Precipitation Monitoring Technology - Tipping Bucket Rain Gauges

Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge - Model TB3/TB4

• Operates on tipping bucket principle

• 200mm receiver

• 0.2mm bucket capacity

• 0 to 700mm/hr. measuring range

• +/-2% calibration accuracy for intensities from 25 to 500mm/hr.

• -20oC to 70oC operating range

TB3 Tipping Bucket Characteristics

• Tips of bucket occur with each 0.2mm of precipitation collected

• Reed switch detects events and produces a momentary contact closure

200mm receiver

diameter collects rainfall

TB3 Installation – Site Selection

• Rainfall measurements are intended to be representative of the actual rain falling on a given area.

• Factors to consider when installing include:

• Placing the gauge on level ground

• Have adequate protection from strong winds

• Free of large obstructions such as buildings and trees

• Suitable ground surface to avoid splashing into the gauge

TB3 Installation – Electrical

• A dual reed switch is on each rain gauge

• Two isolated switches permit the control of two separate circuits; a local counter and a telemetry circuit

TB3 Maintenance

The only routine maintenance required is cleaning. Surface tension changes can occur if proper routine maintenance is not conducted. Isopropyl Alcohol is recommended for surface cleaning.

• Catch Filter

• Syphon

• Interior of Bucket

• Top surface of adjusting screws

• Enclosure locking screws

• All insect screens

TB3 Calibration

• TB3 rain gauge is calibrated at the factory prior to shipment

• TB3 should hold its calibration for 100,000’s of events prior to a calibration being required

• Prior to conducting a calibration check, a thorough cleaning of the rain gauge is required

• most often a cleaning will bring the TB3 back into specified accuracy without having to do a calibration

Specified accuracy is +/- 2% for 0 to 100mm/hr.

TB3 Field Calibration Device

TB3 Field Calibration Procedure

• Fill the FCD and place the device on the raingauge

• Open breather valve

• Count tips manually or record bucket tips using a data logger, digital totalizer during discharge of water through the raingauge

• After vessel is empty, check the number of tips accumulated per discharge

• A total of 104 tips should be recorded +/- 2% after the 653mL of water drains from the FCD into the Raingauge (approximately 12 minutes for this procedure to run)

Civica’s Collection System Management Services

• Flow and Rainfall Monitoring

• Sewer Modelling (InfoWorks, InfoSewer, SWM Engine, etc.)

• Custom I&I Reduction Strategies

• Sewer Testing (Smoke, Dye, MH inspections)

• CCTV Mainline Inspections (Dry and Wet-Weather, Flushing)

• Stakeholder Engagement & Remediation Management

• Project/Program Management