> **Source:** Core Electronics is an Australian maker-electronics retailer and manufacturer based in Newcastle, NSW, run by a team of makers and educators. We design and manufacture our own product lines (PiicoDev, CE originals) and are official retailers for iconic maker and industrial brands including Raspberry Pi, Arduino, Adafruit, SparkFun and DFRobot. Orders ship Australia-wide from our Newcastle warehouse. Prices are in AUD and include GST. Pricing, stock and dispatch on this page are generated from the store's live catalog. Full machine-readable index: https://core-electronics.com.au/llms.txt # MODBUS-RTU RS485 Soil NPK Measure Sensor (IP68, 5-30V) **Type:** Product page · **SKU:** SEN0605 · **Brand:** [DFRobot](https://core-electronics.com.au/brands/dfrobot-australia) **Page:** https://core-electronics.com.au/modbus-rtu-rs485-soil-npk-measure-sensor-ip68-5-30v.html ([markdown](https://core-electronics.com.au/modbus-rtu-rs485-soil-npk-measure-sensor-ip68-5-30v.html.md)) The Industrial soil sensor provides precise measurements of soil nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Data is relayed via the MODBUS-RTU protocol on RS485... ## Pricing - **Price:** $98.35 (inc GST) — $89.41 AUD, exc GST - **Quantity discounts:** 6+ $84.94 (exc GST) · 12+ $81.36 (exc GST) ## Availability & dispatch - Available with a lead time — expect dispatch between Sep 01 and Sep 07. ## How to buy - **Build a cart:** compose `https://core-electronics.com.au/cart/link?items=SEN0605:1` (comma-separated SKU:qty pairs) and share the link. Opening it shows a confirmation page with live pricing and stock before anything is added to the cart. - **Verify the cart first:** fetch `https://core-electronics.com.au/cart/link/SEN0605:1.md` for live line prices (inc & exc GST, quantity discounts applied), stock and dispatch estimates, and totals. Append `/to/{AU-postcode}` (or `/to/{country-code}:{postcode}`) before `.md` for delivery options and prices to that destination. Unknown, retired, or out-of-stock SKUs are flagged. (Query form `cart/link.md?items=...` also works but some robots parsers refuse query strings here.) - **Checkout** is completed on-site and includes a captcha at the payment step. Share the cart link; checkout takes it from there. - **Search the catalogue:** `https://core-electronics.com.au/search/{query}.md` (URL-encode the query; pages 2-3 at `search/{query}/{page}.md`; `search.md?q=` also works) - **Payment methods, purchase orders, policies and contact details:** https://core-electronics.com.au/llms.txt ## Description The Soil Sensor is a state-of-the-art device designed to provide rapid, accurate data on soil nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels. This critical information allows for the optimization of soil fertility, creating the ideal environment for plant growth. With a wide voltage power supply range of 5-30V and data output via RS485 using the reliable MODBUS-RTU protocol, the Soil Sensor offers quick response times and stable, reliable output. It is compatible with [Arduino UNO R3](https://core-electronics.com.au/arduino-uno-r3.html) and TTL to 485 expansion board, enabling swift setup of a testing environment. Constructed with a high protection level of IP68, the soil sensor is vacuum-sealed with black flame-retardant epoxy resin. The probe is crafted from 316 stainless steel, offering rust-proof, waterproof, and anti-corrosion properties. It also resists salt-alkali corrosion and long-term electrolysis, making it highly durable even in soils with high salt content. Its compact size allows for long-term burial in various soil types without affecting its performance. ![Wiring Diagram of soil sensor and Arduino Uno](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/3_13404138b75.png) Wiring Diagram of soil sensor and Arduino Uno ![Probe Material - 316 Stainless Steel](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/4_1137777f757.png) Probe Material - 316 Stainless Steel The Soil Sensor finds extensive applications in various soil environment detection scenarios. These include agricultural irrigation, greenhouses, flowers and vegetables cultivation, grassland and pastures, rapid soil testing, plant cultivation, scientific experiments, and grain storage. Its versatility and reliability make it an invaluable tool in modern agriculture and soil science research. Note: Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium sensor data can only be used as a reference and cannot be as accurate as professional instruments. Nitrogen (N): Nitrogen is a component of organic matter such as proteins, nucleic acids, and amino acids in plants, and plays an important role in plant growth and development. Nitrogen fertilizer can promote the growth of plant leaves, increase the green part of the plant, and improve the efficiency of photosynthesis. Lack of nitrogen will cause yellowing of plant leaves and retarded growth, affecting plant yield and quality. Phosphorus (P): Phosphorus is a component of important compounds such as DNA, RNA, and ATP in plants, and plays a key role in the energy metabolism, growth, and development of plants. Phosphorus fertilizer can promote plant root development and flower bud differentiation, and increase plant flowering and fruiting. Lack of phosphorus will lead to short root systems and poor flower bud differentiation, affecting plant reproductive growth and yield. Potassium (K): Potassium is an important ion in plants that regulates osmotic pressure and maintains ion balance. It plays an important role in plants' water balance and nutrient absorption. Potassium fertilizer can promote plant root growth and nutrient transport within the plant, increasing plant stress resistance and yield. Lack of potassium will cause plant leaf margins to scorch, reduce fruit quality, and affect plant growth and yield. ![How to install and use the soil sensor](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/6_295140b36a7.png) How to install and use the soil sensor ### Features - 5-30V wide voltage power supply - RS485 output, can be used with Arduino - High precision, fast response, and stable output - Stainless steel probe can be buried in soil or water for a long time - Resin vacuum filling and sealing, IP68 protection level ### Applications ![Applications of RS485 Soil Sensor - Moisture and Temperature Measurement](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/5_126144a2792.png) ### Specification - Power supply voltage: DC5-30V - Power consumption: 0.15W@12V - Output mode: RS485 - Detection parameters: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K) - NPK range: 0-2999mg/kg (mg/L) - Resolution: 1mg/kg (mg/L) - Accuracy: =5% (subject to the actual measuring instrument) - Protection level: IP68 - Probe material: anti-corrosion special electrode - Sealing material: black flame-retardant epoxy resin - Working temperature: 0°C~+55°C - Cable length: 2m - Size: 123\*45\*15mm ### Projects **Project:** [How to Build a DIY Smart Greenhouse (NPK) and Weather Station](https://community.dfrobot.com/makelog-313566.html?tracking=660bd90501412) IntroductionThe IoT agricultural monitoring system, utilizing Unihiker as the main board and various sensors, collects soil nutrients and environmental data. It also includes a weather station for outdoor monitoring. Data is wirelessly uploaded to a local server for real-time analysis, supporting future AI development.The system aids in detecting, controlling, and researching plant growth. [![](https://core-electronics.com.au/attachments/localcontent/soil-p2_17313d62618.png)](https://community.dfrobot.com/makelog-313566.html?tracking=660bd90501412) ### Documents - [Product wiki](https://wiki.dfrobot.com/RS485_Soil_Sensor_N_P_K_SKU_SEN0605) ### Parts List - RS485 Soil Sensor (N&P&K) x1 ## Images - [Product image 1](https://core-electronics.com.au/media/catalog/product/S/E/SEN0605-1.jpg)