How to Specify/Order:

Primary ApplicationThe Rain Bird MS-100 Moisture Sensorconserves water by disabling a 24 VACsprinkler system from operating when the soilmoisture content is high. The MS-100Moisture Sensor uses two highly sensitive andcorrosion-resistant carbon rod probes tomeasure true soil hydration directly at the soillevel. When the soil probes detect soilsaturation, the MS-100 will automaticallybypass watering cycles to ensure thatlandscaping is never over-watered due to rainor excessive irrigation cycles. Once themoisture level drops below the user-adjustable setting, the watering cycles willautomatically resume.

Features• Automatically shuts off irrigation system

when soil reaches user-set moisture level.Watering cycles automatically resumewhen moisture level is below useradjustable setting.

• Improved reliability - Unlike metallicprobes, the MS-100 carbon rod probes areresistant to corrosion or decay to ensuremaintenance-free monitoring.

• Conserves water - Prevents over wateringby inhibiting watering cycles when soil hasreached a desired level of moisture contentfrom previous watering or from rain.

• Adjustable rotary dial with sixteen user-selected moisture set points allows unit tobe used in any type of soil.

• Integrated Bypass Switch allows user tooverride the sensor. Permits manual orautomatic watering to take place.

• Soil Moisture LED lights when soil reachesselected moisture level and indicatesstatus of sensor.

• Durable weather resistant outdoor cabinet.

• Controls watering in just one or multiplezones.

• Compatible with nearly all irrigationcontrollers on the market.

ModelsMS-100: Moisture Sensor

Dimensions Height: 6 3⁄8"

Width: 4 3⁄4"

Depth: 3”

Electrical SpecificationsOperational voltage:

20 VAC – 28 VAC

User Interface

Slide On / Off Bypass SwitchRotary switch with sixteen

moisture set pointsSoil Moisture LED

SpecificationsThe moisture sensor shall employconductivity, which exists due to ioniccontent in water, to measure the resistance inthe soil. The soil sensor shall bemanufactured with two non-corrosive carbonrods for prolonged life in subterraneanenvironments. The moisture sensor shallincorporate a provision that allows theinstaller to select from sixteen differentmoisture settings.

These sixteen settings shall be derived fromcomparable resistance measurementsbetween the carbon rods of the soil sensor forvarying levels of moisture content. When themoisture content increases above a userselected setting, the internal interrupt circuitshall temporarily disable the irrigationcontroller by creating an open circuit on thevalve control signal.

MS-100

ModelMS:

Moisture Sensor

MS Series – Moisture Sensor

PRELIMINARYTECH SPECS

ERecycled Paper.Rain Bird. Conserving More Than Water

® Registered Trademark of Rain Bird Corporation© 2002 Rain Bird Corporation 12/02

Rain Bird CorporationContractor Division 970 West Sierra Madre Avenue, Azusa, CA 91702Phone: (626) 963-9311 Fax: (626) 812-3411

Rain Bird CorporationCommercial Division 6991 East Southpoint Road, Tucson, AZ 85706Phone: (520) 741-6100 Fax: (520) 741-6522

Rain Bird International, Inc. 145 North Grand Avenue, Glendora, CA 91741Phone: (626) 963-9311 Fax: (626) 963-4287

Rain Bird Technical Service(800) 247-3782 (U.S. only)

www.rainbird.com

D39478

1

2

3

4

2 4 51 3

CARBON PROBE

5

DIRECT BURY SPLICE

FINISH GRADE

SMALL HOLE FOR CARBON PROBE SEE NOTE

PROBE WIRES CONNECT TO BLUELEADS AT MS-100 CONTROL UNIT

NOTE: DIG SMALL HOLE IN SOIL. BURY CARBON PROBE HORIZONTALLY ONE-INCH BELOW THE SURFACE. PUSH CARBON PROBE INTO UNDISTURBED SOIL.

Once the moisture content falls below a userselected setting, the internal interrupt circuitshall allow the irrigation controller to resumewatering by restoring the valve control signalcontinuity.

The device shall have an integrated BypassSwitch to override the sensor.

The device shall be of rugged construction towithstand the elements, including exposure tosunlight (U.V.). The device shall be housed ina NEMA-type 3R rain proof enclosure, suitablefor outdoor or indoor mounting. The deviceshall include a U.L. listed, 3A @ 125/250 VACrated electrical switch. The device shall be ofsufficient capacity to be used with a maximumof three 24 VAC solenoid valves per station,plus one master valve.

The Rain Bird MS-100 Moisture Sensor shallbe manufactured by Rain Bird Corporation,Glendora, California.

MS-100 Implementation1. Select a zone that is representative of the

stations to be controlled by the MS-100.Within this zone, locate the probe in thedriest area. This ensures that the area thatwill be stressed the most by interruption ofwatering will receive sufficient water.

2. The sensor is buried with probes alignedvertically.

3. Use Direct Bury Splice connectors and 16AWG wire to extend leads to the MS-100Control Unit. It is possible to run the probewires to the nearest valve and use availablefield valve wires (if two are not being used)to connect the probe to leads to the MS-100 Controller.

4. Ensure that the station in which the probesare buried is the last active station on thecontroller (or the last station controlled bythe MS-100). This will allow all desiredstations to be watered prior to aninterruption triggered by the MS-100.

ZONE 2ZONE 3

HOME

ZONE 4

GARAGE

CONTROLLER

MS-100 PROBE

DRIEST AREA IN ZONE

MS-100CONTROL UNIT

ZONE 1