROS 54

Table of contents

Popular Measuring Instrument manuals by other brands

Suaoki

Suaoki D40 user manual

Elster

Elster BK-G1.6 operating instructions

Endress+Hauser

Endress+Hauser Deltabar FMD71 technical information

Duratool

Duratool D03128 manual

Vega

Vega VEGAPULS 65 Quick setup guide

Tonghui

Tonghui TH2618B Operation manual

Tenmars

Tenmars TM-801 user manual

MSR

MSR 145 user manual

TPS

TPS WP-82 manual

ELMETRON

ELMETRON CP-511 user manual

PCB Piezotronics

PCB Piezotronics 003C30 Installation and operating manual

Tenma

Tenma 72-10465 manual

Endress+Hauser

Endress+Hauser Proline Promag 50 Brief operating instructions

Siemens

Siemens SITRANS F Coriolis FCT030 Function manual

KLINGER

KLINGER CMF V Series instruction manual

EXFO

EXFO FTB-2 Notice

Keysight

Keysight M8290A Getting started guide

ADTEK

ADTEK MW-5 operating manual