41
VARIOS
3.2
COMPONENTS
This section gives a description of which sensors and other components that can be used by
the VARIOS.
3.2.1 SENSORS
The VARIOS can read the TC-S70 and TC-S100 sensor data. Each sensor is available for sale
individually when purchasing a VARIOS. The type of sensor, serial number, and weight is stored
in the sensor and automatically transferred to the LABROS SoilView-Analysis software.
70 mm
Figure 41 TC-S70 sensor
100 mm
Figure 42 TC-S100 sensor
The sensors are designed for use in soil and other granular or porous materials, especially if
a tight hole can be made to accommodate the sensor needle. The sensors can also be used in
harder material by drilling an appropriately sized hole that the needle fits snugly into using a
drill bit or a pilot pin (
).
The large diameter of the sensor needles makes them robust and less likely to be
damaged in normal use in soil or other solid materials. The dimensions of the
TC-S100 and
TC-S70 sensors conform to the specifications for the Lab Probe defined by IEEE
442-2017 and ASTM D5334 [1,2],
[1] Guide for Soil Thermal Resistivity Measurements, and [2]
Standard Test Method for Determination of Thermal Conductivity of Soiled and Soft Rock by
Thermal Needle Probe Procedure.
When using the soil sample rings, METER recommends using the TC-S70 sensor. The
soil sample ring is large enough to guarantee when using the TC-S70 sensor, there is
enough distance around the sensor needle to the edge of the soil sample ring. The longer
TC-S100 needle would be too long in this case, but the TC-S100 is particularly suitable for
large-diameter samples.
