Introduction to Sensor
Soil Water Content and Temp Profile (TEROS 54)
Soil Moisture Profile Probe
The TEROS 54 is a durable multi-depth soil moisture profile probe designed for accurate monitoring of soil volumetric water content and temperature at multiple depths. Its easy plug-and-play operation simplifies installation and measurement, while remote real-time data access allows you to monitor soil conditions efficiently from anywhere. Ideal for agriculture, irrigation management, environmental monitoring, and soil research.
Specifications
Specifications
| Category | Specification | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Volumetric Water Content | Range | Mineral Soil Calibration: 0.00−0.70 m3/m3 NOTE: The VWC range is dependent on the media the sensor is calibrated to. A custom calibration will accommodate the necessary ranges for most substrates. Soilless media calibration: 0.00-1.00 m3/m3 |
| Resolution | 0.001 m3/m3 | |
| Accuracy | Generic Calibration: ±0.05 m3/m3 typical in mineral soils that have solution EC < 8 dS/m Medium Specific Calibration: ±0.02–0.03 m3/m3 in any porous medium Apparent Dielectric Permittivity (εα): 1–40 (soil range), ±1 (εα) (unitless)40–80, 15% of measurement | |
| Measurement Specifications | Dielectric Measurement Frequency | 70 MHz |
| Measurement Volume | See comparison article | |
| Temperature | Range: –20 to +60 °C Resolution: 0.03 °C Accuracy: ±0.5 °C from –20°C to +0 °C±0.25 °C from 0°C to 60 °C | |
| Measurement Depths | 15, 30, 45, and 60 cm | |
| Communication Specifications | Output | DDI Serial and SDI-12 communications protocol 3-wire cable version 4-wire cable version RS-485 Modbus RTU and tensioLINK serial communications protocol 4-wire version |
| Data Logger Compatibility | METER ZL6 and EM60 data loggers or any data acquisition system capable of 4.0- to 24.0-VDC power and serial interface with SDI-12 and/or RS-485 interface, Modbus RTU, or tensioLINK communication. | |
| Physical Specifications | Dimensions | Diameter: (Shaft) 6.0 cm (2.36 in) Length: 75.0 cm (29.53 in) Width: (Head) 11.0 cm (4.33 in) |
| Operating Temperature Range | Minimum: –20 °C Maximum: +60 °C | |
| Cable Length | Standard: 5.0 m (stereo plug and stripped and tinned wires)75.0 m (maximum custom cable length)5.0 m (M12 connector) NOTE: Contact Customer Support if a nonstandard cable length is needed. | |
| Cable Diameter | Stereo Plug: 4.2 ±0.2 mm (0.16 ±0.01 in) with minimum jacket of 0.8 mm (0.031 in) M12 Plug: 5.5 ±0.2 mm (0.22 ±0.01 in) with minimum jacket of 1.0 mm (0.039 in) | |
| Connector Size | 3.50 mm (diameter)14.4 mm (diameter M12) | |
| Connector Types | Stereo plug connector or stripped and tinned wires4-pin M12 connector or stripped and tinned wires | |
| Conductor Gauge | Stereo Plug: 22-AWG / 24-AWG ground wire M12 Plug: 22-AWG | |
| Electrical and Timing Characteristics | Supply Voltage Power to Ground | Minimum: 4.0 VDC Maximum: 24.0 VDC |
| Digital Input Voltage (Logic High) | Minimum: 2.8 V Typical: 3.6 V Maximum: 5.0 V | |
| Digital Input Voltage (Logic Low) | Minimum: –0.3 V Typical: 0.0 V Maximum: 0.8 V | |
| Digital Output Voltage (Logic High) | Typical: 3.6 V | |
| Power Line Slew Rate | Minimum: 1.0 V/ms | |
| Current Drain (During Measurement) | Minimum: 3 mA (during 500-ms measurement) Typical: 35 mA (during 500-ms measurement) Maximum: 50 mA (during 500-ms measurement) | |
| Current Drain (While Asleep) | Minimum: 0.03 mA Typical: 0.1 mA | |
| Power Up Time (DDI Serial) | Minimum: 500 ms Maximum: 800 ms | |
| Power Up Time (SDI-12) | Typical: 1,000 ms | |
| Power Up Time (SDI-12, DDI Serial Disabled) | Minimum: 500 ms Typical: 600 ms Maximum: 800 ms | |
| Measurement Duration | Minimum: 500 ms (4 depths) Maximum: 800 ms | |
| Other | Compliance | EM ISO/IEC 17050:2010 (CE Mark) Prop 56 warning |
Features
Special Features
01
Multi-Depth Soil Monitoring
Measures soil volumetric water content and temperature at multiple depths i.e 15, 30, 45 & 60 cm.
02
Accurate Moisture Measurement
Provides reliable soil moisture measurements with high accuracy across a wide range of soil and growing media.
03
Easy Plug-and-Play Operation
Designed for installation and simple integration, making soil monitoring easier and more efficient.
04
Real-Time Remote Data Access
Enables you to view soil moisture and temperature data remotely in real time for continuous monitoring.
Applications

