Tensio - Model 100 -Mobile Field Tensiometer
The Tensio 100 is the origin of the UGT-tensiometer technology and has been continuously further developed for over more than 25 years. It is a cost-efficient tensiometer type that is especially designed for easy and fast mobile pressure head measurements in the field. The Tensio 100-set comprises a V2A-insertion auger for quick installation, as well as a protective tube for transportation, in which the tensiometer is kept permanently moist for immediate use and is protected from mechanical damage. In the tensiometer head, made of transparent acrylic glass, air inclusions are easily recognizable. The pre-tensioning screw enables an easy refilling even in the field. Additionally, this screw allows to preset a tension to reduce the measurement time to less than 3 seconds per measurement (from installation to reading).
The measurement corpus itself is made of a V2A-standpipe (Ø 10 mm), a Ms support, a ceramic cell (SKA 100FF, 10x24 mm), and a V2A tip. Depending on the type of Tensio 100 the suction pressure is displayed on a mechanical precision vacuum meter (Ø 63 mm) or via an electronic pressure transducer on a handheld or a laptop.
- Displays the current suction pressure on a mechanical pointer manometer
- Basic and cost-efficient system
- Very suitable for teaching purposes, since the measurement principle is clearly understandable
- The overview printed on the back of the tensiometer head enables a fast classification of the measurement value even without specialised knowledge
- Very suitable for short-term measurement campaigns with many measurement points, such as mapping the current tension distribution or the determination and optimisation of the irrigation status in agriculture, as well as for concomitant reference measurements for other sensors (for example soil moisture) or as basis for sampling
- No data recording
- Not suitable to remain in the field
- Displays the current tension on an electronic handheld device, which receives the data from an electronic pressure transducer via RFID
- The read-out data are stored on the handheld device and are available as digital data set
- Very suitable for the determination of short-termed changes in the tension for time spans up to one day
- Very suitable for the determination of short-term reactions of a soil/ecosystem to an event and for the estimation of water movement in the soil
- Very suitable for concomitant measurements for infiltration tests
- No automated data recording
- Suitable to remain in the field
- Data recording via an electronic pressure transducer and storage on an internal data logger
- The data can be read out via an RFID adapter using the USB port of a laptop or PC
- Very suitable for the determination of mid-term tension processes over time spans of up to several months
- Very suitable for measurement campaign with changing locations, for example pilot surveys as planning criteria for new measurement sites/project concepts
- Automated data recording
- Suitable to remain in the field
- The Tensio 100 – set is designed for the mobile tension measurement in the field. Accordingly simple is the installation. The necessary auger is included in the set and can be stowed safely in the provided protective tube together with the tensiometer. Insertion auger and tensiometer are matched in their size and shape. Simply prepare the whole to the designated depth using the auger and then prick the tensiometer into the prepared hole until the tip is pressed into the bottom of the hole. The Tensio 100 is designed for vertical installation.
- Stowed in the protective tube the Tensio 100 stays ready to use at all time and can be transported from one measurement site to another without the risk of drying out. Further the tube protects against damage from mechanical force. If air bubbles arise in the course of a measurement or the tensiometer falls dry, it can easily be refilled in the field. Only a container with water is needed for that. No tools are required.
- Because of the frequent installation as a part of the planned operation concept, there is an increased risk of damages of the ceramic cup. Therefore the ceramic of the Tensio 100 can be easily and independently exchanged in the field.
- Can be easily and safely transported in the protective tube
- Always ready to use
- Robust design
- Fast and simple measurement
- Short reaction time (<3s)