5 COLLECTING DATA EC-5
5 Collecting Data
5.1 Data Logger Requirements
The EC-5 sensor is designed to work most efficiently with Decagon’s
5-channel Em5b, Em50, or ProCheck handheld readout. All Decagon
readout devices use a 3.0 V excitation.
The sensors however, may be adapted for use with other data loggers,
such as those from Campbell Scientific, Inc., for example. The EC-5
requires an excitation voltage in the range of 2.5 to 3.6 V. The sensors
produce an output voltage that depends on the dielectric constant
of the medium surrounding the sensor, and ranges between 10 and
50% of the excitation voltage. Any data logger which can produce a
2.5 to 3.6 V excitation with approximately 10 millisecond duration
and read a volt level signal with 12-bit or better resolution should be
compatible with the EC-5 sensor. The current requirement for the
EC-5 is 10 mA at 2.5 V.
We designed the EC-5 sensor for use with data loggers and read-
out devices that provide short excitation pulses, leaving the sensors
turned off most of the time. Continuous excitation not only wastes
battery power, but may, under certain circumstances, cause the sen-
sor to exceed government specified limits on electromagnetic emis-
sions. Do not continuously power the EC-5 sensor.
5.2 Sample Program
The following program is an example that can be used with the
Campbell Scientific CR10X data logger and our EC-5 sensor at a
2,500 mV excitation:
;{CR10X}
; Example ECH2O Data Logger Program for CR10X
; Wiring:
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