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Changes for page Field Deployment Guides

Last modified by KB on 2025/08/12 12:18
From version 31.1
edited by santi
on 2025/07/22 18:24
Change comment: There is no comment for this version
To version 33.1
edited by KB
on 2025/08/11 11:23
Change comment: There is no comment for this version

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Author
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1 -XWiki.santi
1 +XWiki.Kimberley
Content
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5 5  = Site selection and preparation =
6 6  
7 7  (((
8 -* If possible, choose a location with minimal noise interference and as far away from traffic and people as possible. Try to keep your station out of sight to avoid theft or tampering. The site should not be installed in a place where people would ever stumble upon it (e.g. a walking trail or public area).
9 -* Nearby Trees, bushes, power poles etc can induce low period noise in your data when they sway in the wind. A rule of thumb is to have your sensor at least as far away from these as their height.
10 -* Cattle and stock can and will destroy your site. NEVER EVER install a station where cows can get to it.
8 +* If possible, choose a location with minimal noise interference far away from traffic and people. Try to keep your station out of sight to avoid theft or tampering. The site should not be installed in a place where "the public" would ever stumble upon it (e.g. a walking trail or park area).
9 +* Nearby trees, bushes, power poles etc can induce low frequency noise in your data when they sway in the wind. A rule of thumb is to have your sensor at least as far away from these as their height.
10 +* Cattle and stock can and will destroy your site and our instrumentation. NEVER **EVER** install a station where cows can get to it because they //will// get to it and they **WILL** destroy it.
11 11  * If the area looks like a place that has flooded, or may flood again, absolutely assume that it will. This very much includes dry riverbeds or ponds. Always prefer locally elevated terranes.
12 12  * The harder the soil, the better the signal. Sand and mud are your enemy.
13 13  * Grass can often grow high enough to block your solar panel from sun. If possible, clear an area in front of the panel to minimize this possibility.
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15 15  
16 16  = Installing Sensors =
17 17  
18 -* Bury seismometers at an appropriate depth for noise reduction and stable ground coupling, typically 0.5-0.8 metre depth but deeper the better.
18 +* Bury seismometers for noise reduction and stable ground coupling, typically 0.5-0.8 metre depth but deeper the better.
19 19  * Ensure the sensor is leveled correctly, typically the sensor can be placed on a well leveled paver to make this easier.
20 -* Orient the sensor correctly using a compass, paying special attention to the north direction and accounting for declination.
20 +* Orient the sensor correctly using a compass, paying special attention to the north direction and **accounting for declination**.
21 21  ** When using a compass to orient the sensors, ensure it is kept away from metal objects or structures that could interfere with its magnetic field.
22 -** It is recommended to take a picture of the sensor's orientation next to the compass.
22 +** It is recommended to take a picture of the sensor's orientation next to the compass in case there are questions or issues later.
23 23  * Hold the sensor or sensor covering securely while infilling and compacting the hole to ensure the setup is kept in the correct position (level and oriented).
24 24  * Burial styles can vary depending on sensor type, soil, wetness/humidity and the duration of the experiment. See the **Sensor Protection** section below for more detail.
25 25  
26 26  == Importance of locking sensor feet ==
27 27  
28 -The Trillium Compact 120s and 20s sensors have three adjustable feet for leveling. It is **critical** to "lock" these feet in place by spinning the locking disk upwards towards the sensor, as tight as possible. This reduces "wobble" which shows up in both low and high frequency signal. It is also a good idea to keep the length of the three feet as small as possible.
28 +The Trillium Compact 120s and 20s sensors have three adjustable feet for leveling. It is **critical** to "lock" these feet in place by spinning the locking disk upwards towards the sensor, as tight as possible. This reduces "wobble" which shows up in both low and high frequency signal. It is also a good idea to keep the length of the three feet as small as possible to maximize stability.
29 29  
30 30  [[image:TC20_feetlocked_vs_unlocked.png||alt="Figured showing how unlocked feet can amplify fake noise and rattle" data-xwiki-image-style-alignment="center"]]
31 31  
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46 46  * Use wire to secure the fence to the post and also the solar panel to the fence.
47 47  * Place the solar panel as high on the fence as possible to reduce any interference from grass and weeds. When securing the solar panel to the fence with wire, make the wire as tight as possible to reduce "rattle" in the wind. Test yourself. It's usually a great idea to use a pair of pliers to make the final twist in the wire so that it is **really tight**.
48 48  
49 -= Fire safety & Security Measures =
49 += Fire Protection & Security =
50 50  
51 -* In bushfire-prone areas (e.g. everywhere in Australia), where possible a wide perimeter around the installation to reduce fire risk. Assume the area WILL catch on fire~-~- will your site be OK?
