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I. Introduction
Electrical Density Gauge (EDG) is capable of providing accurate readings of soil density, moisture
content, and percent compaction on soils typically used for roads and foundations. The precision by
which the EDG can determine these physical parameters depends highly upon you, the operator.
Reading and understanding the contents of this manual is a very important step toward utilizing EDG
to its maximum potential.
Please review the packing list of items that constitute the complete EDG, and that were shipped to
you. If there is any doubt as to whether you received the complete set of items, please contact the
factory immediately.
The following will give you an overview of the EDG process and help you understand the more detailed
steps found later in the manual.
II. Is EDG Safe To Use?
Absolutely! There is far less measuring energy present when using EDG than when you are using a
cell phone.
III. Introduction to the EDG Process
The EDG process introduces some new terminology with which you need to be familiar.
A Soil Model is a combination of electrical soil data and user-entered physical soil data. The Soil
Model provides the basis for testing a specific soil type within an area of similar soil characteristics.
To make a Soil Model, several electrical signatures are acquired using the EDG at different Test Spots
(the Test Spots for a Soil Model are called Soil Tests). For each Test Spot that an electrical signature
is acquired, a Sand Cone test is also performed to obtain physical wet density, dry density, and
percent moisture information. A proctor test can optionally be performed to determine the maximum
dry density. The physical information determined by the Sand Cone and Proctor Mold laboratory tests
are entered into the EDG unit, thereby tying electrical signature information to physical data.
At least three Test Spots (Soil Tests) are required to create a Soil Model; more Test Spots make for a
more representative Soil Model. Further, Test Spots that exhibit a broad range of density and
