5
TEROS 11/12
Table 2 Installation methods
Borehole
This method uses the Borehole
Installation Tool (
allows a profile of soil moisture
sensors to be installed at
different depths within a single
augered borehole. A 10-cm (4-in)
borehole is augered vertically at
the measurement location. The
Borehole Installation Tool is then
used to install the sensors in the
sidewall of the borehole.
NOTE: The borehole method
requires specialized installation
tool available from METER if installing
at depths greater than 50 cm.
Advantage
Minimizes soil
disturbance at
measurement
site.
Disadvantage
Requires a
specialized
installation
tool that can
be rented from
METER.
Trench
The trench installation method
is best for shallow installations
(less than 40 cm). This requires
digging a trench with a shovel,
excavator, or other tool. The
trench needs to be dug to the
depth of the deepest installed
sensor. For deep installations,
this may require a large trench.
The sensor is installed carefully
by hand into the undisturbed soil
of the trench sidewall. The trench
is carefully backfilled to preserve
the bulk density of the soil.
Advantage
Does not
require
specialized
equipment.
Disadvantage
Large soil
disturbance at
measurement
site.
Potentially
large
excavation
effort.
NOTE: Carefully backfill to avoid dislodging the installed sensor by accidentally snagging the ferrite core.