52 -* Use fireproof blankets to cover equipment. This also keeps the loggers clean and keeps dirt our of the card slots etc. Fire blankets are also permeable, unlike tarps, which avoids trapping rainwater around the logger attracting ants, centipedes, snakes, and other insects/animals.
53 -* We also recommend burying the data loggers with some dirt as this keeps them cool, further reduces the chance of fire damage, and keeps people from snooping around in them.
51 +* In fire-prone areas, clear a perimeter around the installation to reduce fire risk. Assume the area will catch on fire~-~- will your site survive?
52 +* Consider using fireproof covers for the logger. This will have the added benefit of reducing soil contact, especially dirt getting into SD card slots. A permeable cover will avoid trapping rainwater ~-~- a problem associated with plastic tarps, which damages the logger and attracts insects/animals (ants, centipedes, snakes, etc.). We are still testing materials for suitability in the field (e.g., safe and tolerable degradation in the environment).
53 +* We recommend adding a soil layer for insulation. This seems to keep loggers cooler, reduce fire damage, and discourage interference by people passing by.
54 54  
55 55  = Metadata & Site Logs =
56 56  
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65 65  
66 66  (% class="box errormessage" %)
67 67  (((
68 -DO NOT: bury the sensors with anything other than a PVC housing or direct burial. Other methods may damage the equipment more than protect it.
68 +DO NOT: bury the sensors with anything other than a PVC housing or direct burial. Other methods (especially using a plastic bag!!) may damage the equipment more than protect it.
69 69  )))
70 70  
71 71  = Step-by-step field installation guide (with images) =
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127 127  
128 128  = Experimental Sand Burial: =
129 129  
130 -Direct burials are used for Trillium Compact Postholes as they are specifically designed to be corrosion resistant. Other sensors such as the Trillum Compact 120, Trillum Compact 20, and 3D Lites are not built with this degree of corrosion resistance. Currently, the best prevention for moisture trapping and corrosion is burying them with a PVC covering. However, in particularly wet environments, some moisture can still collect within these coverings. One experimental method that is being trialled in hopes of providing better drainage is the sand burial. Steps 1, 2, and 3 remain the same, though once the sensor is set with the correct levelling and orientation, the subsequent infill steps differ. Once the open PVC tube is placed around the sensor, infill the hole around the tubing, holding it in place (image A). Once the hole is back-filled level with the tubing, securing it in place, begin filling the interior of the PVC tube with sand. Hold the sensor in place and ensure the sand is packed tightly around it (image B). Once the sand fills the PVC tube, gently remove the PVC tube while holding the sensor in place (pliers may be required to grip the tube). The last deviation for a sand burial from the standard burial is continuing to place some sand above the sensor, and dirt (or other local substrate around that sand pocket) until level with the surface (image C).
130 +Direct burials are used for Trillium Compact Postholes as they are specifically designed to be corrosion resistant. Other sensors such as the Trillium Compact 120, Trillium Compact 20, and 3D Lites are not built with this degree of corrosion resistance. Currently, the best prevention for moisture trapping and corrosion is burying them with a PVC covering. However, in particularly wet environments, some moisture can still collect within these coverings. One experimental method that is being trialled in hopes of providing better drainage is the sand burial. Steps 1, 2, and 3 remain the same, though once the sensor is set with the correct leveling and orientation, the subsequent infill steps differ. Once the open PVC tube is placed around the sensor, infill the hole around the tubing, holding it in place (image A). Once the hole is back-filled level with the tubing, securing it in place, begin filling the interior of the PVC tube with sand. Hold the sensor in place and ensure the sand is packed tightly around it (image B). Once the sand fills the PVC tube, gently remove the PVC tube while holding the sensor in place (pliers may be required to grip the tube). The last deviation for a sand burial from the standard burial is continuing to place some sand above the sensor, and dirt (or other local substrate around that sand pocket) until level with the surface (image C).
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148 148  (% class="col-xs-12 col-sm-4" %)
149 149  (((
150 150  {{box title="**Contents**"}}
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156 156  [[image:20230925_122808.jpg||alt="working on a site" data-xwiki-image-style-alignment="center" height="467" width="350"]]
157 157  //Figure 2: Flipping up the back of the fence onto the support picket to work comfortably//
158 158  
159 -[[**Fireproof blanket**
160 -
161 -size: 1x1 m2>>image:20240116_125547.jpg||data-xwiki-image-style-alignment="center"]]
162 -
163 163  
164 164  )))
165 165  )))