Equitensiometer Delta-T EQ3 Equitensiometer

Delta-T Devices Ltd. EQ3 Equitensiometer

• Convenient, accurate and reliable alternative to water-filled tensiometer systems
• Excellent range from 0 to -1000 kPa
• No filling, degassing or topping up required
• Built-in temperature sensor
• Can be buried and frost-resistant (IP68)

The EQ3 Equitensiometer uses advanced ThetaProbe technology to avoid the problems of many water-filled tensiometers. It measures water potential (matrix potential) in the range of 0 to -1000 kPa and provides an accurate recorded result. It is especially suitable for use in dry soils.

How it works

The EQ3 tensiometer offers maintenance-free operation over a wide range of soil water potentials. It provides reliable matrix potential measurements and soil temperature.

The EQ3 measuring rods are embedded in a porous material (equality body). This material has a known, stable relationship between water content and matric potential. When the EQ3 tensiometer is inserted into the soil, the matric potential inside the equality body equilibrates with the surrounding soil. The EQ3 directly measures the water content of the matrix material, which can be converted to the matric potential of the surrounding soil using the calibration curve provided with each Equitensiometer.

Installation and use

The EQ3 Tensiometer is buried (IP68) and maintenance-free. It can be inserted into drilled holes or placed in the wall of a pit (then carefully backfilled). Optional extension tubes are used to increase the burial depth.

The EQ3 is robust, maintenance-free (no topping up, degassing or filling required), cold-resistant and low power consumption; this means it can remain installed in remote locations for long periods of time. In such cases, the sensor data can be accessed wirelessly via a modem using a data logger such as the Delta-T GP2.

Despite its many advantages, EQ3 should not be considered a fast response sensor that fully covers a wide range of water potentials with high accuracy. Such a sensor does not yet exist. The equilibration time of EQ3 is typically several hours.

Adaptation

The EQ3 Equitensiometer is ideal for long-term monitoring of water potential in soils and substrates. It can even be left installed in frozen soils. Typical applications include environmental, plant, soil, ecological and geo-science research, as well as civil and agricultural engineering applications.

The EQ3 has a full range of 0 to -1000 kPa, but best accuracy is achieved between -100 and -500 kPa. This makes it ideal for plant water stress testing – even in very dry soils.

Data logging

The EQ3 can be logged by any Delta-T data logger, including the powerful GP2. It is also compatible with many other manufacturers' data loggers. The EQ3 can also be used with the HH2 Moisture Meter, but only displays the unconverted millivolt output signal and temperature display is not available.

Equipotentiometers – Delta-T device group

More information: on the manufacturer's website or send us an inquiry!