Soil sensorFeatures of Murata’s Soil Sensor

EC measurement concerns many variables, including soil type, air type, water type, and ions, but Murata EC sensors eliminate the uncertainty by using multiple measurement patterns and changing resistance measurement ranges (cell constants).

With its three elements—grains, air, and pore water—soil is impossible to measure accurately with few electrodes due to the outsized impact of water content. However, Murata soil sensors are equipped with proprietary algorithms that make it possible to measure fertilizer content only.

Bulk EC sensors measure all three components—soil, pore water, and air—as resistance elements, which thus increases the resistance value and are affected by both the amounts of moisture and fertilizer (amount of ions).

On the other hand, Murata’s EC sensors adopt original algorithms to exclusively measure the amount of fertilizer without being affected by moisture. Crop growth depends on the fertilizer content in the pore water, which means that sensors need to detect the amount of fertilizer ions contained in the pore water. It is also important to avoid contaminating the water by over-fertilizing or accumulation of chemical fertilizers in soil due to constant fertilization.

Temperature dependence in automated irrigation and manuring systems is generally prone to problems as sensors that use permittivity can be affected by permittivity variations caused by ions. However, the adoption of Murata’s proprietary algorithms achieved correction of temperature dependence in addition to the use of high-frequency measurement for controlling the impact of ions.

The soil sensors are installed underground or underwater over a long period of time outside. Therefore, the sensors must be robust and the electrodes must be resistant to corrosion.
Murata’s soil sensors encapsulate the sensor element in its robust casing to achieve an IP68 waterproof and dust-proof structure. Together with the use of low voltages to discourage corrosion of the electrodes and the corrosion-resistant metal materials used, Murata achieved a quality that endures long-term use.

Murata soil sensors can be installed by just burying them in the ground, which makes them usable in any environment.
Visit the page below for information on recommended installation methods and procedures.

Murata’s sensors work with wireless systems at low voltage and power consumption.
For electrical specifications, visit the page below.

Contact us below for purchasing or any questions or other inquiries about soil sensors.