7-in-1 Soil Multi-Parameter Sensor

The NiuBoL 7-in-1 soil multi-parameter sensor integrates soil temperature, moisture, electrical conductivity (EC), pH and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) reference values into one RS485 Modbus sensor.

It is designed for agriculture, irrigation, greenhouse cultivation, soil research and IoT monitoring where several soil parameters need to be collected from the same monitoring point.

Important: The integrated NPK and pH channels should be treated as field reference values. The NPK output is related to soil electrical characteristics and empirical coefficients, and the integrated pH channel is less suitable than a dedicated glass-electrode pH sensor when higher pH accuracy is required.

What Does the 7-in-1 Soil Sensor Measure?

7-in-1 Soil Sensor Technical Specifications

Note: the integrated pH and NPK channels are intended mainly for field reference and trend monitoring. For higher-accuracy pH measurement, use a dedicated glass-electrode soil pH sensor. For actual N, P and K quantification, laboratory chemical analysis is recommended.

Why Use One Multi-Parameter Soil Sensor?

A multi-parameter probe can reduce the number of separate sensors, cables and RS485 addresses required at one monitoring point.

Instead of installing individual probes for moisture, temperature, EC and other parameters, one integrated sensor can provide multiple channels through a single Modbus connection.

This is particularly useful for:

• Large multi-point agricultural monitoring projects

• Smart irrigation systems

• Greenhouse monitoring

• Research plots

• Remote IoT soil-monitoring stations

• Projects where wiring and installation space are limited

Understanding the NPK Values

The integrated NPK channels do not perform laboratory chemical analysis of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

The sensor uses soil electrical characteristics and empirical conversion coefficients to generate corresponding N, P and K reference values. Soil moisture, salinity, EC, fertilizer concentration and soil type can therefore influence the results.

NPK data from this sensor is most useful for:

• Relative comparison between monitoring points

• Trend monitoring over time

• Rapid field observation

• IoT data collection

For fertilizer formulation or accurate nutrient concentration, laboratory soil analysis should be used.

Understanding the Integrated pH Value

The integrated pH channel provides convenient reference data, but it is not intended to replace a dedicated high-accuracy pH probe.

The current sensor manual specifically recommends using a dedicated glass-electrode pH sensor when more accurate pH measurement is required.

For projects where pH accuracy is important, see the NBL-S-PH Glass-Electrode Soil pH Sensor.

How to Install the 7-in-1 Soil Sensor

Quick Measurement

Choose a representative location and avoid stones or hard objects. Insert the probe vertically into undisturbed soil and ensure the electrodes have close contact with the soil.

Do not repeatedly rock the probe from side to side because this can create air gaps and reduce measurement consistency.

Long-Term Buried Measurement

For long-term monitoring, dig a pit to the required depth and insert the sensor horizontally into the undisturbed soil wall. Backfill and compact the soil to maintain close contact between the electrodes and surrounding soil.

RS485 Modbus Integration

The 7-in-1 sensor provides all measurement channels through one RS485 Modbus RTU interface.

7-in-1 Soil Sensor → RS485 Modbus → PLC / Data Logger → 4G / Ethernet / LoRaWAN Gateway → MQTT / HTTP → Cloud or Private Server

The default communication rate is 9600 baud. The minimum interval between two communications should be at least 1000 ms.

RS485 Wiring

Typical Applications

The 7-in-1 soil sensor is suitable for applications where several soil parameters need to be monitored together.

• Smart agriculture

• Automatic irrigation

• Greenhouses

• Vegetable and flower cultivation

• Grassland and pasture monitoring

• Soil research

• Plant cultivation experiments

• Remote IoT soil-monitoring systems

7-in-1 vs Separate Soil Sensors

How to Choose Between 7-in-1 and 8-in-1 Soil Sensors

Before choosing an integrated sensor, confirm exactly which parameters are required. A 7-in-1 sensor is suitable when temperature, moisture, EC, pH and NPK reference data are needed.

If the project requires an additional parameter such as salinity or another measurement channel, an 8-in-1 Soil Integrated Sensor may be more suitable.

7-in-1 Soil Sensor FAQ

Q1. What parameters does the 7-in-1 soil sensor measure?

A1. It provides soil temperature, moisture, EC, pH and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium reference values.

Q2. Are the NPK values laboratory accurate?

A2. No. The NPK values are empirical field-reference values related to soil electrical characteristics. Laboratory chemical analysis is recommended when actual nutrient concentration is required.

Q3. Is the integrated pH channel as accurate as a glass-electrode soil pH sensor?

A3. No. The integrated pH channel is mainly for reference monitoring. For higher pH accuracy, a dedicated glass-electrode soil pH sensor is recommended.

Q4. Can this sensor remain buried for long-term monitoring?

A4. Yes. The manual provides a buried installation method for continuous monitoring over extended periods when the probe is installed correctly and maintains close soil contact.

Q5. Can the sensor connect directly to a PLC?

A5. Yes. The sensor uses RS485 Modbus RTU and can connect to compatible PLCs, RTUs and data loggers.

Q6. Can multiple 7-in-1 sensors share one RS485 bus?

A6. Yes. Each sensor should have a unique Modbus address, and the power supply, cable length and RS485 topology should be designed correctly.

Q7. Can the data be sent through LoRaWAN or 4G?

A7. Yes. The RS485 sensor can connect to a compatible LoRaWAN node, 4G data logger or IoT gateway for remote transmission.

Q8. Can this sensor detect soil pollution?

A8. No. It does not directly identify heavy metals, pesticides or other pollutants. It measures soil physical and electrical parameters plus reference pH and NPK values.

Q9. Is this sensor suitable for fertilizer dosage recommendations?

A9. It can provide useful trend information, but fertilizer dosage should also consider laboratory soil analysis, crop requirements, growth stage and agronomic guidance.

Q10. What information should I provide for a quotation?

A10. Provide the required quantity, cable length, number of monitoring points, installation depth, communication method and whether a data logger, LoRaWAN node, 4G gateway or solar power system is required.

7-in-1 Soil Sensor Datasheet

1. 7-in-1 Soil Integrated Sensor Instruction Manual

7-in-1-Soil-Composite-Sensor-Manual.pdf

Request a 7-in-1 Soil Sensor Quotation

For quotation and system selection, provide the required quantity, cable length, installation depth, number of monitoring points and whether the sensors will connect directly to a PLC, data logger, LoRaWAN node or 4G gateway.

View 7-in-1 Soil Multi-Parameter Sensor →